The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-31

country. He told her of her father and
OF the Frightening fortunes of the army
Then their tones grew low and earn
est and they told their love and talked
OF the great happiness in store for them
when Washington should have driven
the English TO the wall. The girl was
nervous, however, and fearful of her
lovers safety. At every sound she
would start in terror, and rs The time
came for his departure she cluny to him
and begged him to wait until the incr-
row and make Ills way through, the
lines in disguise. Tic laughed at hr,.
fears, however, and was kissing her
good-bv when their ears cauwh. the
tramp of horses in the yard
Tho lieutenant jumped 20 the win
pow. A glance through the thin cur
tain was enough.
Three English officers had ridden -,
to the very steps and di5mouatcd lie
realized the danger. To be taken meant
to be hung rs spy, but he said as
calmly rs possible SO rs not to frightcn
Polly: There are soldiers in the ward:
] must hide" Suddenly Il memory
came to the girl of the days when as
children they used to play hide and
whispered. for the soldiers were already
knocking at the door. lit is big enough.
Oh, Larry, be quick" 1t was the only
chance. In moment the young man
with difficulty crowded his body into
the tall barrel of the timc-piccc and
Polly locked the door and put the key
in her pocket. Then throwing his coat
and hat under the sofa. She hurried To
admit the unwclcomc guests.
They were swearing ut the delay, but
the beauty and dignity of the girl had
its effect, and one of the officers said,
politely enough: Pardon MS. but can't
you give us shelter for an hour or two,
and some food, in the kings nance"
The request was practically IN order.
and without more ado they marched
into the house, their hateful scarlet
coats dripping with water and their
boots heavy with mud.
Though trembling with fear the girl
managed TO conceal her agitation and
was inwardly rejoicing that their
Stay would he Il short one She ordered
Il servant To bring food and drink for
them and then settled herself with Il
book III the corner When they had
finished eating one Of them brought
brandy from his saddle bags and they
all began to drink freely.
Tho oldest of the intruder, was deaf.
and in speaking to him his comrades
raised their voice to an unpleasant
pitch. Before an hour had passed they
we're all drunk and used such vulgar
language that Polly swept from the
room, her face flushed with anger ana
disgust. Even in her room the noise of
Their carousing reached her. IL WIS al
ready dark and, 10 her relief. she heard
the officers getting ready to depart.
One by one they filed out of the front
door, but just as they were mounting
their horses, which they had tcthcrcd
to the fence. one OF them turned to the
deaf Englishman and said "Co back and
see what time it is by that big clocl,
in the corner The drunken fellow
staggered up the steps and into the
house. - =, it's stopped, and, by
the Lord Harry, it will never run
again." he muttcrcd, and taking his
heavy saber he ran it several times
through the dial into the delicate
works Then, rs if not satisfied with
the damage lie had done. he drove it
twice through the polished panels of
the door.
There was 4 smothercd groan from
the interior of the clock and IL cracking
of hinges which did not reach the
dullcd ears OF the royalist, and he was
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