The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-09-12
CHAPTER XXI.

oA Tie AOAoWluS mOruluo.
CHAPTER XXI.
A few hours were passed by the prison
er. after his sentence was received. in
the bosom of his family. Mr.. Wharton
wept in hopeless dependency over the
untimely fate of his son and Frances, af-
ter recovering from her insensibility, ex-
perienced an anguish Of feeling to which
the bitterness of death itself would have
been comparatively light Miss Peyton
alone retained vestige of hope, founded
in kind of instructive dependence on the
character of Washington. he was a
native of the same colony with herself.
He was known in Virginia as a consist
emit, but Just and lenient, master; and
she felt kind of pride in associating in
her mind her countryman with the man
who led the armies, and in great meas
ure controlled the destinies of America
But even her confiding hopes were DOOM
ed to meet with a speedy termination.
Toward noon. a regiment of militia. that
was quartered on the banks of the river,
moved up to the ground in front of the
house that held our heroine and her fam
lily, and deliberately pitched their tents,
with the avowed intention of remaining
until the following morning. to give sol
emnity and effect to the execution of a
British spy.
Dunwoodie had performed all that was
required of him by his orders, and was
at liberty to retrace his steps to his ex
pecting squadron, which was impatiently
waiting his return, to be led against a de-
tachment of the enemy, that was known
TO be slowly moving up the banks of the
river, in order to cover a party of forag-
ers in its rear. He was accompsnie by
a small party of Lawton's troop, under
the expectation that their testimony might
be required to convict the prisoner. But
the confession of Captain Wharton had
removed the necessity of examining any
witnesses. The major, from an unwill-
ingness to encounter the distress Of Hen
ry's friends, and a dread of trusting him
self within its influence, had spent the
time in walking by himself, in keen
anxiety, at a short distance from the
dwelling. While laborins under constant
ly recurring doubts, enlivened by tran
sient rays of hope. Mason approached,
accoutered completely for the saddle
Thinking that you might have forgot
ten the news brought this morning from
below, sir, 1 have taken the liberty to CO
Ger the detachment under arms" said the
lieutenant "John Bull is out in West
chester, with a train of wagons which,
If he fills, will compel US to retire through
these hills in search of provender."
Where did the express leave Them"
ION the heights above Sing Sing" re-
turned the lieutenant.
"Oh! that the courier was returned
from Headquarters 7" exclaimed Dunwoo-
die This suspense is insupportable."
You have your WISH" cried Mason /;
"heSe he is at the moment, and riding
like the bearer of good news"
Dunwoodie leaped the fence and stood
before the messenger.
what news?" cried the major. the
moment that the soldier stopped his horse.
Good :" exclaimed the man; and feel
ing no hesitation to intrust an officer so
well known as Major Dunwoodie, he plac-
ed a paper in his hands
Dunwoodie paused not to read, but
few. with the elastic spring of JOY, to
the chamber of the prisoner. The senti-
nels knew him, and he was suffered to
pass without question
"Oh! Peyton," cried Frances, as he en-
tered the apartment, you look like a
messenger from heaven! bring you It'd
ings of mercy?"
Here. FrancesHhere, Henry-here,
dear cousin Jeanette" cried the youth,
as with trembling hands he broke the
seal; there is the letter itself, directed
to the captain of the guard. Bcc listen"
All did listen with intense anxiety and
the pang of blasted hope was added to
their misery, as they saw the glow of
delight which had beamed on the connie
nance of the major give place to a ,ook
of horror. The paper contained the SEN
tence of the court, and underneath was
written these simple words:
"Approved-Geo. Washington"
"He's lost ! he's lost !" cried Frances,
sinking into the arms of her aunt
MY son my son - sobbed the father,
there is mercy in heaven, if there is none
On earth. May Washington never want
hat mercy he thus denies to my innocent
,hildr'
washington ~ echoed Dunwoodie, gaz-
ng around him in vacant horror. "Yes,
tbs the act of Wash ngton himself; these
re his characters his very name is here,
% sanction the dres tlful deed"
"Cruel, cruel Washington 70 cried Miss
'eyton: how has his familiarity with
flood changed his nature ~
Blame him not" raid Dunwoodie; sit
, the general, and not the man; my life
n Y he feels the blow he is compelled
2/Infiict-"
'"I have been deceived in him." cried
frances. He is not the savior of his
,untry, but a cold and merciless tyrant.
a. Peyton, Peytonl how have you mis-
d me in his characterr ~
Peace, dear Frances; use not such
nguage. He is but the guardian of the
W."
you speak the truth, Major Dunwoo-
e" said Henry. II, who am to suffer,
anne him not. Every indulgence has
en- granted me that l can ask. On the