The leader., 1897-06-30

Hudson where the cowboys and skin
ners roamed at will, stood on the porch
Of her pleasant little home.
She was half surrounded by vines
that failed to conceal her trim
figure. the effect of which was height
ened by the neat garb she wore. In one
hand She held a 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, a person whom the girl
could trust. had just delivered the mis-
she, and while reading it Betty had
become obIiyous to his presence.
Its bad news, Peter" said she, ad-
vanciug a step and looking down into
the mans face.
Another victory for the kings men,
Miss Betty?'
THAT is not exactly it. It wasn't
much Of battle, Nolan writes"
The man interrupted the reading
with a sudden exclamation.
THE letter is from Capt. Nolan,
them"
Yes, and he is prisoner in New
York"
That's bad. I know how he will
chate 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 may
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
sWcred the man, flushing a little. ~
suppose rescue is out of the ques-
ton
Entirely So" said the girl. "Noan
writes that he is fairly treated but he
wants his liberty. You say the letter
was delivered to you at the secret out
post?"
es l did not ask from whom it
was, but obeyed orders and brought it
direct to you"
For which you have my thanks,
Peter, and will see that you are fully
paid in the future"
IN few moments the patriotic girl
was left alone, and 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 a detachment of British
troops and conveyed to New York,
then IN possession of the enemy. The
ie''er seemed to crumple in her reso-
lute hand, and when she entered the
house she flung it upon the table and
picked up another letter lying there.
Unfolding this one she glanced over
me lines which traced in a bold mascu-
line hand ran as follows:
capt. Basil Lee, of the royal forces
pegs leave to accept Miss Betty Logan's
mNlauon to dine with her Tuesday and
WI ne promptly on hand. Wishing his
Ia'r hostess health and happiness, he
tlshs himself her ardent friend.
CAPT. BASIL LEE,
en-. Fourth Dragons,
\ faint smile appeared at Betty's
mouth she perused the acceptance
ana placed it beside the one from her
patriotic lover.
capt, Lee had met her during one of
the many incursions made by the royal
uTagoons along the Hudson, and,
'hough an enemy to American freedom,
'le girl had found him an agreeable
visitor Ignorant of Capt. James mis-
fortune, she invited the British officer
10 dlne with her on the Fourth, as she
ll'ed almost alone in the old home
stead, her parents having died a short
tline prior to the beginning of hostili-
ties.
The imprisonment of Capt. James
would naturally interfere with the
Pleasures of the coming day, but when
the morning of the Fourth came there
We're no traces of regret on the fair
rebels face.
AT ten o'clock Peter, who had been
sent to certain point from which the
road leading to New York was visible
ior long distance, came back with a
broad grin on his face.
was thinking, Miss Betty, what
nee thing it would be if we could just !
contrive to exchange Capt. Nolan for
Capt. Lee"
The girl seemed to start.
What nonsense, Peterl" she ex-
claimed. Whatever put that idea into
Your head?"
g., 1t just walked in," smiled the man.
lou lou see, they're equal in rank and"
captains BOTH" broke in the girl,
looking across the porch from the open
uooF' These Utopian schemes don't
always come out successful"
Very well, l just give it for what it
Is worth" and Peter bowed himself out
u Inc girls presence, and Betty was
alone again.
What a good guesser Peter is" she
, to herself. surely have not
Betrayed myself, and no one, | hope,
mas let the cat out of the bag. I'll just
give Peter credit for good guessing,