The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-02-25
Short Stories 10 Drive Dull Care Av1y
i The Sort of advertisement Longed for when
the Days Work is Over
TOBE ENJOYED I'm COY CORNERS

"Come back with me-" he said to the
man. land after referring the matter
to the general in chief you may go on
with it for all me. am not person
ally interested in the correspondence
Of women"
The man looked about him, as If
weighing the chances of a refusal.
Then he said. with evident reluctance
indeed, there was a melancholy In
his reply that did not appear in his
words:
II suppose l shall have to accom-
pany you, sir, though it will delay me
in my Journey, and hoped to be In
the city before dark"
Captain Stewart marched the man
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 into
some bushes. The captain caught
sight of it Just before it fell and. rid
ing to it, dismounted. found it and
put 1t in his pocket
All doubt that something was wrong
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 1t. 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. It was some time be-
fore he spoke.
Captain" he said presently, bring
Janice Arbuckle to me-"
Stewart went out and Janice return
ed 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 letter."
II decline to tell your excellency."
"Who is this MANI" pointing to the
prisoner.
Il decline to tell your excellency."
II will tell who. am" said the man.
1T shall not be said that l screened
myself behind woman's skirts. am
Lieutenant Birkenhead, of his majes.
TVS til foot, and am alone responsible
for this attempt"
"He is not responsible for It," said
Janice calmly. HE did not know
what the letter contained. wrote the
general commanding to send some
trusted person here since desired to
return a letter to New York and there
was no conveyance"
"Enough" said the general in chief
''Tbe lady's word saves you. sir, from
the halter"
| The case Of Major Andre was doubt
less fresh in Washington's mind, ant
he was not disposed to enter upon an
other such case.
Mistress Arbuckle," continued thu
general, II must ask your father tt
! give his word that you will keep you
room till l give you permission t
leave 1t. You, sir" to the prisoner
twill be confined under careful watcl
in military prison until the indie
pendence of the colonies is acknowl
edged by your sovereign. Captain
Stewart. will you see that what hay,
| ordered is carried out?"
Captain Stewart took the two to hi
Office. where he handed Janice Al
buckle chair and babe her wait hi
return. Then he dispatched the pris
oner to the guardhouse, from which b
was ACAl uuy ACAAONCO " AOAC pCA Iuu
headquarters. Returning to Janice. b
! stood for moment looking at her fl
eddy.
Janice" he said presently, "tell m
one thing-how did you become nc
quainted with this information 70
endeavored to impart to-
1.-THE officers of our lawful king,
she interrupted. II will tell you.
was in this house not long ago sittin
: in room separated from another b
thin door. l overheard the geners
; debating dispatch covering th
whole matter"
Stewart was silent for a momen
He was very much moved and wa
breathing heavily.
Il am surprised" he said at las
that you should have told me a.
II told you nothing, except that til
bearer Of my letter did not know II
, contents. He did not
/. "If you should give your word not
attempt further to communicate tn
, matter to our enemies, would you CO..
: slider 1t your duty to break it for 70,
. kingr
q Eyes. I would
'Then l shall take the responsibility
t Of combining you under guard"
t said, ''and without the generals orde
al po hoo onO1yOh fn 0tfond RI xylfho,