Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-09-03
The Colonels Daughter.

gle had TO keep from running to you
at once, when | saw you on the lawn,
instead Of revealing myself to your
fither first fa
I Sitting beside his sweetheart, her
haua clasped in his, the young lieu
/ tenant told her how Clintons 8 army,
with its horde of camp followers, had
swept down through New Jersey, with
Washington close in their wake; of the
desperate battle fought the day be-
fore, near Monmouth courthouse. I'VE
lay" said he, within earshot of the
British lines; our sentries patrolled
close to their outmost pickets; and
yet when day broke aud we looked
across to where the night before a
great army had been encamred, 10, it
had disappeared as completely as if
the earth had opened and swallowed
it up. Our CONSERVATION knew no
bounds, for we had gone to sleep with
our hands on our sword hilts, ready
to finish carving up the redcoats on
the morrow; but they had outwitted
us.
'"This is all very wonderful and very
interesting" said Betty, excitedly,
'but how came you here?'
Happily for me, sweetheart. / was
one of small detachment detailed to
follow aud keep watch on the enemy's
movements. By tho time we had COM
ple'ed these discoveries we were with
in few miles Of my dearest girl and
my longing to see her became irresisti-
BILE. So confded to my superior
officer somewhat of my anxiety and
begged leave of short absence, prom
ising to re;oin the company tonight at
a point half way between here and
Monmouth courthouse, where a few
hours halt will be called. This he
kindly granted, but urged me to as
sume some disguise, as the country
about here is filed with British strag-
lers, scouts and accommodating par
ties, and were my identity 80 become
known my freedom, to say nothing of
my life, might ray the forfeit As
luck would have it, we came upon
farmhouse that had been ransackei by
the redcoats in passing. The place
Nh' AtoVi btuf anu L lAtel Tue
materials for my disguise. l trust
itheir owner will not begrudge them to
me. The last part of my way was
somewhat disconnected by the pres
ence of a fellow who insisted upon
joining me. His attentions and con-
versation were highly annoying. for
he spoke disparagingly of our beloved
Wo IA kAV CO that tInAd hAf1a1
within me, and I had much ado to
keep from striking him down. As we
parted at the foot of the avenue the
fellow said, with a grin: Farewell;
see thou art as prudent as thy fell
| lows. -
''what did he mean?" asked Betty,
fesrfully.
II know not, sweetheart, nor did |
heed the impudent varlet. l am here
with you-for the rest care not.
Here the colonel joined them. and
the three sat aud talked happily. SO
absorbed were they that they did not
hear the sound Of hurrying footsteps
in the hall, and Carlos, who had been
running with might and main, appeared
unexpectedly III tuGlt Autuot
"Massa cunnel," he exclaimed,
breathlessIy, "dey is three men on
horseback piece down de road two
oh dem am redcoa,s Deys comm
fo' de lutenant, sho-dey amt no
'scape"
de quiet, you fooll' commanded
the colonel, tiercely, running his fin
gers through his hair.
Balfour's hand had sought his
sword hilt
''That fellow l met on the high
road must have given the alarm, :"
said he. "Well, it's too late to run
away now, for, look they've come in
side the grounds,
"Tll bel swear I'll shoot the first
man who at tlempts to search my house, "
said the colonel, fiercely.
Betty stood with compressed
lips aud bent brows. Suddenly she
said, in quiet voice, as if thinking
out every detail of her speech as she
uttered it;
Frank, have plan for your es-
cape But you must follow my direc-
tons implicitly Coaceal yourself in
the shrubbery at the back of the house
until Carlos brings you word that the
coast is Scar. Then follow him. He
will take you by short cut to the
river, where you will find my canoe
moored Let him paddle you up
stream to the Griggs farm; the people
are well known TO us. From them
you can procure a good horse and"
But, my dearest love, what" be-
gan Balfour,
Betty interrupted him imperiously:
~ know what you would say-but
you must do as tell you--trust all to
me anl-go." The girls voice was
almost stern, but her eyes were very
tender.
CAS- you will. he said and stopped
and kissed her, "Goodby, Colonel
Winthrop"
"Goodby and God be with you,
responded the colonel, solemnly,
''What plan my daughter has for your
escape | know not, but"
'It will not fail, father Frank, dear
Frank. CO. and Betty fairly pushed
him out of the room and house.
Remember my directions, she
said to Carlos in the hall. "Keep
watch on the three horsemen, and when
YOU see them gallop away run to Lieu
tenant Balfour instantly Go now,
and order the big brown horse sad
died in haste for agentleman who will
ride from here. He will mount in the
stable yard, Hurry
Then Betty sped upstairs to the
garnet to chest that contained GER
tain relics Of her fathers reginental
career
Five minutes later the colonel, who