The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 123: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE I could not trust myself to speak. So I left you. And the gaiety of the whole place jarred upon me. So I called for my coach, and was driven directly home. What happened’ at the Mischi- anza after you and I parted, I know not. For I did not remain there five minutes longer.”’ I breathed more freely. She was un- aware, then, ef my exposure as a Yan- kee spy—of my undignified flight and the search even now being made for me. Soon she must hear. But, for the mo- ment— | “I am to spend a week with my aunt in Germantown,” she went on, “so I made an early start this morning. But for the accident to my carriage I might well have passed you in the road with- out recognition. I am glad I did not. Tell me, sir, do you not think you owe me an explanation—an apology for. what—”’ “ No,2’ I retorted harshly. ‘“ No ex- planation could explain; no apology atone. I forced myself into your pres- ence last night and played the buffoon, trampling beneath my feet every vestige of chivalry. I led you to believe me Fred Dacre. I even compromised your own name. For I am a fugitive from justice. can wipe out such an act?” But she, as is the way with her thrice- blessed sex, shifted from prosecutor to counsel for the defense at the bitter self- arraignment in my words. “A fugitive from justice?” she re- peated in amaze. “ You were in flight, then, when you entered our coach? You assumed the personality of my cousin, and stayed at my side in order to shield yourself from peri# ” “Ves,” I sneered. ‘“‘I hid behind a woman’s skirts for safety.” “Don’t,” she begged; “ you shall not speak so! You were not to blame. It is I who have wronged you. While I have been blaming you as a heartless, practical joker, you were really in dan- ger—forced to act a part, perhaps, in the very shadow of death! To smile and jest with me, and to keep up the ruse, when every moment you might be seized by your pursuers. There is cour- age, not cowardice, in that.” “You are wrong,” I had the grace to SPY OF VALLEY FORGE. Is there any ‘apology’ that’ 601 declare. ‘‘ No man would deal so gen- tly with my fault. In your divine pity, you spare where you should—’” ‘“And the dress you now wear,” she broke in with excitement. ‘ The livery —the thickened shoulders—is that, also, a disguise to throw off pursuit?” I nodded, adding, with a mirthless laugh: “And a poor device at that. Half a mile beyond is the West Road guard- house. I shall be halted there. If I am not arrested, I shall at least be turned back. And then—”’ “But why? Oh, I see! You have no pass. Is that it?”’ “Yes. I—” “IT have it!’’ she exclaimed, clapping her hands. “TI have the very idea. Look!” She drew from her belt a paper and thrust it into my hand. I opened it and glanced dully over the few official lines. It was a military pass permitting ‘The Honorable Miriam Dacre, with coachman and footman,” to leave or enter Philadelphia at pleasure. It meant little to me, and I handed it back. “Don’t you~ see?” she cried with sweet impatience. ‘‘I shall send Bates —my footman, you know—back to Philadelphia. You are in footman’s livery. You shall take Bates’s place on the box beside Grimes. Then, when you are safely beyond the lines, you can get down and go your way in safety. The pass includes ‘coachman and foot- man.’ It is a perfectly feasible plan.” I stared at her, agape—scarce able to take in her wonderful meaning. “You do this—’ I muttered; “ you do this—for me?” ‘“Come,” she commanded. ‘““ The carriage break-down is mended, and the two servants are looking at us as though we were chimeras. But I know I can trust them both. They have served me long. Let us go back to the carriage now and—” “You do this for me?” I said again in stupid wonder. ‘ For a man whose very name you do not even know? For a man who, for all you can tell, may be a thief, a forger, a common felon? “You are none of those things,” she said with quiet conviction. ‘TI told you EO JOO (Cc