The Worthington advance., 1900-10-12

time to intercept him on the river
road"
Half an hour later the girl appeared
at the big Tree on the crossroads and
told her story.
1T isn't likely that British spy
would be walking the highways in
broad daylight" responded the father,
"but if he be stranger to these parts
let us overhaul him. If ne De an hon.
est man it will do no harm. Come,
girl, you may 60 with us and return
by the road.''
The stranger had dallied by the
wayside after the girl had parted
from him. 1t was q glorious morning.,
and the squirrels were gathering their
breakfast from the hazel bushes, and
the wild grapes tempted the wayfarer
to stop here and there. He thus sacri-
feed a quarter of an hour, and they
were the minutes that saved a nation.
The three patriots and the maiden
had scarcely reached the river road
when the stranger came along. He
was humming lively air and switch
ing at the dusty bushes. At the cry
of Haiti" he stopped in his tracks.
He saw only the three men at first.
A troubled look came into his eyes,
but it passed swiftly away. and he
smiled as he said:
Il had expected to meet you further
up the road. but it is we'll. Have you
encountered any rebels this morn
ing?"
"Then-then you are kings man ?"
asked Paulding.
"Of course, and you are sent to
meet me-"
1"' The> three men looked at him in ST.
lence and with very serious faces. He
was still smiling when the girl stepped
out into the road. Then his face went
white in an instant. He had wonder
full self-control. however. The pallor
disappeared and was replaced by .
smile, and, bowling in a courtly way,
he said:
II am charmed that we meet again.
Men, here is gold to divide between
you, and bid you good day."
mot so FAST" said Williams, as he
blocked the way. 1--WE must know all
about you before you can pass on"
"Surely he is soldier and an Eng.
lishman," said the girl to herself, but
aloud.
"Fie, friends. you are over-particu-
lar this morning." lightly answered
the stranger, as he again displayed his
gold. take this and let us part in
peace"
When they sternly demanded infor.
nation his hesitation and confusion
aroused suspicion. They insisted on q
search of his person, and under the
soles of his feet were found the docu-
ments which told the world that Ben
edict Arnold was traitor.
He said no word when they were
discovered, but he looked at the maid
en- and bowed and smiled. In his in
herent gallantry he had praised and
complimented, and in return she had
sent him to the gallows as spy. The
girl did not understand this at first.
The men had the written proofs be-
fore them that trusted general had
bartered his honor for gold, and that
the stranger in their grasp was spy.
But they were slow-witted and loath
to believe. It was hours before they
realized the full measure of the crime,
and then they had less nerve than the
one accused. :
As they led him away from Pauld-
ing's house: he knew every step he
took was toward the gallows, but,
bowling to and smiling at the fair
faced daughter, he kindly and cour-
teously said:
II thank you for the favors you
have extended, and wish you happi-
ness" i.
IL did not mean to do it'll" cried
the maid, with tears in her eyes and q
sob in her throat.
II have forgiven you," he answered,
as he bowed again. Good day, once
more"
And they remembered him only a
Maj. Andre, the soldier-the gentle
man-the Standardization Globe.