River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-02-18
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icer's kindness and gentle considera-
ton during the sad period which fol
lowed had quite won the motherly es-
TEEN of the widow and the heart of the
daughter.
A week went by and Rachel Ewing
had nearly ceased to think of Rigney's
threat to have revenge.
He would surely. have enough man.
hood not to injure two defenseless
women; then how could he find an OPP
pOrtunity to harm the young officer in
WashingtOn's camp?
A cold, stormy day was drawing to a
close, as Rachel stood at a window of
her mothers cabin and watched the
descent of the snowflakes.
Her thoughts were of Robert Way
land. and she hoped that he and all
his brave comrades in the patriot serv-
ice were well and comfortable.
Suddenly four horsemen galloped
through the falling snow and drew
rein before the little rack of fodder
where the COW was feeding.
IL needed no one to tell Rachel Ewing
and her mother that they were British
soldiers.
Hitching their horses where they
would be as little exposed to the storm
as possible. the British troopers strobe
boldly into the cabin and up TO the
pleasant fireplace where log burned
cheerfully.
They were coarse-faced men, and
their evident disrespect caused Mrs
Ewing and her daughter to shrink
sr.
Its beastly cold out, " said the lead
er, stamping his large feet before the
hearth. Here, girl, you and the old
lady fly around and get US up some
supper We've got job TO attend to
tonight and we want something to
brace US up
With as good grace as it was posi-
bic. under the circumstances. for them
TO command. the mother and daughter
prepared supper for their unbidden
guests
As the British troopers arranged
themselves around the table. the leader
addressed the women in these words:
I'VE will excuse you now, ladies, and
will wait upon ourselves. as we have a
little private business to discuss"
Only too glad to leave the hateful
presence of their visitors, Mrs. Ewing
and Rachel mounted little ladder to
a small room over the kitchen.
Scarcely hal they gained this retreat
when the sound of a horsemau coming
up the rocky road of the bluff tell on
their ears
Looking from a small window,
sh.a
mount aud walk toward the cabin.
There was something very familiar
in the mans gait, and, much disguised
as he was. sh. was not slow in detect
ing his real identity.
LIT is Charles Rigney, mother" the
girl whispered, land some vile plot is
brewing"
Il fear so, my child"
II must 60 down that ladder and
play spy, mother"
80 saying. she descended TO the little
hallway below, and entered a small
closet, adjoining the kitchen.
The table where the troopers sat was
only few feet from where the girl
crouched, and iuclining her ear she
could distinctly hear all their CONVEX
Sation.
Rigney had made himself comfort
able before the fireplace, when the
leader asked him:
We'll. what newSP"
Good" returned Rigney. a triumph
ant ring in his voice
80 we bag the young fox tonight"
"YeS tonight You Will then re-
move an enemy from my path. and at
the same time capture one who can
tell Won all Washington's plans which
he i no doubt Matching up over at
MorriStown-"
food. Gcoi,'' cried the leader.
That's what CORVALLIS would give a
deal To know. just the precise plans
that are connecting in the brain of that
sly 0id fox The young o1fis~r aAa