The Washington times., 1902-06-29

She gave nc 4 smile. though there
were tears in her eyes, and held out her
hand to me-
we can do SO little. and dare not
attempt an opinion" she said.
l stopped over her white fingers and
kissed them, just as some one entered
the room. Looking up, l caught n
! glance from a pair OF dark eyes that
sent a thrill of JOY through my body.
and made me laugh in spite of myself;
for there stood Mistress Philipse with as
surprised pout on her pretty lips as
ever was seen. Did she think I was
lraying court to another? God be thanked
If she did,
But there was 70 time for more than
4 greeting and friendly kiss from the
I hostess. when in came the governor of
the town, Tryon. with his wife and
daughter, Major Sproat, Lieutenant
PuTdy. General Patterson. and a man
they called Captain Atherton, who
seemed to me at the moment to look
strangely familiar. Then. as We sat
about the room, made note that every
enc rose, and turning to the door saw d
young man, hardly more than a boy
enter, talking easily with his companion
/ and nodding here ana there as he walked
over TO the baroness, and l guessed
rightly that t was the young Prince
Henry, whose coming had reached even
! our Connecticut ears. Finally, with
much fuss OF chariot and horses outside.
-up drove the decrepit old peacock. Nine
De Lancy.
And why should not be out?" cried
she in venomous voice to the host, who
had but congratulated himself on her
being there. DO you think am too old
to get out OF my bed2''
"Gott verbar. ma am" cried the baron
You grow younger every day.'t
1T is a wonder l live at all. Can
you not give us a stick of wood to cook
by. major?" cried she. turning on Sproat.
who stood near Here have today paid
eight pound for pitiful cord"
Ma am said the major, with apology
in his tone. I'VE are every hour send
ing parties to Long Island to get it as
, best they can
stuff and nonsense" cried the old
dame her face twitching like a play
actors. Why do ye not cut down the
trees out here in the street? l wish
the rebels were all gene to the devil"
and she hobbled of on the arm of an
officer to a beautiful mahogany chair
that never was made in our land.
We were now a goodly company Of
twenty at least, and, supper being an
nounced by a factotum all powdered
like the rest. l stood at one side till
the baroness passing me said, Go and
take Deborah" Then. looking at me
with a friendly smile, but a sad face,
BE good and kind to her tonight, for
she is in a great trouble"
Trouble? What could be the trouble.
thought, as l passed over to her and
gave her my arm?
There was some difficulty in getting
the proper place in line, for each officer
st go in as his rank dictated, and
so. led by the Young prince and the
baroness. we marched into the banquet
room with swish of silken gowns and
tinkle of spurred boots.
After the saying of grace, all were
talking at the long table at once aud
the murmur of voices kept me from
hearing many words. except those on
either side and Immediately next TO me.
And. indeed, the dinhes that loaded the
board and were each moment set be-
gn- I,r A.-a Da. uf-y mi
were by a good half unknown to me.
Beef could tell, bu, there were others
built up high with pasty and mixed in
with colored sauces. the like of which
had not seen before.
Blessed with a coed appetite. tasted
hem palatable. Talk ran on current
things. CT the recent fight in Staten
Island, OF Andres coming execution, and
anything that came up. until, in the
midst of foolish remark of her own
invention and with laugh on her face,
heard Mistress Philipse saying in a
low voice, as If it came from some one
else:
II have much to say to you-two
things. Have care of your countcnance
and let no one read in your face what
you hear"
For a moment was at > loss. her face
so belied her words. Then taking up a
glass Of wine, / did as l had seen others
do already-held it toward her. bowed,
smiled. and said: Proceed, mistress, I
am listening" and drank part of the
wine.
Good" said she. We'll. then, Il
learned from my father tonight that n
famous-famous-age of Sir Henry's
vas found gagged and bound in the top
OF burned house at the foot OF Broad !
way last night-your face, man. your
iace." she laughed. suddenly.
Tell US of the Joke, Mistress Phil
Upset" called Captain Atherton across !
the table.
"Ah, 'tis a secret, captain,"t said |
she, brightly, between Mr.. Merton and /
myself We are plotting the ruin pf /
some one" Then turning to me. still [
with a smile on her lips, but a strange /
pleading in her eyes, II do not know
what is being done. But he is a secret
agent whom no one knows, so that it
must be kept quiet Lut-but-they are
searching with all the forces and power
at their command TO find the man who