The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-18

Do EonOreu as one whose tact and patti
| otto endeavor saved her country from the
fury OF war Ralph Lidgott bowed
slowly, with smirk ana my aunt
curtesied ana wriggitd, and looked at
him over her fan with "a deprecatory bash
iuness. had no business to be in the
window seat behind ths screen at all. but
i stayed. although no eavssdroppcr. bs-
cfnse i knew my aunt would send me
from the room, and that indignity had
no mind TO suffer.
My country commands me. and my
King, said my aunt. If an humble
gentlewonan may bs Of service in bring
ing them to an understanding and ending
this unhappy quarrel, be sure Susannah
Redwood shall do her part.
Gen. Howe's representative will be hero
from Staten Island tomorrow after dark, -
Lidgott said, just as thought the minuet
would surely commence. II promised
gentleman of suitable rank and with full
authority to treat with the Congress, Cen
eraL But beg once more To remind
Mime. Redwood that MIR. Washington Is
not Co know beforehand for what real
purpose he visits you.
II entirely comprehend, said my aunt.
No one Knows better than how self
willed George Washington can be- obsti-
nate indeed, when be gets thing into
his head. T"
Pardon me, dear madame, said
Ralph, breaking in on my aunt's story
with temerity which, confess. envieS,
time presses, and i must be gone. Az
ready i should be on my road Co join the
General. i bear your message To him"
trust. said my aunt "a little wist-
fully, that events will justify the little
deception. have told him that l am in
great trouble-so indeed | an; so indeed
are all the AmericaDs-and he alone can
assist me. And this Is true also. III he
Will consent TO DO as our gracious king
fhFpliuh al lta
well, and l am sure the king has had
more experience than George Washington,
and it's onlv respectful for him to meet
his majesty's messenger and come TO
terms. still do wish even the appear
ance of deceit was avoidable. A"
Deceit, mad lme 1t Is diplomacy"
Everything is understood" Lldgett
went on. Tonight General Washington
cfusses to inspect the force at Paulus
Hook tomorrow night he will return To
Brooklyn Heights. On his way thither
Leswill stop and sup with you, per haps rest
all night among your charming orchards.
AT the right time Howe's plenipotentiary
will present himself. ana MIR Washing
ton cannot but listen to him. ana ilsten-
ing consent 10 his maJesty's gracious
terms Then. maiame, your name shall
pass, most honored, tO history as one who
achieved peace the sweetest victory"
They bowed and pranced and smirked
themselves out of the room then, and L
was left 10 consider the greatness OF the
news which resolved itself for me, but l6
years old, into one celebrating thought
that / shou Id sse George Washing ton, the
General whom Congress had sent Us to
drive the British from our tree land. In
faith the news set mo trembling in my
window seat for, IL General Washington
were actually coming to sup at my aunt's
house i had favor to beg of him, no less
than to override my aunt crfntuut Il,
and take me with him q soldering. My
aunt Susapnah was kind and worthy
gentlewoman, though trfle vain in all
things save for binn and most unrea
soDgblo alteration for stupid and pig
headed old man across tho ocean whom
she prayed for as her beloved King and
beloved infallibla
1t fsll about the twilight OF the day Of
Washington's expected visit that | was in
the orchard. rchearsing my request to the
General for leave To follow his fortunes,
and in walking back and forth, | hearu
voices approaching from the fields which
stretched TO the Hudson RiyeI. Lidgett' :.
was tho louder voice, and drew behind a
tree, for no better reason than that / dis
liked the man and always avoided him
when ] could. 1t was or instinct, for he
had never hurt mo- j hated his face, his
manner, his voice and used to wonder
what people saw in him that made him
though: we'll of by high personages like
the Mayor and my aunt
1 saw his friena's face then, land knew
il for one Of Washinatons 5 guards. \
shrewd and plotting face was that. but
not so repulsive "a lt looked not long af-
ter, beneath rhe gallows not far from
where he now stood.
"Ihs Mayor is we'll informed of our
purpose" said he speaking eXcitedly
"and Governor 1ryop, on board Lord
IIowe's ship as well. The loyal element
In tbs town will RS, If there be an alarm
ana afford "a distraction. -
But" raid Ralph very uervously,
Il haa thought we We're but to seize
him.
"Tushp' said the guard "It is simple
TO ssrd his heJd alone 10 Temple Bar j
tell you 50 Is the safest 3"
Ha,ph Lidsctt WAS visibly trembling.
al 90 not liSe il, he lnuttered and
Mistress Redwood
The other laughed with a great con-
teinut.
"Ths fussing old fool has already
ulaycd her part he .epli-d. she has
decoyed him. and he need never enter her
house lie comes with but one friend.
] mean co have him surrounded when he
q ps from his bnat-'tis most quiet
spot; chose IL ms self. and ho trusts me-
Even now he should be on his way. and
tomorrow wa will sail for England
Ralph. To claim our reward for bringing
tn the ling the head OF the traitor, Wash
ing on. ~
My suspt ions had been aroused al
ready, Tut at that lost all control, and
III plot revealed. / cried out and srrang
from my cover.
"lraitorr" / cried, "Nny, but 'tis you
that are the murdcrous traitors! Help!
help here s murder doing
In truth there was, and on my body,
not on Washington's for my cries were
chokcd at once 10y the guard $ fingers, and
LiJgett bad n sword at my ribs IN an in
stnnt. peering meanwhile at NV face.
How's tais? Vincent Redwoody' said
lie. - lis but child; 30 need To slas
him. -
And no thrust his handkerchief into nv
mouth and swiftly tied IL fast round my
head with another. They were nightly
al Irme 4, however. and mad5 rom the spot,
uragsing.me along. each by snouldCr.
Bat NY cry choke1 1op son. had urouFht
no help, and ait r awhile tnes paused In
the shadow OF wood some hundred
yards from shore. and debated In waits
Lers. / am of n mind sul thut the guar
would have stabbed mo there. for he dal.
lied most desirously W Ga a dagger. mt
IiunQff's p.ty fnr M 4 NVstt.h