Peggy Owen and Liberty Part 10

"And next I shall hear that Robert hath been concerned in the affair too," uttered David Owen, turning to Robert Dale with a glimmer of a smile. "I begin to believe that there hath been a regular conspiracy among you young people. Speak up, lad. What did thee do?"

"Very little," answered the youth frankly. "Not so much as I should have liked to do, Mr. Owen. I did not know that 'twas Peggy's cousin whom she was hiding. I did know that there was some one. I suspected who Sally's escort might be, and when I saw that she was dismayed at the prospect of having to bring him to the table, I spoke as I did to help her."

"Without knowing who it might be, Robert?" exclaimed Mr. Owen in amazement.

"Peggy would conceal no one without thinking it right, sir," returned Robert simply. "I think we all know that is the reason we stood by her."

"Well, upon my word!" David Owen rubbed his hands thoughtfully. "And how is Betty concerned?"

"Betty is entirely exempt from the matter, I believe," remarked Major Dale smiling. "The rest of us are guilty."

"Did I do wrong, father?" asked Peggy timidly. "Is thee angry with me?"

"Nay, la.s.s. With thy soft heart thee could not do otherwise. Yesterday was no day to turn any one from shelter, even though he were not thy cousin. I would not have thee insensible to mercy, no matter who asked it. I grieve only that such an act should involve thy young friends in consequences which may prove of serious character to all concerned."

"We are willing to abide by the consequences," spoke the two youths simultaneously. Mr. Owen shook his head.

"Nay," he said. "I will not permit it. Peggy alone must be held responsible for what hath occurred. 'Tis just and right. I will see if aught can be done with the Council. I want also to find where Clifford hath been put, to see if I shall be allowed to do anything for him. At times food and comforts are given to prisoners, and perchance we may be permitted to do this for him."

"And oh, Mr. Owen! if thee does see him, tell him how it happened,"

pleaded Sally. "I could bear a term of imprisonment better than that he should esteem me a treacherous friend."

"I will do what I can, Sally," he promised her.

David Owen was absent for nearly two hours, and an anxious time of waiting it proved. The girls were comforted and petted by the two ladies, while the youths made them relate over and over all the incidents leading to the capture of Clifford. At length Mr. Owen returned.

"Clifford is in the new jail pending his return to Lancaster," he told them. "I saw and talked with him. I told him all that thee wished, Sally, and that thee had naught to do with his capture. He exonerates Peggy from all thought of treachery, but I grieve to say that the lad exhibits a perverse disbelief in thee, Sally. He would hear of no excuse for thee, though I tried to make him understand how it all came about."

"I knew it," said Sally with tears. "I knew he would not believe in me."

"Never mind, Sally," said Peggy. "I will try to see him, and I will make him listen to reason."

"Thee will not be permitted, la.s.s. It was granted me as a great favor, but, because of the aid which thou didst render him, 'twould be most unwise for thee to seek to see him. I arranged with Mr. Ledie that as much comfort should be given him as is compatible with his state as prisoner. 'Tis all that can be done."

"And the Council, David?" queried his wife, anxiously. "Could thee do anything about that?"

"The Council have consented that Peggy and Sally shall appear before them on the morning of Second-day at ten of the clock, to show cause why they should not be indicted. 'Tis an unheard of thing to permit it, as 'tis usual to pet.i.tion, but I asked for their appearance, knowing that their youth would be in their favor. 'Tis a grave matter, as they acknowledged, but I think the most of them feel kindly toward ye. I talked with several."

But Mrs. Owen saw that he spoke with a.s.sumed lightness. "I think," she said, "that we ought to have Sally's mother with us. To-morrow is First-day, which will give time to discuss the subject in all its bearings. She should be with us. Robert, wilt thou go for her?"

"With pleasure, Mrs. Owen," he responded rising. "And we must not forget that Uncle Jacob Deering is one of the Council."

"True," exclaimed Lowry Owen, her face lighting up. "True; I had forgotten."

CHAPTER VIII

BEFORE THE COUNCIL

"Then call them to our presence. Face to face, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear The accuser and accused freely speak."

--_Richard II._

Monday, Second-day in Quaker parlance, dawned. The intense cold had abated though the air remained crisp and keen. A venturesome robin perched upon the bare bough of a cherry tree that grew near one of the sitting-room windows, and gave vent to his short and frequent song.

Sally called Peggy's attention to him.

"Dost hear what he says?" she cried. "Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up!

'Tis a harbinger of spring, and flowers, and warmer weather. Who knows but that he brings good luck to us too, Peggy?"

