The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-04
BY PHIL H. ARMsTRoNG.

Rt tG5ChtCu u udluIY D1CtuTG.
 For the space of half a minute the orows were contracted in a frown and Ine plue eyes opened wide in wonder ment n, as though trying to discern what so,t' ,0h' l know" she said, laughinns good old Bess, and she Is hungry" misc was nesfsf Msress ess' nsr stepped lightly from the porch and ran gracefully in the direction of the bushes. bush calling, in seductive tones. So,
 But when within some five or six yards of the spot, she paused abruptly with an exclamation of horror, as a hu- burst into a loud boisterous laugh as It's owner suddenly thrust his big, shag- gy. curly head through the shrubbery and looked straight at her. ., . So you took me for a COW, eh, Miss?' he enquired lightly.
 The girl glanced at him haughtily.
 T must say that am disappointed to fine scorn that the lad whistled softly.
 Well, come now; there's no use in gettin' angry about 1t, your ladyship." he, returned, There's no time for 1t
 The girl throwing off temporarily her assumed indifference warmed percept- ibly as though her heart, beating with patriotism, felt and responded to his meaning.
 You see am hiding from the Red coats. There's a searching party in camp tonight or am ruined. l have tn important message here for General Washington, and hush, his voice searchingly around the bushes-''you will help me. won't you"
 The girl was proud-but she was more patriotic, and after refecting a
 Come with me and perhaps l can aid thee in hiding from the enemy-oh, If they should find thee they would kill
 with your assistance. Mistress Pru- dence, I will hide successfully, l am sure"
 know her name. But she would keep her counsel.
 He noted her puzzled look and smiled. Didn't everybody for miles around know old Doctor Raforth, her eccentric fath- CT, who, as a painter of lifelike DOT traits, was famous all over that part of the country, and didn't every. soldier lad in the vicinity know of this same bewitching daughter, Prudence?
 But the maid said nothing in regard to the fact that he was in possession of her name already. and only bade him
 Come she exclaimed. with such fer vor that she seemed quite different person from the shy little Quaker maid have already tarried too long, sir. and snugly as possible.
 The big, strapping fellow followed the dainty little maid obedlently with his picturesque triangular hat in one hand and the other resting upon his heart. not neglecting, however. to cast redcoats, and thinking all the time as he watched the graceful little figure leading the way and noting in partic- the rosy blush ucon the cheeks as she turned half round anon to see that he was following, that in truth the rumors of Mistress Prudence's beauty were not exaggerated.
 As they entered the large. broad ver- anda half hidden by its mass of honey suckle vines. that waited their subtle odor to the nostrils of the two. they heard the voice of some woman singing from within, and then there came into view the buxom form of old Aunt Jen- n.y. the housekeeper and faithful nurse of Mistress Prudence.
 Catching sight. of the young man who stood sheepishly in the doorway beside Mistress Prudence, she held up the wall for support The big boy held a long, formidable pistol in his hands and to nurse 1t looked indeed so fierce that he seemed really for all the world like bold highwayman.
 But the girl walked over and whis- pered something in her ear which was any existing fears of bodily harm, for she immediately smiled, and, taking up her song where she had left off, went cheerfully back to her. work.
 From the depths of a huge black kettle. suspended from a. tall crane in the massive kitchen fireplace, was sud denly waited to the sensitive nostrlls of the lad the most appetizing odors he had known for many a day, and he smacked his lips in hunger.
 The girl probably noticed his action for she immediately turned and said:
 step into the dining room. sir, and I will prepare for thee some food, for know thee must be sorely In need of it," and she seated him in huge arm chair. ".. .-z..
 The youth lost no time In accepting the invitation.
 Indeed. miss, if you will be so kind will compliment It in the most sub eating of 1t, and it will be all the more appreciated being prepared by those slender white hands" -~-:
 The simple Quaker maid was unused to blarney, having been in the society of practically no men since her birth other than her father and her pleasure at his, pretty speeches she could not
 Seating himseif fat al the he table St'S the lad had to wait a few moments when he found himself suddenly confronted by a delicious wholesome spread that his hungry appetite knew how to appreci-
 All this time, however, the girl had not neglected to cast scrutiniZing RlanceS out or the WlndoW TOT any ma rauders and so interested had she be- come in the novelty of hiding an Ameri- can spy in the house that she meant no pains should be spared or precau- tions overlooked in perfecting the
 "Pcrhaps said the lad. curiously you wonder how l come to know your name?
 He studied her face closely to see what effect this speech would have up on her.
 Well, truly, sir" she replied, meet ing his gaze with T quiet, calm look T must confess that thee has here the advantage of me-
 The lad hesltatcd before replying fur ther. It was not exactly what he had
 Well, you see. Mistress Prudence the fame of your father has travelled probably farther than you think, and has reached even my province where We had a daughter by your name. Per haps you would like to hear what was said of her?" He laughed In his sleeve. This would arouse her curi- osity. for every woman possessed that
 In this he was mistaken. for she only s'i9 !4e. simply;
 The big fellow was somewhat taken this. who possessed both lack of cu- riosity and an interest in men. for the conceit of the youth was such that he thought himself not bad hand with women.
 The girl sat thinking deeply.
 When I heard thee mention picture there just occurred to me plan which If it will meet thy approval we will im- medlately proceed to carry out" lad. "and the quicker we act upon 1t the better, for 1t Is growing dark"