The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-01-09

Cnlnk ne OuBHl, r~SUxDe0 tn0 0wexs
In Q manner as sententious - that az his
examiner.
Were You employed in carrying any
letters or messages while Captain Whar
ton was in your masters houseT'
II do what a tell me-" returned tAs
black.
Enough" said Colonel Singleton, with
dignity; you have the noble acknowledg.
ment of a gentleman, what more can you
obtain from this slave? Captain whar-
ton, you perceive the unfortunate i'm
preston against you. Have you Other
testimony to adduceT
Frances arose, and with a totterin,
step moved toward the judges; the pale
ness of her cheek continued but for q
moment and gave place to flush of fire,
and with light but firm tread, she stood
before them. Raising her hand to her
polished forehead, Frances threw aside
her exuberant locks, and displayed pic
ture of beauty and innocence to their
view that might have moved even sterner
natures. The president shrouded his eyes
for moment, as if the wild eye and
speaking countenance recalled the image
of another. Recovering himself, he said,
with an earnestness that betrayed secret
wishes
ITO you, then, your brother previously
communicated his intention of paying
your family secret visit?'
mo no" said Frances ''he told me
nothing-we knew not Of the visit until
he arrived; but can it be necessary to
explain to gallant men that child would
incur hazard to meet his only parent?'>
But was this the first time? Did he
never talk of doing so before?" inquired
the colonel, leaning toward her with pa
ternal interest.
Certainly-certainly, cried Frances,
catching the expression of his own benev-
olent countenance. This is but the
fourth of his visits"
II knew it," exclaimed the veteran,
rubbing his hands with delight; IAN ad-
yenturous, warm-hearted son-I warrant
me, gentlemen, fiery soldier in the field
In what disguise did he Gomez"
I'm none, for none were then neces-
sary; the royal troops covered the coun-
try, and gave him safe passage"
And was this the first of his visits out
of the uniform of his regiment?'
'Oh! the very first" exclaimed the
eager girl his frs offense, / do assure
you, if offense it be-"
"But you wrote him-you urged the
visit; surely, young lady, you wished to
see your brother?" added the impatient
colonel.
"That we wished it and prayed for it
oh, how fervently we prayed for it lis
true; but to have held communion with
the royal army would have endangered
our father, and we dared not"
did he leave the house until taken.
or had he intercourse with any out Vt
your own dwelling?"
With none-no one, excepting our
neighbor, the peddler, Birch.'
with whom?" exclaimed the colonel,
turning pale and shrinking as from the
sting of an adder.
Dunwoodie groaned aloud, and striking
his head with his hand, cried, in piercing
tones, HE is lost ~ and rushed from the
apartment.
"But Harvey Birch" repeated Fran.
ces, gazing wildly at the door through
which her lover had disappeared.
Harvey Birch !" echoed all the Judges.
The two immovable members of the court
glance at their prisoner.
ITO you, gentlemen, it can be no new
intelligence to hear that Harvey Birch
is suspected of favoring the royal cause
said Henry "for he has already been con-
demned by your tribunals to the fate
that l now see awaits myself. l will
therefore explain chat 1t was by his as
Stance | procured the disguise and pass
ed your pickets; but to my dying mo-
ment, and with my dying breath, l will
avow that my intentions We're as pure as
the innocent being before you"
Captain Wharton" said the president,
solemnly, 1.-The enemies of American lib
erty have made mighty and subtle efforts
to overthrow our power. A more danger-
GUS man, for his means and education, 10
not ranked among our foes than this ped
dler of Westchester. He is spy-artful,
delusive and penetrating beyond the abili-
ties of any of his class. He would have
saved Andre. Indeed, young man, this is
connection that may prove fatal to
you"
The honest Indignation that beamed on
the countenance of the aged warrior, was
met by look of perfect conviction on
the part of his comrades.
81 have ruined him" cried Fr.uces,
clasping her hands in terror "do you
desert us? then he Is lost, indeed"
"Forbear lovely .nnocent-forbear ="
said the colonel. with strong emotion; /;
you injure none, but distress us ALL"
Remand your prisoner" said one OF
the judges to the officer who had the
charge Of Henry. Colonel Singleton,
shall we withdraw
singleton. Singleton echoed Fran
ces; then you are father, and know
how to pity fathers woes; you cannot,
will not, wound q heart that is now near
ly crushed. Hear me, Colonel Singleton !;
as God will listen to your dying prayers,