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


Anu 10 tulnk what StfuB-
gle had to keep from running to you
at once, when | saw yoI on the lawn,
instead Of revealing myself to your
fither first.
Sitting beside his sweetheart, her
hand clasped in his, the Young lieu
tenant told her how Clinton's 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. "We
lay, said be, "within earshot of the
British lines; our sentries patrolled
close to their outmost piekets; and
yet, when day broke aud we looked
across to where the night before a
grea' army had been encampe1, 10, it
had disappeared as completely as If
the earth had opened and swallowed
i 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. exeited!y,
but how came you here?"
Happily for me, sweetheart, 1 was
one of a small detachment detailed to
follow aud keep watch on the enemy's
movements, BY the time we had com
ple'ed these discoveries we were with
ia a few miles Of my dearest girl AMI
my longing to see her became irresisti-
Bile, So / confided to my superior
Officer somewhat of my anxiety and
begged leave of short absence, prom
Using to re;oin the company tonight at
point half way between here and
Monmouth courthouse. where few
hours halt will be called. This he
kindly granted, but urged me to as
sumo some disguise, as the country
about here is filled with British strag-
lers, scouts and accommodating par
ties, and were my identity to become
known my freedom. to say nothing of
my life, might Iay the forfeit. Az
luck would have it, we came upon
farmhouse that had been ransackel by
the redcoats i'll passing. The place
was deserted, and [ appropriated the
materials for my disguise. | trust
their owner will not begrudge them to
me. The last part of my way | was
somewhat disconnected by the pres
ence of fellow who insisted upon
joining me His attentions aud con
yersation we're highly annoying, for
he spoke disparagingly of our beloved
Washington, so that my blood boiled
within me, and had much ado to
keep from striking him down. As we
parted at the foot of the avenue the
fellow said, with grin: Farewell;
see thou art as prudent as thy fell
lows.
''What did he neau?' asked Betty,
fearfully,
Il know not, sweetheart, nor did |
heed the impudent varlet am here
with vou-for the rest care not.
Here the colonel joined them. and
the three sat and 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 in their midst
"Massa cunnel, he exclaimed,
breathlessly, "dey is three men on
horseback piece down de road-two
oh dem am redcoa's Dey's comm
70 de l'utenant, sho-dey amt no
'scape"
DE quiet. you fool!" commanded
/ the colonel, fiercely, running his fin
gers through his hair
Balfour's hand had sought his
sword hilt.
"That fellow [ met ON the high
ROAD must have given the alarm,
sad he "Well, it's too late to run
away now, for, look they've come in
side the grounds.
'I'll be- swear ~ shoot the first
man who at empts 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 ioii0" my direc'
uonS implicitly. Conceal yourself III
the shruobery at the back of the mouse
uhtlI carlos brings you word that the
coast Is c ear ihen follow MN. lie
VIII take you by short cut to the
river, where you will find my canoe
moored. Let MN paddle you up
stream to the Grisgs farm; the people
are well known to MS. From them
you can procure good horse and
But my dearest love- what be-
gan balfour'
Betty interrupted him mreriously:
know What you would say-but
You must do as L tell you-trust all to
me an TO The GIRL I voice was