The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-03-03

uGNeu CATHERINE nGQ elOHe0.
1t did not take Dinah a long while
to make up her mind that her master
should be Informed of a step which
might turn OEt to be regretted. 1t was
no great distance to Tracy's place Of
business and the old woman went
there as fast as she could go and told
him that his daughter had eloped with
peddler in Tracys own sleigh Tracy
borrowed sleigh and, taking Dinah
with him, drove at Il brcakneck pace in
the direction she said the fugitiyes had
taken.
Unfortunately for Tracy. he had not
unstrapped the bells from about the
horse. Catherine, unsuspiciOus of dan
ger, was not hurrying. and it was not
long before her father caught sight of
the sleigh that contained her and Mar
cey. She had thought it prudent that
Marcy should retain his position un-
der the robes until they had attained
some distance from her home, and
when her father saw her she alone
was visible. Hearing distant jingle
Of sleighbells. she turned. and, seeing
a horse and sleigh coming at a rapid
pace, scattering the snow, she sur
missed that something had gone wrong
The position Of Marcy was one of
great danger, for if caught it was
quite likely it would come out that
he was an American soldier. Cath
crimes position was difficult, because
If she were not convicted of aiding q
spy she would be accused of having a
lover unknown to her father or, in
deed, any one else. What was to be
done? She told Marcy that they were
pursued, and, since she did not know
why, both came to the conclusion that
Marcy had been suspected as a spy
If this were proved he would be hang
ed If caught
Catherine looked back and saw that
the sleigh behind her was gaining on
them rapidly. There was no hope of
escape. AS soon as she had seen that
she was pursued she had whipped up
her horse and made it plain that she
was trying to effect an escape. Had
she gone on at an ordinary gait she
would have been in better position.
As It was, no story could be concOcted
to satisfy her father. However, seeing
that escape was impossible, she drew
rein and waited for the blow to fall.
AS soon as Tracy overlook her he
jumped from his sleigh and, running
to the other one, pulled the robes from
of Marcy. Tracy, whose only idea was
that his daughter was in a position to
compromise herself, was livid with
rage. Looking Marcy over and seeing
that despite his countryman's clothes
he was a fine looking young fellow, he
came to sudden resolution. Order
ing Catherine into the sleigh with
Dinah, he got in with his captive and
drove in the direction of a church
spire. Stopping at the parsonage, he
ordered Marcy and his daughter both
out of the sleighs and drove them into
the house. They were received by the
parson, and Tracy said to bis captive:
Il don't know who you are, but l
don't believe you are a huckster. !
think l know a gentleman when l see
him, and I'm sure you are one. What
my daughter doesn't matter. for you
shall either marry her or / will kill
you"
Marcy and Catherine cast q quick
glance at each other. This unexpected
denouement changed the conditions.
II am gentleman" replied Marcy.
land the one object Of my life is to
marry your daughter"
Catherine was not consulted in the
matter and needed not to comply or
dissent. She was married passfvely
As soon as the two were made one
Tracy returned to his sleigh, where
Dinah was still sitting. and drove
away without word. Marcy and Ids
wife went out and stood beside their
sleigh, and for the first time since their
marriage their eyes met.
'"This is pretty piece of business"
exclaimed the bride.
"a very satisfactory piece of bust
ness to uia,' replied the groom.
"If your life had not depended upon
my acquiescence | would have explain
ed to father"
I'm well pleased tlat you did not
Come, let us go where we both belong
to the American lines. We are both
spies. and have escaped the halter by
your conserving TO merry me. | will
make you good husband"
That evening when they drove ur
to Washington's headquarters they en-
teret. the commanders Office in com
pany.
"You'n get no more information from
your spy after this, general" said
Marcy. "Tve brought her away" And
he told the story.
my wedding present" said the gen
eral, twill be captaincy for the
groom"