Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-04-12

'N SOc', heu Boiutu tne respect
OF HE officers, aud had Just been
mentioned for promotion.
lie Indignantly denied the charge.
but mysterious paper found on him
had caused grave thoughts. He had
attempted To explain that he knew
nothing about the fatal paper, but
his explanation had not been found
sufficient To save him from arrest.
a few troopers under sub officer
had been detailed to watch the house
OF the prisoners father, who, despite
his aye and the fact that he had Just
been sent home from the ranks.
wounded. was forthwith suspected of
being Tory. and an abettor of his
son.
1t had been weary day To the
prisoner at Morrist0wn. and IA very
sad one to Hope aud the old grand
father.
The presence of the troopers in
creased their fears, and it was not un
TIL long IN the nighi that lthe rude
jollity below stairs having ceased) the
nervous sufferer became somew hat
quiet.
Then Hope sang TO HIM. soft aud
low, aS "A mother 10 sick child. and
soon she had the satisfaction of see
Ing the wrinkled eye lids close over
the weary eyes.
Theu she aros- uoiselrssly. aud.
going to the window, looked out into
the dark night.
II was growing still colder without.
and the rain had ceased.
~ must 20, -hr declared. reso
iutciy. IF | can but see General
Washington. am sure he will not
let father die traitors death e
Wrapping a shawl about her head
aud shoulders. Hope let herself out
of the chamber. quietly secured the
door, aud descended Ihe dark stair
way.
As she stole cautiously along the
hall, her heart in tumult of emo
uonS, she saw. through the half open
door leading into the kitchen, that
the troopers were either asleep or
heavily doing. In another moment
she was outside in the night aud the
cold.
The night was very dark. Great,
dense black clouds scudded across
the heavens as if they were mockinglv
endea'Oring To outstrip her; aud but
the mercst fragment of new moon,
with "A few baShful stars. could be
seen throught drift, we'll down in
the western sky.
She had gone nearly mile from
home when she came To stream.
swollen almost into IA torrent by the
recent thaw aud rains.
Hope ran along the marshy bank
until she found the place-spanned
10y two long plankS-used as n bridge
10y the country folk who wished 10
shorten the distance to town.
She started to cross the planks.
but when near the middle of the
stream IA water fowl arose from be
meath her and flew away over her
head, with wild, frightened cries.
So unexpected, so sudden was Its
appearance that Hope started back
nervously. The plankS were lev
where the rain had frozen on them
the evening before, and her feet slip
ping she fell and came near being
thrown IN the stream. With despe-
rate strength she held firmly on to
the plank and tried to draw her BODY
up. But her little frail arms were
unequal To the task and there she
hung with feet dangling in the foam
ing water.
One moment she clung In awful
peril; then "a tall figure stepped
swiftly out on the bridge and Hope
was lifted 10y pair of strong arms
and carried safely to the opposite
bank.
Looking up, half shyly. MS the
moon continued to lend the feeble
light, Hopes clear eyes scanned her
rescuer.
He was very tall, very erect and
wrapped III "a gray cloak.
''My child"-and the tall figure
bent over her kindly-"it is dark.
cold night for you to be abroad.