Beadle's Dime Novels No. 127: Bald Eagle — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

MONTAGNIE. 25 two have quarreled in consequence. I am confident her lover is ready to urfdertake the most desperate enterprise.” “It is necessary to use dispatch—by to-morrow we must be on the move.” “T make no doubt Montagnie is awake now; there is noth- ing so wakeful as your discomforted lover. I will send for him directly—and it may be we shall do a double service— One to the country first ; and, secondly awake his freakish lady to a sense of what she is in a fair train of losing.” | Hamilton spoke lightly, but the estimation in which he held Wendell Montagnie showed conclusively that the best spirit, both for man and country, lurked beneath. A short time served to usher the young man into the pres- ence of Washington. He was a mere youth, with an oval face, as yet ungraced by a beard, and brown, wavy hair clus- tering abundantly about his high but somewhat narrow fore- head. Brows as fairly defined as those of a girl overlooked & full, gray eye, which appeared black in the shadow of its long, curved lashes. A nose slightly aquilirie gave an appear- ance of spirit to a face which otherwise might have seemed too gentle. He was tall and lightly made, with an air at once proud, yet respectful. : Washington regarded the youth with an evident look of surprised admiration, and then glanced’almost reproachfully at Hamilton, as if he would say, “ the sacrifice is too great.” It may be that the shadow of the unfortunate Andre, so justly but painfully doomed, flitted before hismind’s eye. Whatever it might have been, he stayed to affix his signature to a docu- ment, which he did, and then pushed the paper aside. Look- ing steadfastly in the face of the youth, he began : _ “It is no ordinary man that must serve us on this occa- sion,” Montagnie started with something like impatience, and answered with a boldness and’ promptitude which carried its own charm: “ General, we all love and revérence you; there is not one in the ranks who is not ready to lay down his life, first for his Country, next for your excellency; but, to save time, I must declare I, for one, can go on no ‘service that will cast a stain upon ny good name.” commiclbooks.com a