The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-14
A TEST
A Story For Independence Day
BY SARA GOULD AMES
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

There is a house at Dobbs Ferry,
N. Y, where cannon planted and the
stars and stripes flying from STAFF
in the yard indicate that to the prem
lses is attached something Of national
Importance. 1t was In this house that
Washington had one of his headquar-
ters, and 1t was here that he planned
the Yorktown campaign, which result
ed in American independence.
Close by this place and on the oppo-
site side of what was then called the
Albany road lived Tory family nam
ed Treat A young lieutenant In the
patriot army, John Rathbone, was a
sutton for the hand of Marian Treat,
and the girl returned his love. But
her father, who had been born In Eng
land, was so stalwart an adherent Of
the kings cause that he would not
consent to the marriage Of his daugh-
ter with a rebel On the contrary,
with that vigor common in family af-
fairs, especially at that day, among
Englishmen. he insisted on his daugh-
ter accepting Captain Reginald Win
stead Of the British army in America.
One evening Lieutenant Rathbone,
whose regiment was stationed at
Kingsbridge. rode over TO Dobbs Fer
~ to see Marian Treat. His object
was to induce her to brave her IA
theirs anger by becoming his wife.
He was obliged to knock twice at the
door, when 1t was opened by Marian
herself, who seemed very much dis
turbed.
''What is ID, sweetheart" he asked.
"Father has told me since you were
here last not 70 receive you again"
as that alp
"Yes-no. I think you had better GO"
mot till 1 have said what ! have to
say and received your answer"
She had fingered in the hall, but he
strobe into the living room, where she
followed him.
II have come" Rathbone continued,
ito make last protest against your
marrying this Englishman, who is
one of those who are endeavoring by
force of arms TO subject us to slavery.
Come with me now TO the parsonage
of Dominic Van Worst and let him tie
the knot That is the only way by
which you can escape marriage with
this Captain Winstead."
II cannot 60. If father should come
in and find you here something awful
would happen"
Marian. sweetheart, come with me,
] conjure youl"
He seized her hand and was attempt
ing to draw her toward the door when
a man stepped from behind a screen
and with wrathful mien confronted |
him.
Il am Reginald Winstead," he said, /
1.-THE man to whom you have referred |
in such uncomplimentary terms. Do
you consider 1t honorable to attempt /
to win a lady in such fashion,"
II consider it honorable to attempt
to win in any fashion a lady who pre-
fers me and is kept from me by a |
fathers tyranny. Let me ask you. sir.
If you consider it honorable to act with
her father against his daughters In
clinations"
LET her decide here, now, between /
us" replied Captain Winstead, "and IL
she decides in your favor
The words were cut short by the
violent opening of the outer door.
Marian. white as sheet. thrust Win
stead behind the screen. One Of Gen
eral Washington's aids entered the
room hurriedly.
mistress Treat" he said. "lnforma-
ton has been brought TO headquarters
that a British soldier Is within our
lines and harbored by some Of the
Tory families hereabout. l must search
the house."
Captain" said Rathbone. will you
accept my statement that there is no
such spy hereY
you may not know Of bis presence"
81 do know of the presence of per-
son here, friend of mine. He has re-
Gently come from the enemy's lines
md propases to return there. Will you
oblige me by permitting him to go
free on my promise that no informa
ton goes with him?'
Il will refer. the matter to the gen.
eral"
The officer strobe across the road and
In few minutes returned with the ]
that General Washing
ton, in view of his confidence In Lieu |
tenant Rathbone, grants the request"
Meanwhile Captain Winstead had APP
peared from behind the screen.
"Lieutenant Rathbone.' he said.
permit me to thank you for what ;
rou have done for me, Had l been
aiken within your lines in citizens !