Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-06-16

the candles were lighted she arose
from her couch and, telling her parents
that she had recovered, with firm
step went upstairs TO her chamber.
At midnight. when all were asleep.
Mary went to the room of her brother
and without awakening him took
suit of his clothes from q closet Half
an hour later, dressed as youth, her
hair curled to fall over a broad lace.
collar and with plumed hat, she left
the house and under the starlight
hastened down the road. Near day
light she reached the camp of the par
Lament troop and crawling inside the
lines, lay herself down near the pris.
oners.
When the sun came up the captain
of the guard counted the group Of
Cavaliers who had been intrHsted to.
his care the evening before and was
surprised to find one more than should
be. He reported the circumstance to-
the commander of the force. who
merely snapped back:
"Well, make it five in thirteen"
AS soon as the command had break
tasted the prisoners were marched out
into field near by. Thirteen bits ot
paper We're put in helmet seven
blanks and five marked with a skull
and bones. Then from a hat all were
required to draw Il number. The priS-
oners We're then to draw from the
helmet in order of the numbers they
had drawn from the hat. Those draw
ing skulls and bones were to be shot.
Mary Ail.aneiln ct tn
hat to draw her number. The officer
in charge saw her and said
"What are you doing here? You are
nothing but ii child"
I'm here with the rest" replied the
girl"
The officer was about to order her to
stand aside when he recalled his COM
mander's words. Make it five in thir-
teen" He suffered her to draw o
number, and she drew No 4.
Then began the drawing from the
helmet.
No. 3 was the first man to draw a
skull and bones. His knees gave way
beneath him as he tottered back from
the helmet. Mary's turn came next.
II protest against that boys draw
ing" exclaimed young Egbert Booth.
The commander paid no attention to
him. and Mary drew. Her paper was
a blank.
While the drawing was going on
Mary stepped up beside Egbert Booth
and slipped her blank paper in his
hand. He looked at her. then at the
paper, and handed 1t back to her She
- ts
did not move him. He was unwilling
to stand on any other basis than that
Of his comrades. Mary's object had
failed. She sank back out of sight to
hide her distress. When Booth went
up to the helmet to draw she watched
him with eager eyes. He drew, turned
and held up the paper to the boy who
had befriended him. 1t was blank.
Mary fell in faint.
The prisoners who had drawn death
heads were placed in Il line and a par
| ty Of muskeeters were about to fire
upon them when shout was heard in
an adjoining wood. and a band OF
| Cavaliers came charging over the field.
The Roundheads. surprised and out.
numbered, took to flight. The "sA ul
! and bones" men clung together in an
embrace. Then Egbert Booth turned
| to Mary.
whence come you, boy?" he asked
in kindly voice.
I'm Sir Thomas Aikenside's SON"
Indeed! You are none of ours
mo. came here
The sentence was never finished.
Tho commanding officer Of the Cava-
Tiers rode up and, seeing Mary. asked
II the king needed to rob the cradle
for recruits. Mary took advantage OF
the remark to tell him that she was a
temporary volunteer and desired per-
mission to go to her home. An hour
later, having watched the house for
I On opportunity, she stole inside and up
to her room without being discovered
Indeed, the household were out in
every direction searching for her.
Mary had barely time to assume her
own maldenly apparel when they be-
gan to return from tay!r flultlcsS
search Then she heard voices below
Il am beholdcn, sir. to a son of
yours for great favor come to
thank him"
"Indee< sir
"Yes he was with US this morning
in our camp"
II have but one on. and he has not
been IN your chr.
Mary left her IN and went down
stairs. Blushing scarlet. she joined
the group, among whom was young
Egbert Booth. On seeing her be
started.
II see my would be preserver," he
said. 'in girls apparel"
you see my daughter" said Sir
Thomas, "in her own apparel"
Mary stood with her eyes bent on
the ground.
"Explain" said her father in Sc
we're tone.
Then Mary haltinglv told her story.
In an hours time Egbert Booth was
betrothed to Mary Aikenside, The
courtship IS said to have been the
shortest that ever occurred in merrie
England.
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