The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-10

here bctimcs. He has gone only to Morris
town" In new fear that had taken pos
session OF her, lrcr questioning eyes asked,
" Has he notY
The officer, answering her cvcs rather
than her lips, came toward her gravely.
81 He will not return today. Mistress
Thankful, nor perhaps even tomorrow.
He is-a prisoner"
Thankful opened her brown eyes aggres-
sivcly on the Major "a prisoner for
whatY
" For aiding and giving comfort to the
enemy, and for hnrboring spies" replied
the Major, with military curtness.
Mistress Thankful's cheek flushed slightly
nj the last sentence; n recollection OF the
scene on the porch and the Bnron's stolen
kiss flashed across her, and for u moment
she looked rs guilty as If the man before
her had been witness TO the deed. lie
saw II, and misinterpeted her confusion.
Belize then" said Mistress Thankful,
slightly raising her voice, and standing
squarely before the Major, Belize, then.
! should be prisoner too, for the guests
OF this house. If they he spies, were mn
guests, and, rs my fathers daughter, was
their hostess. Aye, man. and right glad
to be the hostess of such gallant gentle
men. Gentlemen, ! warrant. too fino to
insult n delenccless gIl-gentlemen spies
that did not cock their boots on the table
or turn an honest farmers house into a
tan room"
An expression of half pain. half nnuse-
mcnt covered the face of the Major. but
a. Of L..
found and graceful bow. Courteous and
deprecatory rs it was, it apparently exas-
peratcd Mistress Thankful only the more
Aud pray who are these spies. and who
is the informery said Mistress Thankful.
facing the soldier. with one hand trucu-
lently placed on her flexible hip, and the
other slipped behind her. "Methinks It's
only hone.t we should know when and
how we have entertained both"
Your father, Mistress Thankful" said
Major Van Iandt, gravcly, "hns long been
suspected of fnvoring the enemy: but il
has been the policy of the COMMANDMENTS
Chief to overlook the political preferences
of non-combatants, and to strive TO win
their allegiance to the good cause by lib
eral privileges. But when il was lately
discovered that two strangers. although
bearing pass from him. hive been fire.
quentcrs of this house under fictitious
names"
You mean Count Ferdinand and the
Baron Pompeso,' said Thankful quickly:
two honest gentlefolk, and II they choose
10 pay their devours TO lass-although,
perhaps, not quality lady, yet an honest
girl -
Dear Mistress Thankful said the Ma
jor, with profound bow and smile that
spite OF its courtesy, drove Thankful to
the verge Of wrathful Mysteries "if you
establish that fnct-and from this slight
acquaintance with your charms. doubt
not you wlll-your father is safe from fur
tner inquiry or detention. The Comman-
der-n-Chief is a gentleman who has never
the influence of your sex. nor
held himself avegse 10 its destinations"
"Whnt is tue name of this nformcrf"
Gin Mistress Thankful, angrily. "Who
is II That has dared"
" II is but Kings evidence, mayhap. Mis-
trcss Thankful. for the nformcr is himself
under arrest. Il is on the information of
Captain Allan Brewster of the Connecti-
cut contingent"
Mistress Thankful whitened, then
flushed, and then whitcned again. Then
lie stood up to the Major.
ITS LEA cowarlly liel"
Major Van Iandt bowed. Mistress
Thankful few mp stairs, and in another
moment swept back again INTO the room
u l4ding hat and habit.
" ! suppose can go and see my father"
me said, without lifting her eyes to the
lliiccr.
You are FREQ rs air, Mistress Thankful |
Wy orders ana Instructions far from i'm
'licating you in your fathers offences, do |
rot even suggest your existence. Let mo
ielp you to your horse"
The girl did not reply. During that brief |
interval, however, Caesar had saddled her !
White marc and brought it to the door. !
distress Thankful, dsdaining the offered |
iand OF the Major, spraug to the saddle.
The Major stIl held the reins. Zone |
moment, Mistress Thankful"
Let me co. she said, with suppressed |
passion.
one moment, beg"
His hand still held her bride rein. The
iHt l'hI'li u'aIiN uDscttnE ncf tflm-
on with rage and modification she raised
er riding whip ana laid il smartly over
hc face Of thu man before her.
lie dropped the rein instantly. Then he
alsed 70 her face. calm and colorcss,
mt for n red line extending from his eye
row TO his chin, and said quietly:
" ! had no desire TO detain YOU / only
Wished 10 say that when you see General
Washington know you will be just enough
o tell linn that Major Van Zandt knew
othing of your wrongs, or even your pros
nee here, until you presented them, and
hat since then he has treated you rs be-
anne an officer ana gentleman"
Yet even as he spoke she was gone. At
ne moment that her iluttering skirt swept
furious gallop down the hillside, the
laJor turned and reNntered the house.
he few Longing troopers who were wit
esses of the scene prudently turned their
yes from the white face and blazing eyes
their officer as he strobe by them. New
rtheless, when the door closed behind
lm' contemporary criticism broke out:
lis Tory jade, vexed that she caunot
efool tho Major as she has the Captain"
uttered Sergeant Tibbitts.
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