The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-14

est man it will do him no harm. Come,
girl. you may go with us and return
by the road.
The stranger had dallied by the way
side after the girl had parted from
him. 1t was a 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 sac
rificd 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 a lively air and switching
al the dusty bushes. At the cry Of
Halt" he stopped in his tracks. He
saw only the three men at first. \
| troubled look came into his eyes, but
! it passed swiftly away, and he smiled
| as he said:
II had expected to meet you further
up the road, but it is well. Have you
encountered any rebels this morning."
"Thcn-then you are kings MANI"
asked Paulding.
"Of course, and you are sent to meet
me-"
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. tie had wonder
full self control, however. The pallOr
disappeared and was replaced by a
smile and bowling in courteous way,
he said:
Il am charmed that we meet again.
Men, here is gold to divide between
you and | bid you good day"
Not so fast, said Williams, as he
blocked the way. I'VE must know all
about you before you can pass on"
Surely he is a soldier and an Eng
lishman," said the girl to herself but
aloud.
"Fie, friends, you are overparticular
this morning." lightly answered the
stranger as he again displayed his
gold Take this and let us part In
| peace"
But he had fallen into the hands Of
yoemen whom gold could not tempt.
! When they sternly demanded informal
tiOn his hesitation and confusion
aroused suspicion. They insisted on
| search of his person and under the
goles of his feet We're found the docu-
ments which told the world that Bene-
dict Arnold was a traitor and which
were to encompass the death of the
possessor within a few weeks. He
said no word when they were discov-
cred, but he looked at the maiden and
bowed and smiled. In his inherent
gallantry he had praised and compli-
mented 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 before
them that trusted general had bar
tered his honor for gold and would
strike at the life of liberty and that
the stranger within their grasp was a
spy But they were sow-witted and
10th TO believe. 1t 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 Paulding's house he knew
every step he took was toward the
gallows, but, bowing to and smiling at
the fair-faced daughter, he kindly and
courteousy said:
II thank you for the favors you have
extended and / wish you happiness
II did not mean TO do it," cried
the maid with tears in her eyes and a
sob in her throat.
81 have forgiven you" he answered,
as he bowed again. Good day"
And they remembered him only as
Mai, Andre, the sold.er-the gentleman
the cavalier.-Exehange