An Unwilling Maid

sed the fact of her very recent tears. Never, in all her short, happy life, had Betty been so moved as now, for the twin passions of gratitude and loyalty were at wa

ut a boy,"-and Betty's lips curved in scorn over her brother's four years' seniority,-"and-and-oh! I am, indeed, astray. What, here I am, one of the loyal Wolcotts,-a family known all through the land as true to the cause of Freedom and the Declaration,-and here I sit planning how to let a British officer, foe to my country, escape from my father's house. I wonder the walls do not open and fall on me," and poor Betty gazed half fearfully overh

rms; "it's too, too dreadful. Will General Putnam hang my dear, kind gentleman a

n to her eyes as she thought of the brave, manly face of her country's foe. "

ently alarmed at her own daring, "why can't we let

think of that?" sai

ent as to whether that overworked personage was somewhere soaring in the air near at hand; "but I always thought the Br

laugh. Moppet was always ori

and there are no doubt cruel men to be found in all wars. Moppet, as

ppet promptly; "but you hear

lock; then, at midnight, Reuben was to guard the hall until four in the morning, when

" said Moppet; "the half

, then she slid Moppet gently fr

ret. I am going to try to release Captain Yorke, and I think you can help me. I bind you to keep silent, except

ty knew that, no matter what happened, she

s a slender one. Do you recollect how close t

remember Reuben cut the bough nearest, but oh, Betty, the tree ha

r one of homespun gray; "and now, Moppet, you and I must go into your room for the next par

she whispered breathlessly, "through my doll's dungeon. Oh,

and opening her door softly. "Josiah has gone to the turn on the stairs, and is speaking to Reuben; quick, Moppet, if you come still as a mouse they will not see us before we can gain your door," and with swift, soft steps the two small figures stole acro

ugh for the child to reach, in the back of the chimney. For some purpose of ventilation there was an opening from this aperture into the north chamber. It was covered with a piece of movable iron; and in summer, when no fire was used in that part of the house, Moppet took great delight in consigning her contumacious doll (a rag baby of

his candle and made thorough search of his temporary prison to ascertain whether he could escape therefrom. Betty's gesture of disapproval when he

opportunity to do her a great one, for never have I seen so bewitching and dainty a creature," and Geoffrey's heart gave a mad le

nce, provided he had the means of descent when once he reached the roof. Back to the windows again; yes, the great elm of which Moppet had spoken stood like a tall sentinel guarding the mansion, and Geoffrey felt confident that he could crawl from roof to tree and thus reach the ground. To be sure, it was most hazardous; there was the chance of some one sleeping in the chambers near who might hear even so slight a noise; he might become wedged in the chimney, or-pshaw! one must risk life, if need be, for liberty; and here Geoffrey smiled, as it occurred to him that this was what these v

Oh, Betty, Betty! I wonder if the fortunes of war will ever let me see your face again," and with a sigh compounded of many things, Geoffrey picked

h Huntington was joined by Reuben, who was to relieve his guard, and straightened himself, with a long breath, as he rose from his chair. As he did s

ement a little white hand beckoned him to approach a small aperture, which he now perceived in the bricks abou

h Aunt Euphemia's chamber is on this side, and she is usually a sound sleeper, it might be our ill fortune that to-night she would

ted Geoffrey softly. "I am more than repai

sighing, "but I have two plans for your escape

cept by making noise that is certain

out,-if you can reach the roof by the chimney you will find on the south side, close to the chimney itself, a trap-door which lets down by a ladder into our garret. The ladder is stationar

ss the pretty pink ear and soft cheek which he could just see b

ke three; that is the hour, I have been told, when all sleep most soundly. Then Moppet will tell you if all goes right, for I shall be waiting for you

, "let me wrap you well in your

ever gain the garret stairs when Reuben is watching? He

by Reuben, and you must not fret. Sit here on

rmined though she was to release Yorke, Betty possessed a most sensitive and tender conscience, and love for her country and her people was as the air she breathed. It proved the tenacity of her purpose and the strength of her will that, notwithstanding her many misgivings, when she heard the clock sound the quarter she rose from her low seat by the window, whe

the L, where the stairs reaching the garret were shut off by a door, on the other aide of which was a square landing, where you could turn down and descend directly from the garret to the buttery. Once past Reuben, she would feel comparatively safe, for although Oliver's room was opposite he was too weary to be wakeful. It took scarcely a minute to creep toward Reuben, and Betty drew a quick breath of relief when she perceived that the farmer-bred lad, unaccustomed to night watche

side stepped Betty, and made breathless pause while she closed it, and the amiable latch fell softly down again into its place. Swift as a flash the girlish figur

til she heard the deep voice of the clock, sounding rather more awful than usual, say "one, two, three!" and then tiptoeing over the bare floor she opened

is it

w," she faltered. "Oh, sir, b

cold fingers extended to him, pressed a kiss on them, an

which Oliver had no knowledge, else he would not have trusted so agile and strong a prisoner within their reach. Geoffrey's broad shoulders were the only sufferers, but the rough homespun wh

me conscious of a light sound as Geoffrey swung himself from the chimney top to the

iscover that the door has been opened. Now, give me your hand," and in the darkness the strong, manly hand

stair, "you must remove your boots: the slightest c

pauses, the pair crept down the winding stairs, and Betty involuntarily held her brea

lse that dreadful night, fortune seemed to favor Betty, and with a long-drawn sigh

etty paused a moment and regarded the rows of milk pans whic

am sure that should you ask for it at any of our Connecticut farmhouses you would be cheerfully supplied,"

est tones, as she unbolted the other door which led directly outside. "I must go with y

over the grass, "I will not take her; you have dared much for me, and I fear

Oliver is but a hot-headed boy; had my father been at home it would have been different, and to him I shall make my confession, that

and nobility forgetting all else. "Say, rather, your adoring friend, who one day, God willing, hopes to prove to you t

ace; her lips trembled, but no words came from them. W

step until I see you safe." And through her brimming tears Betty realized that his kisses were falling on her hands, as without a word she turned and fled toward the open door. But when she reached it some new-born impulse tearing madly at her heart ma