The leader., 1898-02-16


gle as she heard the combination of
words which was well understood by
her, and she quickly replied: you have
brought your wares to the right mar
ket, / see" She then took the basket
from Maggie's hand, and in a few mo-
ments returned with loaf of bread.
She did not inform her that within the
loaf there was n note concealed, but
Maggie understood. 1t was all as she
had been informed it would be.
"lf you lose the bread, or find it ne
cessary to destroy It, you may simply
say to your friend: Not yet Do you
understand"
81 do" replied Maggie, quietly. as she
again took her basket and prepared to
depart. The door was quickly closed
behind her, and she fingered moment
on the steps before she went down to
the street. She could see no one now,
and the curious soldier had disap-
peared; but Maggie's fear was none the
less when she started up the street, for
she knew not who was watching her,
and the words of the guard still lin
gered in her mind.
AS she approached the edge of the
city she was alarmed when she saw the
same six men there whom she had met
at her entrance; but, striving to quiet
her heart. and Lot reveal the fear I'm
der which she labored, she walked
steadily on.
Here's my wench again." laughed
one of the soldiers as she drew near.
"And what luck?'
II sold my eggs"
DOUBTLESS. And was Mistress Jones
purchaser"
81 know not Mistress JONES'" replied
Maggie, endeavoring to pass on.
"'Tis well for you, my wench. And
what have you in the basket now? A
bread loaf as live! ',Tis the very thing
l most desire" And the soldier rough
ly grasped the basket and seized the
loaf which it contained.
"The bread l would give my little sis
ter who is ill.," said Maggie, with trem-
bling voice. II pray you to take it not
from me-"
Her evident distress moved the SOL
der, and one of them roughly said to
the man who had taken her bread: Let
the wench go, Jack. A bread loaf would
hardly satisfy us to-day. Ills Tall
madge's head crave. Give her the bas-
ket and let the poor girl 60"
! With a. laugh the soldier returned the
basket and the bread, little dreaming
of their contents, and Maggie sped on,
not even turning her head to sec if she
were pursued. Perhaps if she had
looked back the sight would not have
comforted her, for the six men were
standing together, and the frequent
chances they cast at the departing girl
showed that they were talking of her.
But, all unconscious of what was 60
ing on behind her, Maggie kept on her
way and when once she was on the
country road she broke into a run, all
unwearied by her long journey. She
had information of Importance, and the
thoughts of her father and brother in
Valley Forge, and the little sister at
home, gave her renewed strength.
She was almost breathless when at
last she entered the inn and delivered
the loaf to the impatient major,
who was waiting for her according to
his promise.
"'Tis well you have done, Maggie,
my girl" said Maj. Tallmadge, as he
broke open the loaf and quickly found
the folded note within. This shall not
be forgotten
The major did not finish the SEN
tence, for just then the landlady en-
tered the room with white face, de-
! claring she could see band OF British
light horse coming swiftly up the road.
They've suspected you, Maggie"
said the major, quickly. twill neverdo
TO leave you here. Can you mount and
ride behind me?"
r" Il cam. replied Maggie, quickly, and
before the words-had been spoken Maj.
Tallmadge ran from the room and
moment afterwards was before the door
with his Rect black horse. up behind
me. Quick! For your life!"
Maggie grssped his oatstretched
hand and in moment was behind the
fmaior with her arms tightly clasped
about his waist. 80.
Snow, ,Jehu, go!. said the major to
his horse, and the black steed started
with the speed Of the wind. Maggie
almost lost her grasp as the major
turned for a moment and replied with
a haunting yell to the band which he
l3could see swiftly approachingdown the
hillside;. but her arms were strong, and
though Der face was white and her eyes
blurred. she chung to her protector
throughout the wild ride which fol-.
lewed.. Z,
+. On swept Jehu with his load. and on
came the band of red coats. The woods
bv the roadside seemed to rush past
them. The breathing of the horse was
soon labored and hard. and his black
sides were covered with foam; but his
swift pace was never relaxed for an in
slant. Once or twice he stumbled and
nearly fell, but sharp pull on the
bride and a quick word from the major
restored him and the mad race contin-
i:ued. His -hoofs thundered over the
lrudes bridges. they struck fire from the
stones in the road. but Jehu minded
none ;of these things, for life and death
hing on lis efforts That day,
For an hour1the mad race continued,
and then, when the borders Of German
tawn were reached and the red coats
turned back in fear. Mai. Tallmadge
drew the rein on his black steed. and.
as he helped the wearied girl 70 the
rround, be said. with smile; IT'S
pftv we lost that bread. Maggie. for
Washington sadly, needs III; but lar