The Press., 1915-03-10
Her Punishment , A Story For Washing
 tons Birthday
By F. A. MITCHELL

 mitage, captain ill one of the regi- ments quartered there, called at head quarters and asked for a short leave of absence. The officer whose duty 1t was to attend to the matter of leaves passes, etc., looked up at the applicant. handsome and refined young fellow. and said:
 Captain, I venture that you are in tending to visit some fair lady. If so I cannot grant you a leave, for the general has more fear of these Yankee rebel lassies than a whole brigade Of the men,"
 .I admit, major," replied Armitage. ..that 1 propose to visit Yankee girl, but she is not rebel. She is with us in loyalty to the king.
 Are your intentions serious, cap tain?"
 My purpose in making this trip IS serious indeed. The lady is wooed by an officer of Washington's army whom her father wishes her to marry. She has written me a note urging me to come to her. l fear that pressure is being brought to bear upon her to in duce her to marry my rival Major Harrington thought few mo- ments, then asked:
 Where do you propose to go!' "To Morristown."
 .sWashington's headquarters" Yes"
 Again a few moments were passed in reflection; then the aid spoke again: "This is a dangerous visit you are about to make, captain. l fear the general would not approve of it. "Put yourself in my place, major.
 "Ah, you sly dog, you know how to plead. All the world loves lover. will grant the leave, and if you are caught I shall doubtless be reliev ed from duty on the generals staff. Be careful that you are not taken and hanged for a spy"
 If am hanged it will be for love-" Armitage, in multi, hired man to pull him over the river directly oppo- site the fort on the southernmost point of Manhattan Island. He landed in the then village of Jersey City. There be took horse, crossed the meadows, passed through Elizabethtown and at nightfall, having left his horse at a roadside inn on the outskirts of Mor- ristown, proceeded on foot to the square about which that city is located.
 In dwelling on the west side of the square lived Winifred Dudley, the lady from whom Armitage had received the I GI-u T.. hf f, M ristown. The blinds of the living room were open, and by the light of logs burning on the hearth within the cap tain could see into the room and that it was vacant. This gave him courage His chief dread was that some Ameri can officer might be calling at the house, and, if so, he would be in this room. So the young Briton walked boldly up to the door and tapped OH it with the ring which hung iron the mouth of a metal lion. Winifred Dudley, who was on the watch fol her lover, ran hastily down the stair case and admitted him, first drawing the window curtains in the living room
 "The time of your arrival is unfortu' nate," said Winifred. Captain Whar- ton, whom my father is anxious that I should marry, has sent me word that he will call this evening for his final answer"
 The words were scarcely uttered when the sound of a horses spluttel was heard without and the clank oi side arms as some one dismounted.
 In the living room was a large closet Winifred hurried her lover into thi: closet. A moment later there was ; knock at the front door, and she ad mitted Captain Wharton, an American dragoon.
 "How, now, little oner' exclaimed the captain. You are all in futter Surely the decision I come for canno have wrought such agitation. If vol love me you must be pleased to tel me so; if not-well, in that case I mus bear the blow as best I can."
 He had clasped the hand she offere, him by way of salutatiOn and, hOldini it, looked into her face wistfully. Blu he saw no encouragement and, droI ping the hand, walked beside her int the living room and gloomily took tn seat she onered him.
 II regret, Captain Wharton" sh said, 'that my answer to the grea honor you have done me must be tn same as it has been. My father is a ardent patriot and wished me to we with one of patriot sympathies. Blu we are a divided family. My sympa thies are all with the king. That yo may consider my answer final 1 vii reveal to you that I have given m heart to British officer"
 Captain Wharton at this announce ment stood With bowed head and i silence. That silence was broken by loud rap at the door. Winifred starr ed and turned pale. Then, going t the door, she threw it open. A citize attended by several soldiers entered.
 "This man." said one of the soldiers pointing to the citizen, ''saw a ma who does not belong to this place sto at a tavern at nightfall and steal be tween our pickets. He came to thi house. We have been ordered to i'm him and call upon him to give an ae count of himself"
 Are you sure he came in here? asked Winifred.
 "I am," replied the citizen.
 We have been ordered to search tn house," said the soldier who ha spoken.
 You will do no such thing" sai Captain Wharton. "In support of Mis- Dudley's testimony I give you my wor of honor as an officer and gentlema that there is no such person here."
 There was brief silence, at the en of which the recently arrived part were turning to leave the house whe the closet door was thrown open am man in citizens dress stepped forth
 "I cannot permit any one to bea false witness in my behalf" he said ''This person." pointing to the citizer ssis correct At nightfall I left the tay