River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-10-12
quickly. 81 was with him until late
hour last night
and the night before -

glancing ut 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 q
he cried in triumph.
Il don't know what to say. T.
II watched her like hawk, and
tell you that the girl is disseminating.
There is a rebel soldier in this housed!
Colonel Campbell looked ut 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 Conti-
mental remains beneath this roof, yon
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 houdoir.
As the days waned, the hidden G n
tinental improved. and at last he rose
and donned his faded uniform.
Tomorrow right, ii it be dark and
stormy" Miriam said to him, while
she polished his sword in the mellow
light of the lamp. Il have the doc
tors assistance. and the horsefwill 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
about to Outwit the Kings men. The
Continental was ready for flight, and
there were true friends TO help him
beyond the city.
1t was with delight that the girl
hailed the great drops OF rain that
battered 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 lightning re-
vealed glImpses of the carnival of
rain.
In the hidden room stood Captain
Tempest, the shadow of his former
self, but strong in his desire for liber-
ty. He waited for Miriam, who came
at last, and showed him rain drops on
her.
The elements are assisting us, she
said, joyfully, 1.-The doctor is waiting,
like a hero, under the elm, and he has
the password"
Good Are they asleep! q
''They retired about two hours ago, "
said Miriam. Il am satisfied that the
coast is clear"
Then the soldier picked up his
sword with pride that caused lis
upon him, when voice made both
start and hold their breath.
4 step on the secret stair
The two exchanged startled glances,
and the girl turned to the door, which
opened suddenly and revealed the face
of Colonel Campbell. Over his Shout
ders flashed the chief of staff triumph
ant eyes.
This unexpected event threw the
lovers off their guard, and, as the Brit
ish officers leaped into the room with
swords half drawn, the highest in rank
| exclaimed.
"A rebels nest (! So, so! Surrender
/ at once, OF | will rob the rebel troops
( of one sneaking officeri'
His last words were addressed to the
| Continental captain, whose answer
was kept back by Miriam Holly's ac-
ton.
Shrinking from the British officers,
she reached the bed whereon a pistol
| lay, and moment later she held ii
tightly gripped in her hand.
Gentlemen, it may be the King S
cause that will loose in this game. she
said, addressing Colonel Campbell
"You will sheathe your swords and
obey me -
Campbell and his chief of staff ex-
changed chances.
At Miriam's command they stepped
from before the door, and she looked
at her lover.
"Yod know the way she said.
These soldiers Will not pursue in such
a storm. will be responsible for their
safety, for they wouldn't have bullet
/ in their uniforms for the world. Go,
Marvin, and let every blow you deliver
be blow for freedom
He said "good-by'' as he stepped to
the door he babe the discounted Off
GERS 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 minutes
passed slowly away. BY and by, Mir
lam Holly laid the pistol on the bed
and told the story of her lovers sick
ness. Campbell and his chief of staff
! listened with delight to her voice, for
getting that they were prisoners no
| longer.
When they at last went down the
narrow stair, Miriam's eyes followed
them. and her goodnight, SO full of
! triumph, made Campbell CRATE his
/ teeth.
.'She's beaten me- he said to his
brother officer. I've lost the prize.
Wen go back to the old quarters to-
morrow"
lie was as good as his word, and few
persons ever learned why the colonel
so hastily quit the Holly mansion, and
returned to his first quarters.
Captain Tempest escaped, and re-
turned to Savannah at the head of a
! regiment when the British flag was
lowered to a delivered nation.
! Then he claimed bride, and every
body WAS made acquainted with the
story of the hidden Continental.
-
The Early Adaptation of Gas.
Gas, rs most people know, is inflam-
mable air given out by coal. But who
| first fhnnnhf of cnllpcfinn IL and sfnr.