Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-04


as she turns the bend in the river, she
suddenly rests on her oars, her heart
beating wildly. for there on the very
bridge under which she must pass she
sees the glittering bayonets and scarlet
coats of a group Of English soldiers.
Dolly hesitates only . moment, then
she continues the course and is nearly
under the bridge when a peremptory
voice arrests her.
stop, my lass, we must have your
boat for a time to take this gentleman
down the river 10 ar. Rice's."
@Fl not lend my boat for any such
purpose, she answers back stoutly, COLI
tinuing to row.
ar. Rice is Tory, she adds, as the
boat glides swiftly under the bridge.
But as it emerges from the other side
It's progress is checked. A red coat lean
ing over the low railing has thrust his
bayonet into the stern, and the boat
comes to a sudden standstili.
Dolly raises her pretty flushed face to
those above her, and, with flashing eyes,
cries angrily: Let go my boat at oncei
What right have you to hinder me like
this?"
"A little rebel, see." says the of
fender, with loud laugh. @Neverthe-
less, we must have your boat for Captain
Chandos, and that at once"
Dolly's heart is beating wildly for the
safety of her gunpowder. and Captain
Chandos, seeing the troubled look in her
blue eyes, fancies she is frightened, and
comes hastily forward
my pretty lass" he says, with reas-
surfing smile, "you have no cause to fear.
merely wish to get to Mr.. Rice'sas soon
as possible; I'll only need your boat for
half an hour"
Dolly has been turning matters over
swiftly in her mind, and she now
answers:
"Well, then, il must, I'll take you
down, but that man." glancing con-
temptuously at the first speaker, "shall
not step foot in this boat" A loud
laugh greets this rejoinder. and Captain
Chandos, lowering himself into the boat,
cries merrily: "This will be better than
having you for the skipper Parker; take
your bayonet out" The boat is freed,
and Dolly, seizing her oars, bends again
to her task. Her quick brain has al
ready furnished her with a plausible
story to account for the powder, so
when Captain Chandos, catching sight
of the box, exclaims: @Why, what
have you here?" she answers: "Thats
grandmother's silver. am taking it to
Aun, lefty Buttrick's to hide till the red
coats leave the town, for we were
warned they would take everything
they could lay their hands to. That's
the reason wouldn't give my boat to
your soldiers" Then she drops her eyes
hastily, for this is the first lie she ever
told, and though it is for good cause,
it troubles her Puritan conscience not
little.
Captain Chandos leans back with an
amused laugh.
poor little lass, he says gayly. "To
think she would have gone to all this
trouble to conceal her household goods
from the graSping British. Why, my
dear, we don't want to touch your per-
sonal property. Good King George has
only sent us over to keep the peace. 'Tis
he adds warmly, that the
very children here should have been
taught disloyalty to their sovereign.
Dolly stops rowing abruptly, her New
blood on fire.
Yankee children don't have to be
taught their rights, she cries hotly.
3 We know what we should have and
your good King George viii know it be-
fore long.
Captain Chandos bows with mock
Your pardon, my little
lady, for those thoughtless remarks. /
forgot for the moment that was adj
dressing stanch Wing Let US not dis
cuss this dangerous topic further, but
turn to more congenial subjects By
your leave I'll light my pipe.
All unconscious Of the explosive ma
terial beside him the young officer leans
near the chest, and with
blazing taper carelessly lights his pipe.
When he looks up he sees that all the
pretty color has fled from his little COM
panion's face.
"Egadl" he says to himself. what
little rebel she is to be at such q white
heat on account of few words. / must
do something to bring myself back to
her good graces. Then aloud: What
is your name. little oHe?
Dorothy Harris, she replies briefly,
with slight feeling of relief as, the
taper being extinguished, he leans back
in his place.
@Dorothy?" he says, with interest.
Why, that is my little sisters name,
Dorothy, and she is just about your age,
too. Dear little thingl" softly. @How
she cried when came away, and how
glad she'll be to see her big brother again.
aWhat is she like7 Tell me about her,
says Dolly, feeling that she can take an
interest now that the dreaded pipe Is at
a safe distance from the powder.
@What is she like 2" he repeats. Well,
she has honest blue eyes, like yours, and
wait; have her miniature. Perhaps
you'd like to see it. He lays his pipe
on the edge Of the box while be feels in
his pocket for the miniature. Dolly stops