The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-24

aHuinbi ileTs
Capt, Simpson listened in stern silence.
"The Infamous coward r he exclaimed
ito hatch such a plot against defenceless
woman But hewill not find you defence.
less. But you are sure you have no In.
terest in him, Alice?"
There was shade of anxiety in his
tone, as he asked this question.
She met his gaze frankly,
Surely you are not jealous of him,
James" she said.
'Forgiye me, Alice" he said, ''but
love you so dearly, that tremble contin.
ually lest my treasure should be snatched
from me,
"You need not fear this man, James
or any one else, she added.
Half an hour afterwards Captain Simp.
son rode away from the gate, having reas.
sured the mind of Alice, and decided on
a plan for her protection against the dan.
ger which threatened her.
As he rode along, he suddenly fell in
with an older officer, clothed likewise in
the uniform of the British army.
Halt, comrade u he called out, "whith.
er are you bound p
"On secret mission for the general,
said Simpson promptly.
"What is your name name and regi.
ment ?" asked the first.
NAY, have equal right to put the
question to you.
''l have no objection to answering.
am Captain Habersham, Of the 10th Reg.
iment.
"And | am Lieutenant Fairfax, of the
18th, said Simpson, at random.
Luckily for him, there was Lieutenant
Fairfax in the 18th or 18th Regiment Cap
tain Habersham did not remember which,
and not knowing his personal appearance,
he judged that this might be the one. So
his suspicious were at once allayed, and he
said, "Well, Lieutenant, | wish you sue
cess.
Thank you, captain, said Simpson, and
touching his hat, he rode away.
On Thursday evening, Alice Greyson
sat, very nervous, in one of the front rooms
of her fathers house, awaiting the approach
of the British soldiers. BY her side sat
Simpson.
"Are you afraid, Alice ?" he asked
"I wish it was over, she said.
"You do not fear that l win not protect
you?'
mo, james, but scenes like these are
terrible TO woman's heart.
"We will capture the whole, unless there
are more than twelve" said her lover. at
will be something of surprise for them,
| am thinking
They are coming, James" said Alice,
suddenly, for she had been looking from
the window.
.'Then | must place myself in conceal
mcnt. Keep up your courage, Alice"
He withdrew into the next room, which
was at the rear of the house, and from
which he could give orders to his men,
whom he had posted behind, but so that
they would be concealed from the view of
those who were advancing up the road.
Three minutes later Lieut.. Mortimer
rode up to the front gnte, and dismounting,
walked up the path, and entered the house
without knocking.
Lieutenant Mortimer Y said Alice,
rising to her feet.
"Yes, Alice, it is |. !"
"And what is your errand ?" she asked.
"Can you ask y he said II have come
for you, Alice"
II don't understand you" she said
quietly, though her heart beat with excite
ment
"Then must explain. When was
here last you would not listen to my suit. y
"You are right
II cannot give you up. You must par
don the method to which ! have resorted,
but shall carry you away with me to-
night, and trust to devoted attention to
soften your obdurate heart"
"Surely you do not mean this"
Surely / do. may as well say that
resistance is useless, as | have a detach-
ment of twelve men outside, and"
He was advancing towards her when
stern voice exclaimed
Stop Their" I"
Turning in surprise, he met, face to
face, James Simpson, clothed now in the
American uniform, looking sternly at him.
Lieutenant Mortimer, surrender your
self my prisoner"
The English officer laughed.
81 echo your demand, he said, ''and |
have men outside who win enforce ii.
Yield or meet worse fate"
just then q load hubbub was heard out
side, and both looking out from the win
dow, saw the English squad in full retreat
before double the number Of Federal
troops, ten Of the latter, however, remain
ing to snstain their leader
What do you say to that?" he asked.
~ am trapped !" said Mortimer, sullenly
II must surrender"
sit viii be BEST said Simpson, coolly.
ALLOW me, however, to restore yon let
ter which you dropped on Monday"
The young officers countenance redden-
ed with modification, when he recognized
the letter.
Little more remains to be told. Leiu-
tenant Mortimer was finally exchanged,
and, tired Of the service, sold his commis-
sion and went home. Captain Simpson
"a colonel at the close Of the war; married
Alice, and both lived for many years hap
py in their mutual affection.
There are no trifles In the moral universe