The record-union., 1897-11-11
TO THE RESCUE.

And, madame, in brighter days, sh Ia
be honored as one whose tact and palri-
otic endeayor saved her country Iroin
the fury of war
Ralph Lidgett bowed slowly, WIN d
smirk, and my aunt curtesied ana Wlis-
gled, and looked at him over her ian
with deprecatory bashfulness. l hau
no business to be in the w1ndo"
behind the screen at all, but stayeu,
although no eavesdropper, because
knew my aunt would send me from tne
room, and that indignity had no nii'iu
to suffer.
My country commands me, ana my
King" said my aunt. III an huiiioie
gentlewoman may be OF Sefsiee ~
bringing them to an understanding an
ending this unhappy quarrel, De SUI !.
Susannah Redwood shall do her part.
General Howe's representative VIII
be here from Staten Island to-noiio'
after dark" Lidgett said, just as
thought the minuet would surely COM
mence Il promised gentleman Oh
suitable rank and with full authofi'y
to treat with the Congress General.
But I beg once more to remind NINE.
Redwood that Mr. Washington is not
pose he visits you"
st entirely comprehend" said my
aunt mo one knows better than L
how self-willed George Washington can
be, obstinate indeed, Wnen ne se's I"
thing into his head
Pardon me, dear madame, sald
Ralph. breaking in ON my aunt's story
with a temerity which, l confess, l
nd I be
gone. Already 1 should be on my road
sage to him"
Il trust" said my aunt, little visit
fully, that events will justify the little
deception I have told him that l am
in great trouble-so indeed l am; SO
Indeed are all the Americans-and ne
alcne can assist me. And this is true
also. If he will consent to do as our
gracious King advises through Generai
Howe all will be well, and l am sure
the King has had more experience than
George Washington, and it's only re-
spectful for him to meet his majesty s
messenger and come to terms. Still l
do wish even the appearance of deceit
was ayoidable."
Deceit madame! 1t is diplomacy.
Everything is understood" Ldgett
went on. Tonight General Washing
ton crosses to inspect the force at Pau
lus Hook; tomorrow night he VIII re-
turn to Brooklyn Hights. On his way
thither he will stop and sup with you,
perhaps rest all night among your
charming orchards. AT the right time
Howe's plenipotentiary will present
himself, and Mr. Washington cannon
but listen to him. and listening, consent
to his majesty's gracious terms. Then,
madame, your name shall pass, most
honored. to history as one who achieved
peace, the sweetest victory"
They bowed and pranced and smirked
themselves out of the room then, and
/ was left to consider the greatness OF
the news which resolved itself for me,
but Is years old, into one exhilaratins
thought that l should see George Wash
ington, the General whom Congress
had sent us to drive the British from
our free land In faith the news set me
a trembling in my window seat, for, II
General Washington We're actually
coming TO sup at my aunt's house
had a favor to beg Of him, no less than
to overrule my aunt's command, and
take me with him a-soldiering My
aunt Susannah was a kind and worthy
gentlewoman, though a trif1e vain II
all things save for a blind and most
unreasonable alteration for stupid
and pig-headed old man across the
ocean whom she prayed for as her be-
loved King and beloved infallible.
1t fell about the twilight Of the day
of Washington's expected visit that.
was in the orchard rehearsng my re
quest TO the General for leave to fol-
low his fortunes, and in walking back
and forth, 1 heard earnest voices ap-
preaching from the fields which
stretched to the Hudson River. Lid
gett's was the louder voice, and l drew
behind tree, for no better reason thar
that l disliked the man, and always
avoided him when 1 could. 1t was al
instinct, for he had never hurt me.
hated his face, his manner, his voice
and used to wonder what people saw
in him that made him thought we'll o.
by high personages like the Mayor ane
my aunt
/ saw his friends face then. and knew
it for one Of Washington's guards. A
shrewd and plotting face was that. bu1
not SO repulsive as 1t looked not Ions
after, beneath the gallows not far from
where he now stood.
The Mayor is we'll informed of oul
purpose" said he, speaking excitedly
"and Governor Tryon. on board Lore
Howe's ship. as well. The loyal ele
ment in the town will rise If there bs
an alarm, and afford a distraction"
But" said Ralph, very nervously g
had thought We We're but TO seize him.
"Tush." said the guard TT is simp
Ter 10 send his head alone to Templt
Bar / tell you SO is the safest"
Ralph Lidgett was visibly trembling
Il 10 not like it." he muttered, "anC
Mistress Redwood"
The other laughed with a great con
tempt.
The fussing old fool has alread,
played ber part" he replied. "She ha
decoyed him, and he need never ente
her house. He comes with but on
friend I mean to have him surround
ed whel, he steps from his boat-'tis
most quiet spot: chose 1T myself, an,
he trusts me. Even now he should b
on his way. and tomorrow We will sal
for England, Ralph, TO claim our re
ward for bringing to the King the hea,
of the traitor. Washington"
My suspicious had been aroused al
ready, but at that I lost all control
and the plot revealed. 1 cried out an
sprang from my cover.
''Traitor!" cried Nay. but It's yo
that are the murderous traitors, Help
help here's murder doing!"
In truth there was. and on my body
not on Washington's. for my cries wer
choked at once by the guards fingers
and TtHraf+ at rib