The National tribune., 1883-07-12

when the daze cleared he found himself stand
ing near the head of the table, where sat stout
| man with red face, fierce mustache, and an
evil pair of eyes.
He looked at Arthur q moment. Then he
poured out glass of wine and pushed it to-
wards him: Drink !"
But Arthur did not touch the glass.
Drink, say" he repeated impatiently.
"Do you hear 2"
al have promised mamma never to drink
wine," was the low response.
1t seemed TO poor Arthur as though every
thing had combined against him. 1t was bad
enough to have 10 say no to the question about
| the uniform, and now here was something else
that would make the men still more angry
| with him. But the officer did not push his
| command; he simply thrust the glass one side
and said, Now, my boy, we're going to get
| that American spy and hang him. You know
where he is and you've got TO tell us, OF it viii
| be the worse for you. Do you want to see your
mother again ?"
| Arthur did not answer. He could not have
answered just then. A big bunch came into
his throat. Cryf Not before these men. So
| he kept silence.
obstinate little pig speak," thundered
| the officer, bringing his great brawny fist down
| upon the table with a blow that set the glasses
dancing "Will you tell me where that spy
| is?n
"No, SIR" came in very low, but very firm
| tones. / will not tell you the dreadful words
of that officer, as he turned TO his servant with
| the command, "Put him down cellar, and we'll
see to him in the morning. They're all alike,
men, women, and children. Rebellion in the
very blood. The only way to finish it is to
| spill it without mercy"
| Now there was one thing that Arthur, brave
/ as he was, feared, and that was-ratsI Left on
heap of dry straw, he began to wonder if
| there were rats there Presently he was sure
+. Il
treasured by the touch of soft, warm fur on his
| hand, and the sound of melodious "pur-r"
| The friendly kitty, glad of companion, curled
| herself by his side. What comfort she brought
| to the lonely little fellow He lay down be-
side her, and saying his Our Father, and Now
lay me, was soon in profound sleep, the purr-
| ing little kitty Nesting close.
| The sounds of revelry in the rooms above
did not disturb him. The boisterous songs and
| laughter, the stamping of many feet, continued
far into the night. At last they ceased: and
when everything had been for long time 81
lent, the door leading to the cellar was softly
opened and lady came down the stairway.
have often wished that 1 might paint her as
she looked coming down those stairs. Arthur
was afterwards my great grandfather, you
| know, and he told me this story when / was a
young girl in my teens. He told me how lovely
this lady was.
Her gown was of some rich stuff that shim-
mered in the light of the candle she carried,
and rustled musiealIy as she walked There
was flash of jewels at her throat and on her
hands. She had wrapped crimson mantle
about her head and shoulders Her eyes were
like stars a summers night sparkling with
yelled radiance, and as she stood and looked
down upon the sleeping boy smile, sweet, but
full of profound sadness, played upon her lips.
Then determined look came into her bright
eyes.
He stirred in his sleep, laughed out said
mamma" and then opened his eyes. She
stopped and touched his lips with her finger,
Hush! Speak only in a whisper. Eat this,
and then will take you to your mother"
After he had eaten, she wrapped cloak
about him, and together they stole up and out
past the sleeping, drunken sentinel, to the sta
bles. She led out white horse, her own horse,
Arthur was sure, for the creature caressed her
with his head, and as she saddled him she
talked to him in low tones, sweet, musical
words OF some foreign tongue. The handsome
horse seemed to understand the necessity OF
silence, for he did not even whinny to the
touch of his mistress hand, and trod daintily
and noiselessly as she led him to the mounting
block, his small ears pricking forward and
backward, as though knowing the need OF
watchful listening.
Leaping to the saddle and STOPPING. she
lifted Arthur in front of her. and with word
they were off. A slow walk at first, and then
l u
night ride with the beautiful lady on the white
J horse, over the country flooded with the bril-
, liancy of the full moon. Once or twice she
asked it he was cold as she drew the cloak
more closely about him, and sometimes she would
murmur softly to herself words in that silvery
foreign tonge. As they drew near Hartland
she asked him to point out his fathers house
; and when they were quite near, only little
distance off, she stopped the horse
, leave you here, you brave, darling boy,
she said. Kiss me once, and then jump down
And don't forget me-"
Arthur threw his arms around her neck and
kissed her, first on one cheek and then on the
other, and looking up into the beautiful face
} with its starry eyes, said
i will never, never forget YOU for you ars
the loyeliest lady / ever saw except-except
mamma"
She laughed a pleased laugh, like child
then took ring from her hand and put it upor
one of Arthur's fingers. Her hand was so slender
J it fitted his chubby little hand well.
Keep this" she said and by and by give
| 1t TO some lady good and true, like mamma"
will you be punished?" he said, keeping
her hand. She laughed again. with a proud
: daring toss of her dainty head. and rode away
, Arthur watched her out of sight, and theI
turned towards home. Mrs. Heath was still
: keeping her lonely watch, when the latch o
the outer door was softly lifted-nobody had
the heart TO take in the string with Arty out
side-the inner door swung noiselessly back
} and blithe voice said, Mamma! mamma
here am, and didn't tell ]"
All that day, and the next, and the next, th,
Heath household were in momentary expec
tation of the coming of the red coats to search
for the spy. Dorothy and Arthur, and some
times Abram, did picket duty to give season
able warning of their approach. But they
: never came. In a few days news was brough
that the British forces on the very mornins
after Arthur's return, had made a rapid retrea
before an advance of the Federal troops, AMI
never again was red coat seen in Hartland
The spy got well in great peace and comfort
under Basha's nursing, and went back agair
to do service in the Continental army, anC
Dotty used to say, +" You did learn, didn't yoI
, Arty, how person, even little boy, can be
hero without fighting, just as mamma said p
-Wids Quake.