The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-08
BY.
 HAMBLEN SEARS
A Stirring Story of Love and Ad, venture in Revolutionary Days.


laughed again-"I am thinking that if do not have something to eat this min ute I shall die"
 The devil take me for a careless lout." cried, and forthwith drew out from my pocket dirty bit of paper-the only thing that could find at the tavern-and opened out a moderate clean piece of bread and slice or two of ham. She looked up at me in surprise. and im- pulsively held out her hand
 You are good, thoughtful man, af- ter all"
 And I. I. this same Balfort-what the flend had gotten into my crop this day? T raised 1t and put my lips to the little knuckles.
 Aha, sir" cried she with twinkle in her eye. Boston is not so far from his majesty's court as have been led to in- fer!' l dropped the hand as If 1t had been hot cake, and turned to the horses. cursing myself for an ass.
 Then she sat down by the roadside on rock and proceeded to eat the bread and ham with as healthy an appetite as If she had just come from a canter across the meadows on her favorite mare Af- ter bit we searched about between the road and the river and at last came up- on pretty spring, glittering in the sun shine. and showed her how to lie at full length and drink from the pool itself.
  through 1t, and on out into the country again. She had refused to rest as I had suggested, in one of the houses, giving no reason except that she did not care to, and since passing the last one we had walked on in silence, until without warm ing or introduction, she suddenly turned to me and said:
 You know that have left my fathers house in the city"
 Yes" I answered, not venturing too many opinions
 You know. too. that you are in my eyes rebel"
 "A reasonable person. who should by rights be hanged"
 Yes"
 Then, sir, when we reach the gate of that large house which you see wonder, get you gone at once If you have any regard for me-"
 Any regard for youv I asked in as- tonishment.
 Why, yes"
 Why, yes?"
 Because. sir do not care to witness hanging of any kind, whether of rebels or kings lawbreakers, or dangerous per- sons-or-or-near relatives"
 l looked at her and saw her face as serious as it had yet been.
 That is the house of Tory-a Royal ist-and you stop there?"
 'I do," she answered, looking off to- ward 1t.
 Do you know of the great danger of such a house in this neutral country, open to all the marauders that prowl night?
 T do perfectly. That is why the peo- pie have left it.
 And you are going there alone?"
 Except for the servants"
 And who will hang me, if 1t please your ladyship to answer?"
 T shall be obliged to order the servants to serve their king" I laughed for the very absurdity of it.
 Mistress Philipse, if you are to stop here I shall conduct you to the house and see that you are properly cared for"
 You will do nothing of the kind, sir
 But think you that I fear your ser vants or your kings edicts?"
 NO, but you do me and mine."
 Do you think so, indeed?" said I, a little nettled Yes, because I will beg you to go on," she said turning quickly to me and put ting her hand on my arm, looking up into my face with an earnest appeal in her eyes; because I am quite safe; because I-I-you have been true gentleman this night and day, and because I would not have you do aught to make me think otherwise of you" The beautiful eyes were filling with tears as she went on. Because have perhaps done a foolish thing, and am quite safe now, and would not do other foolish things, and because because you are too kind not to do what I ask;" and she was through the gate and gone up the walk to the house before I could speak to her. I stood watching her running on DOW erless to follow, and as she reached the | corner of the house. she turned back and | waved her hand to me once-and then she was gone. Slowly I tied the old nag to the gate post Slowly I mounted Roger and head ed the good horse up the road. keeping my eyes the while upon the corner of the house around which the little figure in its hood and cape had disappeared. And so sat across Roger until the trees shut out the view.
 Gro Be Continued)