Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-01-24
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J A NEW ENGLAND HEROINE. !

His only chance OF escape was to
reach the mouth of little creek
which emptied itself into theConnect-
Icut River just above the entrance
Of the latter into Long Island Sound.
There he had boat stationed, with
bwo faithful attendants, hidden be-
Meath tho high banks Of the creek.
The distance from the farmhouse to
the boat was two miles of the unusu-
ally travelled road But little path
lcross the farmers's orchard would
bring him to the road only a mile
from the boat and save quarters
length Of his fearful run for life.
Just where the narrow path from
the orchard opened into the road,
Hetty Marvin sat bleaching her house.
hold linen. The long web Of forty
yards or more, which was diligently
spun and woven during the long
winter months, was whitened In
May, and thus made ready for use.
Tho business Of bleaching was well
economical being usually done By the
Younger daughters of the family, who
were not old enough to spin or strong
enough for the heavier work OF the
kitchen or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout help to grassy
plot beside a spring or meadow brook.
There it was thoroughly wetted and
ypread upon the green turf, to take
the heat of the sun by day and the
lew by night. The little maiden who
ended it would sit near lit.
Thus sat Heitty Marvin, the young
laughter of Governor Grlswold's
cousin, when her hunted friend
,prang past her into the road to
scape his pnrsuers. Hetty was a
timid child of about twelve years, yet
thoughtful and wise beyond amy OF
her elders. She was frightened by
the headlong haste with, which the
Governor rushed across the meadow.
But she quickly comprehended the
scene and Instantly quieted her faith.
tul Towser, who, though friend OF
the family guest, thought it becom-
Ing to bark loudly at his hurried foot
steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
Governors notice, and suggested u
scheme to elude his pursuers.
"Hetty," he said, 81 am flying for
my life, and unless can reach my
boat before lam overtaken, ! am a lost
man. You see the road forks here.
But you must tell those who are chas-
ng me that l have gone up the road to
atch the mail wagon, which will
locn be along, you know. Then
hey will turn off the way"
"Oh, cousin!' said the little girl
h AN agony of distress, 81 cannot
sell a lie-indeed l cannot. Why did
Feu tell which way you were going?"
Hetty, child, surely you would not
betray me to my death? Iark! they
Ire coming! hear the click of
their horses feet. Oh! Hetty, tell
hem have gone up the road instead
Il down, and Heaven will bless YOU
"Heaven never blesses those who
speak falsely. But | will not tell
hem which way you go, even II they
hin me. So run as quickly as posi-
ble."
"It's of no use. Unless | can de
.eive them, | am a dead man."
cousin, cousin, hide under my
web of cloth. They'd never think of
looking there for you. Come get
Town as quickly as you can, and III
,over you and stand sprlnkling my
linen"
Angry at their expected prey had
escaped from the house where they
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
Tories, headed by a British officer
dashed along the road in swift pur-
Iuit. At sight of the girl in the mead
DIV the leader Of the party paused.
Child he said, sternly. have you
seen man running hereabouts?"
Eyes, SIR replied lletty, trembling
and flushing.
(Which way did he go?'
81 promised not TO tell, sir"
But you must, or take the con-
sequences.
Il said / wouldn't tel, if you killed
me- sobbed the frlghtener girl.
I'm have it out Of her." exclaimed
The furious officer, with an oath.
Let me speak to her. said his
Tory guide. 81 know the child, ] be-
lieve Isn't your name Hetty Mar
vin?" he asked, pleasantly.
"Yes, SIR
"And this man that ran by you a
few minutes ago Is your mothers
cousin, isnt hep
Eyes, sir; lie is.
swell, we are friends Of his What
did he say to you when he came
along?'
"He-told me-that he was flying
Tor his life
Just so, Hetty; that was very true;
I hope he won't have 10 fly far,
Where was he going TO hide? You
see, | could help you II / knew his
plans
Now, Hetty was not whit de-
ceived by this smooth speech. But she
was willing to tell as much Of the
truth as world consist with bis safety,
and she judged that her franlness
would serve her kinsman better than
her silence, so she answered her qua.
ton candldly:
"My cousin said he was going down
to the river, where he had a boat, and
wanted me to tell the men that were
chasing him that he had gone the
other way to catch the mail wagon
why didn't you do so as he told
you, then, when | asked you where he
had gomez thundered the officer,
fiercely.
81 could not tell lie, sir" was the
reply.
"Uet4v" qOain hpoan the sm0Oih