The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-11

soldier. A boy Of fifteen, who sat on
the edge of the bed, was reading aloud,
but in a cautious tone, when the door
opened to admit Miriam.
The invalid's face lit up witha smile
when the fair girl came forward and
took his fevered hand.
Then she told him about Colonel
Campbell's change of quarters, and he
listened without a question.
"We]l,'' he said at last, s'what are
we going to dog
eve are going to remain till we
get strong enough to leave the city,"
answered Miriam, with smile; and
even while she spoke 4 faint noise be-
low told her that the British colonel
was moving into his new quarters.
The Continental was a captain in
Howe's little army. He had served the
colonies with a zeal surpassed by none
who rallied round the cause of free
dom but disease had seized upon him
in Florida, and he returned with the
troops to Georgia to find an asylum in
Miriam Holly's home, and to be nursed
by her through the long hours Of his
fever. The attending physician was a
man who knew how to keep a secret,
and, as his sympathies were with the
patriot cause. he gave Miriam many
valuable hints that looked to the hid
den soldiers health and future safety.
Colonel Campbell, bent on the con-
quest of the fair girls heart. tried to
make himself agreeable to the inmates
IF the mansion. Miriam took good
care not to show him that his absence
would be more desirable than his CON-
pany, and the widow treated him with
a courtesy that kept him aloof from
susp icion for several days.
It was believed by the Tories of
Savannah that a number Of Continen-
tails remained secreted in the city.
Indeed, several had been discovered
since it's capture, and, at the time of
the commandment change Of quarters,
an active search for such persons was
going on.
sis this house haunted, Miss Miri-
am?' asked the colonel one morning
at the breakfast table.
The girl started at the abrupt ques.
ton, and wondered if she turned pale.
"Haunted :" she echoed, with an
effort. 'sThe ghosts must be rats.
ings?''
ssNo, but after I had retired last
night heard voice like the sound of
distant voices. 1t seemed to be di.
rectly overhead, and | called my
chief of staff. Who sleeps over my
apartment, if you will permit SO bold
question e.
"My brothef,'' answered Miriam,
quickly: Il was with him until late
hour last night.''
"And the night before p
eyes,
''Then I heard the sound of your
voices, no Doubt said Campbell,
glancing at the chief of staff, whose
eyes, during the conversation, had
been fastened on the girls face.
Major Gu!lford had noticed every
change of countenance, and when the
twain had retired from the breakfast
table he grasped his superior arm.
"What do you say now, colonel -
he cried in triumph.
II don't know what to say. T.
II watched her like hawk, and I
tell you that the girl is discriminating.
There is rebel soldier in this house!'
Colonel Campbell looked at his ma
jor, but did not speak.
Il never did believe that she was a
Tory continued Guilford. She is
one of the rankest rebels in Savannah.
Why, colonel, so long as the CONT
mental remains beneath this roof, YOU
cannot succeed with her. He stands
between you and Miriam Holly, so you
see the line of your policy is clearly
before you.''
The British colonel started.
81 did not think OF that," he said.
''Major, we will solve the mystery of
the sounds we heard last night.''
"With me it is solved Already was
the chief of staff's reply.
From that hour Miriam Holly was
watched.
Her absence from the lower rooms
was noted, and the colonel knew when
she was not in her boudoir.
AS the days waned, the hidden Con-
tinental improved, and at last he rose
and donned his faded uniform.
"To-morroW night, if it he dark and
stormy Miriam said to him, while
she polished his sword in the mellow
light of the lamp. II have the doc
tors assistance, and the horse will not
fail you. You know whittier to ride,
and before long this sword, which
Howe has missed, will flash once more
before the enemy"
Miriam Holly fancied that she was