Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/70

 CHAPTER IV

AIDING AN ENEMY

" frightens you to know that I am a spy," the officer said sadly, after this last outburst of weeping was lessened, "and yet I am as loving a father as yours can be, my young mistress. My children cling to me as his does to him, although were Jacob Dean to stand before them as I appeared to you, doubtless they would be afraid."

"Why did you come here to spy upon us?" Dorothy asked passionately. "Do you not know that this colony is no longer ruled by the king?"

"I know, my child, that the people here have revolted against what appears to me to be their lawful sovereign; but you must realize that while they say one thing, his majesty says another, and I fear there will be much bloodshed and suffering before we learn who is in the right, or, in other words, who is strongest."

"That is no reason why you should come here to distress us by being a spy, sir," and Dorothy stepped out from the fireplace once more, no 59