The herald., 1898-01-16

L 90, repueu 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 Maggies 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 not reveal the fear un-
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?"
"I sold my eggs"
Doubtless. And was Mistress Jones
purchaser"
II 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 I live! 'Tis the very thing
most DESIRE" And the soldier rough
ly grasped the basket and seized the
loaf which it contained.
'"The bread would give my little sis
ter, who is ill.," said Maggie with trem-
bling voice. II pray you take it not
from me-
Her evident distress moved the sol
dier, 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. 'Tis
Tallmadges head crave. Give her the
basket and let the poor girl 60"
With a laugh the soldier returned
the basket and the bread, little dream
ing of their contents, and Maggie sped
on, not even turning her head to see
If she was pursued. Perhaps II she
had looked back the sight would not
have comforted her, for the six men
were standing together, and the fire.
quent glances they cast at the depart
ing girl, showed that they were talking
of her.
But all unconscious Of what was going
on behind her, Maggie kept on her way
and when once she was on the country
road, she broke into a run, all un-
information of Importance, and the
thoughts of her father and brother in
Valley Forge, and the little sister al
home, gave her renewed strength.
She was almost breathless when al
last she entered the inn and delivered
the loaf to the impatient Major, who
was waiting for her according to his
promise.
""Tis we'll you have done, Maggie
my GIRL said Major Tallmadge, aus he
broke open the loaf and quickly found
the folded note within. "This shall moi
be forgotten
The Major did not finish the sentence
for just then the landlady entered the
room with white face, declaring she
could see band Of British light horse
coming swiftly up the road.
They've suspected you. Maggie
said the Major quickly. Twill never
do to leave you here. Can you mount
and ride behind me?"
IT can," replied Maggie quickly, and
before the words had been spoken Ma
jor Tallmadge ran from the room and a
moment afterwards was before the door
with his fleet black horse. up behind
me. Quick! For your life!"
Maggie grasped his outstretched
hand and in a moment was behind the
Major with her arms tightly clasped
about his waist.
"Now, Jehu. got" said the Major tt
his horse, and the black steed started
with the speed Of tine wind. Maggie
almost lost her grasp as the Major
turned for a moment and replied with
a haunting yell to the band which he
could see swiftly approaching down the
hillside; but her arms were strong, and
though her face was white and he1
eyes blurred, she clung to her protector
throughout the wild ride which fol
lowed.
For an hour the mad race continued
and then, when the borders of German
town were reached and the red coats
turned back in fear, Major Tallmadge
drew the rein on his black steed, and
ais he helped the wearied girl to the
ground, he said, with a smile: "'Tis a
pity we lost that bread Maggie, for
Washington sadly needs it; but far
more he needs what the bread con-
tained and what he will socn have now
You have saved us from a sad, and
what might have been, a costly mis-
take, this day, my girl"
EVERETT T. TOMLINSON.
Copyright, 1898, by Bacheller Syndicate