The Coolidge examiner., 1933-06-16
CHAPTER VlIl-Continued

spoken when Collins right glove
crashed into the face of Conway
with an appalling smack that
echoed in the near woods. The
stricken man reeIed and fell against
the crowd with blood flowing down
from his nose upon his white shirt
They lowered him TO the ground,
where he lay stunned and help
less. Colin turned to the tavern
keeper saying. Send for surgeon.
/ fear his nose is broken. | will
take him into the house"
On his TWO hands tie lifted the
prostraie man above the heads OF
the pressing crowd and carried him
into the house.
He's another Samson" the
spectators whispered as they fol-
lowed.
Conway revived. but was in no
condition TO renew the battle.
Il am sorry. sir. that this hap
pened." said Colin, who was bend
ing over him. "A surgeon will come
soon To repair your nose"
Conway made no answer. Colonel
Bolts, discreet and melancholy as
tombstone, said nothing. He helped
bis friend TO a chair. patted his
shoulder and wiped his face with
towel.
Ernffr rrAaraI stIfu..Lr
a snort" of whisky for every man
in the room. All were served save
Bolts and Conway. who declined the
compliment.
man who had sat quietly
through the argument lifted his
glass and cried, Here's a bloody
nose for every enemy of George
Washington :"
To avoid recurrence OF the
quarrel and the hero worshipers,
who were now thronging in, Colin
left the room and went to his bed
above stairs. lie had found new
light on the delays in congress. A
faction hostile 10 the Commander
in Chief was. evidently, trying TO
discourage him and force his resig-
nation or create ID popular demand
for IL The young man had a pre-.
vision of "A long and difficult strug
Exe ahesd against two enemies-a
determined foe and divided peo-
pie. lie went 10 sleep afflicted with
thoughts and regrets as dark as the
gloom that covered him. The next
morning al daybreak he was on his
way 10 New London.
Meanwhile, a bit of curious weav-
ing on the fabric of our history was
being done in Cambridge. That
morning Of Collins departure Lady
Washington in her working grisette
waited for Nancy in the library. The
young lady breezed in as innocently
as the soft south wind coming
through the open windows and EN-
braced the good woman.
My dear. was worried" said
Mrs. Washington. An hour ago |
heard of that robber on the west
road So | sent a fast rider TO find
ySI."
Thanks. You are like dear
mother 10 me-"
Mrs. Washington smiled. Her
needles were working rapidly, as
she said. My child, have never
known a girl SO much in need of a
mother. While you are here am
going 10 look afler you. You are
a foolish child Life is not all con-
fectionery. You must forget your
beauty and put on plain clothes and
80 10 work or go home. This is no
place for play"
Nancy smiled. She was wont to
smile AT all thu icy precepts. She
felt a sense of relief when Mrs.
Washington arose and bade her 60
10 her tasks.
Josiah Stark, who had been one
of the most skillful and trusted men
in the secret service OF Washington,
was then in the hospital He had
received a slight wound in making
his return TO the army. Nancy
Woodbridge had won his heart. He
told her in confidence that he was
soon going 10 Canadian impru-
dence caused wholly by her remark
able influence. That night when she
went TO her room she wrote this let
ter:
Dear Pat: have delivered your
letter TO Colin Cabot and am here
with my brother. We have both en-
listed. He is in the army and am
In the hospital. | am as unhappy as
| can be and. dear friend, | must tell
you why. | was at the beautiful
dinner and dance at general head
quarters 10 celebrate the Evacua.
TiOn Colin took me TO dinner and
then danced with me. | would moi
tell you of all the sweet things he
whispered in my ear. and. when we
went out 10 look at the stars and
cool off a little after our exertions.
he held me and kissed my lips and
said that | was irresistible Your
idol is like all the other men, my
dear. | think that you should try
To be as happy as he is. wonder
Il any man is worthy of you. What