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

lines. ana Jnen, ndnulng the paper 10
Whitney, commanded him to see that the
order was promulgated that evening The
young officer, as he copied it, saw that it
instructed that all sentries should be
doubled until further notice, that special
pains be taken to apprehend spies or de-
serterS and all suspicious persons, and an
nounced that every deserter or spy would
be shot or hanged on the finding of
drum head court martial, and without an
hours delay.
For a half hour thereafter Putnam and
Whitney examined such rough maps of
the country as they had, and, with the
quick inspiration of a true soldier, the
General at the end of that time had, as he
believed, fathomed the plans of the
enemy.
"They'll come across from White Plains
by the Danbury pike, Whitney. They
can't get here inside of three days. If it
wasn't for this incipient mutiny I'd go
out and meet 'em. Ii | could only hold 'em
OF for a week I'd put down this trouble of
ours and then whip the life out Of these
confouuded red-coats."
IF 1 might suggest" said Whitney, def
erentiaIly, might it not be good plan to
give them a dose of their own mcdicine?"
whats that-bullets:"
mo. They seem to be fond of spies and
deserters. Give them one"
"By thunder, that's worth thinking about.
who'll send them scurrying of over the
Norwalk pike on a false scent, and that'll
give me two or three daVs' more time
But" added Putnam, thoughtfully, ''our
man is away now, and don't know another
| can trust"
"ShaIl | try to find one?"
Eyes, but be discreet"
A gentle tap at the door seemingly
needed no voice to reveal to Major Whitney
who it was that thus begged entrance. He
went quickly, and lifted the old brass latch
There on the threshold he beheld slender,
graceful figure, which dropped the quaint
recoiling courtesy of the time. But though
her body was thus Bonded, her head was
erect, so that Whitney saw the flash of
mirth in the brown and mischief loving
eyes, and in the arch, coquettish smile of
the full though sensitive lips, upon which
emotion vibrated with revealing touch
All" said Whitney, returning the
courtesy, 1.-THE enslaver comes for the
hungry captives."
Nonsense, Major Whitney. Hunger
and pride are your only captors, and if one
be so easily enslaved as you intimate, why,
he has many captOrs. Therefore | will
make no such pretension."
so, how came forth from the room in a
gruff though not unkindly voice. SIS it
the maid? Surely she brings, with her
own, the fragrance of the kitchen. Come
here, my girl"
She went with graceful step to Putnam,
and took his great rough hand.
do you know little missy" said he,
that I've notion to put you on my staff.
I've never had such a commissary. w hat
have you been getting for me that tenn pts
me to eat to-day"
"SOmething you'll not leave untouched"
"Is it porridge? Come, now"
"8h, General" said Whitney, "she'll not
brave your wrath and her own reputation
for kindness by setting that before you
Have you no nostrilS, sir?'
Aye, but I've eyes now, and the maid is
fair. | wish every one of those soldiers
out there had a sweetheart like YOU, missy.
Ihere'd be no mutiny then. Come now,
what more can the old General say:
There's nothing like a sweetheart to spunk
up a soldier"
Then yours must have been a witching
one, sir" said the girl. But come; you
know what I've got in the kitchen, and if
you daily here they'll soon be like your
own cannon balls"
lis dumplings, Whitney, as Pm reh-
ell. Come here missy, that l may give you
kiss to pay you," the General said
That is cheap payment" said S he
archly. 'Do you think because you've
beaten the red-coats 50 often that a maid
like me prizes such caresses? Humph
But here, your hairs awrv, and you've
ing about and using such vigorous Ian
guage that | put my hands to my ears"
With deft and delicate touch she ar
ranged the warriors tangled tawny locks
Whitney the while watching with admir-
ing glances, ami wondering whether he
envied more the Generals great fame aud
abilities, or the modest attention of this
girl.
She led them to the table, where the
snowy dumplingS eXude1 fragrant steam
that, mingled with the aroma of Melford
rum, was most bewitching expectancy for
the taste as it was eXhilarating realization
for the nostrils.
"Where is your father, msSv?" said the
General, as she laid u dumping upon his
plate.
He's taking supper with General Poor
and his officers tonight"
''Ha ha" ~ roared Putnam. ''Poor's feast
ing him on poridge while you are starry
ing US on dumplings. By-ahem. By the
powers, Whitney, L never ate such fine
ones"
mo porridge at all has General Poor.
For l placed dozen or more dumplngs in
the milk pail and, with a blanket over
them to keep the steam within, sent them
with my best compliments. and father has
taken gallon of rum, too" said the girl.
You're a good and brave girl, missy,
but the Lord help Poor and the rest of
y
tonight. IT'S well there's no business ON
hand. We know what MarviR's flip is, eh
Whitney,"
The young officer smiled, but as he cast
his eyes upon the fair Mary Marvin it
seemed as though there were for him
greater potency and responsiveness for is-
toXication in her glance than in the stiiTest
mug of flip he ever drank.
Putnam then paid little heed to his COM
paniOn, for he ate as he did all else, with
all his energy absorbed i'll the occupation
at hand At length, his meal being
flushed, he said to Whitney: 81 wish.
Major, that you could make some inquiries
at once for this fellow of whom we spoke
awhile ago"
Major Whitney glanced about with some
abstra Ction of manner, as though he had
already put his wits to work. Then
happening to meet the searching and mis-
chief-loving brown eyes that he had
grown to regard as the choicest prize in
the world for young soldier, it occurred
to him to speak to their owner.
"Hou know the lads hereabouts," he
said, with sudden inspiration. as there
one who knows the country below, who is
brave enough even TO be your lover, and
therefore brave enough to penetrate the
enemy's land"
There's no lad brave enough TO be my
lover, though peradventure worthier a
better maid than l."
"Ha hal She has you there, Whitney.
Bravery alone will not win YOU, missy
That is right. Bravery isn't such q great
thing. It's the lack Of it that makes men
conspicuous. But, Mary, there's sense in