Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-10-10
Molly Hunts
Temptation

tOrig1nal1
And now, Mistress Molly. I must hid
you ad1eu. Your father, your mother.
yourself, have merited the thanks If
the Continental congress for harborin9
me- and you especially deserve nv
thanks for your kindness while have
been In hiding under your roof"
Do you go direct to tie Americans?''
she asked. putting up pair of tempt
Ing lips, inviting a farewell kiss.
mo. go to the house Of that Tory
Andrew Moncrief to stop one night"
And pray, what will you do that
forT asked the girl, blanching.
margaret Moncrief. his daughter, is
one OF u.s." he replied. II must see her
before return. She and l are warm
friends"
The girl drew away. Instinct told
ner that when man risked his life to
meet woman it was not friendship
that led him to do SO. The man called
goodby, and they had parted.
The next night a party Of British SOL
diers appeared on the place Of Andrew
Moncrief and asked If stranger had
stopped there for the night On being
told that no one was there they search
ed the house. then the outhouses and at
last came upon Lieutenant Lionel Otis
hidden in the haymow. He was search
ed. and plans Of the British fortiaca-
tons at Trenton, with information as
to the strength Of the force defending
them, were found concealed in his
clothing. He was taken to the house Of
Farmer Hunt and led into the kitchen,
where Molly was cooking supper
When she saw him she turned deadly
pale.
Good morrow, Mistress Molly" said
the young man. 1--WE meet again very
soon. Some one has given me away"
Molly staggered, without a word, out
Of the room. turning her back to the
soldiers that they should not see her
face.
''Strange," said Otis, that she should
be so affected. But perhaps she knows
the fate Of spy
It was late when the prisoner was
taken to the farm, and his guard con-
cluded to keep him there over night
A sergeant in command went to the
second floor and selected room with
but one window and one door. Into
this room he thrust Lieutenant OTIS
placing a man at the door and one I'm.
derneath the window. Then the rest
Of the guard lay down on the kitchen
floor before the great stone fireplace
and went to sleep.
At midnight the sentinel below stood
leaning against the house, his hands
grasping his musket, his hat over bis
eyes. Presently he sat down on the
ground, then fell over on his back. BE
was asleep. Suddenly he felt his gun
slip from his hands and, looking up,
saw Molly bending over him, holding
long knife. its point within an inch
Of his heart. He thought her insane,
SO Wild looking was she.
what do you want?" he asked.
Molly did not answer; but, keeping
the point Of the knife as near his heart
as possible and her eye fixed on him,
she drew little away till suddenly
she raised the musket and, pulling up
the firelock, pointed it at him instead
of the knife. Then she told him in a
whisper to go before her, indicating
the direction by pointing. Marching
him to the house of patriot whom she
we'll knew she could depend on, the
two locked him up in the barn, and the
man stood guard while Molly returned.
Going at once to an clubhouse, she took
out ladder. raised it to Otis window
and, mounting, gave faint tap. Otis
heart jumped within him as he went
softly to the window and cautiously
raised the sash.
"Come," said Molly, and she descend.
ed the ladder.
In the barn two horses stood saddled.
Molly led the way with one, Otis fol.
lowing with the other, through a field
to the rear, and, making circuit, they
struck the road far from the house.
"Molly," said Otis, his voice trem-
bling with emotion, II owe you every
thing. If get clear some day will
return to thank you. If life Of devo-
ton will help to repay
"Oh, hushr'
"Molly, listen to me. Perhaps you
thought that there was more than
friendship between me and Margaret
Moncrief. There is not. She is work
ing with me and was to give me war
secrets. True, her father is Tory
and must have got wind Of my being
on the place" -'~
"Oh, no, no! You were informed on
by a wretch, one unworthy to live a
minute by your sfder'
"WhoT
She was riding at gaIlop, but she
dropped her reins on her horses neck
and covered her face with her hands.
"Molly, sweetheart, never mind who
gave me away: You have rescued me-
and my life belongs to you. twill be
q willing servituf1e, Tor my heart Is
also your siave ~.
I No, no. nor walled the girl. II am
unworthy Of you. T Thought you loved
NorOa rot M0nrriof md wnro onino