The times., 1897-08-01
WASHINGTON AND ANDRE.
A Scene From DIR. MitcheII's Revo-
lutionary Novel.

lufiODary Novel.
DR.. s. Weir Mitcher's novel OF the Aruerf-
can Revolution, Hugh wynne," is near
| ing its end in the Century Magazine. In
tile August number is the following in
terview between the hero, Hugh wynne,
and Gen Washington Immediately follow
ing the sentence Of Major Andre; wynne
| seeking to induce Washington to allow
| Andre To die soldiers death.
huge fire of logs bIazed on the great
Kitchen hearth. and at table covered
with mans and papers, neatly set ia oider,
the general sat writing
he looked up, and with quiet courtesy
said: TAX a seat, Capt. wynne. L
must be held excused for little" I
bowed and sat down. while he continued to
write
Ills pen moved slowly, and he paused at
| times, and then went apparently with the
utmostdeIiberatioa. wasfavora5IypIac
| 10 watch him without appearing te do So.
his face being strongly lighted by the
| candies in front OF him. He was dressed
with uis usual care, III a buff waistcoat and
| a biue-and-buff uniform, with powdered
hair drawn back to a queue and carefully
tied with black ribbon.
The face. with its hght-hlue eyes. ruddy
cheeks and rather heavy nose above
| strong jaw, was now grave, and, / thought
! stern. At least half hour went by before
he pushed back his chair and looked up
| / am fortunate as regards this conversa-
| ton, since on my return 1 set it down
| in a diary, which, however, has many
gaps and is, elsewhere incomplete.
Capt. wynne,' ne said, 81 have re-
fused 10 see several gentlemen in regard to
this sad business. but I learn that Mr..
Andre was your friend, and / have not
forgotten your aUnt's timely aid at mo-
ment when it was soreIy needed For
these reasons, and at the earnest request OF
Capt. Hamilton and the marquis, l am
willing to listen to yOu- May ask you to
be brief2'' He spoke slowly, as If weigh
| ing his words.
l replied that l was most grateful-that
1 owed it TO Major Andre that had
| not long ago endured the fate which was
now to be his.
Permit me, SIR he said. "to ask when
this occurred
Il replied that it was when, at his ex-
| cellency's desire, 1 had entered Phila-
| deIphia as a spy, and then I went on briefly
to relate what had happened.
sir he returned, you ow ed your dan
ger to folly not to what your duty brought.
You were faIse. for the time. to that duty.
| But this does not concern US now. It may
| have served as a lesson, and I am free 10
admit that you did your country great
service. What ROW can do for you2 As
to this unhappy gentleman, his fate is Qua
Of my hands 1 have read the letter which
Capt Hamilton gave me " As he spoke he
took it from the table and deliberately
read 1t again, whIe | watched him. Then
he laid it down and loo ked up saw that
his hg, patient eyes were overfull as he
spoke.
II regret, sir, to have to refuse this most
natural request I have told Nj Hamilton
that it is not to be thought Of Neither
shall 1 reply 1t is not fitting that I
should do so, nor is II necessary OF even
proper that 1 assign reasons which must
already be plain to every man OF sense. Is
that aIl?''
| said Your excellency, may ask but
a minute more?',
II am at your disposal. sir, for so long.
What is it?''
I hesitateG. and, suspect, showed plain
ly in my face my doubt as to the pro-
priety Of what was most on my mind de
instantly guessed that / was embarrassed,
ard said. with the genuest manner and q
slight smile:
"Ah, Mr. Wynne, there is nothing which
can be done TO save your friend, nor in
deed TO alter his fate; butif you desire TO
say more, do not hesitate. You have suffer-
ed much for the cause which is dear to us
both. Go on, sir
Thus encouraged, said: "If on any pre-
text the execution can be delayed week, 7
| am ready to 20 with a friend" I counted
on Jack-"to enter New York in disguise.
| and to bring out Gen. Arnold. I have been
his aide, know all his habits, and am con-
fitent that we shall succeed if only can
control nearNew Yorka detaehnentoftrieti
men, have thouehtover myplan, and am
willing to risk mylife upon it,"
You propose gallant venture, sir, but
it would be certain to fail; the service
would lose another brave man, and should
seem TO have been wanting in decision for
| no Just or assignable cause"
1 wasprofoundly disappointed, and in the
grief of my failure forgot for a moment
the august presence which imposed on all
men the respect which no sovereign could
| nave tnSplTcl.
My God, SIR I exclaimed, .'and this
traitor must live unpublished, and a man
who did but what he believed tc hehis duty
must suffer death of shame" Then, half
scared, looked up, feeling that had said
too much He had risen before spoke,
meaning, no doubt, TO bring my visit to an
end, and was standing with his back to
the fire, his admirable figure giving the
impression of greater height than was
really his.
When, after my passionate speech, T
looked up, having. OF course, also risen. his
face wore a look that was more solemn
than any face of man / have ever vet
seen in all my length of years.
There is God, Mr.. wynne," he said.
''who Furnishes the traitor. Let us leave
this man 10 the shame which every year
must bring Your scheme I cannot con-
slider. / have no wish TO conceal from,
you or from any gentleman what it has
cost me to do that which, as God lives,
believe to be right You, sir. have done
| your duty to your friend. And now NAV
1 ask of YOU not to prolong too painful
intervew?''
/ bowed, saying, IT cannot thank your
exceliency too much for the kindness
: with which you have listened to a rash
| young man"
You have said nothing, sir which does
not do you honor Make my humble com