The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-17


aud tripping down the crisp snow of the
hillside.
But Mistress Thankful had overlooked
one difference between her own farm an
military eucampmcnt She had not
proceeded dozen yards before a figure
apparently started out OF the ground be-
Meath her and dwelling bayoucttcd mus
kct across her path called, Hate"
The hot blood mounted to the girl's
check at the frst impcra i've command she
had ever received in her ifc; nevertheless
She halted uuoonsoiouslv. aud without u
word confronted the challenger with her
Old audaotv.
"Who goes thereY' reiterated the sentry,
still Keeping his bayonet level with her
breast.
Thankful Blossom" she responded,
promptly.
The sentry brought his muskct TO
present" pass Thankful Blossom, and
God send it soon, and the spring with II.
and good night he snid. with a strong
Mlosian accent. And before the still
amazed girl could comprehend the mean
ing of his abrupt challenge. or hl equally
abrupt departure, he had resumed his
H'h'lpi'u- Id't li iut HuNnlEul lu-
decd, a. she stood looking after him, the
whole episode. the odd uIrcaiity of the
moonlit landscape, the novelty of her
position. the morbid play of her thoughts
seemed to make it part of II dream which
the morning light might dissipatc but
could never fully explain.
With something Of this feeling stll upon
her. he kept her way 20 tho river. Its
banks were still fringcd with ice, through
which its dark current flowed noisclcssIy.
She knew 1t flowed through the camp
where lay her faithless lover. and for an
Instant INDUCED the thought Of folowingi il
aud facing him with the proof of his guilt;
but even at the thought she rccoiled with
Il new and sudden doubt in herself. and
stood drcamily watching the simmer of
the moon ON the icy banks, until another
and Il seemed to her equally unreal vision
suddenly stayed her feet aud drove the
blood from her fevcrish cheeks.
figure was slowly approaching from
the direction Of the sleeping encampment.
Tall, erect and habitei in n gray surtout,
with hood partially concealing its face.
II was the counterfeit presentnent of the
ghosily vistant she had heard described.
Thankful scarcely brcathed. The brave
little heart that had not quailed before tho
sentry's lcvellcd musket a moment before,
now faltered aud stood st II as tue phau-
tom, with slow and majestic tread
moved toward her. She had only time to
gain the shelter of n tree before the figure,
maiestically unconscious OF her presence,
passed slowly by. Through all her terror
Thank III was still true TO IL certain rustic
habit Of practical perception to observe
that the tread OF the phantom was quite
audible over the crust of snow. and was
visible and palpable rs the imprint Of
military boot
The blood came back 10 ThanlSful's check
and with it her old nudacitv. In another
instant she was out from the tree. and
tracking with light feline tread the ap-
paration that now doomed up the hill be-
fore her. Slipping from tree to tree, she
followed until it passed before the door Of
"a low hut or farm shed that stood midway
up the hill. Here II entered. and the door
closed behind IL. With every sense fever
ishly alert, Thankful, from the secure adj
vantage OF large maple, watched the
door of the hut. In few moments il re-
opened TO the same figure free of it's gray
enwrappings Forgetful of everything
now but detecting the face OF the impos-
tor, the fearless girl left the tree aud placed
herself directly in the path Of the figure.
At the same moment 1t turned toward her
inquiringly, and the moonlight fell full
upon the calm, composed features of Gen
eral Washington.
In her CONSERVATION Thankful could
only drop an embarrassed courtesy and
hang out two lovely signals of distress in
her cheeks. The face OF the pseudo ghost
alone remained unmoved.
You are wandering late. Mistress
Thankful" he said at last with paternal
gravity, land fear that the formal re-
straint Of a military household has already
given YOU some embarrassment. Yonder
sentry, for instance, might have stopped
YOU"
"Oh, he did" said Thankful quickly:
but It's all right, please your EXcclencv.
lie asked me who went there. and told
him, and he was vastly polite, assure
you"
The grave features Of the Commander
m-Chief relaxed in smile. you are
more happy than most of your sex in turn
ing a verbal compliment 10 practical ac-
count For know then, dear young lady,
that in honor Of your visit TO the head
quarters, the password Tonight through
this encampment was none other than
your own pretty patronymic-" Thankful
| Blossom
The tears elittered IN the girls eyes. and
her lip trembled. But with all her roadi-
ness of speech, she could only say, Oh,
your EXcelleucy.'
Then You did pass the sentry" con-
tinued Washington, looking nj her intcnty
with Il certain grave watchiuness in his
gray eyes. And doubtless yo" wandered
~ tho liver pank. Although | myself,
tempted by the night, sometimes extend
my walk as far rs yonder shed, IT were IA
hazardous act for young lady to pass be-
yond the protection of the line"
"Oh, | met no one, your EXcelloncy,
said the usually truthful Thankful hastily,
rushing to her first lie with grateful i'm
potuosity.
"And saw no one" asked Washington.
quietly.
mo one, said Thankful, raising her