Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-01-11

I anu NhN<sANt iAts tiNdAiy l0tAliu HtE
sitting behind slab Of granite with her
back to me. In the left hand she was
holding up the mirror that caught the
rays of the now sinking sun, while with
her right She tried to twist into some
| form of knot her tresses--blacl, and
coarse as horses mane-that already
she had roughly braided. A pail of
| water stood beside her; and around lay
Scatterd a score or more of long thorns,
cut to the shape of hairpins
NIis probable that after minutes
watching / let some laughter escape m,
At any rate Joan turned. spied me. aud
scrambled up with an angry red on her
cheek. Then / saw that her bodice was
neater lac'l than usual. and bow of
yellow ribbon stuck in the bosom But
thc strangest thing was to note the effect
of this new tidiness upon her; for She
| took step forward as if to cuff me by
The ear. and then stopp'd, very shy and
| hesitating
Why. Joan" said I. don't be an
ger'd. If suits You choicely--it does in
deed"
Art soothing doubt" She stood
looking heavily and askance at me.
"On my faith. no. Thou art certainly
| 4 handsome girl"
She looked up in my face-dear heav-
en-, that | should have to write it.--with
eyes brimtul, sick with love- tried to
| speak but could only nod, and broke into
n wild hit OF tears
| was standing there when heard the
clear notes OF busle blown. away on
the road to I.auneeston.
Looking that way. | saw great com
pany of horses coming down over the
crest, the sun shining level on their arms
and green standard that they bore in
their midst. Joan spied them the same
instant, and checked her sobs Without a
word we flung ourselves down full length
on the turf 10 watch.
They were more than a thousand as
| guessed. and came winding down the
road very orderly till being full of them.
it seemed a long serpent writing with
shiny scales. The tramp of hoofs and
jinghng of bits were pretty 10 hear.
Rebels" whispered |.
There were seIree regiments in all,
whereof the first was of dragons. So
clear was the air | could almost read the
legend on their standard. and the calls
of their captains were borne up to us
extremely distinct.
As tlley rode lcisurcy past / thought
of Master Tingcomb's threat. and won
dered what this array could intend. Nor,
turning il over, could | lind any eXI lana
ton. for the Earl of Stamford's gather
ing. he had said. was in the northeast.
and ! knew such troops as the Cornish
generals mad to be quartered at Launces-
ton. Yet here. on the near side of
LaunceSton, was large body OF rebel
horses marching quietly to the sou'west.
Where was the head or tail to it?
TIL ming my head as the last rider dis
appeared on the way to Bodmin. / spied
squat, oddly shaped man striding down
the hill very briskly; yet he looked about
him often and kept To the hollows of the
ground; and was crossing below us, as it
appeared. straight for JOan's cottage
Cried /: There is but one man in the
world with such q gait--and that's Billy
Pottery"
And jumping 10 my feet | caught up a
great stoue aud sent +: bowling down
the slope. Bounce it went past him.
missing his legs by foot or less The
man turned, and catching sight Of me rs
| | stood waving, nade his way up the
| hill Twas indeed Captain Billy; and
| coming up. the honest fellow almost hing
/ ged me for joy.
WAS seeking thee Jack" he bawled;
! learned from Sir Beyin where belize ]
/ might find thee Left his lodging at
| Launceston this MORN Z, and trudged
| livery foot o the way, 4 thirsty land,
| Juck~-ncthcr horses meat nor mans
meat therein. nor a chair 10 sit down on
joan said !. this is Billy Pottery.
a good mariner and friend of mine and
as deaf as u haddock "
Billy made a leg; and as | pointed TO
! the road where the cavalry had just dis
| appeared. went on with q nod:
That's so: old t;'arge 'dleig7is troop
o horse sent off to Boduin to seize the
| high sheriff and his posse there Two
, hour agone | spied EN-. and ha' been
ever since playin' spy
| Then where be the Kings forcesg'' /
made shirt 10 inquire by signs.
Marched ont q Laanccston to-day,
! lad--an' hut n biscuit man between
! EN-. poor dears-for Stratton Heath, i
/ the nor east where the rebels be en-
! camped. Heard by scouts O these gentry
| bein' sent to Botimin, aud were minded
/ 10 light the Earl o Stamford whites his
| dragooners was away, And here's the
| long an short OF: thou'It wanted. lad. Ia
| bear hand wi MS up yonder--an' tie
! good lady here can spare thee.
| Joan put her hand in mine
| TO fight, lad!'
| nodded my head
| Then ga she said without a shade
/ in her voice; and rs / made no answer.
| went on.--~Shall a woman hinder when
! there's fighting towardy Only come back
| when the wars be over. for | shall miss
1 thee, Jack"
| Aud dropping my hand she led the way
/ down IA the cottage.
| Now. Billy. If course had not heard a
| wom Of tliis; bnt perhaps he gait cred
/ some import. Any way, be pulled up
/ short midway on thc slope. scratched his
! head. aud rhundered
Whit q good lass
| Joan. some PAGES ahead. turned at this
/ and smiled; whereat, having no idea he'd
| spoken above whisper, Billy blushed
| rel ~ any peOny.
Twas but short half hour when, the
mare being saddled and Billy fed we
| took our leave Of Joan Billy walked be-
| side onc Srirrup, and the girl on the 9th
or side. "a see us a few yards on our
way At length she halted
No leave takings. Jack, but Church
and King. Only do thy best and moi
disgrace me.
And Church and King" she called
thrice after MS, standing in the road. For
mo. as rode up out of thar valley. the
drums seemed beating and the bugles
calling 10 new life ahead. The last