Willmar tribune., 1899-07-26

time was thrown open violently by female,
and now it was Mrs. Badely who reentered.
There was no affectation about her as she
hurried in and closed it behind her. With
her hand on the knob, her face blanched to
an ash color, and her whole figure trem-
bling, she pointed to the defiant girl and
burst out:
"She is traitor! she is traitor! ct her
not 50 hence! 0 Sir Henry! Sir Henry! he
has escaped! He has been back and-taken
-all-those-"
She got no further, but, tottering slightly,
gradually sank to the floor in real or pre-.
tended faint.
CHAPTER K.
THE HERoIsM OF GERTRUDE KING.
Gen. Clinton stood as if stricken with
catalepsy, while l sprang to Mrs. Badely.
Discarding the useless disguise, threw my
sling from me and, lifting the lady, bore her
to the couch. AS her aunt sank to the floor
the girl had given violent start, and, as
though taking for granted that the escaped
party referred to was her brother, she
raised he- hands and exclaimed fervertly:
''Thank God! thank God!" Then the
emotion she had bravely suppressed when
her misfortune seemed at it's height over
came her on the relaxation of the strain, and
she broke into torrent of tears.
Giving no further attention to Mrs. Bade-
ly, l turned and looked at Clinton. He had
sunk into his chair, and was undergoing a
strong inward struggle, but the expression
Of his face boded 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 confne-
ment. Report to me when it is donc.'
It 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, I care little for what you
may do to me. The only load 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 was in.
formed by one of your own officers, and
came here to demand his whereabouts. Ia
not my so-called beauty as powerful for my
interests as your commands for yours? Loo!;
to yourself, Sir Knight! What know OF
you will find ready ear, but, Sir Henry
Clinton, you will scarce have the courage ia
demand an earldom from the one who hears
it,
The utterly fearless way in which she
Av1 Il I'd ~,
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 a self-confessed trait
ress?"
By this I 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, Il shall never arrest her
nor see her arrested here; rather would
see her canonized. Do your own dirty
work"
Hell and furies!" he thundered, fairly
bounding from the floor. "What means this
treason? You are under arrest yourself,
sir! What, sir! you defy me?"
As he spoke he moved from behind the
table and took a 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 OF the scafold, in an instant
| was ahead of him, and, quickly locking the
door, threw the key through the open win.
dow.
l was none too soon. Through the heavy
mahogany heard the approach of hurried
footsteps, and the knob twisted while vet
my hand was on it.
With AL 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-
diate assassination, and gasped, then after
a fruitless effort at freeing himself, he
shouted:
"What! Capt. Lounsbury, would you mur
der your commander"
I 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!" I exclaimed in
my excitement. Il have been damned by
that name weeks enough! Know me al
Donald Thorndyke, an enemy to the king
now!" said turning to the girl.
"Here is pass ready written. Get away
out of the window! will cover your 60
ing" And with that snatched the writ.
ing from the table and held it toward her.
BY this time there was violent knocking
at the door and some shouting in the hall,
but, taking no notice of the shortness Of time
allowed for her escape, the girl stepped close
to me, and, peering into my face with up-
disguised surprise upon her own counter.
ance, said:
care you from Washington"
may, MISS" I answered, II am but a
free-lance; not from him, but for him to the
end. Hurry your leaving, and God bless you
for brave lass!" y
But you-but you! Must take the
sacrifce?" u: - '.:5-..
II am already known and outlawed.
Hurry! Heaven help the first man who en-.
ters this room now! Ifyou would prevent
bloodshed, leave at. once. / will follow be.
times. Live for your brothers sakel Get
gone get gqne!" a..
4 Taking the PAPER had pushed into her
hand, she gave me a smile that was bene-
,diction; the memory of which comes to me az
Iswrite. Turning, she hastened to the bal.