Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-03-24

''Witl you pluck a handful for me, or mag
pass out and pick them for mySct?"
whiteness-surely there could be no
harm i'll allowing her to pass down the
veranda to the next corner, where the
trailing roses were tossing in the even
ing breeze.
He looked into that winsome face, so
innocently scanning his own. How
lovely those roses would look twining
among those tossing curls OF clasped at
that throbbing breast! The thought
was irresistible With another gallant
salute, he stepped one side, saying:
Certainly, miss; but for the favor
crave one rose from your own fair
hand"
You shall have it when l return"
she promised and tripped slowly and
gracefully down the veranda, pausing
at the first corner to pluck here and
there a rose and watching furtively the
sentry as he turned to retrace his beat
The next instant she had gathered her
skirts about her and disappeared in the
darkness.
But the officers had now finished their
feasting, and the guards We're relieved
that they might go into supper. In the
change and confusion that followed no
one noticed that Hilda-even if any be-
sides the youthful sentry knew that she
had passed ou:-did not return.
Indeed it was not until a half hour
later, when the sentry came from the
dining room, that he thought CT the fair
young girl and the rose she had prom
Used him. Passing down to the corner
of the veranda, he found her gone.
Questioning the sentinel who had re-
lieved him, he learned to his dismay
that no fairylike creature, or any other,
for that matter, had passed into the
house since he surrendered his beat.
Hurrying to his captain, he, in
shamefaced way, stamnered forth his
story. Before he had half done the Off
Ger sprang to his feet, and rushing out
into the broad hall gave the sharp, de-
cisive command:
ITO your horses, men, to your
horses!'
Then there was much hurrying to and
fro, and presently the squad of cavalry
moved rapidly away toward the bay.
But Hilda had safely passed the outer
pickets and was already half way to the
point before they left the house.
The night was dark, and the way was
rough. Wrapped in her huge cloak and
pressing the lantern convulsively be-
meath its folds, the brave little figure
struggled on. Twice did she have to
pause and then make wide detour 10
avoid the guards.
AS she reached the bluffs and passed
4 20 no Of
at the north. the low tramp of the SOL
diers, marching down from the fort, to
form the ambuscade at the point. The
sound nerved her to greater speed; she
must reach the sand bar and give the
signal before they arrived. Gathering
the folds of her cloak more firmly in
hand, and needless of the fact that she
had lost one of her slippers in the soft
yielding sand, she ran with the swift
ness of the hunted deer down the shore.
At last the point was reached, and
she paused moment for breath, listen
ing intently. Family there was borne
to her on the night air the sound Of
horses feet. Here, then, was new dan
ger. Her fight had been discovered,
and already were they on their way to
thwart her purpose. Foes were APP
preaching from both sides, and she must
hasten her work. i
80 God, help me" she prayed, ''to
give the signal before they can reach
herei''
It was but moments work to light
her lantern, and then, once, twice,
thrice, in rapid succession, she flashed
1t forth from under the folds of her dark
cloak. " -