Peggy smiled sadly.

"I hope so," she made answer. "But oh! I do wish this interview with the Council were over."

"And so do I," agreed Sally soberly. "'Twill soon be now, Peggy, for here comes thy mother to call us to get ready."

"Yes," spoke Mrs. Owen overhearing the words. "David says that as soon as ye have donned your wraps 'twill be time to go."

Peggy and Sally were Quaker maidens, well drilled in art of self-repression, so they made no scene as they bade their mothers farewell, and took leave of Nurse Johnson, her son and Robert Dale. In spite of their training, however, their eyes were wet, and neither was able to speak for a few moments after they left the house. Then Sally broke the silence.

"Peggy," she said, "after this I shall always have the greatest sympathy for the poor wretches who are executed. I feel just as though I was about to be hanged."

"So do I, Sally. How great a change is wrought by war! A few short years ago neither of us thought to be called before the highest tribunal of the state. How happy we were before this awful war with its weary years of fighting came! Then we had no thought of sorrow, and friend was not against friend, misconstruing every act and deed of kindness."

"I think I would not pursue that line of talk, la.s.sies," commented David Owen who walked in front of them. "See how brightly the sun s.h.i.+nes! How blue the sky is! Beyond that azure is One in the hollow of whose hand ye are. Have courage."

"Yes, Mr. Owen," gasped Sally, stopping abruptly as they reached the walk leading to the State House entrance. "Yes; but what hath happened to the State House? 'Tis so big. I knew not that 'twas so large."

Peggy stopped too and looked up at the State House, which stood some twenty-five or thirty feet back from the street. It was large, she reflected, its size impressing for the first time in her life with a sense of awe. She had always lived across from the building. Had loved it, and had been proud of the fact that it was deemed the most imposing edifice in the new world; now its aspect was one of forbidding unfamiliarity. David Owen gave them no time to indulge in fears, but hurried them at once along the walk and up the flight of five steps which led to the entry. The door opening into the East Chamber stood ajar. He glanced toward it quickly.

"The Congress is in session," he remarked. "There are matters of import before it to-day, I hear. His Excellency meets with it."

Lingering not, though he cast a wishful look toward the room, he led them to the second story of the building, pausing presently before the door of a chamber on the west side.

"I can go no further with ye," he said sadly. "Ye will have to depend upon yourselves now, but there is naught to fear. Be of good courage, and answer all that is asked of ye with exact truth. And now farewell!"

He turned from them abruptly, and went hastily down the stairs as though he feared that he might give way to emotion. For a brief second the maidens stood, and then the door was opened, and the doorkeeper bade them enter. Summoning all her courage, Peggy grasped Sally's hand, and went in.

At this time the government of Pennsylvania differed slightly from that of the other states. The old Committee of Safety had merged into what was called The Supreme Executive Council. There was an a.s.sembly, which, in session with the Council, elected a Governor who was called the President of the state, the Vice-president being elected in the same manner. The President was Captain-General, and Commander-in-chief of all of Pennsylvania's forces, and upon the Council devolved the administrations of all war matters. Its chief executive committees const.i.tuted a Board of War and a Navy Board. The former had charge of the land service; the latter of the water, both under the direction of the Council. A very careful and exact account of affairs in the state was kept by means of ward committees in the cities and districts, and any infraction of measures adopted for the public safety was known almost immediately to the Council. It was before this high tribunal that the girls had to appear.

Peggy's heart sank as they entered the chamber, and she encountered the grave glances of the men a.s.sembled there. There were not more than a dozen in session, for the Council was a small body. Some of the members she knew well, others only slightly. They were courteous, kindly men with the best interests of their country at heart, but stern and implacable toward the least infringement of patriotism. And so the girl's heart beat tumultuously as she advanced timidly toward the platform upon which the President, Mr. Moore, was seated.

He rose as the trembling maidens paused before him, and stood for a moment looking at them in silence. It seemed to Peggy that his glance searched every recess of her heart. She grew pale before his intense gaze, and her eyes fell. Sally, on the contrary, seemed to have recovered her customary composure. She suddenly stood erect, and looked about her. Presently she saw Mr. Jacob Deering, and smiled a greeting. The old gentleman was visibly uneasy under her glance, and opening his snuff-box he took a huge pinch of snuff.

"Margaret Owen." Peggy started as the unaccustomed appellation fell from the lips of the President. "It hath been brought to the attention of this Council that you have given aid to a prisoner of war. That you have harbored one of the enemy, and have tried to abet his escape.

What have you to answer to this charge?"