The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-04-04
61TR,nn AcrCIunoscoD1


stood as she LEFT me. staring while
she crossed the lawn and Joined a
dark-faced officer OF Rangers. Once
she glanced back over her shoulder,
and then disappeared In the crowd
OF jewellers.
| had not intended to remain In
Philadelphia through the night. Al
ready | had secured the information
sought. and now must consider the
safest and quickest method OF escape.
II seemed to me this night. given up
TO revelry. afforded the best possible
opportunity for my safely passing the
British guard lines. Tomorrow disci
ullne would be resumed. the soldiers
would return to their posts and the
citizens OF the city would again ap'
pear on the streets, This would great.
~ intensity my danger. for. az any
moment, might encounter some one
who knew me. who might denounce
me 10 the authorities.
That this was the exact truth Of the
situation could not be denied. yet,
now. every reckless impulse OF my
disposition urged me 10 remain: the
Invitation OF those laughing blue eyes.
the challenge ! read in the lady's fair
face. the unsolved mystery OF her iden.
,ity. all combined In a temptation !
found II impossible 10 resist. For q
dance with her. "a possible understand.
ing. was willing 90 venture life itself.
II must have been nearly nine
O'Clock when. In company with q
young oornet. ! rode up TO the house
given up TO festivities. and. turning
over our horses 20 the care OF cavalry
grooms. climbed the wide steps TO the
door leading into the ball.
All was a riot OF color. rich. Devil
dering. with smiling faces. and laugh
ing lips everywhere. In such a spot.
amid such surrounding. war seemed
q dream. a faror delirium.
My companion disappeared. and.
20 escape the pressure Of those surg.
ing back and forth through the wide
doorway. found passage close to the
wall. and half clrcIed the room. finally
discovering a halting place In the re-
cesses OF window. where. partially
concealed myself by flowing curtains.
I could ga1e out over the brilliant as-
semblage. Half ashamed OF the plain
ness OF my own attire. and feeling a
stranger and an alien. was yet con-
sciously seeking the one face which
had lured me there
Enough conversation reached me TO
disclose a promised display OF IRE
works on the lawn. and almost imme-
diately a magnificent bouquet OF rock
cts shot up into the black sky. illumi-
mating everything with a glare OF fire.
This was followed by the lighting up
OF the triumphal arch. and the burst
ing OF balloons high overhead. Attract
ed by the spectacle. was staring out
at the disabling scene. when a voice
spoke at n shoulder.
IT'S q relief to see even one SOL
der present ready for duty"
turned 70 look into a pair OF steady
blue eyes. with a bit OF mocking laugh
ter In their depths. the face revealed
clearly In the glare OF the rockets.
Necessity only" ! managed TO re-
ply. Il can b. as gorgeous as these
others. had brought a bag with me-"
"No doubt; every British regiment
tries to Guido the others in ribbons
and gold lace. Really they become
tiresoms with such foppery in war
times. See how they play tonight.
like children. the city practically I'M
guarded from attack" she waved an
ungloved hand toward the dark with
out Il venture there are men out
yonde:. sir, who are not dancing and
laughing away these hours"
My cheeks burned.
"You mean Washington's troops7-
"Ayel l saw them here In Philadel-
phia before Sir William came" her
voice lowered, yet earnest, "and they
are not playing at war; grim, silent.