Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-03-30

firing, when the library door opened,
and Mistress Abigail did appear
"Oh, it is you, Mistress Agnes
said she, carelessly, yet with "A slight
flush, as | thought, OF vexation at be-
ing interrupted. az came hither to
write whilst Folsom" Uhis was her
English maid) should air and ar
range my apartments, and it had
quite escaped me my having locked
the door against interruption. The
/ general, / knew, would not return to-
day. 1 heard Colonel Conyers say as
much as they rode away this morn
ing"
Il feared he might have returned"
answer, "since l fancied heard the
door of his room closed but now"
looked at the door as spoke, and
saw that it was locked.
1T was doubtless some other door"
she answered, indifferently, turning
away to the fire, "since I have been
here for some time, alone, as you
see"
mounted upon the library steps
and searched the shelf where l knew
the Rasselas to be--a thin little vol
ume, bound in red morocco and gilt
As it proved, it had slipped behind
the row of books, out of sight: and
whilst | did search, Mistress Abigail
stood close to the fire, having her
back toward me; and | could see,
though noticed it not in particular,
that she was busted with some small
papers in the writinr-case which she
held. Presently heard a quick. firm
tread advancing along the passage,
and the next moment it was at the
door / started, half guiltily, ut be-
ing caught there; and so, fancied,
did Mistress Abigail. She was at
that instant tearing in two a sheet OF
paper which she held; and so soon as
she heard the footstep so near the
door, and recognized it, as did /, as
that OF her husband, she hastily tore
this paper into fragments. the which
she did cast into the fire, at the same
instant that she turned her back
thereunto, with her face toward the
doorway, thus screening the burning
fragments.
My cousin John Conyers came in,
looking hurried and anxious. He
seemed little surprised at seeing us,
and said, directly:
HAS Colonel Beverly been here,
Abigail?"
NO. she made answer. Il under
stood from yourself that he would be
with the general all day, and you
also"
so I had thought" returned he;
~but-but that has happened which
has changed our plans. / wrote to
Colonel Beverley an hour ago-being
then separated from him-to meet
orc at noon a person whom wished /,
him TO see. 1t is now fully twelve"
he added, pulling forth his watch, and
anxiously examining its springs.
"What has happened?" inquired
Mistress Abigail, standing beside him
and drawing her white and jeweled
fingers soothingly through his hair.
Have the British advanced?"
He took the hand in his own, and
did tenderly press it to his lips. AS he
answered, still with that :nxious
look. Something worse, love" And
he added, in u low voice, which, how
ever. reached my ear. Il doubt, Abi
gail, that we have a traitor in our
midst, and yet know not where to
seek for him. Secrets which we sup
posed safe are. we find, known to the
enemy, and fear that even plan OF
our fortifications Is in their posses
sion."
But how could you know this?'
asked she, quickly.
He hesitated moment. with a lit.
tie half-playful smile on his lip.
"The Chinese say that woman must
not ask questions" he made answer
then; "and these things are not fitted
for your sex. Let the ladies embroid-
er and play on their harp -sichords
whilst we of the sterner and harder
sex fight for and defend them, as is
our duty and our privilege"
He thereupon drew her down to
him and kissed her, and then she did
presently hastily disenga e herself,
gluncing at her own watch, end say
ing something about an appointment
with her mantua- maker at halt past
twelve. And SO she left the room,
taking with her her portfolio.
| / was still busted in the search af
ter my book, and my cousin John did
not appear to notice my presence.
He sat in my uncle's great arm chair
beside the Fireplace. looking weary
aud anxious, and occasionally he
/ would pause to listen, as expecting
some person. Presently he drew out
a pencil, and STOPPING down, picked
/ up fragment of paper which lay on
/ the rug at his feet, half hidden be-
meath the lower rim OF the brass fen
der He brushed from it lightly with
his little finger some PARTICLES OF dust
and did hold the pencil suspended
over it for an instant with thought
full look, as one who considers before
writing. And in that instant l, al
most unconsciously looking at him.
having my attention drawn by the
unwonted expression of trouble and
aAxiety on his face, did observe his
countenance to change. A look of
surprise did first appear thereon, Civ
ing place to one OF interest, and then
OF bewilderment aud eagerness He
looked closely at the bit of paper,
turning IL in various ways and lights,
and then he suddenly looked up and
said:
"Come here, Aggie; want you"
Whereupon went unto him, and
he did hold the manor hafora mo