Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-03-19

hidden under the folds of the linen.
Angry that their expected prey had es-
capped from the house where they hoped to
secure him, the six mounted tories, head
ed by British officer, dashed along the
road in swift pursuit. At sight of the girl
in the meadow, the leader of the party
paused.
"Child," he said sternly, "have you seen
a man running hereabouts2"
"Yes, sir" replied Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
(Which way did no go?"
"I promised not to tell, sir"
"But you must or take the conse-
quences."
"I said wouldn't tell ifyou killed me-"
sobbed the frightened girl.
"rll have it out of her." exclaimed the
furious officer with an oath.
"Let me speak to her." said his tory
guide; 81 know the child, l believe. Isn't
your name Hetty Marvin9" lie asked
pleasantly.
ayes, SIR"
"And this man that ran by little while
ago was your mothers cousin, wasnthe ?"
"Yes, sir, he was"
"Well, we are friends of his-what did
he say to you when he came along9"
"He-told me-that he was flying for his
| llfe."
"Just so, Hetty; that was very true. 1
hope he won't have to fly far. Where was
he going TO hide2 you see I could help
him if l knew his plans"
| Now Hetty was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But she was willing
to tell as much of the truth as would con-
sist with his safety, and she wisely judged
that her frankness would serve her kins-
man better than her silence. So she an
swered her questioner candidly. "My
cousin said he was going down this way TO
the river where he had boat and lie
wanted me to tell the men that were chas-
ing him that he had gone the other way TO
catch the mail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as he told you,
then, when l asked you where he had
gone" thundered the officer fisrcely.
~ could not tell lie, SIR" was the tear
rul answer.
"Hetty," again began the smooth tongued
tory, you're nice child. Every body
knows you are girl of truth. What did
your cousin say when you told him you
couldn't tell a falsohood ?'
ale said he shouldn't think III betray
| him to his DEATH"
And you then promised him that you
wouldn't tell which way he went, If you
were killed for t?"
"Yes, sir.''
"That was a brave speech and so sup.
pose he thanked you for it, and ran down
the road as quickly as possible"
81 promised not to tell where he went
SIR"
"Oh, yes, forgot. Well, tell us his last
words, and we won't trouble you any
more.
His last words were, IT'S my only
chance, chiid, and I'll get down as you
say" And overcome by fright, aud the
sense of her kinsmans danger, should
they rightly interpret the language which
she had reported, she sobDed aloud, ant
hid her face from sight.
Her tormenters did not stay longer tC
soothe or question her. They had got, a
they supposed, the Information which they
wanted, and pushed on rapidly down t.
the river. Now the governor had arranged
signal with his boatmen that white
cloth by day, or light by night, displayed
fiom the attic window of his hiding place
which was Just visible at the mouth of tn,
river, should inform them if he were il
trouble, and put them on the alert to hell
him. AS soon, therefore, as he starteC
from his cousins the signal fioated from
the window to warn them. And when the,
saw the pursuing party dash madly dowI
the road to the river, and recognized tn
British uniform of the leaders they pulle,
swiftly out TO sea. The horsemen reache,
the shore only in season to see the boa
with two men in it nearly out of sight
and supposng their destined prey ha
escaped, relinquished the pursuit.
; Meanwhile the hunted victim lay SAT
and quiet, where the simple shrewdness G
the little cousin had hid him, until tn
time came for her return for supper. The
. he bade her go as usual to her home, tell
. ing her to ask her mother TO place the sig
4 nal lamp, as soon as it grew dark, in tn
0 window, for the boatmen, and send hiI
, there some supper, with his valise which i
= the hurry of departure he had left behnt
The signal recalled the boat, which aftC
5 twilight had ventured in sight of the shoI
o and the farmhouse, and the governor quie
< ly made his way to the river in safet,
When he rejoined his father in a secul
= no ne, he named his infant daughter whiC
= had been born in his absence, "Hetty Ma
Il VIM" that he might be daily reminded
n of the little cousin whose truth and shrew,
@ ness saved his life.-Indidnd Churchmdn
Q