Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-02-28

the one be had just left, lie drew rein.
But instead of the smile he usually
wore there was frown. He sus-
pected at once that she was bent on in.
terfering with his mission. But when
he turned to her again all vistage of
displeasure had vanished.
where are you going in that but
ternut suitf" she asked.
ION military duty. Of course. And
where may you be goingT
"Im going with you"
what for?"
| II know your mission. overheard
the general giving it to you. am 60
Ing with you to prevent its accom-
| plishment"
Il like you for that" be said. his
smile returning. You are true and
brave southern GIRL
"a true. not brave, one"
Have you lot of nervey"
II don't know. My nerve has never
been put to the test. Why do you ask
thatYo
Because to defeat me you will have
to do that which would be hard for
| most people to do"
"What?"
! "You win have to inform Confed-
| crates that | am n Federal soldier In
disguise carrying important dispatches
| through a country supposed to be in
Confederate hands; in other words.
/ that am spy. When you have told
1 thnrfa hat will mr., nd
my neck. throw the end over the limb
Of tree and shall hang there a dead
! man"
| The girl shuddered. She sat on her
| horse. revolving something in her mind.
She had come to prevent Murray from
carrying out his purpose, and. although
she was not minded to be the cause of
his hanging. she was not ready to let
| him go through The young man, too,
| had his problem to solve. Had his
| enemy been a man the result would
have depended on the life of either one
or the other. but girl-this was an
entirely different matter.
"I'll ride on little way with you"
| she said
/ They rode on slowly till they came
| to q wooden trough beside the road
into which water ran from q pipe,
while a tin cup stood on post. The
| girls horse, seeing the water, turned
/ to drink the mans horse following.
~ would like a drink myself" said
| Alice, and she was preparing to dis
/ mount when Murray threw himself
! from his horse and stepping up to the
trough. reached for the cup. then bent
| over to fill it. In doing so he exposed
| his right hip, at which was slung a
| revolver Alice bent down. and before
he was aware of what she was doing
| she had the weapon in her possession.
| He turned, and as he did so heard a
! click When he faced her he was look
ing at the muzzle of his own pistol
| There were two weapons between
these two young people-the revolver
in the hands of the girl, while on the
| lips of the man was that good natured.
winning smile She summoned all the
| severity of which she was capable to
| show him that she was in earnest and
| having him at her mercy was disposed
| to sacrifice him If necessary to what
she considered the good of her country.
Well" said Murray. lis it hands
upT"
| "Give me the paper you carry"
"I'll not give you that. but I'll give
| you something in place of it."
WHAT"
| "A kiss
She summoned all her will power to
look terrible. Give me that paper or
| I'll fire." she said.
| He stood back few PAGES, took of
his wooden hat. folded his arms and
| said:
PUT 1t into the center of my fore
head"
Alice bit her lip. She had cherished
| faint hope that he would yield. But
| there he stood with head uncovered.
| arms folded. handsome even in his
| butternut clothes, breeze stirring the
| hair over his forehead. while on his
| lips remained still trace of that i'm
perturbable smile She played her
| part so well that he was not sure but
/ that she might bring herself TO sacri-
fee him TO her cause
| Alice, having nerved herself for the
unmaidenly contest. was determined
not to give it up without a desperate
struggle. She had no experience with
pistol. but determined to put a ball
sufficiently close to Murray's head to
scare him-if he were to be scared at
| all.
give me the paper" she said. AT
three | fire
Don't waste your breath counting,
| he replied "Fire at once
"Oner'
Before | die | have but one word
to say to you You are ravishing."
'Twow
"And l love you"
Alice's bosom was heaving with con-
~ a