Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-02-16

have nothing to wear"
As soon as it is daylight Miss Rut-
ledge will send out for apparel for
you"
"And if there is delay l suppose I
can wear your uniform
Certainly"
'In that case you are welcome to my
clothes. But | suppose you will not
need them till tomorrow"
Indeed | shall. | need them now"
Every well; take Them"
While Stringfellow was doh'hg his
uniforl4 and putting OF the citizens
clothes the latter asked lin what 1t
all meant. The captain told him te his
capture by the British and his escape
and that he expected pursuers might
arrive at any moment and search the
house for him. The stranger listened
to all this intently. but made no COM
ment.
by the bye" said Stringfellow, sud-
denly remembering that if the man
were so disposed he might betray him,
(which side are you onY"
Never mind that. l shall do you no
harm or any one else in this house.
That l promised the young lady who
kindly took me in. fed me and gave me
a bed for the night"
When ~Stringfellow had changed his
clothes the stranger said that If men
came to the house to make q search
he would prefer to be up and about.
So he arose, put on the captains uni
form and went downstairs with him.
Kate Rutledge received the two men
in the great hall, used principally for a
living room, and, seeing the stranger
in the uniform of an American officer,
was not only surprised at his costume,
but that in such apparel he appeared
far more gentlemanlike than ever be-
fore. Besides. he greeted her with the
manner of a born a~ristocrat.
do you not fear" she said, that in
this uniform if British soldiers come
they will make a prisoner of your
"If they do l will prove that / am
not an American officer"
But that will betray Captain String
fellow. They will surmise at one that
he has changed clothes with you"
Never fear for that. | will not re-
veal the true situation until there is
no danger of betraying him. You kind
and shelter. No one in this house
shall suffer through me-"
The three chatted together, the
stranger being informed as to the re-
lation between the other two, and the
Iady's name. But he gave 40 informa-
ton about himself. His change from
a pool white man to a gentleman
would have excited the curiosity of
Stringfellow and his fiancee had it not
been that they were ~momentarily ex-
pecting a party of British soldiers to
look for the American.
Presently sounds of horses hoofs an
nounced the coming of the pursuers. A
voice without was heard detailing a
sergeant and six men to search the
house, while the rest rode ON. Then
the door was thrown open and the
searchers entered.
Come, come. sergeapt!' said the
guest in a tone of authority. when
you enter a dwelling of gentlefolk use
the knocker."
The sergeant looked at the speaker
in a puzzled way. then suddenly stood
erect and saluted.
what means this, Major Thorn
dyke? How come you to be in a rebel
uniform?"
"What is your business here?" asked
the major instead of replying.
I'VE captured a rebel captain this
afternoon. He escaped, and we are
following him. | have the orders of
the lieutenant commanding to search
this house"
Major Thorndyke to retire from this
house and leave it undisturbed."
The sergeant looked for an explana-
ton to follow the words. but since no
explanation was vouchsafed he salut-
ed and retired with his men. How
ever, as he was about to close the door
behind him Major Thorndyke ordered
him to ride on and recall the search
ers.
During this scene Stringfellow and
Miss Rutledge looked on with increas-
ing wonder. AS soon as the soldiers
had gone the guest turned to them and
said:
"You see. captain. that l have kept
my word. You are as safe here from
the kings troops as if you were at
General Marion's headquarters. If
there are rebel troops about | am in
far more danger than you. Three days
ago l left Colonel Tarleton's headquar-
ters in the disguise you now wear
with a view to gaining information as
to the Swamp Fox's" lair, that we
might trap him. | failed and was
working my way back to where l be-
long through this country. where the
kings troops and the Continentals are
both rowing, when a few hours ago |
asked food and shelter of Miss Rut-
ledge. She gave them to me. and I