The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-20

AS 1 approached the coach a hooded head
appeared at the window. and a high girlish
voice said in strain just betwixt uncon-
trollable anger and tears:
You wretched men, cannot something be
done? Am / to die here in this dreadful
night? Who are you. sir?"
"A wanderer, madam. at your service" /
answered
Thank God for a human voice with some
temper to it," she cried. Can you not whip
these churls into doing something. sir?"
I could not fail to notice even then that,
afraid though she might be, anger con-
trolled her more than fear.
THE case is not so bad. mistress, as you
think We cannot be more than a mile
from Gowan's Tavern, which stands here
abouts"
But how am 1 10 get there?'
IF you could mount my horse we would
make it in short time, with only a little
worse wetting."
Thereupon, without reason. the note
changed.
in her voice
IF you will trust me-"
And who are you?" she cried suddenly.
II do not know YOU"
Somewhat nettIed at these abrupt changes
of manner, 1 was guilty of pique. Where
fore answering that had but tried to offer
her help, made as If TO move on.
Wait Watt In Gods name, sir, would
you leave me here in such wilderness?"
Indeed, 1 would not, mistress, but it APP
pears you do not wish my help"
Thereupon the door opened, and a chit Of
a creature in a black hood and long cape
stepped out and down into nearly a foot of
mud.
l was off Roger in an instant. and by her
side
Forgive me, young lady; l was as rude
as your men. Come, the thing is not so
bad" and without more ado, for, to tell
gospel truth the thought OF her little feet
in that oozing mud gave me confidence, l
picked her up if she had been baby
and set her on old Rogers back
And do you two men unhitch the horses
and lead them on after us to the tavern" L
added
The havoc created by the mud was evil
dent enough now, for as l led my horse by
the lantern could see a tiny shoe that once
had had a bright silver buckle. But its
yellow mud, and, as far 1 could see, the
same clay covered what must have been a
black silk stocking. Then, in a moment
had led Roger out of the light and up the
road.
Here was pretty mess. What would the
general say to his emissary to the COM
mander-in-chief, so carefully cautioned to
avoid any embarrassment, TO steer clear OF
aught that might embroil him in delays?
What would he say TO me now, trudging
along on this wretched night, the rain fall
ing and the mud rising, leading horse that
bore burden dropped from l knew not
where and clogging my progress in this
ridiculous fashion? The thought of the
rain made me turn instinctively, and, TAX
ing my cape coat from my back, lean up
and throw it over my companions Shout
ders. But it had no sooner touched her
than she cried out:
II will not wear it! You need it. and
have a thick cape"
You will be drenched to the skin in no
time 1 said firmly. as 1 held it in place.
"If you do not take it instantly. sir. will
throw il in the mud" she answered.
1 walked along without a word. 1t seemed
that this little baggage had the power to
irritate me beyond measure.
"Will you take it?' she cried in vibrant
voice.
mo, 1 will not" exclaimed, in quite as
defiant a tone.
"Oh, very weT.' said she, and Herewith
tossed my best, my only. coat into the Tar
rytown mire as if it had been the peel of
an orange.
will "
on the point of bursting forth. Then 1
stopped. picked up the coat. threw it over
my shoulders and strobe up to Rogers
head, walking on in silence. God knows
knew little or nothing of women, never
having seen many, never having known any
well. for my mother had died when was a
boy, and sisters had L none. But never
suspected women of such behavior as this
and the knowledge was anything but pleas
ant.
l would then and there gladly have left
her alone with Roger If had dared. What
was l to do? What could do on arrival at
the tavern? And then my thoughts turned
to discover the method / should pursue to
get rid of my strange burden. l would
wait until the arrival of her servants and
then leave, go on to some other point. bad
night as il was-anything to get myself up
toward Fishkill and alone.
Here was l, Merton Balfort, of Putnam's
division, walking up the Hudson river,
leading a bedraggled woman in the worst
of nights TO a mythical inn. which might
not exist at all for aught 1 knew, in a coun-
try overrun with Skinners-I on mission
TO General Washington. the Importance of
which | could only gather from Putnam's
instructions when he gave me the letter
and told me how much speed and sagacity
meant.
lis 1t very muddy"
could scarcely recognize the voice. it
had so changed. All the tears, all the fear.
seemed to have disappeared and in their
place something strange, very strange. had
come.
'Oh. no, madam; the road is clear as a
floor. and the sun is fast drying up my wet
clothes" l answered. too angry. too wor-
ried. TO be even civil.
I heard a slight sound as of the sudden
drawing in of breath, but no other response
came as we moved slowly on, until at a
bend of the road we came suddenly upon
the tavern as the creaking sign over the
door designated-a small, communicating
house. rambling off against the side of a
hill in as forsaken and silent a spot as ever
villain selected for foul deed. There was
nothing for il. however. but 10 alight. and
in a moment. with neither word nor look,