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

him and call upon him to give an a G
count Of himself"
Are you sure he came in here?'
asked Winifred-
II am" replied the citizen.
I'VE have been ordered to search the
house," said the soldier who had
spoken.
You will do no such thing" said
Captain Wharton. I'm support of Miss
Dudley's testimony ! give you my word
Of honor us an officer and a gentleman
that there is no such person here"
There was Il brief silence, at the end
Of which the recently arrived party
were turning to leave the house when
the closet door was thrown open and
a man in citizens dress stepped forth.
II cannot permit any n to bear
false witness in my behalf" be said.
This person." pointing to the citizen,
lis correct. At nightfall | left the tav-
ern and came here to call upon Miss
Dudley mt her invitation"
Captain Wharton turned his eyes
from the Englishman to Winifred, then
back to Wharton.
who are you. sir?" he asked.
Captain John Armitage of the Brit
ish army"
and in our lines in citizens clothes!'
Miss Dudley will bear me out that
| came upon her invitation"
For what purpose?" asked the citi-
zen.
THAT does not concern you. did
not come for military information"
You need not remain here any long
err" said Captain Wharton to the
searching party. Il will be RESPONSE
Bile for this gentleman"
This order. coming from an officer.
was enough for those to whom it was
addressed and was obeyed. When the
men were gone Wharton said:
Would that l could con%scientiously
let this matter drop here! My duty
as a soldier and to my country COM
pels me to act. l must report your
presence here. Captain Armitage, to
our commander. If you are not here
as a spy you have nothing to fear. I
deem 1t best for your interest that I
report the matter privately to General
Washington. Give me your parole that
you will remain here till you hear from
me-
at is given with thanks"
While this scene was being enacted
Winifred. terror stricken for her lover,
was crouching beside him. Wharton.
with a bow to her. turned, and In an
other moment they heard him mount
and ride away.
1t was not long before an orderly
rode up to the house and delivered al
order for John Armitage and Winifred
Dudley to proceed to headquarters.
Winifred. having protected herself
against the cold. with her lover de-
scended the side Of the hill on which
Morristown is built, then assembled the
slope that led to General W~ashington's
headquarters. They were conducted
into his private Office in ear Of the
building. The general rose to receive
them. then closed the door. shutting
out all but himself and them.
II understand. SIR" he said to Armi-
tage. that you have admitted that
you are u captain in the British army.
You are within our lines in citizens
apparel. Will you inform me-. sir. why
| should not order a court martial to
try you on the charge Of being a spy?'
Il can only assure you. general.
that l came here in reply to a written
request from Miss Dudley. When l
received it l had nc knowledge what
was her motive in asking me to come"
But you know n0w?"
II do"
The general thought a few moments.
then said. lit is imperative that l have
an explanation for your being here;
otherwise l must treat you as a spy"
During this brief dialogue Winifred's
feelings were pent up and now burst
forth.
General" she cried in agony. II am
the spy. There is another matter be-
tween me and Captain Armitage than
conveying information to the British.
but this was not my real reason for
'summoning him. | have been taking
note Of the troops gathered here and
other matters pertaining to your army
and sent for Captain Armitage to come
and carry the information to General
Howe. But lest my letter should be
intercepted l told him that my father
was trying to persuade me to marry u
rival-one Of your officers. Captain
Armitage had no knowledge whatever
that | had any other motive for sum-
moning him. | have forfeited my life.
Execute me for a spy. No trial is need
/ ed: here is the evidence"
She handed General Washington the
notes she had made and which she had
intended to send by Captain Armitage
to General Howe. He scanned them.
then looked up at the couple in mute
surprise. After deliberation he said:
Captain Armitage. you cannot be
convicted on this the only evidence l
nave in your q Had you been
caught with this information on you
nothing could have saved you. But
this lady has been convicted by her
own confession and must suffer the
Il nona1fV"