The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-10
PART LII.

hsui. lcr DoriS Only Sslu. MdudHl,
love you dearly, as the mother of my
Garry, but as the enemy OF our great
cause, hate you as my foe, and here
keep you safe until all chance for your
plan has passed. Pardon me, dear one;
1T is my duty"
Alas for Doris! She had locked into
the pantry that pantry's mistress, who
knew its ins and outs far better than
did Mistress Doris. On the further side
was sliding door, rarely used, but open.
ing into the buttery beyond. OF this
Madam Rapello suddenly bethought
herself, and, squeezing through, not
without difficulty, she escaped from
durance vile. And still, Mistress Doris,
the jailer, kept guard beside the bolted
door.
The next instant Madam Rapello was
In the open air. The rain had ceased;
the fog still shut in like blanket; but
through it she could dimly see shadowy
forms silently moving toward the fer
ry. The retreat had begun.
Madam Rapello turned toward the
door of her house, intent upon her mis-
sion. Then, remembering that there
was wisdom in the suggestion of Doris
that she herself was too well known to
risk herself within the rebel lines, now
doubly on guard, she stopped; then
she muttered: "Pompey will do. He is
O fool, but foolishness is sometimes the
best cloak for action"
She hurried TO the slave quarters.
"Pompeyl" she called, and the big
black came numbering toward her.
Carefully she gave him his mission, re-
peating il again and again until the
stupid fellow understood what was ex-
pected of him. He was 10 seek the
nearest British post by the most direct
route, avoiding the rebel sentries; he
was to say TO the first British officer
he found: "1'he rebels are retreating
across the ferry. Madam Rapello, the
,oyalist. has discovered their plan. She
bids you act with speed. and the whole
rebel army may be captured or de-
stroyed. Hasten, in the kings name"
Pompey had his lesson by heart; but
scarcely had he disappeared in the fog
from Madam Rapello's sight before a
light touch fell upon his arm and a
gentle voice said: "Pompey, you are
going to the British"
1t was Doris who spoke. On guard
at the pantry door, the ominous silence
of her prisoner startled her, and she
feared some accident had happened.
What IL her harsh treatment had made
her Garry's mother Ill? She should
aever forgive herself. Mother" she
whispered. There was no answer
Mother" she repeated. Still there was
silence. Them, cautiously, she drew
sway the blockading chair. slipped the
Golt and as cautiously opened the door
Mother" she called. Silence still She
darted TO the table, caught up the can
die and entered the pantry. There was
no one there. Her prisoner had es-
capped.
How this could have been done she
did not know. She could not even stop
lc wonder and to think. 1t was enough |
for her that her plan had failed and her
sxertion had been in vain. Perhaps by
his time Madam Rapello was on her
way to the British camp. There was no
limo to lose. The general must he told;
Garry must be saved.
She tore down Madam Rapello's cloak
rom its place by the settle and flung it
about her. Then she crept out into the |
night.
Through the fog, over by the quar-
fers, she heard the sound of voices. |
She recognized Madam Rapello's deter
mined tones. She slipped cautiously |
toward the speaker and heard Pompcy |
receiving his brief but important les
son. Then, as the negro drew away,
she ran swiftly ahead, and, intercepting |
him, laid her hand upon his arm. Pom
pey was sure il was ghost.
"Pompey," she said. "you are going |
10 the British" And the negro. startled |
Into the answer he had promised moth |
Ing should tear from him, replied:
"Yes, mis'tis."
'Pompey. Garret Middagh's Cesar
vas your brother. was he not?"
"Yes. mis'tis."
And Madam Rapello had him hung. |
did she not, just for stealing her gold
ring and seven silver spoons?"
"yes. insists"
'Do you love her for that, Pompcv?"
The thick voice had the ring OF anger |
In IL as the brief answer came.
"No, insists"
Would you get even with her IL you
could?"
"Yes. mis'tis."
Then do not you be heard Of again
tonight. Get lost. get caught: do any.
thing rather than give the nsessare
your mistress has charged you with.
IL will punish her. II will save Master |
Garry, too. You love Master Garry, do
you not?"
"Nes. mis'tis."
Then see that the British red coats
never get your message. VIII your"
'les. insists"
Good. pompey. Here is 20 for you.
See that you drink Master Garry's
health with IL tomorrow"
''Yes. mis'tis"
And the fog swallowed up the negro |
who, chuckling over The way Ia which |