The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13
A Stirring Story Of Love and Adj
: venture in Revolutionary Days.
=. BY.
HAMBLEN SEARS


There was a short conference outside
and then SINNERS drew out of ear and
gun shot.
Now to finish our arrangements" said
Curtis. oooily
AYE and in quick order. too. for the
house Is burning down. and In truth
was in some concern.
well. we meet as soon as possible at
No. 2 Broadway said Acton.
Just so" replied I. Curtis, you know
New York.
Il do :"
Then take this pass and come to No.
2 as soon as possible Acton and I go
together.
But what is No How are we to
get in? ssked Acton.
TRUE that is important" said l.
what shall we say. Curtis?'
He nesitated a moment. in the mean
time we could near the cracking of the
| flames mingled with the cries of The in
mates of the house. Finally he said
slowly:
You Will find an ole woman there
"An old woman - We repeated.
"rell Ler you have come TO meet Rob-
ert."
1--WE are to meet Robert"
gard for me question her not at all; but
do as you say--wait for me-
Now came Martha Holt rushing in,
crying that the house was falling about
our ears. Behind her was her crazed
husband.
Holt, you say you have money here"
said Curtis.
good Goo lSnowsl" screamed the frantic
man.
Fear not. mani Go and fetch 1t and
we will make a scrtie and charge
through these men. There be bout five
CT them now
20. my house! my housed I'm dead!
I'm ruined cried the distracted man,
clapping his hands to lis head as he hur-
ried away.
"one word more" said Curtis. THAT
man who was killed In the other room
is enc of tho two we suspect. Mayhap
he carried dispatches"
He did" said l.
"Then we may and must get them"
said Curtis.
Il have the papers. ilere"' and 1 held
| them up.
"Belfort," cried Acton, as the landlord
came rushing again into the now lighted
room, we ara certainly a great man,
And now" continued Curtis, as we
moved toward the door. leach man save
| himself; Acton with you and | alone;
| we meet at No. 3" We went from the
main room into the hall and found 1t
thick with smoke. All were there how
ever huddled together the tavern-keeper,
Ills wife, the boy, the soldier, hut the
surviving messenger was gone. And the
several discharges of uusketry rang out
! In the night air.
otis the end of him and likely to be
| IF nc soon said the aOldfp- grifnlV.
END of whom?" asked the grumbling
landlord.
THAT Yankee that was with the man
that's dead in there. He bolted for the
woods"
Maybe he is dead, and maybe not"
| said I. BE that as 1t may, we are not
dead yet Master Holt, how far are the
woods from the rear of the house?'
mot hundred yards" said the wife,
her husband being too paralysed with
fear to reply.
| set fire to tho chairs in the front room
to attract Skinner there. Then to the
woods and the village with us!'
Another discharge Of mus)Setry sound
ed on the night air and we heard a cheer.
The soldier jumped to the front door
and gave q loud whistle by placing his
finger to his mouth. There was reply
| in an instant, and at the same time 4
rerid scattering fire :sng out along the
| road
"'Tis over, friendsr' cried the soldier,
Here be the troops cor1e back in the
nick of time"
Now is our time, then" said I. quiet
ly, to Acton; and as the others went to
the front rooms, we bolted from the
smoky hall, through the burning kitchen
to the woods.
Curtis had remained behind.
| no