Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-10
|

SSdts arrived all TOO SWlttlN Tor tNESe |
two.
Pelham was couvalescent. Ills |
brother came no more, The surgeons
visits had ceased, Lord Howe desired
HIM to resume command OF his troop
Yet few days and he must depart,
pnknowing when he could return To
claim his bride,
Il was at this time that Lydia enc
midnight, wakefully conflpnting me
clouds which overhung the future, WIS
hurr eddy called by her mother to 'er
fathers bedside,
lie lay popped up among pillows,
AMI he spoke with difficulty rs he Aade
his daughter draw near But she per-
cetret that anxiety rather than pain
oppressed him while he explained his
neet Of her
Owing to the situation of the Manor,
on TIE territory disputed by both
armies, they we've not unused to tidnss.
by secret messengers from the younger
harrington in the American camp,
| The messenger, who had been received
half an hour since, was, however. the
herald Of a visitor whose safety durng
his stay would he OF vital Importance
to the infant nation, for whose exist
ente his life was the guarantee.
Washington himself desired to see
| his former comrade in the ensuing
night. to take council with him con,
eerning certain measures whereon he
and his Immediate advisers were at
variance.
Tho danger is great" harrington
said, wis,tully regarding his daughter,
| Yet less great than at first It seems,
lourmother and YOU can contrivo that
nono other shall guess his presence
mere. Even should our servants dis
| cover what guest is with us, we can
rely upon them not to beuay him.
There remains Captain Pelham who
For him | answer" Mistress Lydia
interrupted huughtily. His honor is
mine own"
NAY, my child, there might he in
his mind some uncertainty as to which
way his honor directs"
Shame. father she cried You who
know SO well that the iustinc, of y
/ gentleman's honor is MS certain as Is
! that wondrous needle TO whose guidance
sailors trust!
And harrington, infected by the en-
! thrsiasm of her bright eyes, acquesced
The following day would be that on
which market was held weekly at
n village within the British lines, where
Philadelphia tradesmen brought such
goods as the farmers could not supply
| from their own resources. 1t had been
Mistress I.ydia's custom when the roads
were safe, to visit this market attended
by Augustus. an old negro servant and
| it was agreed between her and her
! father that, to avert suspicion OF UNI
usual anticipation, she should proceed
thither on the morrow.
Accordingly she was arrayed for this
expedition when she sought Captain
, Pelham on the terrace, In the morn
ing's early sunshine. A fair picture she
made in her dark green habit with brass
buttons, and her large many-plumed
hat-a picture he described with ten
derest detail years afterward
She found him pale and Respondent
as she hung over his armchair loathe
to leave him for one OF the few hours
which remained Of his stay at the
Manor. But he sent her resolutely from
| him, giving her letter for his brother,
as was his wont on these market DAYS
!, "a letter which she was to deliver to
ft.H 1 lal,,
receive 1t.
She rode forth, while Augustus,
mounted on a tan horse and carrying
huge basket. paced soberly benlnd.
Spring rains had broken the avenue
into alternate courses OF mud and wafer.
ard, as she bent to lift her habit yet
fertber from the probable 3plashi1g,
Peli ans letter slipped from her waist
| band
With such haste as years and STOUT
ness permitted. Augustus descnl led
from his saddle. and restored the packet
| to her.
Alas, 1t was wet and stained!
~ will be the delay OF merely len
minutes to return and bid Captain Eel
ham address another wrapper" sne
mum rred, glad OF this excuse - be-
hold the welcome In her lovers ewes.
Size tore off the drenched envelope
hnrriedly, lest the damp should have
penetrated, and looked at the Enclosure
with keen daintlness Her look
changed. Her color faded. Her lips
set sternly. Happiness went out Of
Lydia Barrfngton's life while she stared
al the letter confided TO her trans
mission by the man for whose honor
she had pledged her own.
Yet presently she liftedher head and.
turning her horse toward the Manor,
sht rode up the avenue at a speed
Augustus found difficult TO emulate.
Beside the high oak chimney In the
entrance hall stood massive writing
table. There she tore Pelham's letter
to tiny pieces. and sealed them care
fully within a fresh envelope, upon
which she inscribed his name.
Explain to Captain Pelham the mis-
chance OF his packet" she said. though
her lips were white her voice did not
u