Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-10-04

"Well, Friend Craig, sent the
whole family early to bed, as request
ed to do, bat myself felt very anx-
lous to know what was going on of so
much Importance, and so | did what
| never did before-took off nv shoes.
walked on tip-tO- To the door of the
room where the men were, put nv
ear To the key hole and listened, and
heard what have Informed thee Of"
"God bless YOU. Lydia Darrah, for
noble wornanl' said the colonel with
excited warmth; perhaps You have
saved our country knows? For
had this plan succeeded, which We
Will nov defeat, and General Wash
ington been taken prisoner, | much
fear our cause would have been hope
| less"
81 will make haste to finish INV
story, for thee must ride fast to George
Washington. After hearing what
have said, stole back to my room,
trembling az thr Importance of what
| had heard Nheu the men. soon
after. knocked Oh my door for me to
ge' up aud let them out. pretended
To be- asleep, and they had to knock
three times. Then | came out. rub
bing my eyes, and saw them of. But
slept none that night, for thinking
what ought to DO. aud did not
dare 10 tell my husband for fear the
secret might get ont. wanted 10
get the information 20 George Wash.
ingtou aud save a great uan, lives.
bat for some time | could no see my
way clear TO do it. At last il oc-
CURED TO me that might 20 to
Fraukford for some flour, if the man
Howe would give me pass out of
town. went over 90 him and he
gave IT. Then | told William and
my family that would 20 alone TO
Frankford for the flour, hich great
~ surprised them and caused much
remonstrance. But did 20 alone.
and thee sees. friend. how much
have since Straved behind the mill" 9"
la due time Lydia Darrah return
ed home with her flour, secretly trem-
bling at all she had done, and the
fear of discovery. The night follow
ing she lay awake and heard the
heavy. solemn tramp, tramp, tramp,
OF the British troops, As they march
ed past her window. and OH out of
the city To surprise, defeat and cap
ture the army for whose success she
had not only often prayed, but had so
lately periled more than life.
When. few days after, these same
troops returned, Lydia Darrah dared
not ask the question she was most
anxious to have answered, lest her
emotion might betray her. Soon af-
tea the acknowledgement called upon
her and said:
MADAM, will you DO me the favor
to enter my room, that may ask YOU
few important questions"
Lydia Darrah, believing her secre
discovered, either 10y chance or be.
trayai. turned deadly pale, and al
most tainted with terror; but fortu-
nately the officer took no notice of
her emotion, and soon recovering her
self she determined to boldly brave
out the worst. She therefore went to
his apartment with firm step. nor
showed any signs of trembling when
she saw him lock the door.
"Now. madam" he said, with stern
and stately dignity, as he handed her
II seat and stood facing her. II beg
You will answer me truly, as if your
life were at stake. Who was the last
/ person up of your family on the last
night | was closeted In this room with
IA brother officer"
Myself" was the firm and quiet
reply of Lydia Darrah.
Are you certain, madam"
Quite for thee requested me to
send all the family to bed by eight
o'clock, and ! did SO, myself going
last"
"You would be willing to swear to
this, madam"
I've Friends never swear" return
ed the other, with dignity; "but thee
has my word for the fact"
well" returned the officer, with
an air of chagrin. II do not nnder