Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-06-14

could see little sign of life in it's de-
serted streets. Small wonder, for Corn
wallis was only a handful of miles
away. Here she turned to her left into
an unused bride path leading by a
short cut to GLADDEN. Hall.
She went bodily enough, with many
self assurances, and so, a bare half
mile from the gates, rode full tilt upon
group of British soldiery resting in
the shade.
They sprang to their feet as her horse
Of them seized his bride, but dropped it
at word from an officer. The latter
came forward.
"Your pardon, Mistress" he said cour-
teously, but firmly. "You cannot pass
farther in this direction
"Why not?" she asked calmly. "'Tis
the first time was ever denied en-
trance to my own home"
He bowed now, with hat in his hand.
General CORVALLIS occupies the house
at present as his own quarters"
II know 1t. I have personal business
with his lordship."
elm that case," he responded, "you
may pass. shall take pleasure in es-
corting you. I am one of the generals
aids"
He mounted, and they rode in silence
to the gates. Here and there picket
stepped from the roadside, but saluted
as he saw her guide.
The aid stood aside as she entered the
hall. Through the half open door of the
drawing room she saw braided uni
forms grouped about a table from which
floated out the sound of laughter and
the clink and tinkle of glasses, filled
from the cellars.
"And they tell me-" rolled full voice,
with a bantering chord in it, that you
would have shared the lot of them at
Charlottesville were it not for a girl
File, colonel! A dragon should have a
sterner heart! Come, now, make a
clean breast of it. Who was the light
heeled damselW
mistress Tillotson of GLADDEN. Hail."
announced the aid at the door.
Anne went red and white at this
contretemps, and Tarleton sprang up
with such an exclamation that Lord
CORVALLIS, who had risen also, looked
establishment from one to the other
Then the commander caught the situa-
ton and laughed, as did the whole COM
pany.
The merriment sent resentment to
Anne's face, and the general sobered in
stantly into courteous contrition.
"You bear easy honors, mistress" he
said, therefore overlook our hilarity,
which, I do protest, was yet i'll timed
in the pain which the hard usage Of
such a noble mansion must bring. I
regret" he added, ''that such things
must be. War Is not tender game,
and beauty must suffer with the rest"
"You mistake" she told him quickly.
II come not to complain, but to ask a
favor. A negro was taken on this
property and is now held by your men.
He has been my own body servant all
my life. Surely you cannot lack for
servants. ask you now to give him
back to me.''
"It's the niger named John the Bap-
dist, I presume, SIR" suggested one Of
the officers Colonel Dundas has him.
CORVALLIS bowed, with an easy, good
humored smile on his big, confident,
masterful face. 1--WE who enjoy the
hospitality of this mansion can scarce
refuse so light favor to her who, I'M
der happier circumstances, should be
our hostess. You shall have your body
servant, mistress"
II thank your lordship," said Anne,
with dignity.
Seating himself, CORVALLIS wrote a
hasty line, folded the paper and hand
cd 1t to her.
Colonel Dundas' brigade lies with
simcoe at Spencer's ordinary on the
Williamsburg road" he said. "He will
give you return passes"
The officers rose as she swept low
courtesy from the threshold. The aid
ItUo of them seized his brtdle.
held her stirrup with Difference, and
she cantered down through the gates
and took the west road with joyfulty