The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-03
.b1 .... HAMBLEN SEARS
A Stirring Story of Love and Ad> venture in Revolutionary Days.

ed, giving me a long look that stirred the very soul in me. was brought back to it, because the good man of the good marriage held the fortunes of her father in the palm of his hand
 ''Thy face is a beautiful but an open book, Mistress Deborah" said l, inter- ruptlng her. land there be those here that can read, I fear. So! That closes the volume partly fore she had straightened up a bit, and a little pitt ful smile struggled at the corners of her mouth. God knows I could have taken her in my arms there before them all. had l dared, and eomforted her in her lonliness and trouble, and bade her have no fear. But 1 only said between my teeth:
 What did this good man to her"
 'IIe threatened her always, and tried to force her to 1t, Hnd held up the ruin of her family-he has, indeed, time and again."
 Curse the eowardr' said I, softly.
 'And-snd she had no one to help her in this fairy tale-until she saw some one"
 Aye, dear heart. he is found" said I. What shall he do.''
 '1f he would meet and let her.
 Where and when?'
 "To-morrow night beyond the voxhall Gerdens few rods, by clump of four great trees"
 "IIe will be thereI And ptay-let the princess in the fairy tale have the good man meet her there, tool Aye, do as bid, grip I added as a frightened look came Into her eyes.
 You are good friend, Merton-Mr. Merton" said she softly. as her head bent for a moment.
 And there under the table. my foot touching hers, I put mine upon 1t and gave the only pressure of sympathy vcuchsafed to me. IF over her Iace c. her white forehead and on into her hair went a sweet flush that seemed to draw smile after it, playing about her lips and into her beautiful eyes.
 Strange that just then 1 caught war ming look in the baroness face as she talked on to the Prince. But did sec it. and, not knowing what to do, drank off again at a gulp another glass of wine.
 The little shoe nuttered under my boot, but did not withdraw, and TOT a momont we sat there quiet in the midst of that bustling, laughing. gossiplng room full with glasses elinlxing and tossts tripping up and down the board. And as the hos tess rose and all followed her example 1 caught a strange look in young Ather- tons eyes-wfere the fiend had l seen that face before ?-that at this moment was enough to set me cn fire as I stepped back to hand ny supper partner to the door of the drawinc-room There l gave her to the fair young baroness, and saw them lock arms affeetionately and walk on into the other room close together but saying not a wore.
 Draw up to this end of the table, gen. tlemen," cried the host, cheerfully. Let us give the health of His Royal High nessw And so We stood and drank again, fY1 x,yIa xxrffI ctr ora conversation and the two great pieces of news had heatd within ar hour, I found l had had enough for one man, more than enough fer ore who had not been blessed with a hard head that paid little l eed to the fumes of wine. Twas evil dent that son,s of the others had fared worse and drank more Tryon, who took the chair next the Prince as we sat down on either side of him, let out the buttons of his waistcoat, and sat back puffing out his cheeks between his words. as if the purple veins mad more than they could well carry.
 "Baron," puffed he, in a gruff voice, 'where got ye this fine old Burgundy? Iris rare bottle, as I'm damned Have ye not found 1t to your IIighness' taste?" turning to the young prince.
 Indeed l have," said the latter. "There's none better in London, I'll be sworn"
 Iris but just come in the last pack et," replied the baron. And Sir Henry would not hear but I should take some of it." Iris helped by the voyage, indeed it is." puffed the governor again. What's this we hear of the rebel Washington's s silly trick with Roehambeau?"
 MT Merton could tell us much if he would," answered Major Purdy. I was in the act of lighting my clay pipe when this startling aIswer froze me as l sat with the taper in my hand; and then 1 took long breath as he went on, Hes just come from Newport. Is 1t not so, sir2'
 "Oh, ayer cried the governor. You are the messenger that saw Sir Henry last night, chr
 'erhe French are safe and sound in Newport" said 1. And like to stay there'
 Let 'em be safe in hell, as soon as they will" said the general and all the rest of the frog-eating traitors"
 "A health to the governor!" cried Ma jor sproat, getting heavily to his feet And damnatlon and confusion to the rebels all! May the whole lot rot in prison soonl' Down went more wine and whether twas the drink in me or the thought of tomorrow night, I was near up at him for his cursed British toast. l moved my chair to join some of the younger men, and found myself close to Atherton, who was droring song through histipsy lips. "Aye!" said he, "goodl Iris a proper sentiment. To hell with them all. But I'll give ye another. I'll bid ye drink to the brightest pair of eyes In the town, that were but just now not a hundred yards from our friend here" 'Goodl Goodr' cried Prince Henry, and they drank what I and all knew to be toast to Mistress PhilIpse.
 'They gay her cousin Pendleton's case goes by hard roads," said a young fel- low in big red coat. "and that she'll none oi him in spite of her father
 T would I had his chance" mumbled Atherton. "Td win by rafr or foul means, and that soon. tool For there's no finer bit of female flesh in the colo nies."
 I cursed the drunken beast under my breath, and held to my chair to keep myself from driving his words down his thu oat.
 Hell win her yet" said Srroat. "They tell me Sir Henry is none too sure of the fathers loyalty and some of the family, so 'tis whispered. are starving with the rebels at this moment" At this pricked rp my ears, and the strange fieetng resemblance she bore to Rob Cur tls came to my mind
 'I heard to-day, too," laughed a young subaltern, that reconnaissance was '-''cd at the Judges country house up above Gowans Ferry but week ago
 ... sJln, seou fellows lost 'Tis rumor- ed the old man knew somewhat of how twas done."
 The sweat came out in beads cn my f1,4 Tod .far 1A I,n, 11a