The Cecil Whig., 1886-05-22
SHE WOULD NOT LIE.

latter fled to the town of L., where his
cousin Mrs. Marvin, hid him for some
| days in secluded farm house. But at
| last the subtle foe discovered his retreat,
and one sunny afternoon in May he was
routed from his hiding place by the It'd
| ings that band of horseman were ap-
preaching to capture him.
His only chance of escape was to reach
tie mouth of little creek which emptied
itself into the Connecticut River, Just
above the entrance of the latter into the
Long Island Sound. There he had boat
Stationed, with two faithful attendants
hidden beneath the high banks of the
creek The distance from the farm house
to the boat was two miles by the usual
travel road. But little path across the
farmers orchards would bring him to the
road, only mile from the boat, and save
a quarters length of his fearful run for
life.
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road, Hetty
Marvin sat, with her dog Towser, tend
ing the bleaching of the family linen.
The roll of linen was taken by the far
mer or his stout ''help" to grassy plant,
beside spring Or meadow brook. There
it was thoroughly wetted and spread
upon the green turf, to take the best
heat sun by day and dew by night. The
little maiden who tended it would sit
near it.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter of Gov. Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road to escape from his pursuers.
years, yet thoughtful and wise beyond
any of her elders. She was frightened
by the headlong haste with which tie
Governor rushed across the meadow.
But she quietly comprehended the scene,
and instantly quieted ner faithful Tow
ser, who, though friend of the family
guest, thought it becoming to bark
loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
Governors notice and suggested a
scheme to delude his pursuers. "Hetty,"
he said earnestly, 81 am flying for my
life; and, unless l can reach my boat be-
fore am overtaken, l am dead man.
But you must tell those who are chasing
me that | have gone up the road to
catch the mail wagon, which will soon
come along, you know. Then they will
turn off the other way"
SO cousin :" said the girl, in an agony
of distress, Il cannot tell lie, indeed |
cannot Why did you tell me which
way you are going"'
"IIetty, dear child, you certainly would
not betray me to my death l hear the
click of their horses feet. o Hetty, tell
them have gone up the road instead of
down, and Heaven will bless you ~
sHeaven never besses those who
speak falsely, cousin! But will not tell
them which way you 60, even if they kill
me. So run as quickly as possible"
"It's of no use. Unless l can deceive
them, am dead man.
cousin, cousin hide under my web of
cloth. They'd never think of looking
here for you. Come, get down as swift
as you cam; 'I'll get down as you say"
And suiting the action to the word tie
Governor was soon hidden under the
| folds of the cloth.
Angry that there intended prey had
escaped from the house where they had
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
| Tories, headed bya British officer, dashed
along the road in swift pursuit. At the
sight of the girl in the meadow. the
leader of the party paused.
| "Child" he said sternly, "have you
seen man running hereabouts
"Yes SIR" replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
(Which way did he go?"
81 promised not to tell, sir"
sBut you must, or take the conse-
quences."
81 SAID l wouldn't tell, if you killed
me-" sobbed the frightened girl.
"rll have it out OF her," exclaimed
the furious officer, with an oath.
LET me speak to her," said his Tory
guide, 81 know the child, believe.
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin ?' he
asked pleasantly.
"Yes, SIR
"And this man that ran by us few
minutes ago was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he?"
'Yes, sir, he was"
"Well, we are friends of his. What
did he say to you when he came along?''
"He-told me-that he was flying for
his life."
'Just so, Hetty. That was very true
hope he won't have far to fly. Where
was he going to hide? You see, could
help him, if knew his plans"
Now, Hetty was not whit deceived
by this smooth speech; but she was will
ing to tell as much of the truth as woulG
consist with his safety, and she wisely
Judged that her frankness would serve
her kinsman better than her silence. 81
she answered her questioner candidly
"My cousin said he was going down thi
way to the river, where he had boat
and he wanted me to tell the men tina
were chasing him that he had gone th'
other way to catch the mail-wagon."
"Why didn't you do as he bid you
then, when | asked you where he haG
gone ," thundered the officer fiercely.
Il couldn't tell lie sir. sir, )" was til,
: tearfnl answer.