The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-02-04

mill to take the Captain to her, but from
| the look in his face he would have will
| lngly gone far for such a prize. Fortu
| nately, Lieut.. Hunloke was too far gon,
with liquor and rage at Father Melilot t.
| be carefully observant of his superior.
movements.
Capt. Bib walked around back Of thu
| springhouse, in a careless way. and was
| then hidden by clump of elderberries
with their profuse umbels of white bios
| SONS. Pheenie Margraf gave a little
startled scream, as she saw him emerge
within few rods of her. and started to
go back to into the house.
Don't be alarmed, Miss" Capt. Bibh
called out reasurringly. stop, just a
minute. | want to speak to you very par
ticularly."
"Pheene Margraf was no coward. She
had the usual little timorous affectations
of women. but at heart she had her ia
TIERS bold, resolute temper. Why should
she fly from this man? Beside, she had a
natural feminine curiosity To meet the
stranger and hear him speak, and learn
from him more about this strange irrup-
ton. She turned and looked at him with
level, unwavering eyes.
What wouldst thou with me,
Stranger" she asked.
First, to pay my respects to the pref
handsomer than a picture"
The Captain was assuming his most
winning manner but Pheenie answered
haughtily:
Spare thy compliments, stranger
They are not meet for a betrothed girl
Hast aught else to say!'
You engaged? Is it possible that such n
beauty is going to waste herself on one of
these thick-headed mountain steers?"
Pheenie's white brows knitted mena-
cingly. but the Captain needed not the
warning. and advanced with his Oiliest
smile and manner.
Come out here and sit on this bench
with me n few minutes, and let's talk. I'm
awfully taken with YOU
He made Il motion as if he would slip
hi> arm around Pheenie's supple waist
and kiss her cheek, but she stepped frown-
ingly back. and held up the greasy dish
between his lips and her face
Rudy Brant came around the corner of
the house with q four-tined pitchfolk in
his hand. He had been started for the
bayfield,. when Il thought struck him that
some of the strangers might approach
Pheenie's house, and he turned his steps
thther.
What dost thou here he asked saw
agely Of Capt Bbb. wilt follow our
maidens even to their homes"
Capt Bib tried to cow Rudy with a
scowl but pitcIfork in the hands of a
man whose face wore such look as
Rudy's was somewhat disconcerting. and
he seemed to suddenly hear the call of
the drum and the fife, and turned to go to
the meeting.
None of your impudence, you Dutch
yahoo," he said. l have business here, as
we'll as with every house in the settlement.
| must go to the meeting now. If you
know what's good for you you'll come
along, too That drums calling you. It's
calling you. and don't You neglect it.
Father Melilot walked out on the point
of the hill which commanded Il view of the
settlement. and waved his rams horn
staff in signal to everybody to keep away
from the meeting. The drummer worked
his sticks furiously, and the fifer blew his
screeching fife till he was black in the
face, but not even Il child came to the
mill to seewhat il was all about. The wom-
en- gathered their children indoors. and
the men went on with their moving and
raking rs if they heard nothing but the
ella cking of the guineas and the cheerful
call Of the Robwhite.
Capt. Bibb and Lieut. Hunloke ragged.
well, since the brutes won't come
there's nothing left but to go out and
gather them in" said the Captain, after
he had exhausted his stock of profanity.
my company. and l must have it before
the day closes"
well. what's the use Of wasting any
more timc!' grumbled Lieut.. Uunoke.
THE company's all in sight. All we've
got to do is to gather them in
'..All right. Begin Oh that white-faced
scho"!-teacher there Bring him in and
put him in the church. Station one of the
men at the door Il guard.
/ was walking with Father Melilot over
where the other elders were collecting un-
der the shade Of thckly -lmbed beech
Lieut.. Hunlcke strobe over to me, touched
me with the end of his drawn sword. and
said savasely:
"Go over into the church there, ard stay
until l tell you to come OUT
| stared ut h. stupidity. l could not
understand.
go on, as l tell you." he said with
oath. Not another word out of your
sanctimonious jaws. March, or I'll run
you through"
/ was so dumbfounded that obeyed.
Capt. Bibb thrust blank book and
pencil into my hand as | passed him.
Put down the names of the men rs
they are brought in" Ire commanded. See