Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-07-06

CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.) =,

CHAPTER 1X.-(Continued) =.
They were out Of hearing by this time,
sand Sylvia, flying on winged feet, was
making her swift way homeward. Never
In her life had she been so reused, so in
tensely excited, so boiling over with indig-
A., nation.
Z "Oh, if my father or Dave were only
here to punish them sOundly! How could
they dare to be so base, so mean, so dis
honorable, to Auntie Townsend! One old
woman.' Oh, dear! Oh, dear! If were
only a mani
Mistress Esther, busily occupied in
teaching Dolly how to bind off stocking
heel, wondered now and then what kept
Sylvia so late. She was greatly startled
when the girl, breathless and crimson
checked, burst into the quiet kitchen,
pouring forth torrent of narrative and
exclamation impossible to understand. De
sire, hearing the commotion, came out
from Aunt Racheps room, closing the
door behind her. By degrees Sylvia calm
ed down sufficiently to tell her story with
some conference.
Without doubt they are royalists, come
from Virginia to join Gen. Gage in Bos-
ton. 1t is almost certain that they are
bearers Of important information said
Mistress Esther, after a thoughtful Sill
ence They show their shrewdness IN
begging hospitality Of Mistress Townsend
ON the outskirts Of the village, where it is
sI1nown no man dwells, rather than with
those suspected of being their friends.
IT'S a burning shame that she is so i'm
posed upon! l believe it was the hand Of
Providence which led you to visit her this
afternoon, Sylvia. Can you trust to His
guidance and protection if you ride to
Cambridge this night?"
II, mother?" cried Sylvia, scarcely be-
lieving that she heard Alright. She jump
ed from her chair and came to her moth
erFs side.
t.Oh, if / only might go! I thought of
It. but did not dare to ask you. l never
dreamed shat you would give your con-
-sent!'
Mistress Esther smiled as she patted
the burning cheek OF her eager young
daughter.
'"These are days when strange duties are
laid upon us all. / see clearly that it is
my duty, since these i'll tidings have come
to me, to send word to your father, that
he may give warning and have these willy
fellows intercepted. And whom can L
send but you and little Joseph? He is still
100 uluCu Ol Il Culiu " ~ Jul CAhOuso1A
OF a man to be your safe companion. You
know the way. Featherfoot will bear you
speedily. No one would judge you to be
ON an errand of great Importance, 1t may
DE, to the colony. but rather believe you
as you seem, a young maid attended by
her brother, bearing to her father in camp
q pail of fresh butter and other things.
The hour chosen is not altogether fitting,
but something must be risked, and the
chance by far is that you will be chal-
lenged by none. How does this plan ap-
pear TO you, Desire? p
LAS full of your excellent common sense,
mother 1t is but now grown dark. If
they start within half an hour they can be
with my father before time for retiring.
IT'S not as though they were to be out
at midnight They will be watched over
and guarded, l doubt not, and l would
trust Sylvia anywhere to be discreet and
womanly.'
Tears filled Sylvia's eyes at this rare
praise from the sister upon whom she look
ed as we'll nigh faultless.
Il will try to do just as you would have
me, Desire" she said.
Mother" spoke up little Joseph, with
a gravity beyond his years, Il think Mr.
if you ask him."
Eyes, my son, he would" his mother
answe cred, kindly, ''but you will learn that
In all affairs like this it is well to keep the
facts confined to very few: If you should
20 over to Mr. Benefits in ever so quiet
III Way some one would be almost sure to
see, you and overhear or suspect your err
rand, especially if he were known to leave
home in haste Immediately afterw ard. The
surprising news would be whispered from
one to another and good chance given fer
our royalists to escape. We wish to allow
them no such occasion. By their own
words they are to remain where they are
until dawn By that time. if all goes well
matters will be arranged for their cap
ture."
The boys eyes kindled. He leaned
against his mothers knee and gazed up at
her.
II understand you, mother. think you
are as wise as my father"
A pretty red color crept into Mistress
Esther's comedy face at this unexpected
compliment.
Tut, tut, my boy! 'Twould never do to
let your father hear you say such thing
as that" she laughed. Nov we must to
work. Desire, see that Sylvia is properly
dressed for her ride, and put up pail of
butter we made last week; also basket OF
doughnuts-my willow basket with the
cover will be best to pack them in.
Light the lantern, Joseph; and, you,
too, Dolly, may come out to the barn with
,us and help saddle the horses"
CHAPTER <,
mot what have, but what I do, is my
kingdom"