Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-11-05

Il
"And you are here as a spy she
cried again, her gray eyes flashing
For all fair in war, - said l. watch
ing her that l might spring past
"And in love, " said she, blushing,
thought, and wondered suddenly if she
loved not Benedict Arnold, whom l be-
gan to hate with sudden fierceness
"But wait" said 1, Mistress Pris-
ella. l have word to say TO the gen
eral now in the garden. Surely there
can lie no harm in that?''
"Ah, know your' she answered at
this defantly. "You have some design.
I'll accompany you.
By this time 1 was maddened. Have
/ not said how much every moment
counted? A bold move would accomplish
it still was not to be foiled by this
hussy.
SO pushed her aside, went through
the door, into the back hall and down
the steps leading to the garden.
There he was, pacing restlessly to
and fro. All, the man never had quiet
moment between his plots and his re
morse-for believe he had that. Jem
Hawkins, was certain, was waiting l
could oarry it out yet.
But the girl was behind me, like a
dog. l was sorry for moment that l
had not throttled her.
General Arnoldr' she called from
the foot of the stairs General Ar
noldr'
Before l could get to him h. walked
too far toward the house. In an instant
he was by her. saw she Whispered
something to him. Was it my betrayal?
For moment l hesitated. l still
could run for it, but should l escape,
which was doubtful, ii would be with
| out my prisoner. For the moment she
| had foiled me. / must brazen it out.
deny her charge.
So l returned to the upper hall, where
they were talking. She looked at me,
not triumphantly. was surprised how
| pale he was.
Sergeant Champe wished word
with you, sir, she said without facing
me.
How could l explain? 1 thought at
| once of some story connected with the
| duty he had given me. But he antici.
pated me. saying: Il am too weary TO-
night. Wait till morning. You will re-
ceive your regular duty then. Good
night
He extended his hand gravely, as if
treachery had made us equals, and
walked to his room Outside, perhaps,
Hawkins still waited. But the chance
was lost for the night The girl had
outwitted me. Why had l not killed
her?
AS he left us alone she understood
my rage, for she said quietly, Il did it
to save you. "
lyon have not told him."
"Not a word. You can still serve
with the king
Fool l muttered as people dc
when only they are the fools. l heard
her sobs and hurried from her, fearful
what she might tempt me to.
Nor could | sleep l dared not send
word to Hawkins or 70 the boatman at
the end Of the lane. Across the river at
Hobock Colonel Harry waited vainly.
Because of this girl was still held a
traitor by my comrades And il APP
peared, indeed, as if they must so re-
| gard me till the end of the chapter.
For as l tossed restlessly, while il
was yet pitch dark, there was a knock
at the door and the orderly shouting
up. sergeant, in hurry You have
duty. The generals expedition pulls
anchor at ; for the Nirginian capes "
saw beyond peradventure then that
had failed dismally. l should have no
other chance at my man now, while if
l wished to avoid the spy's q, /
must keep up appearance and serve a. =.
British soldier.
Outside i'll the hall was the girl, her
eyes red 10y the candlelight
Forgive me, - said she. When l was
silent, she added, Il did it for you "
For him.
For you-to save you for the cause -
"Faugh!' said L Il despise you for
meddling hussy"
Yet | thought afterward she indeed
had not betrayed me. That was certain.
l wondered what was the reason, dis
mayed over the turn of the adventure
For here was l, now bound for Vir-
/ ginia, as earnest patriot as ever served
III the war, but i'll the uniform of an
English soldier and commanded by the
very Arnold whom had come TO take.
In addition the weather turned dirty,
and l suffered the worst torInents the
sea can lntlct on those so indiscreet as
to trust to its fickleness Let them be
sailors who will, l would be content to
be the humblest landlubber rather than
to own all the fame of the most es-
teemed admiral
l remember it was a week after we
had made landing before 1 recovered
my heart and was in some way able to
debate the chance of escape to the
American lines, l had become, with
memory of that wretched discovered
letter, as cunning as fox. But, despite
all my cunning, the chance never pre-
Bented itself, could not hope to abduct
General Arnold with now no man
whom l dared trust with even a hint of
my true mission of spy. How quickly /
should be worsted.
Strangely did in my false position
singularly good service. 1 was COM
mended again and again when least of
all did want praise for a part detest-
ed. That old saying of the mockery in
the way of the world came to me in
those days, "When you may be indiffer-
ent to success, 10, it comes to you.
AS matter of fact, we remained in