The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-08

itors the room.
As they went out one habitue of the
Independence nudged another.
Landlord Simon returned, his lips
eager with the news.
"Gen'Pn," he began impressively.
"Ginr'l Washington is under this roof.
That was him-that was.
At that moment the second of the
two visitors returned.
"The gentleman is to be disturbed by
no one, do you understand, landlord"
he said with an air of one i'm the habit
of authority.
"Yis, sir-yis," said Simon. "I've
been too old to fight myself-but Pm
pleased that he is under my roof
But this gentleman, plainly an aide
de-camp, was gone hurriedly into the
night. The great man, If it were he,
was alone in the room above. Meg re-
turned, her eyes dancing in her excite
ment, and moment later she was at
the door of the mysterious lady.
The lady was sobbing, her face In her
hands.
Meg wanted to say something.
"Mem," she began, lump in her
throat, Mem ~
The lady looked up miserably, and
beautifully, Meg thought.
''I want my bill, girl, and the car
riage ordered"
Meg courtesied, and could not resist
saying as she courtesied:
'Tt's this, mem, that we're bit up
sit at the Independence because such
great folks have come down on Us, so
that you must excuse u--if xve're Glow
It's no less than Gin'ral Washington
hisself"
Suddenly the lady started up.
"Who, girl? General Washington
here? Take me to him quick"
The lady smoothed her hair, fixed
her neckerchief, rubbed the poor red
eyes. "Now, girl.
For moment Meg hesitated, until
the superior will, aided by shilling and
her own feminine curiosity to see the
denouement, conquered.
"This way, mem. That's the door"
Here the lady hesitated, and then
knocked, at first timidly and then de-
terminedly.
"Well, come in" said weary voice.
The lady opened the door, and from
the threshold regarded the great man
as the circle of light from the candle on
the table at which he was writing, fell
about him. On his part the tired, light
blue eyes looked their surprise-the
eyes Stuart painted dark blue that
fading pigment might give the color
exactly right hundred years after.
Like Meg, he thought the lady dis
tingu ished.
al beg your pardon" he said rising.
'iI sir, am Lady Asgill."
He started; he hesitated; he looked
at her again.
Captain Asgill's mother" she adj
ded.
''I have had your letters. Do be
seated, he managed to say"
"I came to America, sir,-to see my
son,-to plead with you-the despot."
"You have the right to think that,
perhaps" he said now gently. 81
have had a thousand letters. Many
people have pleaded for your SON."
"And-and you can let this go on ~
"Lady Asgill," but he stopped in
confusion.
Meg, watching at the door, muttered
in open-mouthed wonder. ''The young
cap'n's mother"
"Do be seated, please" said he, who
had not feared the battle, and who fear
ed the sorrow of his visitors eyes.
But she looked at him sternly.
captain Asgill may die when you
can prevent it. They talk of you, you,
General Washington as great man
as the liberator, and you are as bad
utspOl IL any hius-
"You are accusing me madam" he
said, still, gently. 81 cannot blame
you. Yet every criminal has the right
to defense" She did not sob now, al
though there was that dull despair in
her eyes. She spoke, self-controlled,
contemptuously, accusingly
"You will say, | suppose, that his
Majesty's agents can arrange the mat
ter by furnishing those who hung Cap
tain Huddy. You always write that"
'Yes, l could say that, | could say |
am sorry, that L"
al shouldn't believe you"
Doubtless not. I don't expect you
to, Lady Asgill. know how horrible
this all has been-to you-the mother,
| know"
She said nothing looking at him with
those accusing eyes. Yet perhaps his
manner, the reluctant memory of his
great fame, made her listen. He went
on now with stronger self-control.
"Many things | have to do from my
position. / am not free to act for my
self / have to do as Congress and the
military court managing these cases
as these will have me. And yet"
"And yet-?' she began.
"Wait," said he. 81 expect my
aide-de-camp, Col. Pemberton, every
moment"
She looked at him passionately.
"General Washington, you are q
smooth tongued demagogue. Men may
call you what they will"
At the moment steps were in th'
hall. The aide-de-camp entered, glanc
ing curiously at the generals visitor.
4 Il -.