Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-12

and the boy and girl stood silent for
while beside her. Then Zebedee asked
IF they get her and take me, too, you
let father know"
| Axy nodded her little Jerky nod; b,
she added: ''They won't; and there
no need. You can leave her here an
go and hide yourself There are plen
ty of cupboards and closets
"She wouldn't keep quiet withol
me-"
"Tll stay with her.
"She doesn't know you as well--au
If anybody stays, I'm the one. She's
by charge"
But they wouldn't hurt me-I'm
girl"
II don't suppose they would; but
wonder what sort OF boy I'd be II let
you alone to find out Wnether the
would or mott"
I'm willing, truly"
| "rm not, and I'm going to stay
Belinda suddenly lifted her head an
pricked her ears; she raised murfle.
foot and tried to paw with it, but Ze
dropped quickly to his knee an
caught it in his hand. She thought ~
was taking off, the bunch OF rags tina
numbered her, and stood patiently. let
ting him held it lifted, though still
listening. After little he set the 100
gently down, and rose, ready to smoth
or against his shoulder the whinn!
which he feared would be the mex
thing. The mares loud breathing, al
she puffed her nostrils and drew then
in again, and the hurried beating o.
their own hearts seemed to I'LL tne
room as the two young rebels waited
and waited, and waited. But the tnun
dering knock which they expected te
hear did not come Instead, there were
only few faint sounds from without
they could not tell exactly what OF
whence, though they seemed to come
from the direction of the barn. Iney
were not even quite sure they nearo
anything. And then. suddenly, a horse
neighed almost under the window, and
Zeb caught up an old shawl from the
floor and buried poor Belinda's nose
in it, and was hugging and soothing
her with his arms round her neck ana
his face close to hers, clinging only the
tighter in silent desperation as she
started away. Axy, prompt and pale
snatched up an armful OF soft woo1ens
as Belinda's forefeet quilted them, and
tossed them behind her heels to dead
en- the sound of her movements as she
backed. It was over in moment
whinny emothered IN
time. the startled creature freed again
from her hasty sblindfolding, and her
more startled guardians painting be-
side her, close in front OF the wide
hearth.
do you suppose they heard?" Zeo
breathed, rather than whispered.
"No." Axy whispered back; then.
very anxiously: where can Tilly be!
Why didn't she warn u.s." She paused
and added: I'm going out. Aunt
Nancy may miss me and ask ques'
tons. And I'm going to lock you In
and~ hide the key. That would give
YOU minute to get out by the win
dows if they try the door. But I'll
keep them away II I can, and don't
you think OF anything, but Just keep
Belinda quiet. Tilly and I'll do the
rest"
She was gone, and he heard the key
click cautiously in the lock; and then
he was left alone with Belinda IN the
dim, shattered room.
AS Axy came round the corner of the
house, the first thing she saw was
Tilly, pale and fearful, standing De-
tween two soldiers, one OF who held
her by the arm, while Aunt Nancy,
her black eyes swapping with wrath,
confronted the group. She must have
Just demanded their errand, and re-
ceived reply which, it was plain, had
not been understood; for now one of
the men was roaring at her, while his
comrade and third soldier near by,
and holding the horses OF
the others, were laughing merrily at
his efforts to make himself heard.
"A horse!" he fairly shouted.
Horse! Horse! Bay horse boy -
came this way! ooh, confound it ALL
she's as deaf as an adder!) Boy
horse!"
There's no horse here" Aunt
Nancy replied, with spirit. "You nave
been in the barn and seen for your
selves there Is not. And pray let go
Of my little niece there. You are
her to death. Sure, do you
think the child keeps bay horse hid
den in her apron pocket?"
eve won't hurt herr" shouted the
soldier, 'but she refuses-to answer
questions, and we think she knows
she'll tell! You had best
speak out If you want us to let her
go! Have you seen-a bay herse-a
fine bay horse with white star
red-headed boy?"
His voice broke with the strain OF
yelling SO long an address, and he
his brow with his red sleeve,
while his comrades grinned apprecia-
ton of his difficulties.
"I have seen neither horse nor boy.
You may see for yourself IL there be
either about the place." responded
Aunt Nancy, angrily. "A likely thing,
indeed, to hide away horse and rider
on the top of a stony, bare hill with
not so much as a tree on It for cover!
Let my niece go, you laundering
boobies! She is too frightened to an
swer your questions. But I will answer
as many as you please, and you may
make the most OF what l say.
Nancy Binns is afraid Of no man; no,
nor soldier, either!"
zone deaf and t'other dumb!"
groaned the exhausted soldier. "I've
had oDOy0h 0f tho MIR uoro N+t1o