The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-11-29

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their step, and surely that is Ephra-
inns fife"
Abbie returned TO the kitchen and
made preparations for the great table
to receive the bounty with which the
day was to be celebrated. while the
other maid stood awaiting the coming
of her father. She saw the company
~ IL marched around the bend in the
road, with her father mt the head, and
she was going forth to meet them,
when Of sudden she halted The
look of Joy upon her face was changed
to one of wonderment, and she stood,
her head bent slightly forward, that
she might the better see, pcrplexing
and hesitating
The company had come rs near TO
the farmhouse ns the meadow that adj
Joined IL on the west, and there they
halted. and the maiden saw that one
was with them who was not of the com
pany when they marched away the
night before. He stood alone, erect,
constrained, and she perceived that his
hands we're tied with thongs behind
?
earnestly and seemingly directing two
or three men of the company to take
this man in charge. and scarcely know
ing what she did she approached her
father and was so near that she could
have put her hand upon his shoulder
before he saw her.
"Sir," she heard her father say.
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without pass and having no authority
to be there. I am going TO send you
with guard to the commander of our
army, who is in the camp dozen
miles or so beyond. He will discover
whether you are no British spy, but
have strayed, rs you have said, within
our lines by accident"
"What has he done, father?" the
girl asked, for she was filed with pity
for this man, who seemed so proud and
yet so pleading in his manner.
"What Thankful, is it you? Why
nre You here, my daughter?" said the
Captain.
"I came to welcome you, father"
''But this is no place for you. We
have a prisoner"
ga prisoner Surely he can do no
harm He is not like an army man
and he seems well favored"
Nevertheless we found him wan
dcring within our lines and there are
spies about and he may be one of
those"
"a spy? Surely, think not"
And the girl went to the prisoner
and stood before him in the innocence
of maidenly confidence and looked full
into his eyes, lifting her head to do so,
for he was tall and seemed to tower
far above her in his splendid presence.
"You are no spy" she said at last
"No, my child, not spy. am an
officer of the Kings army who has
strayed within your lines. Thank you
for your sympathy. You have beauty
in your face, my child, but you have
what is better-you have sympathy.
The girl went back to her father and
she said:
"Father, suppose my brother John,
who is somewhere in the Jerseys with
Washington, should by accident be
captured by the redcosts. II would
break your heart and mine if they took
him for a spy. Surely there is truth
in this mans words. Come, bring him
with you. Don't you remember that
it is Thanksgiving Day, and that We
are to have roasted goose and chicken
pie, and Abbie has baked glorious
pumpkin pie? Let him come and be
our guest, and I'll warrant he'll promise
me that he will make no effort to
escape until you hear from the General
what shall be done with him."
The Captain seemed to hesitate for
q moment, and then turning to his
prisoner he said "Sir, am myself
impressed with your dignity of man
ner. 1t may be that you speak the
truth. My daughters intuitions are
that it is so. have changed my mind.
/ shall send messenger to the General
with q dispatch telling of your capture,
and then whatever he commands-that
will do. Meanwhile, sir, it. is our
feast day. We are accustomed every
year after the harvest to give thanks
to the Lord and to eat a great feast
and to make merry in our families. I
will ask you to share this with us. You
will be prisoner, but will take your
parole that you will make no effort to
escape"
"You do me honor, sir. give my
parole to you, and, if / may be per-
mitted, to this fair maiden who has
interceded for me"
They unloosed his thongs, ard when
his hands were free he stepped up 20
Mistress Thankful and he took her hand
and bended over it with the courtesy
and grace of one who had been accus-
toned to places where high breeding
and gentle manners prevailed.
They had fine feast at Captain Fol-
SONS table, and the British officer
being no longer under great restraint,
became most companionable and ven
tured gentle jests with Thankful and
her cousin, Mistress Abbie, who served
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