The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-06-19

maid he turned to Axy-@c can yow talIsand Hears
Both, sir, said Asy curtsying.
that's better, said he good-naturedIy enough and
plainly relieved Now then you have heard what we
want to know. Have you anything to tell us? Be care
fu Twill be dangerous thing for you IL we catch you
TIL tell you no fbs sir" answered Axy. quickly:
Dut can only say what my aunt has said already:
there's such horse in our barn. and you can see for
yourself there's none IN pasture and the only other
place IS our house you please search that There's
the attic and the cellar, and the woodshed and all the
closets and IT the bay horse with the white is ais
clever at curling his legs up under him as he must be
at stretching them to away or maybe to scramble
up and down stairs, he might even be slowed away in
indeed it's good place to lie snug Will you ook?
Now, the sergeant already thinking he had made
mistake in searching hilltop, and that the boy must
have slipped past them somehow in the fog and more
over he kind man, who did not enjoy frightening
little girl as desperately he seemed to have fright
ened lilly; and besides, if the horse was not there il
must be somewhere else and time was being wasted
So the puzzled sergeant looked hard for an anxious
minute from Axy to her aunt; and then growing only
Saucy tongues aren't safe for little girls he Aung
upon his horse, tossed quick order to his comrades
and away went the three scarlet figures together caer
Nobody spoke till they were well beyond the first
thank-you-n am Of the rough road Then Tilly
ming her streaming face from Aunt Nancys crumpIcd
:" oh, Axy-oh, Axy they asked me il I'd seen EN-
and had And SO wouldn't say anything at ALL And
/ was so frightened didn't know what 10 do but
didn't tell didn't tell /"
She dropped her face again against the soaked ker-
chief; and Aunt Nancy pated her shoulders and nhr
INJURED: There, my dear; there, therel" She added
more sharply; What is the poor child talking about
Axy?"
Come into the house and Til show YOU" said Axy;
and taking Tillys hand she led the way to the paror
whisked the key from behind the hall cupboard and
into the dim room, and before their eyes had grown
used to the darkness Belinda neghed a greeting
neighed unchecked, loud and long that even Aunt
Nancy heard, and jumped if she were shot min
ute later Axy was pouring out explanations and Zeh
thanks while Tilly still sobbed softly and Belinda for
gotten IN the excitement walked syly over to the man
telpiece and laying her down sideways and curl
ing back her lips chased the last remaining apple I'D
and down the smooth ledge, with her white teeth snap
ping, and little snorts and pufhngs of enjoyment
AT nghtfal she was led to the barn, where she re-
manned safe during the few remaining days before the
British marched out of the vicinity Then Zeb took her
home, And little later DR. Thyngwho, scarcely less
than the parson and the squire great of the
nelghborhood-rode out in his Sunday coat and best
rufies to make formal call on Miss Achsah and Miss
Matilda Binns, and to thank them for all they had
done and which had done the he declared he could
not tell and he praised them both till Tlly blushed like
peony and Asy held her chin high with pride it
tipped up skyward almost as sharply her little turn-up
nose And If the two sisters did really enjoy this
visit much the many less imposing which Zeb their
warm friend from that day. made in less stately fashion,
yet it was great honor and great event. the less
Standing on the doorstep, cursyng their goodbys they
te as the doctor IN his saddle lifted his fine cooked hat
shook the reins Belndas glossy neck and cantered
away as If something had lifted them quite out of
little grlhood and added good ten years to their
dignity.