The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-09-19

uOuSc! L 1uc DT1Ck oven Still TcuEtiIlS
on the common, sadly broken in and
gone to decay, but there, neverthe-
less.1
~ came to ask you to cause him to
be released, on my word that he has
done nothing wrong. 1t is unseemly to
shut such man up as prisoner for the
space of one hOur!''
The Governor and the Count ex-
changed glances and the quick eye of
Mistress Prudence saw it. With the
most dignified courtesy to the Count
she turned her back upon him, and 60
ing to the Governor, said: "Mr. Trum-
bull, you knew me when was child,
before the war. Did you not see me
lead the other maids to the schOol-hOuse,
when the messenger from Lexington to
Norwich stopped to tell us that blood
had been shed, and did 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 through the forests, that
I might carry to you the special dis
patches that were waiting you here from
Gen. Washington?''
"In truth remember all this, and to
your credit
Then have not the right to ask =
slight favor?''
But Mistress Prudence, can not do
what you would seek. My authority
extends not to the battalion of the Count
de ROchambeau.'
"But you can plead with him.
81 see, Mistress Prudence, you little
and hos s,,< 4,
l wot my pleadings would not avail the
half yours wOuld.''
The Count listened gravely to all this.
Suddenly he said, but with infinite re-
spect: "Tell me, do you love this
man?"
"What has that to do with it?'' she
answered, Strengthening up and her
gray eyes flashed indignation. eff he
deserves punishment might love him
and still suffer him to be punished. But
he does not. l beg you to release him,
for he has done nothing wrong"
The Count de ROchambeau said moth
ing.
"Will you not release him?'' she
pleaded tenderly, placing her hand on
the Count de ROchambeau's arm. He
tuihCu HIS AstSC "N'ys ouC shooh HIS
head.
evil you not beg for mc?'' This to
the Governor, who stood with one hand
on his Oaken desk, and looking very
stern, rs much rs to say, 81 like this
not mt ALL
81 can not, Mistress Prudence"
81 know not what his punishment
may be. 1t is disgrace sufficient to have
been arrested. But have here'-and
she suddenly drew from the folds of her
dress thick packet of papers-"that
which he gave me tonight, saying that
were he punished I might keep them
forever, were he not l might deliver
them to the Count de ROchambeau.
They are of great importance, sir, for
they will not only tell what Francois
Duplan is, but certain other hints of
value.'
"Let me see them, child" said the
Count, starting forward.
s'Not till you promise, and l will tell
you, furthermore, that on your written
order for his release, will kiss you as l
might my father"
"Verily," said the Count, "those are
but other words, the meaning of which
is the Affirmative answer to the question
1 put to you. Then you do love the sol
dier?''
"That is impudence, sir. have not
said so. Mayhap in your country wom-
en- can do nothing unless the motive of
love be imputed. 1t is not so here, as
Mr.. Trumbull well knows"
'.YOu are a brave maid" said the
Count de ROchambeau, 4" and you shall
have your wish. Now let me have the
papers"
With this Mistress Prudence rushed
from the room, the Governor and Count
staring ut each other in amaZement.
Presently she returned, looking demure,
sly and wOndrous pretty.
I" l have put the papers where they are
safe, sir. Tomorrow when l see Mr..
Duplan and he tells me that he is reliev-
ed from duress and disgrace, l will place
them in your hands,"
The Count flushed. He bit his lips,
and at length said: "Then Miss Pru-
dence dare not to trust to my hOnOr?'
eyes, yes" she said, going to him
prettily, "but methinks l will punish
you for your impertinence, sir. You
seek the papers greatly, and you must
restrain your curiosity over the night rs
a punishment for the question you put
to me. Nevertheless will partially re-
quite yOu," and with that she put her
face up to his, so that when he bent over
she kissed him on his forehead. Then
the Count sat at the Governors desk
and wrote an order pardoning Francois
Duplan, or rather dismissing the charge
of desertion as unfounded, thereby quiz
citing his conscience regarding the per-
emptory order of death to deserters and
gratifying his wishes. "Give this" he
said, "tO your escort, and charge him
to deliver it to the Sergeant on his re-
turn to the camp"
When she went away neither the
Governor nor the Count proposed to
make any search for the papers. The
dispatch bearers, in response to the
Governors inquiry, said that the maid
en- went up among the rafters.
COmrade Jacques showed Mistress
Prudence to her fathers door by the |
light of his lantern, and nothing 10th |
went in. The mistress herself mixed |
him punch of tremendous strength,
which he drank in her honor. Then
Squire Strong insisted on another, and
he ,,,;,,:,<o,. s,,r-<ro.<oJ that fIoxy I,;,,ly