The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-04

lIA III iNA Nith tA1t ~ ~ A' 'A"'' W van
she had been like a second mother, would be his SUI
ficicnt protection. Then there was another reaso
why the desire was strong within him TO see his Aur
Dorothy. Mistress Betty was in Bos-
ton. had been in Boston all during q
the siege; and Aunt Dorothy could D
tell him about her. He had heard Of u
the gay times the British had been
having. of the balls and parties given
by tn officers; and often the name of IL
Mistress Betty had com, to him coupled k1
with tn name of Evan Wilton, now &X
a Lieutenant in his malesty's army; ~
and he had breathcd hard and sworc "a Nv
wickedlv to hinsslf a each hearing. NRAy
Now he was mind, d to know the VII
truth of how matters stood with Mistress yDE
Betty; and he made his way straight
to the little one-storicd house where
lived his aunt. and tapped softly on the low
window of the room where she slept. All was
dark within; but almost at the first tapping
the curtain was lifted. and he saw the white
face of his aunt at the window.
Hush" he called softly. 1t is Jonathan
Delvin come to visit his good aunt in spite of
King Georges army.
He heard a startled exclamation. and then
the window was thrown open. and Aunt Dorothy [
stuck her head out and looked at him sharply. 4
Hush! For Gods sake keep quictl Go \
around to the door and will let you I'M" she \
whispered excitedly, the moment she had made
certain the man was her nephew. Then, hur-
ricdiv dressing. she pulled open the door. and
drew jonathan INSIDE. Tx OHIO ne vas IN
and the door shut and locked, she exclaimed
brcathlcsslv: Jonathan Dclvin. of all the men
in the world YOU are the man | most wished
to scci Mistress Bcttv-"sh she broke off abruptly
and her face went white. But, how comes
il that YOU are in Boston, inside of the British
lines If YOU are caught"
IL shall hang. good aunt. " said Jonathan. throw
ing one arm around the little woman and kissin
her heartily. But now that | am here can't vo,
give me something to eat, | am nearly frozen ant
as hungry as a bear. " and going to the fireplace h
piled the wood on the glowing Goals.
Aunt Dorothy hustled about cxcitedlv. and 500,
had an abundance of warm food on the table for tn
great man stcaming before the fire, while she pouret
a continuous stream of questions into his ears. seldom
pausing long enough for him to answer one. As h
ate her nervousness and excitement increased. unit
she dubbed and boiled like her own teapot: and tn
moment he had eaten the last mouthful she exclaimed
There. the news won't spoil your appetite now
Jonathan Dclvin. are YOU still minded to make Mistres
Betty your WIFE"
That | am. " responded Jonathan alphabetically.
She is to wed Lieutenant Wilton tomorrow nigh
al ten O'Clock. " said Aunt Dorothy. her eyes snappin
with excitement.
Jonathan sprang to his feet with an oath.
Hush 1t is her fathers command. Lieutenan
Wilton tells her that you are false. that YOU are pawn
court to Colonel Grecne's daughter, Mistress Nancy.
It's a lie, Ill"
Sit downi Keep quieti Mistress Betty believe
it not. But the wedding must go on, unless" Aun
Dorothy paused and looked Jonathan straight in tn
face. Its a dark, wild night. and a brave ma
might take a wiling woman back with him to tn
American camp. Her home is unguarded. "
Jonathan lcaped to his feet and caught the littl
woman up in his arms. I'll do it, Right fror
under the very noses OF her father and her Tory lover
/" The thought of the little packet in his bosor
came to mind, and he dropped Aunt Dorothy. an
Strengthened up as if about TO give a military salute
Tonight. | cannot! l must return, as | came