The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1904-03-03

a
nome IN northern New York. While
ne ia there cant. Henry Wharton,
british officer. with the help OF tiar-
Ney Birch. "a peddlcr, known as
htltiah spy, visits his father. h'H
aunt. Miaa peyton. and his sisters
sarah aud Frances, IN disguise. tiar-
per recognizes him and promises him
assistance Ia case OF trouble. Henry
y arrested as spy by MAJ. Dun.
woodie. HIS baybood friend and
Frances lover who commands the
Virginia Horse.
In brush With the British col,
Wellmere, a British officer whom
sarah loves. Ii captured. and capt
Singleton. OF the VirEinlans. II
wounded. liis sister. Who W la love
with nunwoodle. comes 20 nurse him
Harvey Birch II captured by an ir-
regular hand known az the skinnera,
lie Is turned over to MAJ, Dun
wo0die. but escapes.
Frances believes that Miss Single
ton has a prior claim TO DunWoodie'H
love. and sends him away. Capt.
1.awton and Or sitsreavcs start Tor
Mr. Whartona house.
hlreh warns the troops that they
are needed by capt. t.awton at Mr..
Whartnu'a house. Col. Wellmnre ~
about 20 marry Sarah. when Birch
appears az the house and reveals
that Wellmcrc IL already married.
Capt LAwton challenges Nciimero
90 a duel
The sklnnera attack MFR Whar-
tons house and set n on fire.
The house Il burned and Sarah
loses her mind The family are re-
moved TO the quarters Of the troops.
Weilmere escapes.
A bullet intended for I.awton kills
Miss Singleton. Before dying she
tells France. that while she has
atriven for Dunwcodie's love he has
never given Il 20 her. and that nc
loves only Frances. Wharton 10
taken before court to answer the
charge OF being a spy.
Birch escapes and saves f.awten'a
life, lie also prevents a marriage
between Sarah and Wellmcre. who
already has a wife. cart Wharton
II convicted cf being a spy. Frances
tells pnnwoodie 81 Harpsra promise
and Dauwoosiln says il viii save
WhaFtana life.
Birch appears disguised az a min
lister and helps Capt Wharton 70 cs-
cape. leaving a negro in hts place.
Dunwoodie falls 90 find Harper
sud Frances Eoes into the mountains
TO find Harvey fsirShsz cabin ANA
warn her brother that ne - In dan
esf OF hrtng reeaptured.
In the cabin ztAs finds Harper. pho
tells her that he arranged for her
brothers escape. She also finda
Harvey and Capt. Wharton
CHAPTER XVII (contlnued)
Capt. wharton" said Birch.
throwing oren the dnor. ''you can
tfine with your own lives. II YOU
have tnany to spare have but one
and must nursn q. DO 50 alone or
not
Go. 20. Henry" naid Frances.
-Roi remember onF father. refnesn-
Der Sarah" she waited not for hts
answer. but gently forced hfm
through the door and closed IL with
her own banda
For a short tlrne there was q warm
debate between Henry and the ped
dler. hut the latter finally prevailed
and the hrcathlsss girl heard the
successive piunssH as they went
down the sides Of the mountain at a
rapid rate.
immediately after the noise Of
their departure had ceased. Harper
Feappcared. lie took the arm 81
Frances In silence and led her from
the hut. The way seemed familiar
TO hiTn. for. ascending to the ledge
above them. he led his companion
across the tabieland tendsriy. point
ing out the little difficulties IN their
route, and cautloninE her against
injury. by taking a route over the
back % the hill. they descended with
great expedition and but little tinn-
ger. The distance u had taken
Frances an hour 10 conquer Vas
PASSED by Harper and his COM
panion f. 10 minutes
Harpsr then turned. aud. taking
the hand OF Frances. spoke as fol-
lows;
You have this night saved your
brother. Miss Wharton. II would
not be proper for me 10 explain Why
there are limits to my ability to
serve him. but If sou can detain tho
horse Tor two fourN. he - asaureiiy
aafe. After what you have already
done. I can believe you equal to any
duty. God has denied to me chill
dren. but II Il had been His win that
my marriage should not have been
ehudicss. such a treasure az your
self would | have asked from Ills
mercy. But you are ny child: all
who dwell IN this broad land are my
children. and my care, and take the
blessing OF one who hopea yet 90
meet you I'm happier days"
As he spoke. with "A solemnity
that touched Frances to the heart,
he laid his hand upon her head. The
girl turned her face twoards him
and the hood again falling back. ex-
posed her face 70 the moonbeamH. A
tear was Riistening on either cheek
and her mild blue eyes were gazing
upon him In reverence. Harper bent
and pressed a paternai kiss upon her
forehead and continued ANY OF
these sheep paths viii take you TO
the plain. but here we must part--I