The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-07-02

otT8lSnI U00 along the wall. IN 10
corner farthest from the dreplaoo
stood the four-poster. and the trundls
bed was drawn out, with its furnish
lnEs piled up to air.
On the bed lay form, covered,
despite the heat of the day, clear to
the chin, with . heavy homespun
blanket, andson top Of that q gay green
and yellow patchwork quilt.
Buried deep in the chintz-covered
pillow was a head incased in q red
flannel night-cap, with the face turned
to the wall. The knees were drawn a.
most to the chin and the hands were
hidden beneath the covers.
On peg, at the head Of the bed.
hung homespun dress, and beneath
it, on the floor, stood q pair Of sti&.
solid-looking slippers.
Nowhere in the room was there q
piece Of furniture large enough to con-
ceal man. A hasty scanning of the
walls and ceiling showed no signs Of
an opening, save the customary hole
leading to the loft. With quiet move.
ment, one of the men lifted a chair
beneath this and mounted upon it.
only to dismount, convinced, by tho
network Of spiders webs, that the
board covering had not been lifted
for months.
Better hook If there is an entrance
to 1t from the outside" suggested one,
and the soldier softly tiptoed out and
around the house, but came back,
shaking his head.
Apparently satisfied, they turned
and filed out, and Granny slept on. Az
they came down the path, the girl
clumsily advanced to meet them and
conducted them along the path to the
lef," to spring that trickled out Of
the mountain side and formed pool
In natural basin that had fashioned
itself among the rocks, half hidden
by the grass. STOPPING at one side
she CROPPED about bit in the shallow
water, and brought forth a good sized
jug, securely fastened to the handle
Of which was gourd dipper. Placing
the Jug on the grass she united the
dipper, rendered it to the nearest man
and said: Hep yerself."
After each had held communion
with tho dipper couple of times, she
said to one of them: "Jes' hold tho
gourd while pour out some fer that
ar critter, what's holdin' them
bosses. Wouldn't do to slight EN-.
cause Dad says slightin' amt hospe1-
tally, and knows as how Dad would
do it eff he wuz here"
She filled the gourd to the brim.
then shufhed back to the gap in the
road.
"Hyer," was all she said as she pre-.
sented the drink, "hyers some Of
Dads hospertality." a
The soldiers, trooping along behind
her, snickered at her crudo'
manner and the courteous bow
with which the gourd was received
made her shy, and she fell to her way
of smashing the little mud heaps with
her foot, and watching the soft clay
as it oozed up between her stubby
toes. The empty dipper thrust into
her hands made no impression on her.
so intent did she seem in her pleasing
occupation, but loud "Good-by''
brought her to recognition that they
were going.
"Good-by," she called; IF you-alls
should meet Dad er Dan, tell 'em mo
and Grannys SO and 50, and tell Dad
I 'stended thsr hospertality."
She stood gazing after them, and
something drifted back to her like .
wonder If Dad wouldn't be riled whsn
he heard she had 'stended the hosper.
tality to lot of bluecoats.
For long time she gazed down the
road. TIL the hast sound Of hoof-bsat
died away. Then she fastened to tho
house, and with q glad Dan, they're
gone." broke into low, gurglins
laugh.
Talk about your bake ovsns!"
came from the four-poster, and Gran
ny piled out Of that bed in hurry.
But what a grandmother! Six feet
In her stockings! And when the wool
len night-cap was snatched OF, it 70
vsaled three days growth Of beard
Next OF came the night-gown, and
its wsarer put it to an unwonted use
in hopping away the preparation
from his neck and arms.
From a drawer In the cupboard tho
girl produced a mans coat, hat and
shoes, and with Hurry, DAM"
passed them to him.
There. bless you, grill" He was Al
ready at the door.
"You say they went up the Clayton
road? That's good, just as we planned.
Now, I'll cut through by the mill, meet
Granny with the horse, and tomorrow
morning will see me safe back to tho
lines. It's early yet, and if hurry.
Granny will be able to get back to you
before dark
She followed him down to the gap
in the road, and. as his form disap-
peared through the bushes opposite.
took her former seat on the ledge Of
the rock. Every now and then her
eves swent the road in the direction