Page:Mistress Madcap (1937).pdf/185

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Chapter XVI
Miranda Briggs's Heroism

PUT her down there on yon settle, Squire, where I have ye blankets piled!" beamed Mistress Livingston.

Squire Condit came slowly down the stairs carrying a very precious if a frail burden, while Mistress Condit and Mehitable followed. It was Charity's first day downstairs after an almost fatal attack of fever, induced by the hardships she had undergone in New York.

When the little invalid had been made comfortable before the fire, the others lingered for a moment. Mistress Condit turned to Mistress Nancy gratefully.

"Never will I forget how good you have been to us, Nancy," she whispered, the tears starting to her eyes.

"I know not what we should have done had ye not come to Newark that time Lieutenant Freeman brought Charity home! Not many strangers would have offered help as ye did!"

The girl blushed. "Nay, 'tis what any one would have done, dear Mistress Condit," she returned. "I was glad to come!"

They turned to hear what Squire Condit was saying to Mehitable.

"Master Jones reports that the 'Jersey Blues' have