The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-09-19

..But why does Mistress Prudence
become his intcrccssor, Ell? Count,
perhaps YOU know something Of this.
What does the maid mean, for
see she Is greatly exercised, and
know her to be not disturbed ~ tri-
fles.r
The Count de Rochambcan was very
grave. lie looked at the maid strangely,
but not suspiciously. At length he said
I. He i descrter; there l. much Of
mystery about him; but Of all the mys-
teries there l. none 80 very strange a.
this that has now cope 10 my ears.
Tell me-" and he took the girls hand,
swhat reason i there that you should
thus interccde?"
II can not tell that now, sir, replied
the mistress n little demurcly, !" hut y
is a good one"
Here the Count de Rochambeau
looked very grave, but the Governor 1T
once said I'D plight my honor, sire,
the girl tells the truth. Tell me, Mis-
tress Prudence, how came YOU to know
this soldier?r
~ have often seen him at the oven.
over there, and in passing have chatted
with him, as have the other maidens, for
he speaks the English tongue as well a.
YOU or l."
.was that entirely secmly?" said the
Count, gravely.
Miss Prudence looked al the tall, gra-
cious Frenchman wondcringly for an
instant and then slowly and instinctiyely
catching his meaning said. while her
gray eyes sparklcd and the blood mount
cd to her cheeks:
"There are none but brave and true
women in Lebanon, sir
The Count bowed low with his hand
over his heart, and humbly begged the
maids forgiveness.
AT the oven, YOU say continued
the Governor: " surely there could be
no harm in that, for Is not the oven on
the common. at the rear Of the meeting
house?'' [The brick oven still remains
on the common, sadly broken in and
gone 10 decay, but there, neverthe-
less.
II came 10 ask You to cause him to
be released, on my word that he has
done nothing wrong. II j. unseemly 70
shut such man up rs a prisoner for the
space Of one hour,'
The Governor and the Count cx-
changed chances and the quick eye If
, Mistress Prudence saw il. With the
most dignified courtesy 10 the Count
she turned her back upon him, and 90
ing 10 the Governor, said: s'Mr. Trim-
bull, yon knew me when was child.
before the war. Did you not see me
lead the other maids othe school-housc.
when the messenger from Lexington to
Norwich stopped 10 tell Us that blood
!, had been she'd, and did I not suggest to
the maids that we even take our petit
coats to make the implements Of war
with? DO YOU remember my ride to
Hartford, alone thrclgh the forests, that
might carry to you the special dis
patches that were waiting you here from
Gen. Washingtonp'
"In truth I remember all this, and to
your credit"
Then have | not the right to ask a
slight favor?"
!. But Mistress Prudence. ] can not do
what YOU would seek. My authority
extends not 70 the battalion Of the Count
! de Rochambeau.
But you can plead with him."
~ see, Mistress Prudence, you little
comprehend these matters, and in Truth
! wOi my pita'uhr~ WYNN ~ e"'i w
: half yours would.
,, The Count listened gravely 70 all this.
Suddenly he said, but with infinite re-
spect: "Tcll me, do you love this
MANI"
ssWhat has that to do with itP" she
answered, Strengthening up and her
gray eyes flashed Indignation. III If he
deserves punishment might love him
and still suffer him To be punished. But
he does not. beg you to release him,
for he has done nothing wrong.
The Count de Rochambeau said moth
I ing.
y. VIII YOU not release himP" she
pleaded tcndcrly, placing her hand on
! the Count he Rochambeau'S arm. He
turned his face away, but shook his
head.
I" Will you not beg for III ?" This t.
the Governor, who stood with one hand
: on his oaken desk. and looking very
stern. a. much n TO say, = like this
: not at all
4 ~ can not, Mistress Prudence
~ know not what his punishment
4 NAV be. It's disgrace sufficient 10 have
9 been arrested. But have herc"-and
she suddenly drew from the folds Of hcl
!. dress thick packet Of papers--"thai
/ which he gave me tonight, saying that
! were he punished might keep then
/ forever, were he not ! might deliver
them to the Count dc Rochambcau
i They are Of great Importance, sir, foi
u they will not only tell what Francois
\ Duplan j., but certain other hints q
y value
\ :. Let me See them. child" said thu
r Count, starting forward.
2 Not till you promise. and ! will tel