The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-02-22

ment. At the other end of the village
the rank and file Of defeated British
ers were marching out, their cOlors
cased and their drums beating with
despairing venom the crushed pride
their sullen faces still more revealed.
AS if under charm. the girl follow
ed at a distance the dropping lines Of
scar|et-followed them until she beheld
the wrathful BritOns ground their arms
in a field half mile from the village
Some Of the soldiers hurled their weap-
ons to the earth with a savage violence
which broke them, and one officer bit
his sword in impOtent fury at surren-
dering it to a victorious colonial rebel.
She remarked with some wonder the
absence of Lord CORVALLIS.
Finding how little attention she ex-
cited, Miss Trent decided to push on
and see what effect. if any. the fierce
storm of shot and shell which the colo
niStS bad let loose on the York town
fortifcations had had on the home of
her aunt
She had begun to move slowly along
when a small group Of colonials discov-
Slc'l ucl. ~ ldll, IL CIc III
a not too smart uniform, who seemed
to dominate the group. sent an officer
to her. She halted, her head erect and
her eyes fixed steadily on him, though
her heart beat violently.
Ellis excellency General Washington
has ordered me to inquire if he can be
Of any service to you. MISS" he said,
doffing his hat.
''Tell General Washington that he is
proffering his aid to Miss Mildred
Trent, Il woman who has not forsworn
her allegiance to the ruler Of these colo
MES. Mr.. Washington of Mount Yer
non has partaken Of the hospitality of
my fathers house. as he also has of
that Of our good neighbor, Mr.. Guy
Yorke. whose son, for all know, may
have been sacrificed, like his father, in
this revolt. Thank him for a courtesy
which still breathes of Virginia and
tell him | hope l may 60 without mo-
lestatiOn to see if his shells have left
to my aunt and myself enough of our
humble dwelling for us to find shell
ter i'm
''If you will remain here. I will deliv-
er your message" replied the officer, q
half smile on his lips at the fiery gran
diloQuence of the fair Tory.
1t was not long before he was back
with request from General Washing
ton that Miss Trent would do him the
honor to come to him.
Her checks famed. Was this a con
queror's pleasantly to woman foe :.
She spoke rapidly. without as much
heed of her words as of her pride and
wounded feeling. "You may tell Gen
eral Washington that he can. as a vic.
tor, command my presence, but if he
has not forgotten the teachings of Vir.
ginia mothers to their sons he will re-
call that a gentleman does not bid q
lady whom he would see come to him,
but comes to her,
The officer hestated slightly. ther
with an even more amused air depart
ed on his new mission. Miss Trent
was not above watching keenly to see
how her audacious words were receiv
ed. Apparently the messenger was
sent off on some other quest. for he
posted away and soon returned with
young man of about %. TO her dis
may Miss Trent saw General Washing
ton and this youth start in her direc
ton. Was she to be made prisoner
for her saucy words: AS they drew
nearer she noticed that the young fell
low carried his right arm in a sling
There was look about his clear, blue
eyes and reSolute face which seemed
familiar: tie face resemble2 one
which she lad not seen for five years
But that small. silky mustache con-
ceaied the lines of the mouth.
Miss Trent" said the erect. strong
featured general. bis keen eyes snd ag-
greSSive lines of countCu?nce soften
ing little under his gallant air. you
have recalled to ME two friends. thor
ough NirginianS. one of whom has laid
down his life. as the other would have
willingly done. | believe. had he not
died before we struck our blow fer
Independence. appealing from the king
In the only way possible-to the god Of
battle. This is the son Of one Of them,