Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-08-26
CHAPTER v,

knew no living relative, yet those who
Joined him In sincere mourning, and In
sacredly revering the memory Of the de-
parted, were many. The leading congress
sional delegates were present at the run
eral, and the first men Of the city took
charge Of the services. Throughout all
that region the truly patriotic felt thatthc
country had been called to sustain great
loss; but some there were who believed
tina, the departed hero had left son who
would make his place good.
Robert had no opportunity. even had
the inclination been his, for idle repining.
for Immediately following the settlement
Of household matters, the duties OF his
new office demanded his attention. But
In fact. the death of his father served to
inspire rather than to dcpress him. Only
one source Of regret was left, and that.
at times. afforded food for deepest per.
plexity. Not a tangible point Of knowl-
edge had he gained Of that strange old
man. stephen Wilson. What his father
had found breath to speak had served
only to increase the base Of mystery. He
had known that Wilson was an English.
man. and since. having learned that Eng
land had been his fathers native land, he
was convinced that in other years there
had been some important relations be.
tween them. And. moreover, there was
some secret connected with the tails
manic sword which Stephen Wilson was
to reveal to him.
"Oh! II my father could only have told
me the story! II he had only spoken
when he was stronger-bcfore the hand
Of death had been laid upon him! fear.
now, that I shall never know. Stephen
Wilson Is gone beyond my reach, and ]
may never see him again. Alas! I fear
the gates OF the tomb have closed upon
the secret forever!"
30 mourned the youth very often In the
first days OF his disappointment; but his
active duties ere long wore Of the insinu.
ating edges Of his perplcxity. He had
expected that, as soon as his company
was full and ready for service. he would
be sent to New York to Join Gen. Wash.
ington: but such was not the case; and
since 1t was made to appear to him that
his presence was needed In Philadelphia
for time, he was willing to remain neat
Lillian.
"You are aware" said Robert Morris
who had been one Of the leaders In fur.
nishing the horses and equipments, "that
We are not only surrounded by Tories
but that the trait0rous wrctchcs Turk In
they may strike. Up the Schuylkill they
are organizing, and over In Jersey they
are already rampant. You must drill aud
discipline your troop. and hold yourself
IN readiness to answer any call that may
be made upon you. You will lind work
to do ere long, never fear."
~ will he ready" said the young cav.
airy leader.
"And one thing further. my young
FRIEND" said Benjamin Franklin, who
was In company with Morris. you mus,
be able to keep your own counsel. There
ere occasions when silence and circum
spection become the chief virtues. b
sure your every movement will be watch
ed, and that you will be approached In
every possible why by the enemies Of on,
cause. Not only have the Tories Of the
Schuylkill and Of Monmouth active and
insinuatng spies In our city. but some OF
the very leaders are here also"
Our hero promised that he would be
very careful.
On the evening OF that very day he wal
visited by his old tutor, DR.. Witherspoon
president Of Princeton College, ana one
Of the congressional delegates from New
Jersey.
my son." said the doctor. after variou,
matters Of general interest had been dis
cussed, "Mr. Morris desired me, when
saw you-and will confess that have
called this evening for that purpose---t'
ask you II you know the character Of id
cob Eastcourt."
The color deepened on the youths face
but he was not at oil Disconnected.
II know II very well, Doctor; and ! cal
imagiue why Mr.. Morris IL so anxious
! know that Jacob Eastcourt 10 q mos
bitter and Incorporating enemy to on
cause, aud know. furthermore, that b.
suffers my visits to-"
"Go on, my boy. Your love for hi
daughter IL no secret"
''Nor would / have It q secret, sir. Mr.
Eastcourt, since he knows ! am not I,
be swerved from my duty, suffers my Wis
Its to his daughter only In hopes that b.
may, through me, learn some OF our I'm
pOrtant secrets. But I am sufficient
forewarned. aud It will be my own faul
Il am not fOrearmed. And, Doctor,
think ] may trust you with q secret"
"YOu may, Robert, trust me implicitly.
"rhen know that both Jacob East
courts wife and daughter are, heart an,
soul, devoted to the patriot cause"
The young captain arose aud took 10,
turns across the room, and finally stoppe
and laid his hand upon his visitors shou
der.
MY dear Doctor. there are some thing
held 30 closely In the heart that we do no
like to be questioned about them; but
will set your mind ut rest, and you ca
give assurance to others who have RICH
to know. ! realize the responsibility rest
Ing upon me. ! fully appreciate the grea
trust reposed In me"
"Aye." interrupted Witherspoon, "it |
q great trust, for as our cavalry leader
az the one man In direct command Of tn
only trained soldiers we have here-yO
must be admitted to our most secret cour
sells"
~ know It, sir; and be sure you ma
trust me. ] will now say to you what
said to my father, In solemn pledge, bs
fore h. died. l love Lillian Eastcourt wit
all my heart, but should ! ever be Gale
upon to choose between her and my cOur
try, ] would fOrsake everything else o
earth for the cause Of Liberty and lnd'
pendence! Can you ask me morer'
mo, my boy; that 10 enough. Hence
forth we understand one another"
At this juncture Patience Angel cam
In and Informed her young master tha
two strange men had been lurking nea
the house for some time. and she wa
sure they Were on the watch.
We may here remark that the oil
house. near the Schuylkill, was still key
up. Robert had thought, at one time, {
breaking up housekeeping, and fndin
quarters with one OF his officers, but RI
thence had persuaded him to the di6Ierey