Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-08-04
Have YOU been visited by sheeted

OF distant voices. IL seemed to be
directly overhead, and | called my
chief of staff. Who sleeps over my
apartment, if you viii permit so bold
a question:"
"My brother," answered Miriam
quickly. 1 was with him until
late hour last night
"And the night before?'
"Yes."
"Then I heard the sound Of your
voices, no doubt" said Campbell,
glancing at the chief of staff, whose
eyes, during the conversation had
fastened on the girls face.
Major Guilford had noticed every
change of countennce, and when
the twain had r, tired from the break
fast table, he grasped his superior'S
arm.
"What do you say nov, colouel?"
he cried in triumph.
81 don't know what to say. I"
IL watched her like hawk, and /
tell you that the girl is dissimulat-
ing. There is rebel soldier IN this
house?"
Colonel Campbell locked at his
major, but did not speak.
II never did believe that she was
Tory" continued Guilford. "She
is one of the rankest rebels in Savan-
nah. Why, colonel, so long as the
Continental 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-fast night.
with nett IS solved already"
was-the 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 boudior
As the days waned, the hidden
Continental improved, and at last
he rose and donned his faded uni
form.
"To- morrow night, if it be dark
and stormy" Miriam said to him,
while she polished his sword in. the
mellow light of the lamp. 81 have
the doctors assistance, and the horse
will not fail you. You knew whith-
er to ride, and before long this sword
which Howe has missed will flash
once more before the enemy"
Miriam Holly fancied that she was
about to outwit the kings men.
The Continental was ready for flight,
and there were true friends who
promised to help him beyond the
city.
1t was with delight that the girl
hailed the drops of rain that pat
tered on the panes of her window,
when the. darkness of the chosen
night fell over the city like a pail.
The thunder rolled about the houses
and now and then flashes of light
ming revealed glimpSes of the carni-
val of rain. -.
In the hidden room stood Captain
Tempest, the shadow of his former
self, but strong. in the desire for lib
erty. He waited for Miriam who
came at last, and showed him rain
drops on her.
''rhe elements are assisting us"
she said joyfully. "The doctor is
waiting, like a hero, under the elm,
and he has the password"
'Good! Are, they asleep?o
"They retired two hours. age"
said Miriam. 81 am satisfied that
the coasts clear"
Then the soldier picked up his
sword with a pride that caused his
eyes to flash, and Miriam was smil-
ing upon him when a noise made
both start and hold their breath.
A step on the secret stair?
The twain exchanged startled
glances, and the girl turned to the
door which opened suddenly and re-
vealed the face of Colonel Campbell.
Over his shoulders flashed the chief
of staff's triumphant eyes.
This unexpected event threw the
lovers off their guard, and, as the
British officers leaped into the room,
with swords half-drawn, the highest
in rank exclaimed:
ga rebels nest! So, So! Surrender
at once, or Twill rob the rebel troops
of one sneaking oficer!"
His last words were addressed to
the Continental captain, whose an
swer was kept back by Miriam Hol-
ly's action.
Shrinking from the British officers,
she reached the bedswhereon a pistol
lay and a moment later she held it
tightly griped in her hand!
g Gentleman, it may be the kings
cause that will loose in this game"
she said, addressing Colonel Camp
bell. "You will sheathe your Swords
and obey me?"
Campbell and his chief of staff ex-
changed glances.
At Airiam's command they step
ped from before the door, and she
looked at her lover.
"You know the way" she said.
"These soldiers will not pursue in
such storm. 1 will be responsible
for their safety, for they would't
have bullet in their uniforms for
the world. Go, Marvin, and let ev-
cry blow that you deliver be blow
for freedom!"
He said 'good by" as he stepped
to the door; he bade the discomft-
ted officers goodnight in a sarcastic
tone that made them vince, and |
then passed down the stair.
The officers forced confinement
was irksome to them, and the min
utes passed slowly away. By and |
by, Miriam Holly laid the pistol on
the bed, and told the story of her
lovers sickness. Campbell and his
chief of staff listened with delight
to her voice, forgetting that they
were prisoners no longer.
When they at last went down the
narrow stairs. Miriam's ewes follow |