Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-30

ness was nothing compared with a GER
tain witchery there was about her that
was evident the moment she appeared.
There was a delicious roundness, femi-
ninlty-can IL what you hke-in her
that was enhancing
'Yo' needn't be afraid OF one who has
nothing but flowers to shoot you with.
l wish yo'd lower yo' gun. I'm afraid
it might go OF and kill me-"
I had forgotten the gun in my delight
at the appearance OF q feminine thing
OF beauty, for had been campaigning
for q year, and during the period the
softer sex had had no part In my exist
ence. 1 dropped the muzzls Of the
piece toward the ground.
'If you'll come down here I'll give
you q posy," the girl added.
She held the basket toward me so that
I could see that It was full of flowers.
I'm a sentinel on post and can't
leave my beat, but II you'll bring me q
posy I'll be very much obliged to you
"Yo're not very gallant, but since
yo're tied down and I'm free I don't
mind. Yo' can come q little way
down the slope, can't yor
A little way down the slope would
hide me not only from my nanking
sentries, but from the camp. Not rel
from girl, complied. Besides, those
red lips set me wild for q kiss. de-
scended few rods, while she advanced,
taking a handful Of flowers from her
basket and handing them to me when
she reached me. There she stood, look
ing at me with that same roguish
smile, her eyes dancing and daring at
the same time. attempted to take q
kiss, but she drew back. I followed
her, she laughing the while. I catch
ing her, she pulling away from me.
was at a disadvantage from my mus
ket, to which must give up one hand.
Presently she stopped and said:
IF I'll give yO' one kiss will yo' be
satisfed?'
"Yes," said. knowing that would
not be satisfied with thousand.
Every well; you may take one"
I could not well embrace her while
holding my gun, so 1 permitted her to
relieve me Of It for the moment I
took the kiss, and 1t was the Quintes-
sence of delight Then she drew away
from me. and reached for my muskst.
Springing back, she raised 1t and put
the muzzle against my breast. Retreat
ing and laughing at me. she led me In
among the trees. Then her expression
changed
Turn about" she said sharply, ''and
march that way" pointing.
did not obey. and she repeated the
order in no uncertain tone. The muz-
zle OF the gun was pressed against my
heart. The situation began to grow
serious. Suddenly remembered my
comrades who had been spirited away.
Here was the explanation. They had
been thus decoyed. then driven to
where the girl had been relieved of
them by citizens or guerrillas and the
prisoners probably had been shot I
preferred to die by the hand OF the girl.
IF you are going to kill me-" said,
folding my arms. do so. / shall not
move a step"
She saw resolution In my eye and
looked troubled-indeed. frightened
Nevertheless she brought the stock OF
the gun to her shoulder and, assuming
a ferceness was sure she did not feel
said:
81 will count three. After three. II
you have not turned and marched as
direct, will fire. One!"
I did not move, but kept my eye
fixed on her.
"Twow
smiled at her She broke down. as
I knew she would.
"Give me my musket." said quietly
She lowered it and permitted me tc
take 1t from her
What are you going to do with mer
, she asked.
II should take you into camp and
, have you shot for my comrades who
have doubtless been served a like fate
They are prisoners OF war"
, Are you sureT'
. 81 swear 1t. saved them from be
, ing shot. They were taken to Chatta
, nooga and turned over to the Confed
r crate general commanding there"
How do you know thatF"
81 went with them. ! did not trus
. those whose promise ! had not to shoe
, them"
Very well. Now you are at libert,
: to go your way"
T. took my gun from her. She started
2 but called her back. What do &c
D for sparing your l asked.
3 She knew what | meant ! leanet
e my gun against a tree. put both m!
I arms about DER and took one long kiss
Ii would have been longer had no
!. heard the corporal coming with the re
] lief. ! dropped Venus and took ~
d Mars. In other words. let go of tn
!. girl and seized my musket, and whel
d the relief reached my post / was pac
ing leisurely TO and fro. As for tn
r girl. she made good her exit through
o the trees
: When that night in camp 7 told tn
d story to my comrades every man jacl
e Of them wanted to be assigned to pos
z No