The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-08-01

at would not be dangerous for Torv?v
at would not, of course. But, SURELY.
you have some one on your mind, or YOU
would not thus question me-"
''I'm but curious" Then she added.
'"Twould help our army"
'sMore than you can realize.o
"And 'twould injure theirs?" ~
eve hope So"
Suddenly she broke into a merry lauoh
and, when Whitney looked at her in some
amazement at this change of manner. She
said: 81 think | know such man as Won
desire. He will do it if l ask, and twill
punish him bit, and yet reward him
greatly"
'Is he young and handsome?"
''What matters that?" she asked
"Ah, have it! IT'S some fellow who has
set his heart on you and you on him. or
you would not show such spirit at my cues
ton"
''And if have set my heart on brave
youth tits well with me these times, and if
he has so considered me 'tis--"
Far, far better. But this is danger
Gus business. If tits really your lover,
spare him"
do you think I'd have lover who
feared danger? But, whether you Judge
rightly or not, no harm can happen him
have in mind"
bid him, then, come to the General in
the morRing," said Whitney.
mo, he shall not; he can not. Give me
your message and instructions, and I'll
warrant they'll be carried out"
When the young officer informed the
General of her purpose, the bluff Cd man
to Whitney's surprise, seemed encouraged.
"'Tis the maids way" said Pltnam.
"She has some fellow, no doubt, that she
fancies with a maids foolishness, aad she
e.,
She's brave girl and a wise one, Whit
ney, and she has Putnam blood in her
veins"
SO the General briefly sketched his plan
and instructions. The Young fellow was to
leave as soon as possible, make his way
within the enemy's lines as deserter, and
when in their hands declare that Putnam
was making preparations to quit Reading
and retire to the Sound as speedily as he
was able
Let her send her sweetheart on this
chance, and to make sure, find some one
else to send on similar Grand"
By dawn of the next day Whitney had
procured another trustworthy fellow and
sent him on his mission, and had also Civ
en- to the maid the instructions of the Gem
eral. She demurely received her commits
sion and promised faithfully to execute it.
When the darkness of that evening set
tied down upon them, Mistress Mary, hav-
ing muffied her slender figure, sped by the
sentinel, who knew her well, and made her
way in the direction of the house of her
pastor, Mr.. Bloss, where, she said, she had
made promise to spend an hour that even
ing. But when she came to the old pasture
lot she darted quickly by the little path
through the narrow ravine that led to the
cleared space beyond, and in a moment
went beneath rough shed that had been
erected as rude shelter for cattle. As she
stepped within tall figure appeared from
somewhere in the darkness by her side.
Mary" il whispered.
Robert" and the tall figure, bending
over her, took her muffled head in both his
palms, uplifted it, and kissed her.
Robert, have you waited long, and are
you all safe:" She put out her hand to
touch his cloak, seemingly TO assure her
self.
But few moments. [ feared the in
element weather or some chance might
keep you"
Keep me, Robert, when you have
Travelled all these miles, full ten at least
to meet me"
"Ah, ten miles; twice ten would come
daily if l could but hear you say, MY
Robertr and receive your sweet kiss OF
hope and trust"
For few moments they chatted with
and then she said: "Robert, do you hear
my good news! After this we need not
meet in secret, for have way to rid us
of all such annoyance hereafter. The
General will permit you to come. [ shall
win his consent"
"Ah, little one, you will be more vic
torious than others have been if YOU get
him to permit that" he replied.
"But l shall Robert, is there not a
Colonel Bliss of the British army en-
camped not far from your home?"
There is"
Then take this message that have
written and see that it is delivered to him.
You pass in and out of their lines easily,
do You mott"
Yes. But what is this?" he said, doubt
fully.
Trust me, Robert. 1 can not tell you
now. Do it for my sake, and come again,
say Friday next. After that you .will be
free to come and CO." she said.
81 trust you, Mary, though this is a
mysterious thing"
And, Robert on no account reveal that
you have seen me or received it from me-
us it so important as that"
'FOr me, yes"
"Then I'll keep it secret with my life."
"Y es, do" she said with solemnity
that impressed him greatly, though had
he been able to see her eyes and smile he
would have surmised there was no such
great concern about it. Then she babe
him go.
You will wait for me Friday nightp'
he asked, and she replied yes.
A few moments later Mary was de-
murely chatting before the parsons fire,
and an hour after she sent a message to
her father that She should spend the night
at the parsonage with Betsy Bloss, her
only mate.
General Putnam and his young secretary
were preparing to retire for the night,
when a commotion without checked such
preparations. There was a heavy knock.
the trampling of feet, the sound of excited
voices, and in a moment an officer with
two soldiers and tall, handsome civilian
stood before the General.
The old warrior realized at once what
such proceeding meant, but he calmly
said:
"Who is this?"
"He was captured by the SENTRY" said
the officer, las he was leaving the pasture
lot below, where he had been in consulta-
ton with another whose form the men
dimly saw, but who escaped them. Nhax
captured, he, by a quick, unsuspected
motion, thrust bit of paper in his mouth
and, though the men choked him, he
swallowed it,"
Putnam's face was like thunder cloud
but he checked any other manifestation OF
his passion.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Robert Lockwood, of Ridgefeld town
ship"
Have you any permit to be within my
lines?"
He shook his head and Whitney, who
at,t,i,, al. /