strange people whose tongues I knew not, through forests primeval and old, where the red man lives, the haunts of strange wild beasts I have traversed, and of all inquired for Adrianne, my own lost Adrianne; but only the echo of my own voice answers the call, and, alas, I fear I shall go mad indeed."

The traveller once more bowed his head upon his chest and sobbed. Washington was touched by the pathetic story and, drawing a half crown from his purse, offered it to the stranger, who drew proudly back, exclaiming:

"No, no, monsieur; I am no pauper; I ask not charity!"

The officers were all wealthy young men, and each had drawn from his purse some gold to give to the wayfarer. Proudly raising his hand, he

added:

'Put up your gold, gentlemen. I accept nothing from any one. If, perchance, you have heard of Adrianne, you may be able to tell me whither they have sent her. She is not at Grand Pre. Captain Winslow said she should be his, and in affright she fled."

"Does she speak English or French?" asked Washington.

"She speaks both equally well."

"Perchance, she has gone to Canada."

"I have searched, but I will search again. Until I die by the wayside, I will continue the search." "A few crowns might aid you!" suggested Washington.

He would not receive a farthing. Proud and haughty, he disdained aid from the English and went on his way toward Philadelphia, while the young officers pressed on to New York.

Noah Stevens was burning with anxiety to behold his affianced once more and went on two or three hours ahead of his conpanions.

New York was at this time a comparatively small city, and the arrival of a party of young southern officers attracted considerable attention. The late disastrous battle was still the theme of every tongue, and the honorable way in which these young officers had acquitted themselves in it made them objects of universal interest. Washington's fame, especially, had gone in advance of him, having been spread by those with him, and by the public honors decreed him by the Virginia legisla

ture.

New York City, small as it then was, was the gayest town in all America and the centre of fashion and beauty. Fair ladies, who had heard of Washington as the bravest of continentals, were all eagerness to see him.

"I am going to fall in love with him," declared

the pretty Mary Philipse to her friend Anne Mon"You have seen him, Anne, have you

treville. not?"

"I met him during our residence in Virginia; but he was quite young then, but little more than a boy."

"And is he not so old as your Noah Stevens?"

แ

No, not by several years—a dozen or more." “And a general!"

"Yes."

"While Noah is but a captain."

Washington deserves his preferment," answered Anne.

"I am just dying to see him."

"You will see a large, awkward young man, whose beardless face is tanned by wind and weather and browned by the sun. You will find in him little of the accomplishments which society demands."

66

No, but, egad! you'll find a soldier, by my soul, who is a stranger to fear!" cried a gruff voice so near to them, that the girls were startled.

Glancing behind them, they discovered Major Bridges, who had been walking behind them. The major was not yet cured of his wound and remained in the city for surgical and medical treatment. He apologized for frightening the young ladies, and concluded with:

"When you meet Washington, egad! you'll see a soldier as fears not death. Zounds! shall I ever forget how he saved the remnant of our army after Braddock was struck down with a French musket ball?"

Mr. Beverly Robinson, the husband of Mary Philipse's sister, was an early friend and schoolmate of George Washington. His father, John Robinson, was once speaker of the Virginia house of burgesses. At this time, Washington's early friend was living happily and prosperously with his young and wealthy bride, having married one of the nieces and heiresses of Mr. Adolphus Philipse, a rich landholder. Mary Philipse was residing with her brother-in-law at the time, and, on hearing him sound the praises of his early schoolmate, she asked him to bring Washington to the house, that she might see him, a request any mischievous jolly girl might make.

Mary Philipse, though not exactly frivolous, was far from possessing the keen perspicacity which enables one to pierce rough exteriors and read noble souls. She was more apt to be moved by external appearances than noble qualities.

The next day after Washington's arrival, Mr. Beverly Robinson made him a call, and invited him to his house. The bashful young general accepted the invitation, little dreaming that he was

to encounter greater danger from a pair of black eyes, than he ever had from French bullets. Leading a life of constant activity and care, passed for the most part in the wilderness, far from the refining influence of female society, had left Washington with little mood or leisure for the cultivation of the frivolities and politeness which fashionable young ladies demand.

When Washington appeared at the Robinson house, he was a disappointment to Mary Philipse. He was so large, so awkward, so bronzed by his out-door life, that, though his ruddy cheeks glowed with health, she thought there was something uncouth about him. His conversation was too practical for a society lady. He could discuss military and state matters as well as any statesman or general in America; but he knew little of society. He was in utter ignorance of the foibles and fash ions of the day; he could not dance well, nor sing at all, and, with Mary Philipse, what did all his military fame amount to, if he lacked these essentials to polite society?

Washington was even awkward and embarrassed in the presence of this bright, sparkling woman, whose wit and dark eyes were more feared than French bayonets or Indian rifles, and early in his first conversation with Mary Philipse he actually stammered and became confused. Mary did not