Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-08-03
CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER X.
THE HERoIsM OF GERTRUDE KING
Gen. Clinton stood as if stricken with
catalepsy, while l sprang to Mrs. Badely.
Discarding the useless disguise threw my
sling from me and, lifting the lady, bore her
to the couch. As her aunt sank to the floor
the girl had given a violent start, and, as
though taking for granted that the escaped
party referred to was her brother, she
raised hc- hands and exclaimed fcrvently:
"Thank God! thank God!" Then the
emotion she had bravcly suppressed when
her misfortune seemed at its height over
came her on the relaxation of the strain, and
she broke into torrent of tears.
Giving no further attention to Mrs. Babe
ly, turned and looked at Clinton. He had
sunk into his chair, and was undergoing a
strong inward struggle, but the expression
Of his face BODIED little good to the girl who
still stood before him. In a moment he
Strengthened himself, and pointing to the
weeping maiden, stcrnly said:
Capt. Lounsbury, call my orderly, and
see that this woman is placed in confne-
nent. Report to me when it is DONE
1t appeared that the moment had arrived
when l must declare myself, for to allow this
heroic girl to suffer the indignity of arrest
while l could prevent it, was not in my
books. was about to turn on him with my
answer when she lifted her head, and, direct
ing her wet eyes toward Clinton, said as
firmly as she had before spoken:
Gen. Clinton, l care little for what you
may do to me. The only load had has been
lifted. My brother is free! Listen to mel
He was never arrested as spy, never tried
in any court, never condemned to be
hangcd! l knew he was to be secretly re-
moved from his prison; of that was in.
formed by one of your own officers, and |
came here to demand his whereabouts. Is
not my so-calcd beauty as powerful for my
interests as your commands for yours? Look
to yourself, Sir Knight! What l know Of
you will find a ready ear, but, Sir Henry
Clinton, you will scarce have the courage to
demand an carldom from the one who hears
it,"
The utterly fearless way in which she
spoke, coupled with sarcasm and a taunt the
nature of which then knew nothing, drove
the British general into fury. Springns
to his feet and again slamming the table, he
shouted:
ARREST her, sir! Arrest her instantly!
Stop her vile mouth! Good God! am l to
be thus bearded by a sclf-confesscd trait.
ress?"
By this had gotten to pitch of spirits
that ripened me for any deed insuring the
safety of the gallant girl, and yet my head
was left clear enough to see the possible
consequence, of my act.
NAY, Sir Henry" l replied, clearly, but
without moving, II shall never arrest her
nor see her arrested here; rather would
sec her canonizcd. Do your own dirty
work"
Hell and furies" he Numbered, fairly
bounding from the floor. what means this
treason? You are under arrest yourself,
sir! What, sir! you defy me-"
As he spoke he moved from behind the
table and took couple of strides toward
the hall; but seeing his intention was to
call the sentry, and that for me it was now
the whole pace or the scaffold, in an instant
was ahead of him, and quickly locking The
door, threw the key through the open win
dow.
l was none too soon. Through the heavy
mahogany heard the approach Of hurried
footsteps, and the knob twisted while yet
my hand was on it.
With an oath Clinton turned toward the
table and grasped his sword; but again l
anticipated his action and was before him.
Laying my left hand on the weapon,
pressed it down, while with my right
pushed him into his chair and held him
there. He paled as though fearing imme-
date assassination, and gasped, then after
fruitless effort at freeing himself, he
shouted:
what! Capt Lounsbury, would you muir
der your commander
l rapidly shifted my grip, and to prevent
his further clamoring placed my hand over
his mouth, pinning his head fast to the back
of the chair.
Call me not Lounsbury!" exclaimed in
my excitement. 81 have been damned by
that name weeks enough! Know me a.
Donald Thorndykc, an enemy to the king
Quick, now!" said l turning to the girl.
"IIere is pass ready written Get away
out of the window! I will cover your 60
ing" And with that snatched the writ.
ing from the table and held it toward her.
BY this time there was a violent knocking
at the door and some shouting in the hall,
but, taking no notice OF the shortness OF time
allowed for her escape, the girl stepped close
to me, and, peering into my face with un.
disguised surprise upon her own counter
ance, said:
Are you from w washington.
"Nay, MISS" l answered, 81 am but
free-lance; not from him, but for him to the
end. Hurry your leaving, and God bless you
for brave lass!"
But you-but you! Must I take the
sacrificed"
Il am already known and outlawed.
Hurry! Heaven help the first man who en-
tiers this room now. II you would prevent
bloodshed, leave at once. l will follow be.
times. Live for your brothers sake Get
gone-get gone!"
Taking the Taper had pushed into her
hand, she gave me smile that was bene-
diction, the memory OF which comes to me as
I write Turning, she fastened to the bal
cony. I saw her gather her skirts, climb
over the light iron rail and drop-a matter
easily accomplished, as the window sill was
Il scarce SIX feet from the soil of the gar
den below.
And then turned attention to myself and
my own desperate situation.
There was nothing to do bat follow her
Immediately if hoped to escape, but, know
ing that every seconds delay helped the
maiden, I still held the general so that be-
could neither cry out nor prove aggressive
and so continued holding him for perhaps
the space OF minute.
In the meantime the attacks on the door
were becoming more violent, and even TIE
one through which Clinton had entered was
now being tried. Mrs. Badely, who had been
unattended through the episode, suddenly
recovered her senses and lifted herself up
right on the couch, when, seeing me appar-
emily strangling her lover, she set up 4
sllrielzirg that must have driven to desE,e-:-
ton those without.
G~o De coNY.HCHo.1