The record-union., 1898-01-21


with its horde of camp followers, had
swept down through New Jersey, with
Washington close in their wake; of
the desperate battle fought the day be-
| fore, near Monmouth Courthouse I'VE
lay" said he, within earshot of the
British lines: our sentries patrolled
close to their outmost pickets and yet.
when day broke, and we looked across
to where the night before a great army
had been encamped, 10, it had disap-
peared as completely as if the earth
had opened and swallowed it up. Our
| CONSERVATION knew no bounds, for we
/ had gone to sleep with our hands on
our sword hilts, ready to finish carving
up the redcoats on the morrow; but
| they had outwitted u.s.
This is all very wonderful and very
interesting, said Betty excitedly, but
how came you here?"
/ Happily for me, sweetheart, l was
one cf a small detachment detailed to
follow and keep watch on the enemys
movements. By the time we had COM
pleted these discoveries we We're within
a few miles of my dearest girl and my
/ longing to see her became irresistible.
| So l confided to my superior officer
leave of a short absence, promising to
rejoin the company tonight at a point
half way betwixt here and Monmouth
/ Courthouse, where a few hours halt
will be called. This he kindly granted,
but urged me to assume some disguise,
as the country about here is filled with
British stragglers, scouts, and recon
noitering parties, and We're my identity
I TO become known frnp6O01 n
nothing of my life, might pay the for
felt As luck would have it, we came
upon d farmhouse that had been ram
sacked by the redcoats in passing The
place was deserted and I appropriated
the materials for my disguise 1 trust
their owner will not begrudge them t4
me. The last part of my way l waS
| somewhat disconnected by the presence
of a fellow who insisted upon joining
me. His attentions and conversation
were highly annoying. for he spoke
disparagingly of our beloved Washing
ton, 50 that my blood boiled within me-
and had much ado to keep from strik-
ing him down. AS we parted at the
foot of the avenue the fellow said, with
a grin, Farewell. l see thou art as
prudent as thy fellows. 2"
What did he mean?' asked Betty
fearfully
Il know not sweetheart; nor did
heed the impudent varlet I am here
With you-for the rest, care not"
Here the Colonel jointed them and the
three sat and talked happily SO alb
| sorbed We're they, that they did not
hear the sound of hurrying footsteps in
the hall, and Carlos, who had been
running with might and main, appear
ed Unexpectedly in their midst.
'Massa Cunnel," he exclaimed
breathlessly, "dey is three men on
| horseback piece down de road: two
OBJ dem am redcoats. Dey's comin's
TO lie L'utenant, sho-dey amt no
| 'scapei'
Be quiet, you black fool" COM
manded the Colonel fiercely, running
| his fingers through his hair
/ Balfour's hand had sought his sword
| hilt. That fellow I met on the high
road must have given the ALARM" said
| he, well, it's too late to run away
now, fer look, they've come inside the
grounds
| Dey's g-wine to search de grounds
an house. l hayer dem say so when
Use MD in de haige. Dey say dey'll
| take de Yankee live or dayed,' vofun-
teered Carlos
I'll bel swear I'll shoot the first
man who attempts to search nv
house" said the Colonel fiercely.
Betty stood with compressed lips and
bent brows. Suddenly she said in a
| quiet voice, as if thinking over every
detail of her speech as she uttered it:
Frank, l have a plan for your es-
cape. But you must follow my direc-
tions implicitly Conceal yourself in
the shrubbery at the back of the house
until Carlos brings you word that the
coast is clear. Then follow him. He
VIII take you by a short cut to the
river, where you will find my canoe
moored. Let him paddle you up stream
TO the Griggs farm; the people are well
known to us. From them you can pro-
cure good horse and"
But. my dearest love, what" be-
gan Balfour
Betty interrupted him imperiously: 'T
know what you would say-but you
must do as 1 tell you-trust all to me
and-go." The girls voice was almost
stern, but her eyes We're very tender.
"As you will,' he said, and stopped
and kissed her. "Good-by, Colonel
Winthrop"
"Good-by, and God be with you re-
sponded the Colonel solemnly What
plan my daughter has for your escape
I know not; but"
''It will not fail, father. Frank, dear
Frank co. and Betty fairly pushed
him out of the room and house.
Remember my directions" she said
TO Carlos in the hall. Keep watch on
the three horsemen and when you see
them gallop away, run to Lieutenant
Balfour instantly. Go now, and order
the big brown horse saddled. IN haste
for a gentleman who will ride from
here. He Will mount in the stable yard.
Hurryl"
Then Betty sped upstairs to the gar
ret TO a chest that contained certain
relics of her fathers regmental career.
. Five minutes later the Colonel, who
had been watching the movements Of
he men on the avenue was filed with
CONSERVATION az sight of a young man
dressed in the blue and buff of Con-
tinental officer. riding leisurely away
across the lawn to the high road.
What the devil, What foolhardinessi
What Stupidity That idiot Frank. He
shan't marry my girl-to ride right
down their throats without so much
as his disguise. Fool-fool. Poor
Betty"
l Meantime one Of the three horsemen