The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-02-28

whose portraits lined it.
1t was Major Charlton who advanc-
ed to meet her.
81 crave your pardon, Mistress Car
roll, for this intrusion, but we are in
search of spy who has been tracked
to this place and is believed to be con-
cealed in the neighborhood. Have
you seen any such person ?"
"Assuredly not, Major Charlton.
The Major sneered slightly. "Per-
haps Mistress Carroll, whose sympa-
thies are we'll known to be with the
rebels, does not consider a person in
rebel employ spy"
Sir" retorted Dorothy. my
fathers loyalty to King George is we'll
known. Is it likely one you choose to
term a rebel would seek shelter and
safety in the house Of an avowed ene-
my to his cause?'
The Major bowed profoundly.
at is possibly he might, if hard
pressed and sure of a welcome from
one member of the family. We lose
time, madam; surrender the man seen
to enter this house an hour ago and
We depart at once. Otherwise, it is
my duty to search the house."
LAS you please Major Charlton.
Pompey: bring candles. Conduct the
gentlemen wherever they wish to 60.
You will permit me to return to my
apartment. Come, mother Our
friends, it seems, are more suspicious
of US than our enemies" And courte-
sying in her most stately manner Dor
otby retired, leaving the Major to
prosecute his search at his leisure.
Years before, when the Colonists
lived in deadly peril Of Indian forays,
a Carroll had contrived secret cham
Der in one of the chimneys of the old
house, more however, as place of de-
post for valuables than hiding-place
for human being. The savages were
too prone to apply the torch to make
a chamber one of safety. Part of the
brick wall of the chimney had been re-
moved, rude floor put across the
chimney and the back wall of the
clothes-press built against the opening,
with sliding panel that moved up
and down to admit Of access. More
than once in the early days the valua-
bles of family had been hidden there,
but it had been unused for so many
years that its existence had been al
most forgotten. 1t was in this secret
place that Dorothy had bestowed her
lover.
Charlton, waxing more and more
angry as his quest proved unsuccess
full, came at last to Dorothy's door.
"Sir," she cried Indignantly, show
dare you-"
81 dare anything, madam, in the
name of my king. [ am convinced
that the rebel spy, Arthur Arundel, is
concealed somewhere in this house.
Unless be is produced, shall deem it
my dntv to take those whom l strong
" SUSPECT Of harboring him into custo-
dy; as themselves disloyal and deserv-
ing of punishment. In the meantime,
my men will remain here through the
night to protect the family of my
worthy friend, Carroll, of course
And the Major smiled with sarcastic
emphasis.
"How-I-hate-you p enunciated
Dorothy, deliberately, fixing her blaz
ing eyes upon him.
"You do me too great honor, Mis-
tress Dorothy" returned the Major,
bowling, with his hand upon his heart.
"Ah, what have we here p as his eyes
fell upon the wine and the biscuit Dor
othy had procured for Arthur. "Ah-b,
a lunch in my lady's boudoir at mid
night. Where, then, is the guest p
So saying he strobe about the room,
looking behind furniture, throwing
open the doors of closets and clothes
presses and thrusting his sword saw
agely into their recesses.
"Pray, Major, spare my wardrobe.
Faith, there's nothing rebel about it.
1t was paid for in good British gold,"
quoth Dorothy.
The Major glared. "Be so good,
madam, as to assign quarters for my
men, and order refreshment for them"
He searched the room again with his
eyes and struck the walls here and
there with his sword.
did | not hear of a secret chamber
at Carroll lace?'' he murmured, as
Dorothy left the room.
She led the way to dark room Oh
the first floor, used as a common par
| lor in summer. There was another
and smaller room off it, in which was
| fireplace. This room was Immediately
under the clothes-press.
"These rooms are at your disposal.
What further orders do you desire to
give p
The Major walked into the small
room, and kicked out the board that
closed the fireplace.
"a fire, here" he said.
Dorothy's face blanched.
"The-the chimney is filled up.