The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-07-02

-" country dlOUS tHc
Hudson where the cowboys and skin
ners roamed at will, stood on the porch
of her pleasant little home.
She was half surrounded by vines
that failed to conceal her trim
figure, the effect of which was height
ened by the neat garb she wore. In one
hand she held a letter she had Just read
for the fourth time, and as she lifted
her eyes she beheld man at the edge
of the porch.
This man, a person whom the Cir!
could trust. had just delivered the mis-
sive, and while reading it Betty had
become oblivious to his presence.
Its bad news. Peter" said she, adj
vancing a step and looking down into
the mans face.
Another victory for the kings men,
Miss Betty?'
THAT is not exactly it. 1t wasn't
much of a battle, Nolan writcs-''
The man interrupted the reading
with sudden exclamation.
1.-The letter is from Capt. Nolan.
them"
Yes. and he is a prisoner in New
York.
That's bad. 1 know how he will
chafe in confinement, for he wasn't
born to rust out behind stone walls.
But when they exchange him"
That's just the difficulty. Peter
When they exchange him! You may
well say that. They will not exchange
Nolan for an officer inferior in rank
They never do that, you know, Peter"
Il might have thought of that" an
swered the man. flushing little. II
suppose n rescue is out of the uues-
ton
Entirely So" said the girl. "Nolan
writes that he is fairly treated. but he
wants his liberty. You say the letter
was delivered to you at the secret out
post?'
Yes. l did not ask from whom it
was. but obeyed orders and brought it
direct to:you."
For which you have nv thanks.
Peter and l will see that you are fully
paid in the future"
In few moments the patriotic girl
was left alone. and after another read
ing of the letter. which told how the
writer. Capt. Nolan James. a youthful
officer in the continental army. had been
captured by n detachment of British
troops and conveyed to New York.
then in possession of the enemy. The
letter seemed to crumple in her reso-
lutte hand, and when she entered the
. house she flung it upon the table and
picked up another letter lying there
Unfolding this one she glanced over
fhe lines which traced in a bold mascu-
line hand ran as follows:
Capt. Basil Lee. of the royal forces.
begs leave to accept Miss Betty Logan's
invitation to dine with her Tuesday and
. will be promptly on hand. Wishing his
fair hostess health and happiness he
signs himself her ardent friend
e. CAPT. BASIL LEE,
Fourth Dragons.
New York. July q 1850"
A faint smile appeared at Betty,s.
mouth as she perused the acceptaQee
and placed it beside the one from her
patriotic lover.
Capt. Lee had met her during one of
the many incursiohs made by the royal
dragons along the Hudson, and,
though an enemy to American freedom,
the girl had found him an agreeable
visitor. Ignorant of Capt. James mis-
fortune, she invited the British officer
to dine with her on the Fourth, as she
lived almost alone in the old home
stead, her parents having died a short
time prior to the beginning of HOSTILE
ties.
The imprisonment of Capt. James
would naturally interfere with the
pleasures of the coming day, but when
the morning of the Fourth came there
were no traces of regret on the fair
rebels face.
At ten o'clock Peter, who had been
sent to a certain point from which the
road leading to New York was visible
for a long distance, came back with a
broad grin on his face.
81 was thinking, Miss Betty, what
nice thing it would be if we could just
contrive to exchange Capt. Nolan for
Capt. Lee"
The girl seemed to start. i.
what nonsense, Peter!" she ex-