Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-07
The Argus Daily Story
Twice a Traitor-By Clarissa Mackie
Copyrighted. 1911 by Associated Literary Bureau

rertain the enemy in her uncle's house.
What IL Obadiah should return ere the
stranger had departed!
81 must tell you that my uncle is an
ardent Whig," she said as he dis
mounted.
$50 much the bet,er,- he cried heart
lily and followed the silent Hope into
the great kitchen.
While she fried more bacon and bak-
ed johnnycake before the still glow
ing Goals the stranger, still wrapped in
his cloak despite the heat OF the day,
scanned a package of papers with knit
ted brow.
At last he sat down to the best meal
Hope could prepare at short notice,
and, having made friends with Wolf,
he ate hungrily.
Hope slipped from the room and out
of the little used front door. She went
down the road with flying feet and
ran straight into the arms of her cous-
In. Tenny Baldwin, who was strolling
toward her.
well. fair cousin" he cried teasing
ly, subduing the lovelight in his fine
eyes. have you changed your mind
about dining with US today?"
mo. no. Cousin Tenny! 1 have eat
en- dinner, but have something to tell
you" Hope was breathing quickly,
and delicate color came and went in
her cheeks as she withdrew herself
from his grasp and smoothed her ruff
fed hair.
Come to tell me goodby, Hope" he
asked gently. Il may never come
back to bother you
Nay, Tenny; you have never both
cred me-" she assured him, with
troubled look in her eyes. "I-I-you
know 1 am Tory at heart"
There was a quizzical look in his
eyes. 81 know thou sayest so, Hope"
he said gravely. Il am not afraid Of
Tories"
There is a British officer eating in
our kitchen this very minute. He
asked me the way to the American
lines, but I would not tell him."
Then you are a traitor to your own
cause, Hope"
Somehow I couldn't tell him that,
Cousin Tenny. And it does not seem
loyal to Uncle Obadiah and you to en-
tertain him there in uncle's house, so
came to tell you
Thank you, DEAR" said Tenny So
berly. Stay you here, Hope. and tell
my mother I will return shortly" He
fastened up the road toward Obadiah's
house.
Hope was after him in an instant.
II am going with you, Tenny" she
cried, keeping pace with his rapid
stride.
but, Hope, there may be blood
shed,' he protested, touching his
sword.
Then you will need me the more
she said valiantly, and he made no
further objection.
The strangers horse still cropped the
grass In the dooryard as Hope led the
way through the front door. There
was the tinkle of china from the
kitchen.
He is still there" whispered Hope
opening the door into the room the
merest trifie.
Tenny Baldwin stood beside her and
applied his eye to the same crack. He
uttered a sudden exclamation, opened
the door wider and entered the room
boldly.
The stranger rose quickly, and his
hand flew to his sword. His look OF
stern inquiry changed to one of pleas
ant recognition as Tenny Baldwin re
specially saluted him.
"Ah, Captain Baldwin, cried the
stranger, holding out his hand.
"Your excellepcyr' murmured Tenny
Baldwin, for indeed 1t was the COM
mander in chief of the American army
Hope Marshall leaned against ths
wall in the shadows, half frightened
half relieved at the situation. AS she
listened TO the murmur of their voices
and realized that the stranger wal
none other than the great Genera
Washington, come down to overlook
his forces on Long Island, revulsior
of feeling came to her. These men
her Cousin Tenny and Washington
were fighting for their lives, for tho
lives of their dear ones, for liberty
for ultimate peace. She chided herseli
for an ignorant girl-a graceless one
indeed-to have flung her Tory def
ance in the faces of her kInspeople.
At that instant Hope Marshall turn
ed traitor to the Tory cause and he
traitor heart leaped gladly as sh'
thought that she need offer no oppo
sition to Tenny Baldwin's love.
Tenny Baldwin had explained thu
situation to General Washington, ant
as they laughed he brought forward
Hope Marshall.
This is my fair Tory cousin, you
excellency." he said, smiling gravely.
NAY, / am no longer a Tory, you
. your excellency," stammered Hope
her cheeks afaine. 81 have turnet
traitor to my own cause"
"Indeed?" asked the general with
, kind smile as he held her little hand
, May / ask why you have turned trai
torT'
Involuntarily Hopes eyes turned t
. those of her hapdsome Cousin Tenny.
"Oh, because
"'Tis most proper reason"' tease
> the general, discreetly turning his baci
. while Tenny took swift toll from hi