The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-03

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1 UetWeeu luem,
scarce lifting my eyes. Each was
beautiful after her kind, as day and
night; and though their looks crossed
for a full minute like drawn blades,
neither had the mastery. Joan was the
first to speak:
"Jack, if thy mare in the yardT
"Give me thy pistols and thy cloak"
She stepped to the window hole at the
end Of the kitchen, and looked out.
"Plenty of time" she said, and point
ed to the ladder leading to the loft
above-"Climb up there, the both, and
pull the ladder after. Is it thou they
want-or shew pointing to Della.
"Me chiefly they would catch, no
d~oubt-being a man." 1 answered.
"Aye-being a man; the worlds full
Of folly. Then, Jack, do thou look
after her, and I'll look after thee"
She flung my cloak about her, took
my pistols and went out at the door.
AS she did so the sun sank and a dull
shadow swept over the moor.
JOAN" I cried, for now I guessed
her purpose and "a following to him
der her, but she had caught Molly's
bride and was already astride of her.
"Get back" she called softly, and
then, 81 make a better lad than wench,
Jack" leaped the mare through a gap
in the wall, and in a moment was
breasting the hill and galloping FOR the
high road.
What think you of this for q hiding
placer" asked I, with a laugh.
But Della did not laugh. Instead,
she faced me with blazing eyes,
checked herself and answered, cold as
ice:
"Sir. you have done me a many
favors. How I have trusted you in
return it were best for you to remem.
Der, and for me to forget"
The dark drew on, and still we sat
there, hour after hour, silent, angry,
waiting for Joan's return. Della at the
entrance Of the cottage, chin on hand,
scanning the heavens and never once
turning toward me; I further inside,
with my arms crossed, raging against
myself and all the world, yet with q
sickening dread that Joan would never
come back.
As the time Jagged by, this terror
grew and grew. But, as I think, about
10 o'clock, 1 heard step coming over
the turf. I ran out. Twas Joan her
self and leading Molly by the bride.
She walked as if tired, and leaving the
mare in the stable followed me into
the cottage. CHANGING round, I noted
that Della had slipped away.
"Am glad she's gone" said Joan,
shortly. "The rebels ill never trouble
thee more, lad"
"Why? how
Listen, lad; cit down an let me rest
my head pom thy knee. Oh, Jack, I
did it bravely! Eight good miles an
more I took the mare-by the Four
hold Cross, an across the moor past
Tober an Catshole, an over Brown
Willy, an round Roughtor to the nor.
west; an there lies the bravest. quag-
oh, a black, bottomless hole!-an' into
it I led them; an there they lie, every
horse, an every mothers SOD, till
Judgment Day."
"Dead"
"Aye-an' the last twain wi a bullet
apiece in their skulls. Oh, rare! Dear
heart-hold my head-so, atween thy
hands,"
But, Joan, are these men dead, say
youT
Surely, yes. Why, lad, what be
four rebels, up or down, to make this
coil over? East never axed after me-"
"Joan-you are not hurt"
In the darkness I sought her eyes,
and, peering into them, drew back.
Joan"
Flush, lad-bend down thy head,
and let me whisper. I went too near
an one, that was over his knees, let
fly WI his musician Jack, 1 have
but a minute or two. Hush, lad, hush
there's no call! Vert never the mar
could ha' tanned me-art the weaker,
in a way; forgie the word, for I loved
thee so, boy Jack"
Her arms were drawing down my
face to her, her eyes were dull With
pain.
Feel, Jack-there-over my right
breast. I plugged the wound WI a
peat turf. Pull it out, for it's bleeding
inward, and hurts cr~uelly-pull it out"
AS I hesitated she thrust her own
hand in and drew it forth, leaving the
hot blood to gush.
"An' now, Jack, ti~ghter-hold me
tighter. Kiss mech, what brave
times! Tighter, lad, an call VII me
Church an King Call, lad-'Church
an -
The warm arms l%oosened, the head
sank back upon my lap.
I looked up. There was a shadow
across the entrance, blotting out the
star Of night. Twas Della, leaning
there and listening.
(To be co%ntinued.)
At Our Boarding House.