The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-24
ANNABELLE'S FEAT.


Peter Strump, mine host of the Bell
and Hand tavern, sat holding on tho set
tee before the door. His long clay church
warden lay at his feet, and by the melodi-
Gus snores which came from his rosy tinted
nose one would know that Peter slept.
So observed Master Jaffrey Warrell as
no strodo into tho courtyard leading his
mud spattered and stone lamo nag by tho
bride.
"what, no, Peter Strumpl' he beloved
Justify. Food and shelter for man and
beast forthwith
Ere many moments no had his legs
stretched under table laden with only
such repast as Boston in the year of
grace l776 could provide, and meanwhile
reading for the second time letter he had
drawn from his pocket. And In very
sooth strange enough scrced it was:
, For We handle Of Master Jaffrey warrell, at We
, taverne of ye Belle and Hande, in ye towne
OF Boston:
nv SwETE AND NOBLE LOVER -'Tis muche
that ye would OF me. and tho fain would
pleasure you in allie thyngs-yet thys feai
cannot be. that I should betray my countrie.
Yet will meet thee tomorrow nighte at thys
place ye speake Of Till then adieui Ever thy
sweetinge. ANSABELLE.
April ye 18th, 1776.
After time Jaffrey appeared again In
the courtyard.
"Ho, mine host Peteri" he spoke. " 'Tis
in my mind to tarry tonight with you. See
to It that bed be we'll aired. beg. and
look kindly to Fairface. my mare. She Is
gravel lame methinks.
With these words he walked away into
the town, leaving the hostlers to do his
|, bidding.
Not till late did he return, and then in
q perturbed mood. 60 quietly did he entei
his chamber that the men In the next room
heard him not, nor ceased In their loud
talking But Jaffrey paid little heed t.
them, thinking them come noisy topers,
till q word caught his ear. And that word
was "Annabelle. Then look not good
to see settled upon his face, and nearer to
the wall he crept and listened.
Anthony, why art such q poltroonr'
angrily exclaimed one OF the speakers. 81
tell you this coup must be successful, and
surely we are not in such good odor with
the commander that we can afford to let
slip any opportunity. Moreover" he add
cd. 1.-THE girl Annabelle will aid u.s."
"Think you the jade Is faithful" do
manded another. "Meseems she looks toe
fairly on yonder puppy. wsrrell"
"Pshaw, she but dupes the poor fool"
said the first with hoarse laugh. "She
said as much herself"
Warrell, on tho other side Of the wall,
gritted his teeth in his rage and felt fran
tically for his rapier.
"Then reveal your plan, De Lacy
growled a third impatiently. "Time flies
and tomorrow Is soon here"
Briefly, then, it is to seize about two
NJ oh For N hvxo o,o, Il
of Lexington and Concord as hostages,
then demand a general surrender under
threat OF executing our prisoners. This
will effectually put down the trouble which
Is brewing in that quarter and at the same
time do us world Of good with Corn
wallis. Tomorrow we will act. Are ye
agreed?"
"We are," returned the others.
AS the conversation ceased Warrell turn
| cd away, and Immediately the rumble Of a
carriage and the hoof beats Of gallopine
horses sounded on his ear.
"She comes" he muttercd. "And now
| for the truth"
AS the stage dashed up before the door
he stepped into the courtyard and assisted
young lady, heavily yeiled, to alight.
Then, leading the way, he entered the inn,
closely followed by his companion.
You are come" he whispered. "Now,
by tho heavens above, speak truly, abjure
you"
"WhatP' she asked.
ais 1t possible you deceive me?"
"Jaffrey, am as true as the eternal
skies"
They entered the breakfast room ano
were astonisbed to find four British officers
standing near the fire. They seemed very
merry.
"Whatp' exclaimed one, laughing. I" 'Tis
our little Annabelle.
The girl shrank back, while Jaffrey's
rage rose high, for he recognized the plot
ter's voice.
What mean you, sirrahf'' he demand
ed. You owe the lady an apology"
"Ho, hov' laughed the soldier. "This Is
the Yankee lover, is 1t? Ho, no." And he
turned his back impudently on the pair
AYE, and know your precious plot, y
shouted Jaffrey, whipping out his blade.
"On guard, sir. -
"WhatP" roared the officer "Then, in
deed, has your time come Down with
him, lads''
In an instant four blades were playing
about his head, and the American was in
extreme peril.
by tne HerCeucSb Ol his dJUdCkS Ho pc;tt
down the officers blade, and in u twin
king had passed the steel through his
body. Then flinging a chair at the man
between him and the door, he leaped over
his PROSTATE form and flung shut the stout
oaken portal. AS he braced himself
against 1t, he was astonished to see Anna
belle standing beside him.
Behold she murmured, "the latch
has been lost. They may easily force their
way OUT
''Tis true" he muttered moodily.
"Their plot will be carried out despite
me-"
"Not so" she made reply. Behold the
proof that I am an American, though my
kin be English"
She thrust her arm through the two
openings for the missing bolt, and thus
with her flesh and blood barred the door.
Fly, my love- post haste to Concord
Warn the people and bid them rise tt
arms For some time can l hold these
men here, for there Is no other exit. Sc
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