River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-01

%GRLDLL OlKIIh.
| Efa0rrb osJdy5Dy
VT was the Sd Of
!. s. !. s. ). j" /. !. !. ]. !.
III july and Betty
III Logan. known TO
II many as the Belle
III 81 the Neutral
III n Ground. that de-
AA bdtable strip Of
4 country along the
Hudson where the COW boys and skin
ners roamed at viii. stood on the porch
of her pleasant little home.
She was half surrounded by vines
that failed 70 conceal her trim
figure, the effect of which was height
ened by the neat garb she wore. In one
hand she held letter she had just read
for the fourth time. and as she lifted
her eyes she beheld a man at the edge
OF the porch.
This man, n person whom the girl
could trust. had just delivered the mis-
siye. aud while reading il Eetty had
become oblivious to ms presence.
Its bad news. Peter" said She. nd
vancing a step aud looking down into
the mans face.
Another victory for the kings men.
Miss F}etty?"
THAT is not exactly IT, II wasn't
much Of a battle. Nolan writes
The man interrupted the reading
with a sudden exclamation.
THE letter is from Capt. Nolan.
them"
Yes. and he is a prisoner in New
York"
That's bad. l know how he will
chafe IN confinement. for he wasn't
born TO rust out behind stone walls.
But when they exchange him"
That's just the difficulty. Peter
When they exchange him. You NAV
well say that. They will not exchange
Nolan for an officer inferior in rank.
They never do that, you know. Peter"
Il might have thought Of that" an
E'vered the man. flushing a little Il
suppose rescue is out of the ques-
ton"
Entirely So said the girl Nolan
writes that he IS fairly treated. but he
wants his liberty. You say the letter
was delivered to you at the secret out
post?"
''Yes did not ask from whom It
was. but Obeycd orders and brought il
direct to you"
For which YOU have ny thanks.
Pete-. and viii see that you are fully
paid 81 the future"
In a few moments the patriotic girl
vas left alone. aud after another read
ing Of the letter. which told how the
writer. Capt. Nolan James. a youthful
officer in the continental army. had been
captured by detachment Of british
troops and conveyed to New York.
then iu possession Of the enemy. The
letter seemed To crumple in her reso-
lDte hand. and when she entered the
house she flung ii upon the table and
picked mp another letter living there.
Unfolding this one she glanced over
CSC Zines which traced in a bold mascu-
line hand ran rs follows:
cant RASH Lee. of the royal force.
bcEs leave 20 accept Miss BETTY Locan's
invitation 20 dine with her Tuesday and
viii be promptly on hand Wishing his
fair hostess health and happiness. he
signs himself her ardent friend
CAPT. BASIL LEE.
Fourth Dragons.
New YORK. July ?. I5s0"
a faint smile appeared at Betty's
mouth as she perused the acceptance
aud placed it beside the one from her
patriotic lover.
Capt. Lee had met her during one Of
the many incursions made by the royal
drag, Ons along the Hudson. aud.
though an enemy 10 American freedom.
tie girl bad found him an agreeable
visitor Ignorant of Capt. james nns-
fortune. she invited the British officer
10 dine with her on the Fourth. as she
lived almost alone in the old home
stead. her parents having died a : yrt
time prior TO the beginning Of hOstisi-
ties
The Imprisonment of Capt james
would naturally interfere with the
pleasures Of the coming day. but when
the morning of ,he Fourth came there
were no traces Of regret on the fair
rebels r. &c.
At ten o'eIock Peter. who had teen
sent 10 certain point from ~ Inch the
road leading TO New York was visible
for a long distance, came back with
broad grin on his fdce.
Il VAS thinking. Miss BETTY. what
nice thing u would be &c We could Just
Contrive TO exchange Capt Nolan Tor
Capt. Lee"
The girl seemed to start.
What nonsense. Peter!- she en-
claimed. Whatever put that idea into
your head?"
1T Just walked in" smiled the man.
"YOu see. they're equal IN rank and"
Captains both broke IN the gsrl.
looking across the porch f.om tine Cuen
door These Utopian schemes don't
always COME out successful"
Very well. just give II TOR What il
Is worth" aud Peter bow cd himself out
of the girls presence. aud Betty was
UioUe again.
What a good ssueSser Peter is" she
SMILED 60 herself. surely : have not
betrayed myself. ard no one. ! hope.
has iei the eat cot % the nag III Jusi
gave leter credit Tor good guessing,
that's aii." and she went to her bou-
doiT 10 dress for the officers reception.
The uld-fashioncd clock in the wide
hallway was striking II when a hand
some young officer In the somewhat
fiaShy uniform Of the Royal Dragons.
one at the crack regiments in the kings
service. drew rein IN front OF the house
ard tIismouuted.
His riding boots were polished To per
lection ana he had brushed from them
the fr,. aecks of mud they had eneoan-
tered on the way up. He looked as
suringly al the house. with its pretty
flower beds on the lawn and ii'e tte--
Used porch. upon which stood a rark-
IngtAsir. Miss Betty's faSorite seat.