Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-02-20

brought Vixen back ON her launches
with a Jerk. "Well!" she said i'm
periously.
We'll have to trouble you TO open
those bags, miss" said the spokesman,
with a forward motion toward her sad.
dlebags.
"Open my bagsy Everything In
them Is according TO permit and paid
for. Besides. | am In hurry"
Sorry. but our orders are strict Ser
geant. do your duty"
The lieutenant In command OF the
squad stood with an open paper In his
hand. Ruby sat rigidly silent In her
saddle while the inspection progressed
from one pound OF tea 10 two bars Of
laundry soap. the alpha and omega Of
Aunt Dora's list A great many bril-.
liantly cutting remarks occurred to
her. but discretion carried the day.
She tossed her pretty head angrily as
the sergeant threw her saddlebags
back into position.
II hope the Federal army is quite
satisfied" she said pertly.
The lieutenant In command made a
soliIerly salute and smiled gravely
THE Federal army is quite satisfied
and only regrets the annoyance adher.
ence 10 orders has occasioned the
young lady. Military necessity"
Ruby had the grace TO feel ashamed
of her asperity. Perhaps il the rebuke
had not come from n strikingly hand
some young man she might have held
Oh to her bad humor more successfully
She rose In her stirrups to make sure OF
the saddlebags. Her cheeks were rivals
TO her name for ruddiness, and her eyes
resolutely ignored the lieutenant's gen
tie regards.
| From the folds OF her habit small
paper parcel futtered to the ground
The commotion ii created was entirely
disproportioned to It's size or the value
| of Its contents.
The privates snickered Openly, the
sergeant grinned maliciously. and the
| lieutenant swore softly under his
breath as he stopped and captured tn,
parcel. Ruby clasped her hands befor,
her face and broke into stormy sobs.
"Its-only a-veil; a-little bit-of a
miserable-veil; quarter Of yard
OF gauze. | haven't had-a single new
thing to wear for two whole-years-
and | should think you would all be
ashamed of yourselves"
The lieutenant stood turning the
small parcel over In perplexity. Fol
the first time In his life he rebelled
against doing his duty, He glanced al
most appealingly at his sergeant The
sergeant was a man Of sterner mold Of
perhaps he was married man. Hi
saw and frowned upon the handsome
| lieutenants dilemma.
Orders are. Fir. that any or all par
ties caught carrying anything through
the lines not on their permits are TO b.
remanded tc the provost marshal ant
goods to be confiscated"
Ruby blanched and swayed In he
saddle. She bent toward the lieutenan
with the frightened cry: The proves
| marshal! Jail" She frightened her hol,
upon the bride. II the worst came t
the worst, she would make Vixen tram
pie that insoent sergeant under he
hoofs and run for it."
1t was already growing dark Their,
ynder the black walnuts where the,
Fad halted her. Birds were twitterin.
sleepily over her head as they settled
themselves for the night. The quietnes
of absolute peace wrapped the cart
about. With note Of tense nervous
ness she said sharply, "Well?"
The young lieutenant raised the par
eel In his hand and looked at her grave
ly.
II am inviting a severe repriman'
from my superior officer, perhaps
worse, by not making you turn back
but If you will pledge me the word Of |
lady that this is the only contrabant
article you have about you l will lie
you proceed on your way, committing
your sentence to confiscation of tn
veil"
A smile Of radiant gratitude chase,
the shadows from Ruby's sweet face
Indeed, indeed, that Is all After go
through my shopping had just littl
bit of money left, and ! bought tina
veil to wear with my new palmetto hat
l expected to look dreadfully fine in
brand new thing out of a real store, bu
life consists in going without l an
sure am very much obliged to you 70
not haling me up before that horri
provost marshal. You are welcome
my poor little veil. You can keep it a
a war trophy"
The lieutenant flushed slightly unde
! the fling, but quietly pocketed the pal
| eel. 'If you will honor me with you
name, young lady, l will see If the ger
, eral will let me forward this to you"
81 would not think Of giving eithe
, you or the general so much trouble
Keep it; it might come in handy as
wedding present"
, Having sped her Parthian dart, sh
I touched Vixen's ears sharply and wa
soon out of sight.
II
81 The war passed into history and ste