The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-02-06
j. JTENIrfORE COOPER !

Frances grew giddy. She turned an
anxious eye to the clock. and the hand
seemed to Hnger over its face, as IL with
intent to torture her. a sR-
Speak, Frances" murmured Dunwoo-
die; may / summon my good kinswo-
man? Determine, for time presses"
"Peyton! cannot enter into such a
solemn engagement with fraud upon my
conscience have seen Henry since his
escape, and time is all-important to him.
Here is my hand if, with the knowledge
of the consequences of delay, you will
not reject it, II V freely yours" ~.
Reject it," cried the delighted youth /;
II take 1t as the richest gift of heaven.
There is time enough for us all. Two
hours will take me through the hills; and
by noon tomorrow will return with
Washington's pardon for your brother,
and Henry will help to enliven our
lnuptials."
Then meet me here in ten minutes,"
said Frances, greatly relieved by the un-
burdening her mind. and filled with the
thopct of securing Henry's safety, 'and
will return and take those vows which
will bind me to you forever"
Miss Peyton received the avowal of her
niece with infinite astonishment, and a
little displeasure. 1t was violating all the
order and decorum Of a wedding to get it
up so hastily, and with so little ceremony.
But Frances, with modest firmness, de-
clared that her resolution was taken,
and the maid returned to the apartment,
accompanied by her father and aunt, at
the expiration or the time that she had
fixed. Dunwoodie aud the clergyman
were already there. Frances, silently,
placed in his hand the wedding ring of
her own mother, and, after some little time
spent in arranging Mr.. Wharton and
herself, Miss Peyton suffered the cere-
mony to proceed.
The clock stood directly before the eyes
OF Frances, and she turned many an anx-
ious glance at the dial; but the solemn
language of the priest soon caught her at
tenttee, and her mind became intent upon
the tos;s she was uttering. The cere-
mony was quickly over, and as the clergy
man closed the words of 5enediction, the
clock told the hour Of nine. This was
the time that Harper had deemed so i'm
portant, and Frances felt as if mighty
load was at once removed from her heart.
Dunwoodie folded her in his. arms, sa-
luted the mild aunt again and again, and
shook Mr.. Wharton and the divine repeat
edly by the hand. In the midst of the
tap was heard at the door.
was opened, and Mason appeared.
I'VE are iD the saddle" said the lieu
tenant, "and, with your permission, /
will lead on; as you are so well mounted,
you can cyertake us, at your leisure
yes, yes, my good fellow; march,
cried Dunwoodie, gladly seizing an excuse
to hnger; Il will reach You at the first
halt
The noise Of horseman was heard ap-
the house, and an officer was
shown into the room. The gentleman
wore the dress of an aide-de-camp, and
the major at once knew him to be one of
the military family of Washington.
Major Dunwoodie,' he said, after
bowling to the ladies', ''the commander-i1-
chief has directed me to give you these
orders.n s@5EAMEDa
He executed his mission, and, pleading
duty, took his leave Immediately.
"Here, indeed" cried the major, "is an
turn in the whole affair; but
! understand it; Harper has got my let
ter. Listen" @.> ,, a W. sets A.
'Sir--Upon the receipt Of this, you win
concentrate your squadron, so as to be
in front of covering party which the
enemy has sent up in front of his forager,
by ten o'clock tomorrow. on the heights
Of Croton, where you will find body Of
foot to support you. The scape of the
English spy has been reported to me, but
his arrest is unimportant compared with
the duty i now assign you. You will,
recall your men. IL any are in
pursuit, and endeavor to defeat the enemy
forthwith. s@F@ #.rs #Eamtl
"Your obedient servant, ..- .'
GEORGE WASHINGTON" .
THANK God!" cried Dunwoodie, my
hands are washed Of Henry's recapture;
l can now move to my duty with honor"
CHAPTER XXvI. ...
The commencement of the following year
was passed, on the part of the Americans,