The Washington times., 1902-06-08

men; but tell me you know naught OF II
that I may protect you from my own
| people, Do you not see? You will be
arrested as a spy!" She was sobbing
convulsively, and l could not stop her
l knew not what to do. and in the be-
wilderment 1 found myself kissing The
hand that lay in mine, and begging her
! to stop.
Still she sobbed on. 1 was near at
my wits ends.
stop, stop, mistress: for the love Of
Heaven, listen to me! Well. SC be it,
for she was almost hystericai in her
weeping-"so be it, said /, rising and
moving away. There is the door. Go
out and down into the very arms of my
men and be taken to West Point as a
spy in the employ of the British.
She was on her feet. running wildly
to the door, that now stood opeG; and I
waited to hear the result, when she
stopped, as if turned to stone, for a
long, low whistle came to our ears from
below. jumped to her side and grasped
her arm.
Tell me, girl. do you know aught Of
British in the house?''
NO she said, looking at me in won
der
Then listen,'
Again came the low whistle from the
hall below. I gave the signal back.
That signal says that someone is
approaching this house. Now, If you do
not believe in me and do what l tell
you, we shall none of us have long to
live. l served you truly once. Trust me
again,' and l ran to the light and blew
it out In the sudden darkness l found
her and grasped her hand. She let it
lie in mine, while both listened for the
next sound that might come. Gradually
the slight moonlight gave VI some light
in the room, and l turned towards her.
VIII you give me your word not to
give any sign or make any noise?"
She did not reply.
81 must go downstairs; will you give
it?"
Still no sign.
Then l must trust to your sense OF
justice and honor"
/ could not see her face, but I knew
was needed below; and so, letting her
hand fall moved quickly to the door.
Some slight sound made me turn as l
reached it, and / was in the nick of time
to see her stealing swiftly towards the
window. With a bound / reached her,
Just as she raised the s;ssh, and before
could stop her she had cried out. Then
the pity of it all came OF er me. for the
frail little creature begar. to struggle.
Mistress Philipse an. here to do my
duty! There be twenty five men and
three officers within call. You cannot
possibly help the British, They are
doomed now, But I cannot-God forgive
me, will not struggle with you, There
is but one other alternative. Here is a
pistol; you can easily see me. Shoot
quick and straight; for /, will not go
down, or take you down to those mem!
She took the revolver. II you fire it
without hitting me, shall use this one
on myself
Slowly she raised the piitol-I could
see as plain as day. now--slowly she
pointed it, first at my body, then at my
throat, then my head. And it came into
my mind that my hour was. indeed,
come; but there was no trouble in my
mind; for if l must go. l would go by
her hand. and that was as it should be.
2 ha in, tha for n
time. and then the shining thing dropped
with clatter to the floor. and she stood
still looking into my face.
How long we stood thus. could not
tell; but we both started as voice came
from outside the door. whispering to me;
Are We there. liftinint?"
Yes. What is it. Callahan
There's twilve min a-comin over the
hill at the back of the house"
Go down again and work your trap
on them. Let in half. and cover the
others. Let them have it, If anything
sudden occurs"
Yes. sir Have ye found anywan?"
Not a man, But have not yet COW
cred the whole house. There's someone |
in the back OF the house here. Go down. |
I'll be with you in an instant"
| heard him mutter something about |
coming down now, but he went away.
and we could hear his step creak on the
stair.
DO you understand MOVE" I asked in
a whisper.
She nodded her head.
"Will you trust TO me?"
Again she nodded.
will you-will you try to forgive
me?"
II cannot, l cannot" she murmured,
and sank back into the chair. You
have no right TO treat woman so. They
are my people, too, trying to rescue
brave mana man I know"
They can do nothing for him. He
will not come this way, and is even now
safe on the other side of the river. 'Tis
absolutely hopeless, mistress!" Though.
in good truth, ii was not so hopeless
Is it might seem.
So she stood a moment: and then 1
left her, and stole softly toward the
ioor.
DO not go down." came to me in hur-
led tones, as she moved after me. Il
L do not WANT do not dare to stay
here alone."
But l must go down to take command