An Unwilling Maid

bare against the leaden sky, and there was a chill in the air that might betoken snow. Pamela Wolcott stood in the sitting-room windo

ortions suggested Miss Moppet, "I wish you would stop that devil's march. Believe me, you had much better come

ven to seeking the warmest corner, and dreaded a New England winter. "It is full time I had some intelligence, for Josiah promised that he would take advantage of any courier who

," said Betty, glancing com

wedding," went on Pamela, "and

s not likely to be a movement of the troops just now, father says, so why worry? I am anxious because we hear nothing of Clarissa, and I think Aunt Euphemia is the same, for I heard her talking

Do you recollect how pretty she looked on her wedding-day, Betty, and the little caps you and I wore,-mine with a knot o

nd she had last seen that same bow of rose-color; "that is, I had it until last summer, when-I lost it." And Betty d

ten and eleven years, and Oliver strutted about grand and dignified in

Pamela, trust me, when my turn comes I'll know full well whether I will or I won't." And Betty tossed her saucy head w

ed from her visit to Lebanon." And she ran rapidly along the hall, a

n moping ever since you left, and had a desperate fit of industry from sheer loneliness.

ed to see Pamela smile, even if at her own expense; "and

mponent parts of a girl's education in New England). "But Sally is such a marvelous knitter that she will no doubt rejoice at your

much wind as we of Litchfield rejoice in. But I had a merry visit and

ave much to say to each other, and I will not interrupt you; Miss Bidwell has something f

warmest seat. "Your fingers are cold, and the room is not yet sufficie

od, "for Francis Plunkett is far too p

at the way you take it? Then I foresee tha

the last evening, and he dare not res

e else," said Betty. "

ily; "Oliver has not such

ur tone answers for yourself, so I must guess again. I think I

tened color, "I have but met him three times, and there are plenty of other personable men as well as h

ontinued Betty with comical pretense of solem

we all are invited to Hartford with Dolly this winter when the A

had his commission and joined the Continental army, she has nearly moped herself to death. And Pamela is like my mother, not very strong; I can see that Aunt Euph

long talked of, and Betty's presence so much desire

you cannot come. I was also to stop at Fairfield with Mrs. Sherman, but since the raid of last summer her health has been so shatte

w of things, but the words died on her lips as the clatter of a horse's feet was heard outside, and both girls ra

ddle? And there is my father-oh, Sally, I wonder if there be news from General Washington and

tranger, saddle-bag in hand, as Miss Euphemia emerged fro

General Steuben. Also this private packet, which was lying waiting at King's Bridge Inn; I have been four days on the road

s news of Clarissa. Brother, have I your permission?"-

y study. See that the horse and man be well taken care of; I may have to dispatch ins

ened the cover, and disclosed three letters to the ea

for me, from Clarissa, and the smaller one for you, Betty

ice, with a sob treading on the words; "oh

New York, Pamela, and I'll wager there is something from Josiah among father's packets. Let us see what my letter says," and Betty, having seated Pamela and Sally on the settle, placed h

of her usual composure. "I knew this long silence boded no good. Listen

istress, to send loving greetings to you, my Beloved father, and my dear sisters. For the hand

ied at two hours old, and I never saw him. Alas, how I have suffered! I am now very weak, altho' able to be dressed and sit up each day. This is my first letter; and I

etty, interrupting the reader, "how is one

the letter will tell," and she resumed her reading

, and Gulian will himself be ready when you advise us, and will await you at King's Bridge Inn. Dear Aunt, send me

ng and obe

SA VERP

owed down Miss Euphemia's cheeks, but Betty sprang

o? Pamela, you are a gentle and

, I would go to the wor

o alone, why could not my father arrange for one of us to accompany Mrs. Seymour, who leaves shortly

the pleasure coach from the Mayor of New York (which he presented her with when he was released from Litchfield gaol), she has been pining to go to him. And, bes

isions. "I will find him as soon as he has finished the dispatches, and, moreover, this letter to him from Gulian may have directions. I incline to think that you, Betty, will be the one to go. Pamela ca