The advocate., 1895-04-24

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ever, it would not do for you to go to farm house.
1t would lead to inquiry which mightp very en
barrassing. The suspicion that l had allowed Still
wells daughter to escape after she had played the
spy upon our designs, would make it extremely un-
pleasant perhaps, dangerous-tor both Of u.s.
Especially after the speech you made tonight" >"
said Gertrude with mischieVous twinkle in her eye
"About that deserterS You heard thatP Wel
was not rightP"
''I have not been ReVolutionist long enough to
be judge of such grave matters But you are right
about going to a farm house. Besides my mother
will be exceedingly disquieted if am not home very
soon. l must 60, if am not to be kept prisoner.
zone Of your men would be my surety. Mr. Cottle
knows me and would trust me not to betray you."
"With your permission l will go with you. You
can say that you found refuge at somebody's house
till the storm over, and that some unknown and
unknOWsble rustic escorted you home. But, remem-
Der, l am trusting, perhaps my life, to your honor
and your discretion. Should you betrsy us, a near
relative of yours may have reason tomorrow to re-
gret his daughters imprudence"
"Betray youP Win you not trust me? DO but
wait till occasion gives opportunity, and you shall
learn how you misjudge me. You should under.
stand that may have opportunities to betEay others
to you"
"If only you wOuldl You will have ample chance
to know every movement contemplated by the
enemy. If you should really prove our friendp'
"Time will reveal my friendship. Although, were
my father to suspect"
"He would show himself the merciless brute have
no doubt he is. But, pardon me- he is nevertheless
your father"
"Not in spirit"
"Your honest eyes bid me rely upon your fidelity.
Let me see Ah here is an old great coat left in the
branches by some one So," adjusting the coat over
her girlish shoulders, ''let US be going.
They repaired to the shed where he helped her to
mount, and they were soon on their way. Sydney
was gallant escort, and, greatly to Gertrude's de-
light, became exceedingly agreeable, now that he had
thrown aside the austerity of the Revolutionary
leader and never had she enjoyed such exhiIeratlon
of spirits. That muddy ride in the darkness was
the most blissful episode her quiet life had ever
known. Just before reaching the little sleeping town
of Worcester, with its less that 1900 souls they
came up with horseman who turned out to be Job
Cottle
"Hello, CapnP exclaimed job F'I hope this is
not another case of desertion."
81 have been arrested as spy, Mr. Cottle," said |
Gertrude. 90" took shelter in the shed back Of your
meeting place and peeped through at you"
"Why,' exclaimed Job. "It is you'll Well, am
not afraid you will tell"
"You know Miss Stilwell, thenF" asked Sydney.
"EVer since she used to come to my shop to play
with the blocks and get her hair full of shsVingS
turn off here. Good night" And he turned up |
lane leading to his house.
1t was 10 O'Clock or later very late hour for peo-
pie to be abroad in that little town. But two lights
were visible, one was in the room where Mrs. Still
well, without her husbands knowledge, sat anx.
iousy awaiting her daughters return. The other
was in Jobs shop, where workman was finishing |
coffin for a poor prisoners motheress daughter,
Who her father being in jail for debt, had died of
destitution and neglect !