The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-03-01

men have no uniform and this is not
exactly within the enemy's lines.
am chiefly concerned for the message
I have taken a great risk In coming
here to see you, for If your father
knew my errand he would hold me-
and If he could get hand on the mes.
sage 1t would 60 to General Howe in
stead of General Lee"
If Herbert Burrage had been an old
er soldier he would have known bet.
ter than to remain in a spring house,
where he could be easily cornered.
The woman in such affairs usually
keeps her wits about her better than
the man. Molly realized the danger
and kept her eye on little window
through which she could see the farm
house, a short distance away. But
even she did not think far enough
ahead, for when she saw her father
coming it was too late for her lover
to beat retreat before being seen.
Seeing her start up Herbert started
too, and on discovering her father he
pose of the message. He took it out
Of his waistcoat pocket and put it in
Molly's ear. Then he waited for the
blow to fall
The door Of the spring house had
been closed. but Molly threw it open.
When Mr.. Erskine saw Herbert Bur-
rage, whom he knew to be his daugh-
ter's lover. he greeted him not unkind-
iy, but with surprise.
Il thought you had enlisted" he
said to Herbert.
$50 l did"
"Then why these citizens clothes?"
Herbert made no reply-indeed. there
was nothing to say.
1T is evident" said Erskine, that
you are on some business for the army.
I must take you in. Go to the house.
If you make any resistance there are
those within call who will shoot you
down on my request"
Herbert who. loath to injure MOlly's
father. having transferred his message,
made no resistance. At the house he
was locked in a room by himself. and
presently several Tory neighbors came
In and searched him. Not finding any
thing. they were tempted to let him
go: but being convinced that II he had
no written message lie at least had a
verbal one. they decided to hold him.
The season was late autumn. but the
snow had not yet fallen in that region.
The moon was full. and Herbert from
the window of his prison room could
see far and wide. He knew Molly must
have been searched to determine If he
had not transferred his message to her
and wondered If 1t had been found.
What was his relief and Joy to see a
horse issue from the barn and by the
moonlight rider on its back and that
that rider was girl. Molly. He knew
her errand. She possessed the message
and was going to carry it to General
Lee.
The next morning Molly was discov-
cred to be missing. Her father saw
through the matter. divining that Bur
rage had carried message and that II
had been transferred to Molly, who
had carried it to its destination. He
called his Tory friends together. and
they discussed the situation 1t seem
ed that nothing was to be done but to
hold the prisoner till her return. As
- following her. she had doubtless
teQsgood a start.
When Molly returned and admitted
sfnst she had carried the message from
Elizabe:htown. to what point she
would not ~Nsay. after a conference
among the Torres it was decided that
rather than have i. known that they
had been tricked. they would set Her
bert Burrage at liberty