Beadle's Dime Novels No. 95 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

18 = EPH PETERS. “No,” he replied, “I have snatched a few precious mo- ments from my duty to see you. I bear dispatches from- Colonel Xe ee aan to General Johnson, who has command of our forces here.” ‘“ You expect danger ?” “The French are on thealert. The vile outrage at hecaie has made them half frantic. I am ashamed of my country, that she should countenance such a thing. Our scouts tell us that Baron Dieskau is on the move, with a heavy force. | We shall have fighting soon.” A loud cough sounded through the bushes, warning them that some one was approaching. Ome. shel, a woolly head was thrust into the opening. “T tought Id tell you, Miss Maggie,” ‘said Tom, “ not as I 8’ posed you'd car’ —dat your mudder will be home in Gane four minutes.” He disappeared with the words. Ronald ‘snatched a ‘iss, lifted his rifle, and plunged into the bushes. Maggie slowly put on her stockings and meccasins, which had Jain unheeded during the interview, and returned to the house, which she reached soon after her mother, whom she found engaged m a ‘loud controversy With poor Tom, who had unwittingly ‘be- trayed the visit of Ronald; for, when his mistress approached -the house, she found him ecidtommplatink, with idolatrous looks; the knifé whictt had tempted him to betray his trust. She at once pounced upon the unlucky a in Mestion, and . snatched the knife from his hand. Bi “Where did you get this?” she cried. “ Foun’ it!” ‘asserted ‘Tom, stoutly, and snatching it back, without ceremony, mistress though she was. ‘ “ Where did you find it?” | Tom was good at a lie; but this ‘aati confused and tripped him. © Forgetting that his mistress had possibly’ seen the knife'in the hands of Ronald, he named a place, unluckily, between the eabif and the spring, where Ronald had held his interview with Maggie. ‘“‘ He has been here, then; did you see him?” * | “See who?” asked Tom, looking innocent. . | “ Ronald Mannering,” Tate rr W* “ Marse Ronald?” ~ one a 6! yuol : B® > coniclooks.com