Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-31


He had barely disappeared when strange
thing happened. was facing the bed when
heard an exclamation come from behind
the curtains, which were drawn close, and at
the same time they parted, discovering
youth clad in u long Quaker cloak which de-
scended halfway down his shapely calves.
For the moment was startled, but at once
surmised that he was the dumb brother of
my companion. Ames sprang forward to
meet him, the boy greeting him with smile
and hand clasp, but, pushing past my
guide, he advanced to where stood by the
table, and with ripping laugh which there
was no installing astonished me by saving:
Donald Thorndyke here! Has he, too,
escaped? Heaven is indeed good! / have no
need of counterfeiting dumbness with him,
Beverly, by what fortune"
The flow of words was cut short here, for
Ames let out cry just as cleared my mud
died brain and recognized the girl, Gertrude
King, disguised as a Quaker. With the
cloak gathered about her as though to con-
ceal her altered apparel, and slightly bent as
IN shrinking modesty, she stood with eyes
and lips apart, while my late guide grasped
my hand and said:
by the Lord! but I struck better than /
knew. Why, man, twas you who gave me
the first hand in help, and that at the fire,
but have never seen your face closely till
now. knew you as the savior of my sister,
but had no guess was in your debt for my
self"
We're quits, as you said, but it's small
debt. She is your sister, then!" ex-
claimed, in Hny bewilderment referring to
the matter Which had been bothering me.
How is it l am thus hoodwinked? Have
we not Just sworn"
Nay, FRIEND" he broke in entreatinply.
II but guessed at you at first. This dumb.
ness has been mask from the start. Twas
that and your pass which got Gertrude
through the lower lines. but continued it
with you, fearing you would shirk the risk
OF having u girl share what adventure we
might have in store. You gave me to un-
derstand that much. Be not offended"
Nay, Beverly, l could have told you bet
teri" said the girl. Capt. Thorndyke, you
must pardon my appearance, nor think am
unsexed inwardly as outwardly when say
that know you will not refuse your help
to me; for, as you once risked your life for
mine, you will not leave us and put it be-
yond my power to do my share in making
good the debt. The same. feeling which babe
you defy Clinton will surely not allow you
to leave me while am still unfortunate!
And can help. I will not faint nor lose my
head and cry out if danger comes. / can
shoot; ay, and will, if need bel"
She was striking object as she stood
there in the light of the single candle. As
she spoke she stepped forward, the cloak |
slipping from her hands and falling about |
her in graceful folds. Not whit less of a |
beauty was she for all that her hair was
shorn for more than halt its length and
stained almost black, for in her male at
tire there was no installing the grace of her
sex, which in her accentuated. In her pres
ent rig she seemed less tall than in her
proper costume, but it gave freedom to her
movements, and there were ease and supple |
ness in even the small gesture of extending /
her arms toward me as if to add weight to |
her words. From top to toe there was
about her, and 1 little wondered
at Scammel's nfatuation. How on earth
she had passed the lines without having
been suspected was puzzle, unless, indeed,
she too, like her brother, was skilled in act
ing a part.
Mistress Gertrude" replied, bending
my head, whereat she attempted courtesy,
which, to say the least, was graceful despite
the lack of sweeping drapery, you need
not think me generous when tell You that
the oath which binds me to help your broth
er binds me to help you also, and to the
last extremity. These may be but empty
words; danger lies in every quarter, nor
can probe way through. Madam, donot
count on the success of my best efforts, but
for the sake of all know them to be my best. /
nd nav for your story: but. first. how isit