The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-02-16

before him. keeping watch upon him
the while. On passing through a
thicket that lined the road on either
side the prisoner--for he was nothing
else-being for moment screened
from Stewart. threw the letter int
some bushes. The captain caught
sight of it Just before 1t fell and. rid
ing to 1t, dlsmountcd. found 1t and
put 1t In his pocket
All doubt that somcth. ,g was erong
had now vanished. Coming to some
vedettes. Stewart called to them to
take charge of the prisoner and bring
him to Washington's headquarters,
while he rode on. In short while he
was In the generals private office.
There. general he said, throwing
down the letter. II fear 1t contains
something of moment destined for our
enemies"
Washington looked at the tiny mis-
sive, read the address-"To Mistress
Sarah Scudder, on the Bowling Green,
City of New York"-written In wo-
mans hand, and all the Instincts Of a
gentleman rose up within him against
opening II. But after an account of
what had occurred after Stewart over
took its bearer he broke the seal with
out further ado. The letter contained
a summary Of the disposition being
made for the coming Yorktown cam
paign and information that such cam
paign was soon to be inaugurated.
Composed as was the commanders
nature. slight tinge of pallor came
over his face. 1t was some time be-
fore he spoke.
Captain" he said presently. bring
Janice Arbuckle to me-"
Stewart went out and Janice return
cd with him just as the bearer of the
letter was marched into the generals
office.
Mistress Arbuckle," said the gen.
eral. "from whom did you get the In
formation contained in this letterT'
II decline to tell your excellency."
"Who is this man?' pointing to the
prisoner.
Il decline to tell your excellency."
Il will tell who I am" said the man.
ut shall not be said that l screened
myself behind a womans skirts. am
Lieutenant Blrkenhead, of his males
tvs til foot. and am alone responsible
for this attempt"
'IIe Is not responsible for It," said
Janice calmly. 'Ile did not know
what the letter contained. l wrote the
general commanding TO send some
trusted person here since desired to
return letter to New York and there
was no conveyance,
Enough" said the general In chief
"The lady's word saves you. sir. from
the halter"
The case OF Major Andre WAS doubt
less fresh IN Washington's mind. and
he was not disposed to enter upon an
other such case
mistress Arbuckle," continued the
general. II must ask your father to
give his word that you will keep your
room TIL give you permission to
| leave It. You. sir to the prisoner.
will be confined under careful watch
| in military prison until the indie.
| pendence of the colonies il acknowl-
edged by your sovereign. Captain
| Stewart. Will you see that what have
ordered is carried out?"
Captain Stewart took the two to his
office, where he handed Janice Ar
buckle a chair and babe her wait his
return. Then he dispatched the pris-
oner to the guardhouse. from which he
was next day removed to more perma-
nent quarters. Returning to Janice. he
stood for moment looking at her fix
edly
Janice" he said presently. tell me
one thing-how did you become ac-
quainted with this information you
endeavored to impart to-
"The officers Of our lawful king"
she interrupted. II will tell you.
was In this house not long ago sitting
In n room separated from another by
thin door overheard the general
debating dispatch covering the
whole matter
Stewart was silent for moment
He was very much moved and was
breathing heavily.
81 am surprised" he said ut last.
that you should have told me a.
II told you nothing, except that the
bearer OF my letter did not know its
contents lie did not"
"If you should give your word not to
attempt fun Their TO communicate this
matter to our enemies. would you con.
slider il your duty to break II for your
king
Yes, ! would
"Then shall take the responsibility
Of combining you under guard he
said, land without the generals order.
He has enough to attend to without
attempting to muzzle a woman"
The next day Washington set out
for Virginia. Stewart went with him,
but before departing he directed that
Janice Arbuckle be confined in her
room ut her fathers house. with
guard ut the door and under the win
dow The situation for her remained
unchanged till the surrender Of Corn
wallis, when Captain Stewart return
ed to Dobbs Ferry and himself set her
free.
As she stepped out OF her prison
chamber the captain asked her to be
his wife.
In reply she made face" at him.
Nevertheless few months later she
married him. Washington graclng the
ceremony with his presence.