Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-03
CHAPTER K.

THE HERoIsM OF GERTRUDE KING.
Gen. Clinton stood as if stricken with
catalepsy, while sprang to Mrs. Badely.
sling from me and, lifting the lady, bore her
the girl had given violent start, and, as
though taking for granted that the escaped
party referred to was her brother, she
raised her hands and exclaimed fervently:
''Thank God! thank God!" Then the
emotion she had bravely 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 o
strong inward struggle, but the expression
of his face BODIED little good to the girl who
still stood before him. In moment he
Strengthened himself, and pointing to the
weeping maiden, sternly said:
Capt. Lounsbury, call my orderly, and
see that this woman is placed in confine-
ment. Report to me when it is DONE"
1t appeared that the moment had arrived
| when 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, care little for what you
may do to me. The only load I had has been
lifted. My brother is free! Listen to me!
He was never arrested as spy, never tried
in any court, never condemned to be
hanged! knew he was to be secretly re-
moved from his prison.. of that I was in
formed by one of your own officers, and /
came here to demand his whereabouts. Is
not my so-called beauty as powerful for my
interests as your commands for yours? Look
to yourself, Sir Knight! What know of
you will find a ready ear, but, Sir Henry
Clinton, you will scarce have the courage to
demand an earldom from the one who hears
it,"
The utterly fearless way in which she
spoke, coupled with sarcasm and a taunt the
nature of which l then knew nothing, drove
the British general into fury. Springing
to his feet and again slamming the table, he
shouted:
! ARREST her, sir! Arrest her instantly!
Stop her vile mouth! Good God! am to
be thus bearded by self-confessed 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" replied, clearly, but
without moving, II shall never arrest her
nor see her arrested here; rather would /
see her canonized. 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, sirl 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.
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 !
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
a fruitless effort at freeing himself, he
shouted:
What! Capt. Lounsbury, would you mur
der your commaRder?"
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!" l exclaimed in
my excitement. ri have been damned by
that name weeks enough! Know me aa
Donald Thorndyke, an enemy to the king.
Quick noMl" said I turning t. the girl.