The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-03-08

layed by some details pertaining to his
duties, started to meet his sweetheart.
He had barely reached the village of
Cornwall when he saw far in the dis
lance dim figure which the quick eye
of love told him was Katherine There
was but one other person visible to
him on the ice, and that was a man
who had just started from the west
bank and was pursuing a course di
rectly across the river.
Then Muldrough saw something that
filed him with horror. The girls fig
ure, while he looked at it, suddenly
disappeared. There was no obstacle
between him and her, and he knew
that she had skated into a dreaded
air hole. Too far from her to assist
her, it seemed impossible that she
should escape death unless it might
be that she could get her hands on
firm ice. There was scarcely ray of
hope.
But hold! The man crossing the
river sees the accident. He is but
short distance from the point where
she has fallen. He changes his direc-
ton and skates rapidly over the 500
yards that separate them. He lies fiat
on the ice. drags the girl out of the
water and endeavors to stand her on
her feet. Presently he succeeds, and
the two hand in hand, skate north
ward, at first very slowly, then grad
ually increa sing their pace.
The lieutenant understood all this.
Katherine's clothing was soaked with
ice water. and the only hope for her
was to keep the blood moving through
her veins by as violent exercise as she
could stand. He was skating with all
his strength, but they had preceded
him by too long a start for him to
overtake them. He called to them. but
they did not hear him. He was not
far behind them when. taking off theil
skates, they left the river and started
up the incline toward Katherine's
home. Following them, he entered
the house just as the man who had
performed the rescue was leaving it.
The two men stopped short. each
looking at each other.
Captain Abernathyp' exclaimed
Muldrough.
Lieutenant Muldrough. at your
service" replied the other
Captain Alternately of his majesty's
cavalry had been captured in the
Ramapo valley a month before and
had been confined as a prisoner of
war at West Point Lieutenant Null
drough had been in charge of the pris-
oners at the post. had befriended Aber-
nathy, and the two. though on opposite
sides of the struggle, had formed
warm friendship. Muldrough was as
tonished to see the British captain I'M
der the present circumstances. for he
had supposed him to be in the military
prison
How did you come here?" asked
Muldrough.
Found an opportunity for escape,
and had not turned aside to assist
LADY,
"And save a hfe." interrupted Null
drough
II would have by this afternoon
been on board a man-of-war bearing
the cross OF st. George on her banner.
IN other words, would no longer be
prisoner of war"
Come in. Ny first business is to as
certain the condition of Miss Cogs-
well. l shall not forget that you have
saved her life A shadow passed over
Muldrough's face as he remembered
that it would be his duty to return to
prison the man who but for saving
that life-a life dearer than all the
world to him-would have regained his
freedom.
The two entered the house, where
Muldrough asked anxiously after Kath-
crimes condition, to learn that she was
receiving proper attention.
Meanwhile Colonel Cogswel had
learned of the accident and come has
tening into the house. Having been in
formed that everything that could be
done for his daughter was being done,
he turned to the two men.
rs it to you. SIR" he asked Captain
Alternately. that 1 owe my daughters
lifeT
ut is, colonel" Muldrough said.
without tEis gentleman's assistance
our Katherine would now be in the
river under the ice"
"And pray, sir" asked the colonel.
"to whom am | indebted for this in
valuable service?'
Captain Alternately and Lieutenant
Muldrough looked at each other. Then
Alternately said:
81 will not trouble Lieutenant Null
drough to tell you that l am Cap
tain George Alternately of his males
TVS service and a prisoner of war.
This morning before daylight ] found
loophole for escape, the sentry sta
toned at my door being dead tired and
asleep. | walked out unobserved and
under cover of the darkness skirted
the river north of Fort Clinton. Trav.
ersing the pass through the mountains
l stopped after daylight at a house
where found friendly Tory. who
gave me breakfast and these citi-
zen's clothes. was crossing the river
with q view to going down on the