The morning times., 1897-02-18

been ia ken disguised in the American lines
and there We're compromising papers on the
ma ior's person. These fellows proposed
To strip him, and Briggs perhaps kill him
and then assert that he was a spy; for
how else the proposed disguise? He won
dered how he had heard OF Major Andres
arrest by a great turmoil about the country
side; but, as he afterward knew, this was
before that startling discovery had reach
ed West Point, and the men in the tavern
knew Of IL before it had been noiSed abroad.
They had seen the gentleman and his
servant, and had known OF the pass he
bore from the generaEin-chief, and, since
he was an English officer, and opposed TO
them, they took their course simply as
a piece of justifiabie warfare; at least
they made that their excuse.
But while Capt Burton stands there
deliberating, let me pause to explain how
he CHANGED TO be at the linn OF Congress-
with the pass in his pocket; and how as
you will perceive most naturally, he
wished to put on his better clothes before
he appeared at the Wilton Manor; and how,
indeed, the WiltOns themselves were then
on their property in this undisturbed Coun-
tryside.
Before the war Capt. Burton had known
Mistress Polly Wilton and made love TO
her, and when the war had begun he had
still kept up correspondence until, so
late in the day, he had proposed by letter
and been accepted. Although the Wiltons
were on the rebel side, and the captain an
English officer of the King Hussars, the
match was not unpleasant to the family.
They We're wise enough, when Polly's heart
was set on it, to appreciate that political
reasons should not stand in the way; that
gentleman was gentleman, although
they might be fighting against him.
Now our captain, having his ans wer,
had not seen his lady love in years. He
went boldly and put the matter before
Sir Henry Clinton, then commanding in
New York, and the general had not been
opposed to three days leave under such
cir cumstances. He willingly gave his
pass through the lines Gen. Wilt on
agreed to get Gen. WashinSton's pass.
Gen. Wilton was on his way with the gen
eral-in-chief TO visit the Count OF RoCham-
beau at Hartford. AS it was, the Manor,
long abandoned by the family, was Well
within the American lines, and so, for the
present, a safe place for young lady.
Was not Mrs Gen Arnold, Polly's friend,
near them? So Miss Wilton came to be
at the Manor.
As for the pass, Gen. Washington did not
at first see his way 10 granting it;it was
SO unusual They say, indeed, that the
captain never would have obtained it had
it not been shat the case was laid before
Mrs Washington.
General, you intend TO let that nice
young man see his sweetheart? We know
he is nice, because we knew him before
the war
Il don't see how we can, Martha the
general replied. why doesn't Miss VIII
ton go to him in New York;
Now, general Mrs. Washington re-
piled, how can you ask such question.
Wouldn't it be unmaidenly, even in war
timer
That isn't the point, my DEAR the
chief said, sententousIy.
do you remember the tine, Mrs. Wash
ingtou went on, when you wouldhave been
glad to see me-before we We're married?"
''Do you think l can forget?" said the
chief, naturally enough. DO you think
that time has passed?'
Then think of those poor dears,'' said
Mrs. Washington.
For some moments the general reflected,
looking at his wife, but finally, they say +,