“It needs not to be put away now,” Elizabeth said, and Dolly had to give up the pleasure of making the captain stumble again in the dark. As the clock struck nine John rose, and the captain with him. Dolly laughed as away through the darkness strode the two men whose fortunes had changed strangely since they trod the same road a couple of hours before. Three hours later a strange party in the meeting-house silently lowered the powder casks and muskets and carried them to carts outside. When morning broke the munitions were stored again five miles away. The men were in their usual places when the Sabbath service began. John gave one quick look at Dolly, and she was satisfied. He did not go near her after the service, but one and another of the men came and spoke to her. They said no word of why they spoke, but she knew, and her heart swelled with pride as she counted the bravest of the place among the number. They were true patriots, then! She never would doubt them again, never! The next night Captain Robbins met his men near the church. Nothing was stirring. The captain began to look black. One of the men entered through a window and flung the door open. They strode into the empty room. The noise of their footsteps seemed to echo and re-echo. All was solemnity of silence. In spite of themselves, they were awed by the time and the place. “At least,” said Captain Robbins hoarsely, “we will take the stores.” He climbed eagerly to the loft ahead of the others. “Your light, Wilson,” he called. The man handed it up and Robbins held it high above his head. A few startled swallows whirred around him and a mouse ran out of some straw on the floor. But that was all. There were two visitors at the Pearsons’ the next day. One was the captain who called to say farewell. His holiday was up, he said, and he must go back to Boston. Dolly watched him as he rode away. Once he turned and waved to her. “Good-bye, my little enemy,” he called. The next one was John Thurlow. He caught Dolly’s hands in his strong grip and looked down at her so that she colored and tried to get away. “Why, Dolly!” said Elizabeth, in surprise. “Has she not told you?” asked John. “She is the bravest little maid I ever saw. I know not, even now, how much her quick wit has saved.” “No,” said Dolly, looking up, her mischief as usual conquering her confusion. “I am naught but a little rebel firebrand--Mr. Robbins said so. And Mr. Robbins knows everything except the use of courting-sticks!” She broke away and ran quickly down the lane. The air was full of soft summer noises, and the leaves and blossoms were stirring and flashing and playing in the sunlight, and the day was golden--golden! She drew a long breath of content. She was so happy to be alive and to have helped a little. “For I always shall be a rebel as long as I live,” she declared. SUSAN TONGS[P] By ETHEL PARTON