Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-07

surprised 10 lind one more than should
be. He reported the circumstance to
the commander of the force. who
merely snapped back:
well. make il FIVE in thirteen
AS soon as the command had break
tasted the prisoners we're marched out
into field near by. Thirteen bits OF
paper were put in a helmet. seven
blanks and five marked with skull
and bones Then from hat all were
required to draw a number. The pris-
oners were then to draw from the
helmet in order of the numbers they
had drawn from the hat Those draw
ing skulls and bones were to be shot
Mary Aikenside stepped up to the
hat TO draw her number. The ofhcer
in charge saw her and said:
what are you doing here? You are
nothing but a child"
I'm here with the rest" replied the
girl"
The officer was about to order her TO
stand aside when he recalled his com
mander's words. Make it five In thir-
teen" He suffered her to draw
number, and she drew No. 4.
Then began the drawing from the
helmet.
No. was the first man to draw .
skull and bones. Els knees gave way
beneath him as he tottered back from
the helmet. Mary's turn came next.
II protest against that boys draw.
mgr exclaimed young Egbert Booth.
The commander paid no attention to
him. and Mary drew. Her paper was
a blank.
While the drawing was going on
Mary stepped up beside Egbert Booth
and slipped her blank paper in bis
hand. He looked at her. then at the
paper. and handed it back to her. She
gave him look of mute appeal. but II
did not move him. He was unwilling
TO stand on any other basis than that
of his comrades. Mary's object had
failed. She sank back out Of sight to
hide her distress When Booth went
up to the helmet to draw she watched
him with eager eyes. He drew, turned
and held up the paper to the boy who
had befriended him. 1t was blank.
Mary fell In faint.
The prisoners who had drawn death
heads were placed IN line and par
upon them when a shout was heard in
an adjoining wood. and a band Of
Cavaliers came charging over the field.
The Roundheads. surprised and out
numbered. took to flight. The Skull
and bones" men chung together in an
embrace. Then Egbert Booth turned
to Mary.
whence come you, boyT" he asked
in kindly voice.
I'm Sir Thomas Aikenside's son."
Indeed! You are none Of ours"
mo. came here
The sentence was never finished.
The commanding officer OF the Cava-
liers rode up and. seeing Mary, asked
If the king needed to rob the cradle
for recruits. Mary took advantage CT
the remark to tell him that she was
temporary volunteer and desired per
mission to go to her home. An hour
later. having watched the house for
an opportunity, she stole inside and up
to her room without being discovered.
Indeed. the household were out in
every direction searching for her.
Mary had barely time to assume her
own maidenly apparel when they be-
gan to return from their fruitless
search. Then she heard voices below.
: al am beholden, sir. to a son Of
yours for a great favor. I come to
thank him"
Indeed, sirr'
"Yes, he was with US this morning
in our camp"
81 have but one son. and he has not
been in your CAMP"
Mary left her room and went down
stairs. Blushing scarlet. she Joined
the group, among whom was young
Egbert Booth. On seeing her he
started.
81 see my would be preserver," he
said, ain girls apparel"
you see my daughter" said Sir
Thomas, ''in her own apparel"
Mary stood with her eyes bent on
the ground.
Explain said her father in a Sc
we're tone.
Then Mary haltingly told her story.
In an hours time Egbert Booth was
betrothed TO Mary Aikenside. The
courtship is said to have been the
shortest that ever occurred In merrie
England