Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-09-03

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Vermont line, can be? Well, it was
just that kind of a morning when
Elizabeth Brewers went to the corn
house and had an adventure. She
was after an ear of corn for her pet
horse. As she unlatched the corn
house door she heard rustling sound
within. ''Rats," thought Elizabeth,
and was undisturbed. But as she
opened the door she saw man. He
had been facing away from the door,
probably peering through the cracks
in the direction of the road, but he
had turned as she opened it. He was
q tall man and young one. He wore
the cooked hat of the American militia
man, but otherwise his dress was that
OF q civilian.
"Well, sir?" said Elizabeth, in
quiringlx She was startled, but not
frightened.
"Well, young mistress?" returned
the intruder, looking her coolly in the
face.
"May I ask the nature of the bust
ness which brings you to my fathers
cornhouse?'
Tramps were unheard of in those
days, and thieves were equally un-
known in that section.
"You may ask, but I would rather
not answer"
'But I insist, sir"
''Then I obey. The garrison of the
fortress in the village is to be paraded
in yonder field to-day. I came here
to watch the evolution. I entered
your fathers courthouse because its
open walls offered an excellent place
of observation and shelter"
"Why not make your observation in
the open?"
because I wish to see without
being seen."
"Then you are Yankee spy"
'Your eyes are gray"
''You are an enemy of my country" "
81 am your sincere admirer."
'Your words are unbecoming; I
have not met you before, SIR"
''Nor I you, but the best of good
fortune comes when least expected. !"
''This meeting can mean no good
fortune to you, sir"
"And why not?"
because must deliver you to the
authorities as captured spy"
81 became your captive the moment
I looked into your eyes,"
"You are pleased to speak very
lightly of your situation, SIR"
"Not so; ! was never more serious
in my life. Falling in love is no light
matter"
"You seem to make no hard work
of it,"
''It was no task at ALL"
"We are not talking sense, sir.
What am to do with you?"
"What do you usually do with your
captives?"
"I-I never had one before"
"Then all the men hereabouts must
be blind"
II am in earnest, sir. I find you
hiding in my fathers courthouse, and
you admit"
'That ] think your eyes are beauti-
full"
Elizabeth made gesture of impati-
ence at the interruption.
"My father and Captain Rylance, of
the Garretson Guards, are at this mo-
ment within CALL" she continued.
"Should I shout they would come and
take you prisoner. 1t is my duty to
tell them"
"Liz' beth! Liz BETH"
The voice came from the direction
of the house.
"Yes, mothery' responded the girl.
"What are you doing?"
"I-why, 1 am getting some corn, "
Elizabeth stammered.
The man in the cornhouse laughed
easily, and Elizabeth for the first time
flushed.
"Do not think it is because of your
fine words that I have not exposed
you," she said. "Itis because have
naught to do with war and wish you no
harm. You-you may go, now, sir,
and pray be quick"
II thank you, Elizabeth, but believe
me, never saved my neck with so
much reluctance. Since I have learned
your name will tell you mine; it is
Matthew Alden. I am of Vermont,
and am on the staff of General Hamp.
ton. Goodby, but remember, I am
still your captive" and before Eliza
beth could stop him the tall young
man had held her for q second in his
arms and touched his lips to hers.
Then he had disappeared behind the
barn.
Just what were Elizabeth s thoughts
for the next few hours I do not pre-