White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-04-20
BY Irving Bachelor
Copyright 1899. by Irving Bachelor
WNU Service
CHAPTER vIII-Continued


and went to his bed above-stairs. He
had found new light on the delays In
congress. A faction hostile to the
Commander in Chief was, evidently,
trying to discourage him and force
his resignation or create popular de-
mand for it. The young man had
provision of long and difficult strug-
gle ahead against two enemies-a de-
termined foe and divided people. He
went to sleep afflicted with thoughts
and regrets as dark as the gloom that
covered him. The next morning at
daylight he was on his way to New
London.
Meanwhile, bit of curious weaving
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 embraced the good
woman.
''My dear, 1 was worried" said Mrs.
Washington. "An hour ago heard of
that robber on the west road. So
sent a fast rider to find you"
Thanks. You are like dear moth
er to me'
Mrs. Washington smiled Her
needles were working rapidly, as she
said, "My child, have never known
girl so much in need of mother.
While you are here I am going to look
after you. You are foolish child.
Life is not all confectionery. You
must forget your beauty and put on
plain clothes and go to work or go
home. This is no place for play"
Nancy smiled She was wont to
smile at all the icy precepts. She felt
a sense of relief when Mrs. Washing
ton arose and babe her go to 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
slight wound in making his return
to the army. Nancy Woodbridge had
won his heart. He had told her in
confidence that he was soon going to
Canadian imprudence caused wholly
by her remarkable influence. That
night when she went to her room she
wrote this letter:
"Dear Pat: I have delivered your
letter to Colin Cabot and am here
with my brother. We have both en-
listed. He is in the army and I am
in the hospital. am as unhappy as
can be and, dear friend, l must tell
you why. was at the beautiful din
ner and dance at general headquarters
to celebrate the Evacuation. Colin
took me to dinner and then danced
with me. would not tell you Of all
rne sweet things that he whispered in
my ear, and, when we went out to
look at the stars and cool off 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.
I wonder If any man is worthy Of you.
What are girls like you and me to do?
Shall we become man-haters and old
maids? No, we will marry, but let us
not be deceived by the notion that a
man can be an angel.
my dear, does this letter give you
pain? I write it because think 1t
better that your heart should ache
little now than be broken later.
II am sending this to British army
Headquarters, in care of General
Howe. It will be mailed somewhere
in Canada. This is from
"Your devoted friend,
"Nancy."
A few days later the rugged young
Josiah Stark set out for Fort Ticon-
deroga with Nancy's letter in one of
his saddle bags. The girl had praised
and flattered him for no other reason
than her need of his help. He had
traded horses with young Israel Sapp,
who had come down from Skenes-
borough to the army on Collins solicit
tation in the last autumn. He had
ridden tireless black gelding which
he had bought from Mrs. Bowlby
Stark needed tough horse used to
mountain travel. The one he owned
was worn. So he gave Sapp horse
and good sum of money for the
gelding.
One day in northern Massachusetts,
Stark dismounted to enter store for
food. AS had been his CUSTOM he left
the horse standing in front of the
store. He had always stood without
hitching. The animal having come to
familiar country, Immediately set out
on a lonely road for his old home.
Stark went on afoot following his
tracks and hoping to overtake him.
The horse had spent three years Of
his life in Mrs. Bowlby stable. That
night, awakened by his tramping and
whinnying around the house, she
arose, lighted her lantern and went
out-of-doors where she found the rider.
less animal. She took him to the
stable, removed the saddle and bags,
He'd him in a stall and gave him food