The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-11-24

en--much less for young maidens-
70 talk politics and war;
"But I thought you might be a
kings man. she said, as she looked
him squarely in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and Il was
full minute before he replied
''Leave war for mens little maid Z /
sb6pld guess thine age to pO about
I "a, and
sixteen sir.
~ stand corrected, but iet me dns /
fish. Chestnut hair, hazel eyes, q Gre
clan nose, perfect teeth, trim figure,
small feet and charming franlness.
There is great promise here, and
yet, aIackl a few years hence win I
see thee the wife Of boor, toiling
among these hills for his daily bread
He had not spoken with impertiL
nence, but the cheeks Of the maiden
reddened, and he saw that she was
angry. They walked on for q few
rods in silence, and then he halted
and uncoveRed his head ana making a
low bow, he said:
''T have hurt thee, and beg for
giveness. Let us talk of other things,
Is the road clear Of pickets and pa
triots?"
II believe IL is" she answered, mol
lifted by his words, ''but if you are
; of us you need fear no danger"
"Didst not tell thee to leave war
to men?" he asked with a laugh.
A few minutes later they came to
where the road branched, and as the
girl halted, she said:
"I go this way to my home, and you
( go that way to Tarrytown. Sir, I bid
( you good day."
/ "But not without clasp of the
!, hand" he replied, as he extended his
4 and doffed his hat. ''You have made
r. the walk pleasant for me. thank
s you and wish you happiness. Should
e we meet again"
E He did not finish. A cloud came to
s his face; he looked apprehensively
made grand bow and went his way
|, down the river road.
d ''Who can he boz" unused the girl,
+ as she stood and watched him. fHe
). is surely soldier and gentleman,
n but he is not one Of us. Are British
i spies men of gentle speech and court
.e ly manners?"
A. When She reached home she hat
% much to say to her mother Of thu
ye stranger who had walked with her o.
the highway, but she had spoken yer.
Of few words gvt the mother inter
lg rupted .s...,s &
lie "If the man is patriot, what wa
he doing at the house of tory? Cir
run and tell your father and Val
Vert and Williams. They will hav
IT, time to intercept him on the rive
IS. road"
~ Half an hour later the girl appeare,
r at the big tree on the crossroads ant
re told her story.
IN SIT isn't likely that British sp.
Sc would be walking the highways il
broad daylight" responded the father
e. shut if he be a stranger to these part
let us overhaul him. If he be an hon
Is- est man it will do no harm. Come
ee girl, you may go with us and returl
rs by the road"
re The stranger had dallied by tn
us wayside after the girl had parte'
,r- from him. 1t was glorious morning
to and the squirrels were gathering thei
III breakfast from the hazel bushes, AM
OF the wild grapes tempted the wayfare
to stop here and there. He thus sacri
nd feed quarter Of an hour, and the,
ae were the minutes that saved nation
,st The three patriots and the maidei
a had scarcely reached the river roa
.e- when the stranger came along. 81
nd was humming a lively air and switch
ed ing at the dusty bushes. At the cr
ed of ''Halt!" he stopped in his tracks.
er. He saw only the three men at first
IS A troubled look came into his eyes
but it passed swiftly away, and h
lie smiled as he said:
nd 81 had expected to meet you furthe
up the road, but it is well. Have 20
N encountered any rebels this morn
ss- ing2"
ut 'Then-then you are kings man?
,e- asked Paulding.
Of "Of course. and you are sent t
gh meet me-"
OF The three men looked at him in s
lis lence and with very serious faces. q
7as was still smiling when the girl steppe
at out into the road. Then his face we1
ott white in an instant. He had wonder
ice full self-control, however. The palle
disappeared and was replaced by
re- smile, and, bowing in courtly wa,
ier he said:
81 am charmed that we meet agail
I'VE Men, here is gold to divide betwee
Ell you, and bid you good day."
- ~ "Not so fast, said Williams, as
'ne blocked the way. "We must know a
about you before you can pass on"
-. Surely he is a soldier and an En-
& lishman," said the girl to herself, bl
ia aloud.
- ''Fie, friends, you are over-partici
~ lar this morning" lightly answerC
the stranger, as he again displayed h
"a gold. Take this and let us part
ia peace"
~ When they sternly demanded info
nation his hesitation and confusiC
ont aroused suspicion, They insisted on
me search Of bis person, and under Il
i've soIes Of his feet were found the doc
ments which told the world that Be
,es- edlct Arnold was a traitor.
A. Wra sagS NJ, yvorJ -r,bs,, ~ ~. -v,,