Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-26
WHOLE NUMBER 6lS


alarm with which the soldiers cried. Here comes
Preston again"
"He well knew no one would accept bis chal.
| IleHge: 50 bis bravudo cost nothing."
Go meet him when he comes again, and see
whether he meant il for bravado;" Fetorted Kate;
then oil al once remembering the enthusiasm IN
TO which she had been hurried, she eOlored, and
resumed her work in some embarrassment
Major Lindsay suited muttersd execntion
on his American rival, for he began to fear, from
the spirit which Kate had shown, that the chi
yalrc exploits Of Captain Preston were making
decided impression on her heart. The desper.
ate daring which the rebel officer had shown
within the last few days, Major Lindsay had at
trbuted, in his own mind, 10 a desire on the pan
Of Preston to dazzle his mistress; but Kate's be-
hayior toward himself had been 50 fauering, 10
comparison 10 that bestowed on others, that, I'M
Ill this moment, he had consOled himself that
these exploits had been thrown away. He sat,
therefore, silent and moody; aud the conversation
closed. Gradually, one by one, the visitors
thinned of and returned 10 their quarters, until
only Colonel Watson and himself were left
The Colonel and Mrs. Bakeley had sat down to
game Of cards in distant corner Of the apart
menL Here was an opportunity TO decide his
fate. 1t might be the last time he would find
Kate alone, for the camp was expected TO move
in few days. The occasion was not to be me-
elected, and doubtful as he felt Of the issue he
arose, and leaning over her, said, in a low voice.
al fear my dear Miss Mowbray, that | offend
ed you by what ! said Of Captain Preston. for
got, for moment, that he was an old playmate
Of yours, you cannot tell how panied am that
anything said should displease you"
"lt matters litlle-I am not al all displcased,"
said Kate, keeping her eyes on her work, her
heart beating evidently. captain Preston needs
no defender in me, nor asks one. but spoke
generally in behalf of my countrymen'"
Major Lindsay saw her embarrassment, and,
misinterpreung the cause, drew favorable omen
| fromit
"You relieve my heart from load" he said.
81 could bear anything rather than your displeas-
ure. Indeed you must long have seen how
loved you. Nay, do not rise from the table. /
worship the very ground you tread on-my life
itsefis bound up in your smiles-all have, heart
fortune, reputation, | lay at your feet"
He would have continued in the same impas-
stoned strain, but Kate, summoning up all her
selfcommand, rose with dignity.
at pains me to hear this, Major Lindsay, she
said, 4 will be frank. That you sought my soci-
ETY., saw, but that you loved me never beliey-
The face of Major Lindsay flushed, but he
controlled his features, and detained her as she
would have moved away.
"Do not bid me despair" he said. 'In time
may be allowed to hope. Let me fancy that my
devotion may at last win me this fair hand"
"No time can alter my sentiments" said Kate
coldly.
'"I will serve for you as for second Rachel,
and the Major sill detaining her.
"Nay! can listen to this no more, you forget
yoursell!' said Kate, severely.
At that instant, and before Major Lindsay
could reply, Kate saw that her aunt had finished
the game Of cards, and was coming toward her.
The Major with chagrin turned away. He would
have given worlds if the tete-a-tete could have
been protracted, for then he would have endeav-
ored to discover if Kate really loved Preston, or
was Indifferent to all.
"Reected, by George!" he muttered "But |
must have her, however" he sol;llqulzcd. 'She
is too lovely, too charming altogether, TO be sac
rifced on provincial-what sensation she
would create at court! Then she is heiress TO
one Of the best properties in this colony, and
since my cousin has married again, there Is no
telling how many new lives may come in between
impoverished me and the earldom. By Jovel
| wish this Preston had remained abroad little
longer, or that he would get knocked over in
some skirmish. ! wouldn't hesitate to give him
his coup de grace myself, if | had a chance
But he shant foil me. I'll have Kate in spite OF
him. What delicious creature she isl What
eyes!-what an arm!"
Major Lindsay met Kate the ensuing day with
an unrufled brow and without any embarrasS-
ment. Ifthere was any change in his demeanor
it was percepuble only in the assumption OF a
greater Difference towards her than before. Not
Lord OrvIe himself, the Preur cherdtier OF Ev'
elina, could have shown more tact or delicacy in
bestowing those thousand little attentions which
90 so far toward winning the female heart
Kate was annoyed. She saw that Major Lind
say, in spite of her decided language, still cher
ished the hope of winning her favor, but his con-
duct was so guarded as to forbid maiden modes
ty again alluding to the subject. She could only
therefore, endeavor, by a cold though polite be-
havior, to show that her sentiments were un
changed, hoping that in time he would tire OF the
pursuit. She liule knew the pertnacity and un
scrupulousness the man with whom she had tC
deal.
Kate dared not, meanwhile, too closely exam
inc her own heart. She could not forget the ex
qusite pleasure which attended her last tete-atet'
with Preston, and her bosom thrilled whenever
she thought fwhat might have been his words
if Major Lindsay had not come in. The suose'
quent GOODNESS and suspicion of Preston had pluq'
ued her, and she had resolved to punish hum ioI
his want of confidence and jealousy, by little In
nocent coquetry with Major Lindsay in the eve
ming. Fatal error! When she heard OF hi
speedy departure from his own lips, she regretted
for amoment herrevenge; uther feeling was tina
) of anger at his conduct, and hence her assumed
! indifference. And yet, after the lapse of mouths
!, l. c.I. Lnr-nlc tho nnrinued r,ariu- Preston