The Monticellonian., 1898-02-18

talking of her and her errand. Realiz- ing the need of increased caution, Mag eie passed on, and soon stopped at sey- eral houses, where she easily disposed ef 2 portion of her burden. Declining to part with them all, for each pur- chaser desired to gain the contents of the basket, she pushed on until she eh- tered the street where Mistress Jones lived. No one was in sight and she ran quickly up the steps and lifted the heavy knocker.
 She had hardly given the summons, when she saw a red=eoated soldier ap- pear or the corner of the street, and stop and gaze curiously at her as she stood before the door. She was in a tlutter of excitement when the servant admitted her, and she said:
 "I would see Mistress Jones 1 have some eggs for sale, and perhaps she will buy"
 Doubtless she wiil that" replied the you 10 see her. l can pay you," and she started from the hall as if to get her money.
 'Nay. nay said Maggie, quickly, .I would deal with Mistress Jones her self"
 The servant made no response as she turned 70 seek the mistress, and in a few minutes Mrs. Jones herself ap- peared.
 Was t tome you desired 10 speak ?"
 "Yes, have fresh eggs to sell"
 You are sure they are fresh 2s
 "They are that, fresh and prime. too"
 Mistress Jones looked lzeenly at Mag eie as she heard the combination of words which Was we'll understood bY her. and she quickly replied: .Nou have brought your wares to the right mar llet. l see" She then took the basket from Maggie's hand, and in few mo- ments returned with loaf of bread. She did not inform her that within the loaf there was note concealed, but Maggie understood. It was all as she had been informed it would be.
 If you lose the bread, or find it ne eessary to destroy it, you may simply say to your friend: Not yet Do you understand" ."
 "I do, replied Maggie, quietly, as she again took her basket and prepared 10 depart. The door was quickly closed behind her, and she fingered a moment on the steps before she went down to the street. She could see no one now, and the curious soldier had disap- pcared; but Maggie's fear was none the l. e1t, tod l,at ctr 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 Ter heart. and Lot reveal the fear un- der which she lahored, she walked steadily on.
 Heres my wench again. laughed one of the soldiers as she drew near And what luek?'
 T sold my eggs"
 Doubtless And was Mistress Jones a purchaser??'
 q 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 l live! 'Tis the very thing | 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 i'll, said Maggie, with trem- bling voice. "I pray you to 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 ns to-day. 'Tis Tall- madge's head crave. Give her the bas- llet and let the poor girl go"
 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 see 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 gIances they cast at the departing girl showed that they were talking of her.
 But. all unconscious of what was go- ing on behind her, Maggie kept on her way and when once she was on the country road she broke into 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 i home, gave her renewed strength.
 She was almost breathless when at