Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-02-16

ally interested in the correspondence
of women"
The man looked about him. as e
weighing the chances Of a refusal.
Then he said. with evident reluctance
indeed, there was melancholy IN
his reply tina; did not appear In his
words:
81 suppose shall have to accom-
pany you. sir. though 1t will delay me
in my journey, and hoped to be in
the city before dark"
Captain Stewart marched the man
before him. keeping Il watch upon him
the while. On passing through
thicket that lined the road on either
side the priSJncr-for he was nothing
elSe-bein: fer Il moment screened
from Siewar' threw the letter into
Sorte bushes The captain caught
sight OF il just before ii fell and, rid
ing TO it. diSmounted. found it and
put il I'm 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 n short while he
was I'm the generals private office.
There. general" he said, throwing
down the letter. Il fear it 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 a wo-
mans hand. ard all the instincts of q
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
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. a 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
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."
81 decline TO tell your excellency."
"Who is this inan?" pointing to the
prisoner.
II decline to tell your excellency"
IL will tell who am" said the man.
1T shall not be said that l screened
myself behind Il womans 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. l wrote the
general commanding to send some
trusted person here since l desired to
return Il 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. IL must ask your father to
give his word that you will keep your
room till give you permission to
leave 1t. You. sir" to the prisoner
will be confined under careful watch
in n military prison until the indie
pendence of the colonies is 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
e buckle a chair and babe her wait hi.
} return. Then he dispatched the pris
[ oner to the guardhouSe. from which h,
: was next day removed to more perma
o nent quarters. Returning to Janice. h,
[ stood for a moment looking at her fix
:, eddy.
n Janice" he said presently. tell I'M
n one thing-how did you become ac
I quainted with this information 70,
$ eHdeavored to impart to-
THE officers of our lawful king,
she interrupted 81 will tell you.
h was in this house not long ago sittin
J. in room separated from another b.
thin door. overheard the genera
$ debating dispatch covering tn
II whole matter"
Stewart was silent fer moment
He was very much moved and wa
TT breathing heavily.
r 81 am surprised ne said at las
that you should have told me a.
," 81 told you nothing. except that I'll
to bearer of my letter did not know il
n contents He did NOT"