The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-08-02

il- AAb SAltA IT. ANN "ANNN nag
hand. and the younger officer lifted his
cooked hat in acknowledgment, Let
us spur over there, lieutenant, until |
get you a ticket OF invitation"
l followed, careless of the loss Of
time SOL could both e and hear.
Andre, this is Lieutenant For
tesque just in from New York with
dispatches for Howe. | have prom
ised him a ticket for tonight"
The young officer laughingly extend
ed a hand.
The more the merrier. Craig. With
the F~orty-second ! see, sir; knew your
colonel we'll. You'll find America isn't
so bad, after you get used to it. We've
had a gay time here, Ell, O'Hara? The
best Of liquor, and the prettiest Of
girls, and now Wen show the town
something 1t won't forget in a hurry"
He held out a card to me. Rather
ornate, considering the printers In
these colonies; designed 1t myself"
1t was certainly a handsome souve-
mir, perhaps six inches by four in
size, engraved as in a shield, yielding
a view Of the sea, with the setting
sun. and on a wreath the words, "Lucco
dlscendens, ancto %splendore resu
GAM" while at the top was the gen
erals crest, bearing the words, "'Vive
vale"
"A fine ~conceit, indeed" l CON
fessed, and If the pageant be equal
to its promise twill be well worth
the seeing, What is the purpose, gen.
tlemen2"
ITO give Sir William fit farewell"
returned Andre, pleased at my un,
stinted praise. And that the
Lord has sent us a fine day, | can
promise a festival worthy the herald.
But. Fortesque, If you would have au-
dience with Howe, advise you to get
on, for he will have few spare mo-
ments between now and day-dawn to-
morrow"
We parted with much bowling, Craig
and | guiding our horses through the
crowded streets, being kept too busy
avoiding accidents to exchange con
versation. Howe's headquarters on
High street were not p%retentious, and.
except for a single sentinel posted at
the door, were u%nguarded. | was ad,
mitted without delay. An aide took
my name, and within a very few mo-
ments Sir William himself entered
through a ear door, attired in field
uniform. He greeted me with much
affability, CHANGING hastily over the
papers handed him, and then into my
face.
These do not greatly change my
former plans" he said, but ! am glad
to know l can retain my present staff.
There was no special news In New
York, lieutenant"
None of particular Importance,
believe, sir. We landed only a short
time ago"
Yes. I understand. You were for
tunate to get through here so easily
the Jerseys are a hotbed OF rebellion.
Do you return with me by water?"
II believe that was left to my own
discretion. l should be glad Of a day
or two in Philadelphia"
Easily arranged. While l shall
leave the city tomorrow so as to give
Clinton a fair field, ! shall remain on
Lord Howe's flagship for some little
time previous to final departure for
New York. You had better mess here
with my staff. Mabry," turning to the
aide, see that Lieutenant Fortesque
has breakfast, and procure him a pass
good indefinitely within our lines. You
will pardon my withdrawal, as the Off.
GERS Of the garrison promise me an
exceedingly busy day. We will meet
again, no doubt"
He clasped my hand warmly, and
withdrew, leaving me alone with the
aide, half-ashamed, | confess, of hav.
ing been compelled to deceive. Yet
the very Ease of it all stimulated en-.
deaVor, and l conversed lightly with
Mabry Owe the mess table, and, when
the orderly returned with the neces-
sary pass, | was keen to start upon
my round of inspection, utterly for.
getful Of having been up and in saddle
all night. Mabry could not leave his
duties to accompany me, but cour.
furnished a fresh horse, and
assigned a private of dragons to
guide me about the city. By ten
o'clock we yer off, my only fear be-
ing the possible meeting with some ac-
quaintance.