Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-07

quickly by the arm and with a sort OF horror
III her lace, motioned me To be silent.
Are We quite aloue?' she whispered
She was breathing quickly, poor child Her
face was pale and hagsard. led her-almOst
carried her to rough lounge near the fire. she
glanced down at her disguise, d blush covering
her lace, making 1t FOR an instant Impossible
for her 10 speak.
"Diana,"I said. anxiously, "for Gods sake.
explain your coming. What does it mean?''
In broken sentences, almost whispering it.
and leaning her head back YEARLY ON my breast.
she told her story. Uncle Blake had been in
league with the English; had communicated
with a spy In my regiment. A party OF Eng
lsh officers were in waiting across the river. If
sent out as we expected the party were TO he
captured by the neutrality-suspicious. ii it were
thought best, killed on the spot. She, brave
little Di, had over heard the plans thai day and
had walked from Blake house here through
nany perils after mig liall having fairly forced
keZlah 10 accompany her.
And thought" she said putting her little
hands together, "if did not get mere in time
you might 20, Robert, and
For AL the shock and AN xiety of the moment
l thought OF nothing then, but that had DIS
head upon my breast, Dis voice, tender and
sweet, sounding in my ears!
God brought you safely, Di," whispered,
putting my arms closely about her; ''let US thank
HIM Tor IT,"
And then with a little sigh of relief or comfort,
L know not what, Di put one of her little hands
up TO my face and drawing il down 10 her own
kissed my cheek passionaIeIy.
We Were only silent and seifishly thoughtful
Tor ourselves ior "a moment. Action was nec-
essary at once. Di could tell me the name of
the Joe within my door. 1t was Alpin! the
ready volunteer! told Di she must remain
in disguise While discussed our plan OF action
with our officers. She drew her cloak about
her ana sat ike shy, pretty boy, apart in
the shadow OF the fire when they came in To the
room. keZlal, still inclined TO be RESPONDENT
and weeping, remained near BY her cloak
drawn Us CLOSELY as possible, aud her sharp
old features griIniy cut against the firelight-
the inpersonation OF Puritan severity ludi-
crousiy IN contrast with the masaueradfny at
tire she mad adopted at ner young mistress bid
ding.
1t was IL O'clock. We hastily laid our plans.
would remain at hone lest "A SURPRISE WAS in
tended here. the rest OF the party would go
undisturbed, all but Alpin receiving private
INSTRUCTIONS. detachment would cross the
river some what above half an hour in advance
and 1t was hoped TO thus capture the English
party. saw Di listened anXiously anu ts
soon as our plans were laid and we were alone
! went over 10 report TO her. Sine caught my
hand nervously.
"Robert," she exclaimed, "are you goiug?"
lexpialned THAT it was differently arranged
and she sighed quickly, turning her face away
No victory, no cry OF battle could have given
me the courage of that little sig OF relief that
was not To leave her!
the party left, all but Alpin informed of the
trap awaiting them Then for three hours We
the officers aud myselt-Eaving placed the regi-
ment In waiting tor aItack-wailed an iously
which Di lay still upon tue lounge. Now and
then went 10 the door and watched her in ST
lence. she had felien into a deep sleep from
the exhaustion and excitement OF her walk. III
the dim light even, 4 how pale and worn
her lace had grown since 1 IT last. The
outline was no longer round-the hue no longer
SOFT and blooming, but II was Di. still Little