The Tory Maid

  CHAPTER XVII

  AN EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES

  "A narrow escape that for you, Lieutenant," said Jones. "But she was aplucky lass, and now it is time for us to be looking for cover."

  He turned down a narrow, quiet street until we came to a house setsomewhat back in the yard.

  Jones now rapped very gently on the door; it swung open as if he wasexpected, and a moment later we found ourselves heartily welcomed byan old Quaker lady in a little room with a bright fire burning.

  "I thought thee would come, Brother Jones," said she, "and who is thisbraw lad thou hast brought with thee?" And she smiled on me.

  "He is one of our Lieutenants, who has a sweetheart in town, and iswilling to risk his neck to see her," said Jones gruffly, but therewas a twinkle in his eye.

  This completed my conquest, and the motherly old soul proceeded totake charge of me.

  "Who is thy lady love thou hast come to see?" And when I told her thatshe was a Tory she was much distressed, but eager to help me.

  "The Good Book says thou must not fight, but it also says thou musthelp thy friends and neighbours, so I will help thee."

  But at last, after chattering awhile she took a candle and showed usto our rooms. I was soon lost in the almost blissful comfort of cleanwhite sheets and a feather-bed.

  When I awoke next morning Jones had already departed on his mission,leaving me a note telling me where to meet him the next night on ourreturn to camp.

  All that day I kept close to the house, for I did not dare to ventureforth in the broad day, as I was known to many, and it would not havegone well with me if I had met with those I knew.

  But at last the night began to fall, and, bidding my kind hostessgood-bye, I made my way through the streets to the Tory's house.

  I soon found it--a square brick structure in a quiet street. Inoticed, as I approached it, several dark alleys just at the rightplaces for a rapid retreat if the worse should come to the worst.

  Then my hand was on the knocker, and its fall startled me as theclatter echoed far down the street and seemed to wake the very dead.

  A slave opened the door, who, though he glanced at me suspiciously,told me that his mistress was at home.

  Then in a moment my storm-coat was off, and I stood in the door of thedrawing-room.

  It was a beautiful picture, the great strong Highlander on his kneesat the feet of Mistress Jean begging for her hand, which she seemed tobe denying him, for he was growing more and more passionate.

  For a moment, as I stood there, I could feel my hair grow gray, butthe tumult and the conflict within me were short and I turned to go,for it seemed to me that she could not but care for so gallant agentleman.

  But her eyes met mine, and then for a moment there was terror in them,and a cry broke forth from her lips.

  Farquharson, startled by her gaze, turned also, and, seeing me, wasquickly on his feet, his face aflame with passion.

  "Sir," said he, advancing toward me, "do you not know the fate ofeavesdroppers"--and then for the first time noticing my uniform,added, "and spies?"

  "I know the fate of those who call a gentleman by such names," Iretorted coolly.

  "A gentleman?" and he laughed. "I will have you hanged for a dog of aspy before sunrise."

  "Pardon me, sir, but you are my prisoner until it shall suit me to letyou go free."

  At this he laughed merrily.

  "Well said, Sir Rebel," he cried; "but permit me to pass before I spityou on my sword." And he drew and advanced upon me.

  "Permit me, sir, to use another argument;" and I drew my pistol andcovered him. "Advance another step and I will blow your brains out."

  He glanced at me for a moment, but did not advance. "And further, letme suggest that we are in the presence of a lady, and it is not seemlyfor her to see the flash of weapons."

  At this he put up his sword.

  "To whom do I owe a lesson in gallantry?" he asked with a low andsweeping bow.

  "James Frisby, of Fairlee, a Lieutenant in the Maryland Line," Ireplied with equal courtesy.

  Mistress Jean had stood as though she were turned to stone during ourexchange of courtesies, but now she seemed to recover.

  "Captain Farquharson," she cried, and she came and stood between us,"this is an old friend of mine. He saved my life at the Braes when wewere raided by the rebels. You must promise me to let him go free outof the city."

  "Your wishes, Mistress Jean, are law," said he, "and shall be obeyed.I shall give him till morning to escape in."

  "Which I promptly accept," said I, "with the hope that I may be ableto repay your courtesy if fortune should bring you within our linessome day."

  And so he bade Mistress Jean farewell, but as he passed me, Iwhispered to him:

  "Sir, some words have been said that need an explanation."

  "It will give me pleasure to offer you one at any place you mayappoint."

  "Then meet me," I said, "two days hence at sunrise on the pike,half-way between the lines."

  "With swords or pistols?"

  "Swords."

  "I will be there;" and he passed on out.

  When he had gone, I turned to Mistress Jean, who urged me to leave atonce.

  "You must go," said she, "for at any moment you may be tracked anddiscovered, and then----"

  "And then--what?" I answered, smiling. "Do you think, Mistress Jean,that I, who travelled for miles through the snow and the storm lastnight to catch one glimpse of your face, that I, who at last stand inyour presence, would give a thought to the noose around my neck?"

  But she would not let me say her nay, and then her terror grew, untilat last she told me that Lord Howe sometimes came home with her fatherat nine o'clock to talk over the plans of the spring campaign, andthat every moment she expected to hear their voices in the hall.

  "The sight of your face, Mistress Jean, has repaid me for my journey;but if you bid me go, why, then, it is fate, and go I must." Then athought came to me. "Mistress Jean, tell me this before I leave in theenemy's camp all that is dearest on earth to me: tell me if you lovethat Highlander, if you care for him." And she, who a moment beforewas urging me to leave, stood silent, with her face turned away fromme, with never a word to say.

  And I, seeing how matters stood, took my courage in my hands, and,with a low bow, wished her good-bye.