South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-08-04

health and safety.
Colonel Campbell, bent on the con.
quest Of the fair girls heart, tried to
make himself agreeable to the inmates
OF the mansion. Miriam took good care
rot to show him that his absence would
be more desired than his company, and
the widow treated him with a courtesy
that kept linn aloof from suspicion for
several days.
1t was believed by the tories of Sa.
Vannah that number OF continentals
remained secreted in the city. Indeed.
several had been discovered since its
capture. and ut the time of the comman.
dants change of quarters an active
search for such persons was going on.
us this house haunted, Miss Miriam?"
asked the colonel one morning at the
breakfast table.
The girl started at the abrupt question,
and wondered If she turned pale.
"Haunted?" she echoed. with an effort
1.-The ghost must be rats. Have you
been Visited b. sheeted bengs?"
mo, bot after had retired last night
[ heard n noise like the sound ofdistant
voices. 1t seemed to be directly over.
head, and 1 called my chief of staff.
who sleeps over my apartment. if you
will permit so belt q question:"
MY BROTHER" answered Miriam
quickly, II was with him until n late
hour last right"
"And tue night before?"
Yes
"Thcn heard the sound of your vol.
ces, 70 doubt" said Campbcll, glancing
ut the chief Of staff, whose eyes, during
the conversation, had been fastened Oh
the girls face.
Major Guilford had noticed every
change OF countenance, and when the
twain had retired from the breakfast.
table, he grasped his superors arm.
"What do you say now, colonel?" he
cried in triumph.
81 don't know what 20 say Il
81 watched her like n hawk, and tell
You that the girls discriminating. There
is rebel soldier in this house,
Colonel Campbell looked Mt his Major,
but did not speak.
Il never did believe that she was
Tory" continued Guilford. she is
one of the rankest rebels i'm Savannah.
Why, COLONEL so long as the Continen-
tai remains beneath this roof, YOU can
not succeed with her. lie stands be.
tween you and Miriam Holly, SO you
see the line of your policy is clearly be-
fore 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
;c
the chief OF staA,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.
Tomorrow night, if it be dark and
stormy Miriam said to him. while she
polished his sword in the mellow light
of the lamp. IL have the doctors as
sistance, and the horse will not fail
you. Iou know whittier to ride, and
before long this sword which Howe has
missed will fash once more before the
enemy"
Miriam Holly rahcicd that she was 2.
bout to outwit the kings men. The
Continental was ready for flight, and
there were true friends who promised TO
help him beyond tho city.
IL was with delight that the girl hailed
the great drops of rain that battered ON
the pancs of her window, when the dark,
ness Of the chosen night fell over the
city like n pail. The thunder rolled
above the houses, and now and then
flashes of lightning revealed glimpscs of
the carnival Of rain.
In the hidden room stood Cartain
Tempest, the shadow of his former self
but strong in the desire for liberty lie
waited for Miriam, who came at last. and
showed him rain-drops on her.
THE elements are assisting us" she |
said joyfully. "The doctor is waiting
like hero, under the elm, and he has |
the password"
Good Are they asleep"
"They retired two hours ago" said |
Miriam. 81 am satisfied that the coast /
is clear"
Then the soldier picked up his sword |
with n pride that caused his eyes 10
flash, and Miriam was smiling upon him /
when voice made both start and hold /
their breath.
a step on the secret stair
The twain exchanged starl d glances. /
and the girl turned 20 the door. which .
opened suddenly, and revealed tho /
face Of Colonel Campbell. Over his
shoulders flashed the chief OF stairs I
eyes.
This unexpected event threw the low. /
ers Off their guard. and "a the British
officers lcaped into the room. with
swords half-drawn, the highest i'm rank
exclaimed:
~ rebels ncstl So, So Surrender
At once, or will rob tho rebel troops
Of one snealing officer -
His last words wero addressed TO The
Continental captain. whose answer was
kept back oy Miriam IIolly's action.
Shrinking from the British officers
she reached the bed whereon lay n pis.
InI and a rncsnouf 1oNor 81 -