Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-17
NO. 16.

though General Tryon ate rapidly aud in 81
lence, the eyes Of the handsome young
Colonel furtively followed her, at times in
deed bestowing still bolder glances Of ad-
miration.
When hunger became somewhat sated Try
on spoke: "Did you find some one, Colonel,
10 guide the men TO the powder house 2"
Indeed, General, not a man is there in all
4 this village except the old and sick"
II tell you that some one must be found.
Girl, what man is there hereabouts who
knows the country 2"
II beg your consideration, General, but
surely the maid cannot know who lie here and
who away"
"who is there, girl7" Come, tell me-"
said Tryon without needing the suggestion Of
the younger officer.
''If knew 1 wouldn't tell you, said the
girl brsvely and as she stood there erect.
with flashing eyes, young Delaney thought
he had not seen such beauty in all New York.
"Well, I'll know il you do not" continued
Tryon. "Send your father here. Quick, or
there'll be worse trouble for him."
The girl hesitsted, not for herself, but fear
ing greater harm for her father If she refused
to comply. However, catching an encourag-
| ing and assuring glance from Delaney she
went in search OF him.
do you know where the powder maya
zine is2" Try on asked Of the old man when
he appeared.
| "I do"
"Then guide file Of my soldiers to it, and
il you betray them you'll be shot without .
moments delay"
"But sm old and feeble, sir"
Don't banter words. Start at once"
II will not do It"
Tryon jumped from his seat and seemed
about himself to assault the old man, but he
was gently restrained by Delaney, who said
General, 1 will see that some one is found
at once. This man is too feeble for q march" ="
well, do ii quickly, or this man goes"
said Tryon with a terrible oath.
ITO save your father, Mistress" said De-
lancey, when be had called the maid aside,
prevail upon some one to do this thing. II
is hard, know, but this Is war. will pro-
tect your father If / can"
She thanked him and started away without
| special purpose to find some young man, II
SO be it we're possible. A cracking sound In
the bride path caught her ear, and she knew
that Nathaniel was approaching. She pushed
the bushes aside and entered the path.
why, Mistress Rose, have they done you
harm ?" said the young man when he saw
her frightened, agitated face.
mot me, but my father, Nathaniel. You
can save him, Nathaniel. Do, do for my
sake"
She looked up plesdingly at him, and rest
ed her hand upon his sleeve. BE looked
down into her face, and when he perceived
the agitation and terror there, he with touch
of perfect gentleness rested his hand upon
her forehead, as though to soothe her, and
be said "Have no fear, Rose they shall
harm neither him nor you"
The girl took his hand, and he seemed 10
impart some Of his strength TO her, for as
she rapidly told him what had happened she
found herself once more growing brave
and, as she saw his tender though strong and
manly face, then it came to her that many
and many times she must have grieved him
| by sighting conduct the manner of indiffer-
ence, and even rudeness, and that he had
suffered these pangs without resentment
along with all the others that his misfortune
must have caused him.
When she had told him all she saw that be
was indeed one TO lean upon in emergency.
he said nothing, but led her nearly to the
opening to the highway. Then be said,
Stay here q moment, Rose" and she saw
that he had determined to do some terrible
| thing.
The young man stepped aside into the
woods until he reached a place of conceal
ment from which he could look across the
highway, and through the open window in the
room where Tryon sat. He took deliberate
aim and fred.
Have 1 missed him In truth have"
The bullet had passed over Tryon's head and
lodged in the wall beyond. Here the aged
| guide said that he had himself thrust his fin
ger into the cavity made by that bullet.
There is one protection for you left, !" said
the young man as he hurriedly returned to
Rose. 81 have fred and missed him. We
must go out by the footpath beyond, and ap-
proach the house by the other side. / will
leave my musket here"
He waR an cool and fraa from agitation that
she was amazed.
They will kill you II you go to the house."
she said.
mo, that is our only safety" he replied.
''They will not dream that the man who fred
the shot will present himself at once"
He led her through the almost impenstra-
BILE path, and even smiled when he told her
that even now he heard them searching the
place whence the shot was fred.
what will you do 2" she asked.
II will offer myself as the guide" he said.
"But you would not betray the secret place
where Gen. Putnam's powder is kept 2"
mo, shall not do that"
"Yet Gen. Tryon told my father he would
be shot if he guided them wrong"
80 you told me, mistress"
And he will tell you that"
~ doubt not he will"
But, Nathaniel, you will take your life In
your hands. You cannot escape. You-you
cannot run, you know"
''Yes, that know"
why, Nathaniel, you cannot dream what
you are doing"
'It pleases Inc to have such opportunity"
"Why, Nathaniel ?"
Ibid you not ask me Just to help your
father for your sake? All, mistress, did you
know how l have waited to hear you say that
could do something for you. Besides,
have longed to help my country, but have so
far been stayed by my misfortune. Now
such opportunity has come as seldom comes
to man. can make my poor, useless self
of service TO those l love the best Come,
now, mistress, let us be quick. Think Of
what have said, tomorrow mayhap."
In a moment he had presented himself to
the excited and somewhat frightened Tryon,
and offered to take the old mans place.
III you betray my men, you will be shot
without mercy"
The young man simply bowed. A moment
later he marched slowly away in front of q
squad of soldiers, who followed him with
muskets ready.
as he your lover ?" asked Delaney, as he
and Tryon were about to go away.
She bowed her head.
"He seems a brave man."
"He is good one."
For moro than two hours Nathaniel Town.
NSAN
ly but surely toward the Stamford pike. At
last the corporal in charge became suspi-
cious."
"If you are false to US you will be shot
without mercy in the back"
'Not In the back, but here" said Nathan
iel Townsend, calmly placing his hand over
his heart, and then he turned and faced the
troops.
With a quick glance to the left the corporal
saw that his troops had been led into mus
ket-shot distance of Putnam's advancing
troops.
'Give the rebel his dues and then retreat"
he shouted.
There we're the fash and the report from
six muskets, and when the patriot troops ar
rived they found Nathaniel Townsend as one
asleep and dreaming pleasant dreams.
Hartford Comm Times.
The territorial government of Dakota
has offered a reward OF $4,000 for the disoov-
cry and development of a mine of anthracite
coal in that territory, and prospectors are
busy.
There Is a tradition that Ponce de Leon,
in search of the fountain of perpetual youth,
landed in Florida in 1919. Though 1t is not
recorded that he found the object of his quest