he value of the Continental currency had depreciated
to almost nothing, occasioned a host of acrid criticisms not only in the
minds of the displeased populace, but also in the less friendly columns
of the daily press.

Censures of the harshest nature were continually uttered against the
Governor's conduct of the affairs of the city government together with
his earlier order closing the shops. Now, the use that he began to make
of the government wagons in moving the stores excited further complaints
of a more public nature, the more so that no particular distinction was
being made as to whether the stores belonged to the Whigs or the
offending Tories. It was no idle gossip that he curried favor with the
upper Tory class of the city, now particular mention was made of his
infatuation with the daughter of Edward Shippen. It was whispered, too,
that the misuse of his authority in the grant of safe passes to and from
New York had led to the present act of the Congress in recalling all
passes. Stephen knew all this and he logically surmised more; so he
longed for the opportunity to study intimately this man now occupying
the highest military post in the city and the state.

For the present he would return home and bide his time until Friday
evening when he would have the happiness of escorting Marjorie to the
home of Peggy Shippen.

"I wonder, Dolly, old girl, if I can make myself bold enough to call her
'Marjorie.' 'Marjorie,' Margaret,'" he repeated them over to himself. "I
don't know which is the prettier. She would be a pearl among women, and
she is, isn't she, Dolly?"

He would ask her at any rate. He would be her partner for the evening,
would dance with her, and would sit by her side. Peggy would be there,
too, and the General. He would observe them closely, and perchance,
converse with them. Colonel Forrest and the General's active
aide-de-camp, Major Franks, a Philadelphian, and a Jew would also be
present. Altogether the evening promised to be interesting as well as
happy.

He was musing in this manner when he heard the hoof beats of a horse,
heavily ridden, gaining upon him in the rear. He drew up and half turned
instinctively at the strange yet familiar sound. Suddenly there hove
into view at the bend of the road an officer of the Continental Army, in
full uniform, booted and spurred, whose appearance caused him to turn
full about to await him. It was not long before he recognized the
familiar figure of the