Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-03

| ington?' asked Lcavitt, his lip curling.
From General Howe" replied the
| officer, with mock politeness, ito whom
| I shall have the pleasure of conducting
YOU
| by force" inquired Leavitt, coolly.
| IF necessary by force" answered
| Captain Aubrey; but first l will take
! the documents
The young man shook his head.
II have no such papers,
| Come" said the captain changing
| his manner; you are merely seeking
| to gain time. You would better" an
swer all my questions truthfully, and
| let me get through with this unpleas-
ant business as soon as possible. Is
| there any one'e else inAthe house,
only my sister III the next ROOM"
| Jones. bring the woman out"
| You need not trouble 10 send for
her. I'll call her. Madge! Come out
here will you?"
A tall young woman came quickly
| out of the adjoining room. She was
| remarkably like her brother in feature,
| with the same chestnut hair, of which
a few stray locks strayed out from
| under the hood she wore on her head
| You are this young mans sister,"
| said Captain Aubrey. 1T is needless
| to ask: you resemble each other close
| ly. Do you wish to see your brother
| shot?'
| The girl made no reply. but turned
her head partially aside. as if to screen
| her face from the soldiers gaze.
| If you do not" he continued, you
| must tell me where the papers are thai
| he intends to deliver tonight to an
| officer in the Continental army. Think
| before you answer for on your reply
| depends the life of your brother
The girl showed signs of agitation,
| but if she would have spoken, the
| brother prevented it by interposing.
Il have no document nor information
| to give either you or General Howe.
AS for my sister, she knows nothing Of
my affairs
| Il will give you ten minutes to
| change your mind said Aubrey. "Iu
| the meantime, l will search the house.
| Baxter. ransack every room in the
| house from garnet to cellar. Jones, ex-
| anime the woman. | will attend to the
! man."
| On the instant Leavitt sprang toward
| a gun which stood in the corner of the
|
!! Aubrey caught him by both arms and
| held him poWerleSs.
The girl. as if seized by the infection,
| took up the lantern and brought it
| down on Jones's head with a force
| that caused him to see Il thousand
| stars Then with cry she made
| dash for the doorway.
| Baxter caught her about the waist.
| Not that way, my beauty
| The only reply he received was a box
on the side of the head that felled him
| to the floor. Then with bound she
| leaped over the broken door and disap-
peared into the night.
| Baxter. Jones. After her. I'll
| keep the man. She may summon some
Of the rebels! Secure her at all COST"
| shouted Aubrey. The two men had
| sprung to their feet. and We're off on
the instant. AS they rushed out there
We're a rattle of pistol shots, shout
of defiance, a clatter of hoofs. Then all
was quiet and Captain Aubrey was
left alone. holding the young man by
the collar.
You'll never catch Madge now,"
said the latter. looking up into Au-
brey's face with a quizzical expression
of countenance.
| AT least I've got you," replied the
captain, land that is what l came here
for. Sit down on this stool, and don't
move from it if you value your life
Leavitt did as he was bid.
| Now continued Aubrey, seating
himself by the table. as he took out his
watch and drew d pistol from his belt,
this business has not put me in
| mood to be trifed with. You have but
five minutes left to hand over those
| documents
towards the door.
| Il would advise you not to think of
escape. ] shall not miss my aim
Il was not thinking of that. At any
moment this house will be full of our
friends and you will be taken pris-
| oner."
THAT would hardly cause you any
apprehension" replied Captain Aubrey,
| watching him closely; but l intend to
| make you come to terms before tina,
| can happen.
Il won't say another word" replied
the young man, closing his lips tight
ly.
Wen see about that. I've heard
you were a desperate young fellow,
though your looks certainly belle it,
here a smile twitched at the corner of
Ieavitt's mouth-"but you may never
have looked down the muzzle of a pis-
| toll"
The young man seemed to tremble
| slightly as lie said: Would you MUIR
der a man in cold blood?'
| THAT is left for you to decide" an
swered the captain, glancing at his
| watch.
| There was a silence. broken only by
| the ticking of the watch.
| Three minutes
! Leavitt moved uneasily on his STOOL
| -Four" continued Captain Aubrey
| ineXorably, bringing his weapon into
position.
| You will not dare to shoot me-"
| Won't 2"
| No Because I am a woman!'
| "A woman," cried Aubrey, catching
| her by the wrist and looking closely
| into her face.
l =