The Washington times., 1902-06-29

TINS We hear OF the rebel Washington
silly trick with Rochambeau?''
Mr. Merton could tell us much II he
would answered Major Purdy. l was in
the act of lighting my clay pipe when
this startling answer froze me as I sat
with the taper in my hand: and then
took long breath as he went on. Hes
just come from Newport. Is 1t not SO,
sir?'
"Oh, aye!" cried the governor. You
are the messenger that saw Sir Henry
last night, eh?''
| THE French are safe and sound in
Newport" said l. And like to stay
there"
Let EN- 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
Major Sproat, getting heavily to his feet.
And damIation and confusion to the
rebels all. May the whole lot rot in
prison soon!' Down went more wine.
and whether t was the drink in me or
the thought of tomorrow night, l was
near up at him for his cursed British
toast. | moved my chair to join some
of the younger men, and found myself
close to Atherton, who was droning a
song through his tipsy lips.
"Ayen' said he, good. IT is a proper
sentiment. To hell with them all! But
| III give ye another. I'll bid ye drink TO
the brightest pair of eyes in the town.
that were but just now not hundred
yards from our friend here
| Good, Good" cried Prince Henry.
and they drank what I and all knew to
be toast to Mistress PhilIpse.
They say her cousin Pendleton's case
goes by hard roads," said young fellow
In big red coat, land that she'll none
of him in spite of her father"
II would l had his chance" mumbled
Atherton. '1'd win by fair or foul
means, and that soon, too! For theirs
no finer bit OF female flesh in the col
onies''
| cursed the drunken beast under my
breath, and held to my chair to keep
myself from driving his words down his
throat.
He'll win her yet said Sproat.
They tell me Sir Henry is none too sure
of the fathers loyalty, and some of the
family, so t is whispered. are starving
with the rebels at this moment. At
this l pricked up my ears. and the
strange fleeting resemblance she bore 10
Rob Curtis came to my mind.
Il heard today. too" laughed a young
subaltern, that a reconnaissance was |
foiled at the judges country house Up
above Gowan's Ferry but a week ago, |
and some good fellows lost. It is ru-
mored the OLD man knew somewhat of
how t was done"
The sweat came out in beads on my
forehead. Had l perhaps made her lot
the harder By my work? Curse these
scandal-mongers for fools.
! Tut, TUT" laughed Atherton, lean |
ing forward aud leering at the company.
There's more behind that little episode |
than SS Henry knows"
What is =. man." cried one or two,
drawing toward him.
THE little girls will have their fling |
eh, your Highness? And she is no saint
they say, AMI reconnaissance may not |
always be to study the enemy
The crew laughed out, and cried 10
know the story.
Nay, boys, you should not hear it.
7 will take your thoughts from tine
cause" said Atherton. leaning back and
looking over the company with patrou-
lsing air.
But they cried out for it. and. with
my breath coming quick and short. 1
leaned forward, too.
He slowly drank another glass and
looked about him. Then, lowering his
voice, he said:
THE house is in neutral country, and
empty, and .he lady has been on a little
vista little visit. you understand
somewhere, and a well-known coach was
found hard by broken. / saw it myself,
for / was up there on special duty. And
my little wench could spend day OF
two in peace and quiet with her cava-
lier-"
T is a foul lie," l cried. striking the
table vita my fist till the glasses
jumped about, and rising, l stood over
him, scarce realizing what | had done.
For | knew him now we'll. T was the
"jolly coed fellow of Gowan's Tavern.
They were all on their feet in an in
slant, excepting Atherton. who looked at
me with cool smile on his face.
And what pup are you, my colonial
squire, that trot about telling gentlemen I
they lie?'
DO not burden your dull brain to
learn who | am. IT is but a cowardly {
gentleman, as you call yourself, who '
would blac Ken the fair name of a woman
over his cups. Therefore l tell ye, ye
lie. The girl is as pure as snow!"
Slowly he got upon his seet as the
whole company stood dumbfounded for s
a moment, and with savage look in his
eye made a step toward me and lightly
slapped me on the cheek before l could
move. l had him by the throat in an :
instant, and would have choked the wind I
out of him, lad not the whole company c
jumped between us and pulled us apart. /
Let me alone!" cried he, with a white t
face, as half dozen held him by the C
arms l
"Silence!" roared the governor. What S
in hell's name do ye mean here in the a