The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-26

t.. Her
A Story For Washing
toms Birthday
By F. A. mitchell

One morning during the American
Revolution when the British were in
possession Of New York city John Ar
mitage. IL captain in n of the regi-
ments quartered there. called ut head
quarters and asked for a short leave
of absence. The officer whose duty it
was to attend to the matter of leaves.
passes, etc, looked up at the applicant,
a handsome and refined young fellow,
and said:
captain. l venture that you are in
tending to visit some fair lady. If so
l cannot grant you a leave. for the
general has more fear of these Yankee
rebel lassies than Il whole brigade OF
the men,"
Il admit, major replied Armitage.
that | propose to visit a Yankee girl.
but she is not a rebel. She is with US
in loyalty to the king"
Are your intentions serious, cap
tainy"
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 q note urging me to
come to her. fear that pressure is
being brought to bear upon her to in
duce her to marry my rival"
Major Harrington thought a few mo-
ments. then asked:
Where do you propose to go"
ITO M~orristown."
"Washington's headquarters"
Eyes"
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 a lover. |
will grant the leave. and II you are
caught shall doubtless be relieved
from duty on the generals staff. Be
careful that you are not taken and
hanged for a spy"
IF l am hanged it will be for love-"
Armitage. in multi. hired a 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
he took horse. crossed the meadows,
passed through Elizabethtown and ut
nightfall. having left his horse at a
roadside inn Oh the outskirts of Nor
ristown. proceeded on foot to the square
about which that city Is located.
In Il dwelling on the west side of the
square lived Winifred Dudley. the lady
from whom Armitage had received the
summons that had brought him to Nor
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 on
it with the ring which hung from
the mouth Of a metal lion. Winifred
Dudley. who was on the watch for
her lover, ran hastily down the stair
case and admitted him. first drawing
the window curtains in the living room.
1.-The time Of your arrival Is unfortu-
nate." said Winfield. Captain Whar-
ton. whom my father is anxious that
! 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 splutter
was heard without and the clank of
side arms as some one dismounted.
In the living room was a large closet.
Winifred hurried. her lover into this
closet. A moment. later there was "a
knock at the front door. and she ad-
United Captain Wharton, al American
Dragon.
How. now. little one!" exclaimed
the captain. you are all in u futter.
Surely the decision 1 come for cannot
have wrought such agitation. IL you
love me you must be pleased to tell
me so; ii nOt-weIl. in that case ! must
bear the blow as best | can"
He had .clasped the hand she offered
him by way Of salutation and, holding
It, looked into her face wistfully. But
he saw no encouragement and. drop.
ping the, hand. walked beside her into
the living room and gloomily took the
seat she offered him.
II regret. Captain Wharton" she
said. that my answe to the grea,
honor you have done me must be the
same as It has been. My father is an
ardent patriot and wished me to wed
with one Of patriot sympathies. But
We are a divided family. My sympa'
thies are all with the king. That you
may consider my answer fnal I will
reveal to you that I have given my
heart to a British officer"
Captain Wharton at this announce
ment stood with bowed head and ir
silence. That silence was broken BY
loud rap at the door. Winffred start
ed and turned pale. Then. going t.
the door, she threw 1t open. A either
attended nv several soldiers entered.