The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-03

"Unless?'
"Unless she were in love with you, u
said Major Lee.
"Impossible!" said I, forgetting to
laugh. Why, of course it was absurd,
although ] could not get the notion Out
Of my head. 4
At his headquarters, where my old
comrades, who now knew the whole Of
my story, made much Of my deed, al
though in faith it was failure enough,
the major told mo he could not take me
back into my old company.
"And why?" I asked holly, for
thought that my failure to capture Ar
mold had discredited me with him.
| Because, Champe, I like you too
well to have you risk capture by the
British, who, before the clock could
tick, would hang you as spy"
I told him cared not whit for the
danger; that I wanted to fight with all
the strength and wit had left after the
false part had played.
Poor Champe!" said he. "How bad
ly have we treated you! But after all
You have done l will not suffer you to
risk a hair" he repeated.
When was insistent, he said finally
that he had no option, but would refer
the matter to General Washington, by
whom directly was dispatched to Gen
eral Greene
confess was anxious when came
into the presence Of that Virginia gen.
tleman who now had become the great
est among Americans.
You did us signal service, Captain
Champe," he said kindly, "in letting
me know the extent Of Arnold's treach-
cry when I was uncertain of every one
about me, and it must appear ungra-
cious of me to tell you that out of re-
gard for you and your most excellently
good service must retire you-but as
q captain. with full captains pay
did not want retirement. l cared
not for the new grade, nor the money,
though it was scarce enough commod-
ity in those days.
But the general was insistent. And
i'll this way ceased to be an active
member of the army of the United
States In my forced retirement was
advanced in rank, yet captain without
hope of further service, at least against
the British, whom I dearly wanted to
fight in some capacity "a captain with
out company.
Now, about this time had strange
letter brought through the lines from
New York and written by no less per-
sonage than she who had spoiled my
enterprise Mistress Priscilla Warren.
She begged me never to give the British
the chance of catching me, for, as sure
ly as her name was Priscilla, they
would hang Inc up as a spy Iwrote her
I had been told that several times, but
/ feared the British no more than did
Modelling Tory maids.
The hussy's impudence was strange
But for her medaiing l certainly had
had my plan to seize General Arnold
carried out. As it was, because General
Washing on was insistent on my retire.
ment, and as I had failed most dismally
in this attempt had not it's success to
console me for the loss of the soldiers
career I loved mad staked all, like a
gambler on one issue and lost
But could not get the meddling girl
out of my mind, and, thinking over the
matter and considering that perhaps
after all sho had imagined it for my
good-as possibly it would havo been
from worldly point Of view-to have
what seemed then, Brit
ish soldier-thinking Of the possibility
of Major Lees conjecture about the rea-
sou for her curious conduct, I resolved
to see her again.
But it was not until after the peace
that had the chance, when, hearing
she remained a spinster I decided to
leave Kentucky, where I had taken up
some land, to see what manner of wom-
an she had become.
must acknowledge in few years
she had faded, and yet 1 found her
attractive. She appeared en-
barrassed at seeing me.
"You must detest me above all the
rest of the world" said she.
II did, said frankly.
"You dido" asked she.
II don't now, Mistress Priscilla. for
believe you honestly imagined by