Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-02-08

the Dragons to return to their ouartera
at the barn.
Meanwhile Sir John had been forced
70 take seat, and sat staring in silence
ut the tall, handsome Young Continental,
whose prisoner he was. Molly Pitcher
returned i'll Il few moments with the
Tory captain and said:
1T would be as well for you end I to
tie these men TO their chairs, and bid
them goodbye.
Amelia. who saw at once the plan of
Molly, fell in with it. and brought cords
To tie them. When the tas;. was accom-
pushed, Maurice WAS 10th t. leave his
sweetheart to the wrath of her uncle.
Never mind me. Mauricc." she whis-
pcred 60. lie will not harm me,
though he would be delighted to Kill you.''
Being thus mportuned, Maurice and
Molly Pitcher quilted the house, secured
horses and rode off in the darkness.
Ihc fair patriot took good care not to
release the three men until her lover and
Molly Pitcher were far beyond their ven
scance. The rage of Sir John knew no
bounds, and but for the interposition OF
the Tories he might, in the transport OF
his rage. have done his niece bodily in
jury. Captain fapley, who had more ap-
probation for the young lady's feelings,
attributing her conduct wholly to love,
insisted that Sir John should cease to
upbraid her.
There was little sleeping done mt Har-
court Hall that night. Sir John. despite
his usual impcr,urhablcness. had rcceiv.
ed Il shock that banishcl sleep.
The knowledge that his niece had {;
lover WAS perhaps the greatest shock of
all. He had supposed lie had her so com.
plctcly under his power that She dared
not take so important Il step without his
consent Sir John had never before Civ
en- his niccc'S marriage Il moment S
thought. lin fact, he had rcpcllcd the
thought as much. as possible. He had
never told her anything OF her parents OF
early home life, and had kept her in ig.
norance of her past history.
When the Tory and dragons took
their departure next morning the captain
pleaded long aud earnestly with Sir John
10 take his niece to Philadelphia, where
he would be safe from the dcpreda;ions
of the Whiss. but the baronet sravely
shook his head and declared his intention
to remain ai the Hall, for awhile at least.
When the Tories had taken their de-
parture, Sir John called Dohbins to his
private room, and in his awful voice,
asked:
Are you, too. in this acculsed con,
spiracy against my life!''
Old Dobbins' face WAS Il picture of as
tonislimcnt. stupidity and fear. and he
began to trcmb!e from head to foot. In
broken. feeble accents. he stammcrcd:
IL know not what you mean. Dobbins
is IN old man. and has given his life to
your service. Why should you have cause
to charge n,e of i'll toward you:'
'Do You know that rascal of rebel
who WAS ere-'itzgcrald:"
The old man shook his head and said
he would not have been aware of his
presence had he not been notified of it,
Sir John proceeded TO interrogate the ser
want. who grew more aud more stupid
until he became so confused he was com.
PEELED TO give up in despair, and the bar
onct cried:
Get out. Bcsonc." and the old man
arose and hobblcd away. In the upper
hall he met Amelia, whose dark eyes
showed evidence OIL weeping.
She raised her sad. sweet face 10 his
and he motioncd her to follow him. n,
the farther end Of the hall he said in q
low. cautious tone:
Trust old Dobbins. nlissus don't 20 to
fcarin' Dobbins. He carried We in his
arms when yc were Il little thing an al
ways loved yc since yer poor mother and
| father died so suddenly
"Dobbins, what will uncle dog" she
asked.
| 81 dunno. missus.'
will he take, me To Philadelphia:'
'lIe do seem afraid o Philadelphia
and the British army almost as much as
| Washington's Continentals.'
"Why. Dobbins. Why should he be
afraid of the British:''
Shaking his head the old man answer
| ed:
That be one o the mysteries which
old Dobbins is too thicl-hcaded to solve
But trust me. missus, trust me and ]
will aid YOU
"My life has hccn mystery to me-
the girl sighed. "Sir John seems more
tyrannical captor than a rclativc'
She went to her apartment and throw
| ing herself on Il bed, sobbeJ herself te
sleep.
ITO be continucdl