Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-03

Zeb dropped quickly to his knee and caught it in his
that numbered her. and stood patiently letting him hold
it lifted, though still listening After little he set the
foot gently down. and rose ready to smother against his
shoulder the whnny which he feared would be the
thing The mares loud breathing, she pulled her
nostris and drew them i'll again, and the hurried beat
two young rebels waited, and waited, and waited But
the laundering knock which they expected to hear did
not come Instead, there only few faint sounds
from without they could not tell exactly what whence,
though they seemed to from the direction of the
barn. They were not even quite they heard any
thing And then, suddenly horse neighed almost under
the window, and Zeb had caught up an old shawl from
the floor and buried poor Belindas in it. and was
huggng and soothing her with his round her neck
and his face to hers clging only the tighter in silent
desperation she started away Axy, prompt and pale
snached up armfu of the soft woolens as Benda's
to dcaden the sound of her movements she backed
1t III moment-the answering whinny smotl-
cred in time the startled freed again from her
hasty blindfoldng, and her startled guardians
painting beside her close in front Of the wide hearth
No. Axy whispered back then, very anxiousy:
where can lilly be? Why didn't she warn us?" She
paused and added: I'm going out tut Aunt Nancy may
in and hide the key That would give you minute to
get out by the windows if they try the door But I'll
keep them away if can and don't you think of any
the rest"
She gone and he heard the key click cautiously
in the lock; and then he left alone with Belinda in
the dim, shattered
As AXy round the of the house, the first
thing she lilly, pale and fearful standing be-
tween two soldiers, of whom held her by the arl,
while Aunt Nancy her black swapping with wrath,
confronted the group She must have just demanded
their errand, and received reply which, it plain,
had not been understood; for of the was
roaring her. while his comrade and third soldier
by mounted and holding the horses of the others,
laughing heartily at his efforts TO make himself
heard.
A horse!" he fairly shouted. Horse! Horse,
Bay horse-bOy-Can?e this 7Vdy! Ooh, confound it all
she's as deaf as an adderD Boy-hOrse!"
spirit you have been in the barn and for your
selves there is And pray let go of my little niece
there You are frightening her to death Sure do you
think the child keeps bay horse hidden III her apron
pocket"
I'VE wort hurt her!" shouted the soldier but she
refuSes-to anS51er-questi0nS and Hiinkshe knows
Dlore-than she'll tell! You had best speak if you
to let her go! Have you SeeH-a boy horse
fine bay horse with white Stdr-red-headed BOY? F"
His voice broke with the strain of yelling long
address, and he mopped his brow with his red sleeve
while his comrades grnned appreciation OF his diff
cultieS
have seen neither horse nor boy. You may see for
yourselves there be either about the place. responded
Aunt Nancy, angrily A likely thing, indeed, hide
away horse and rider the top of stony bare hill
with not much a it for cover! Let my
niece go, you laundering boobes She is frightened
to your questions. But | will answer many
you please, and you may make the most of what
say. Nancy Binns is afraid of man no. soldier,
either!"
"One deaf and otfer dumb" groaned the exhausted
soldier. I've had enough of the pair. Here, little