The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-12-28

'Ses, yes; but haste, hastc"'
He had taken packet from his
breast. "This. Much depends upon it.
1t must be carried to Philadelphia and
there given to DR.. Benjamin Franklin.
You must tell him to hold it till called
for"
al will carry it. He shall have ii
from my own hands. l hear them on
the porch. For my own sake go!"
"Swcar to me!'
II swear by all lovely my love for
YOU"
'.hnd you Will trust me?'
always, always! Oh, can you wait
while they take you?"
"IIiss me"
"Ah"-
Tc strained her to him once and
sprang toward the door through which
Henry had fed. But as he reached it
Jarrats form stood framed in the sash.
His hand held n pistol. At the same
moment the room ovcrtlowed with men.
$50 no." he smiled rcdly over white
teeth. Not so sprightly, sh? Well, the
other bird has flowD-curse those
horses pounding!--and we must be
contcnt with you, 1 suppose. Licutcn-
ant, | put this congcr Gel in your care.
An he gets off as did Patrick Henry,
some one shall suffer for it. Nay, mis-
trcss, run not to him. Rather give mo
the packet which the entertaining gen
tleman gave into your care moment
since. l doubt not its contents will in
tcrcst us all. 1t may even hold his pat.
ent of nobility"
Annes hands flew to her breast, and
she shrant back as Jarrat advanced
upon her.
You ruflian!' ragged Colonel Tillot-
son, beside himself with anger can
you or your blcody-backs lay finger on
my niece
"Heroics are misplaced, colonel" an.
swcred Jarrat curtly. "Will you give
up that paper, mistressT
a quick light came to the girls eyes,
gazing past him. Fumbling in her
dress, she drew forth the packet and
held 1t out But as he extended an arm
to seize it she drew back and hurled it
over his head through the dining room
door, where huddlcd Nanny Evaline
and the rest of the kitchen servants In
Il shivering group.
"Bonella!" she screamed "Take it,
Bonclla Run! Hide 1t. Rum Tho
redemptioncr woman swoopcd upon the
packet and was away like hare.
"Clumsy fools!" foamcd Jarrat as the
soldiers bungled at the door catch.
after her and bring her here!"
Anne in the reaction felt her gaze
upon Armand, erect between the sol
dicrs, swim with tears. How could he
stand so calm? And with the thought
she felt sudden shame for her weak
ness.
",The wench has had her rum" grum-
blcd one of the soldiers as they return
ed with the redemptioner woman. "She
hasn't it on her. She's tucked it away
somewhere"
"l'll soon know where she's hidden
it," stormed Jarrat. lie interrogatcd
her savagcly. NO" she said brokenly,
81 not tell"
Get n rawhide from the stables and
stretch her out there. She'll talk fast
enoughw
You'll not lash herw cried Anne,
with trembling lips.
Jarrat made no reply. When the SOL
dicr returned with the rawhide others
dragged the woman into the center and
stood waiting. The poor creature watch
cd the preparations with her face ash
eli and her black eyes darting rapidly
here and there
Now" said Jarrat menacingly, "wlll
you show where you hid that paper?'
She was dumb.
Once, twice, the heavy thong de-
scended. At the first stroke she cow
ed and cried out with pain. At the
second n line of red started through
the coarse oznabrig.
Jarrat leaned and looked into her
face. 81 not tell YOU" she wavcred
"Pll have the kings law on you for
this" the colonel hurled between his
teeth.
Armand had remained quiet, but as
the stroke fell twice again he trembled
The woman's lips were tight together
"No no, no" she said between them
II not tell YOU! 1 not tell you-ncverp'
Curse her." Jarrat gnashed furious
ly. clay on, there, you! I say III
have it out of herv'
The wieldcr of the rawhide paused
to tuck up his sleeve. The men who
held her relaxed their hold for nm in
stant, and she sank down on the floor
with closed eyes.
"Thcy will Kill her!" sobbed Anne
clutching her uncle's arm. "They will
kill herv'
"Stand her up againw commanded
Jarrat.
Armand had grown very white. Al
Annc's sob he strained forward in thu
grasp of the soldiers and cried: "rel
him! ! command You to tell himn
The woman opened her eyes, looked
at him scarchingly and uncertainty
then smiled and tried to shake hel
head. "I-nOt-tcll."
They dragged her roughly up again
but her legs would not support her
She seemed not to hear Jarrats shout
cd question In her car. He looked n
her swaying figure moment, then in
smother of rage raised his pistol but
and brought il down heavily on hel
temple. She fell like log, and hc
turned on his heel, cursing.
"Lct the drab 60" he said sullenly
"and bring along the other"
They mounted, trooper htchine
brides with Armands horse, and as
Jarrat gave the word they moved of
In twos down the dark drive. The light
from the open door fell on the trampled
shrubbcry. the glossy spattcrcd skins
np fhc hppcpu ~,