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

and look az one Of Copley's portraits, or-wha
is beuerl-eould have seen Kate thenl We troV
his mouth would have waiered. And doubl Il
justice is done to those good old times. Ali
those were the days Of courly danes and high.
bred cavaliers-when the stately minuet still held
sway-when gentlemen bowed reyerently over
the hand they scarcely dared TO kiss-and when
it was the crowning felicity Of whole evenings
devotion to hand partner TO the liable by the
tips Of the fingers. Nowadays people bounce
through frisky quadriles, while gallanls tuck the
arm of mistress under their own as eozy as
an old codger does his umbrella.
Preston was advancing toward Kate, when a
buzz Of admiration announced that Major Lind
say was about to lead her forth 10 the minuet.-
He won accordingly only hasty curesy in reply
to his bow. He was meanwhile subjected to the
modification of hearing from dozen bystanders
the rumor of Kate's engagement to the Major;
and one or TWO officously applied to him to con-
firm the rumor, knowing his intimacy with the
family. When the dance was concluded, which
aurqcted general admiration, Major Lindsay still
remained at Kate's side. Never before had Pres.
ton noticed such meaning and delicate assiduity
in his attentions. Between the incidents Of the
morning and those of the evening, no wonder
Preston's anger continued unabated. Sill he
made several attempts to obtain moments tete-
a-tete with Kate: but the crowd of her admirers
frustrated this. At length, toward the close Of
the ball, he approached her.
81 come to bid you farewell" !" he said abrupt
ly; "to.morrow leave Charleston"
"Leave Charleston!" repeated dozen voices
in dismay. "What shall we do without youl''
Kate alone betrayed neither surprise nor emo
ton. "Ahl indeed, !" was herunconcerned reply.
Preston turned pale with suppressed mortifica-
ton at this Indifference; mere friendship, he said
to himself, demanded some expression Of regret
at least. His feelings were not allayed by what
followed.
"You're not going to join Marion, are youl"
said Major Lindsay, in tone of triumphant BAN
ter, little imagining how near he was to the truth.
"Has he frightened you by the great oath he has
sworn to revenge his nephew, who was shot for a
rebell hear he threatens some mighty deed.
Only think of his doing any thing with that brig
ade of invincible demalions-Falstaff' rag.
ged regiments over again!''
"Take care that you are not one of those 10
pay the penalty Of Marion's OATH" retorted Pres
ion, stung by the insolence of his successful RI
val, and reckless what he said. sit was q foul
deed and will be terribly revenged."
Major Lindsay flushed to the brow, and his
hand mechanically sought his sword hilt; but he
controlled himself Immediately, and said with a
sneer-
"That might be called sediton, only we know
you are man Of peace, Mr.. Preston. But he is
certainly Marion.bt, is he mott" and he turned
to Kate.
Now Kate felt piqued at this unceremonious
leave of her lover, as well as at his naughty con-
duct in the morning. She fancied herself triled
with, and answered cuttingly,
"Never fear Mr. Preston's joining Marion.-
Our American gentlemen, on both sides, are but
carpet knights Of late. They resemble Sancho
Panza, who, good soul, would not stir steptll a
rich island was promised for his share"
Preston tingIed in every vein at this Speech
which he regardedas aimed at himself. He bow.
ed sarcastically to Kate, and glanced angrily al
Major Lindsay, as he replied,
"One might almost be tempted to join Marion
after this, in order to raise the reputation of A.
merican courage, since just now British bravery
has it dead hollow"
"Oh! pray" said Kate, augbingy, "play the
Atlas for the patriots then. That's good man.
Be the ST. George to destroy the British dragon. u
Major Lindsay looked for moment as if he
thought there was more in this than met the ear;
but he contented himself with retorting on Pres.
ton.
"Do, by all MEANS" he said, "and, if you take
Bobadil's plan, you may defeat whole army
yourself. You know he proposed to challenge
a single enemy and slay him by duello; then
challenge second, and slay him, then a third
and dispose of him also; and so on until the whole
army was annihilated."
Kate, as well as the rest, laughed at this sally.
Preston needed but this TO complete his anger and
disgust. The field, he saw, was his rivals, and
he was glad when other persons approached and
broke up the colloquy, which, TO tell the truth
was growing too personal. But Kate was pqued
and Preston enraged: and as for the Major, seeing
there was a quarrel between his rival and mis-.
tress, he had striven to widen the breach.
Preston hurried from the ballroom, and taking
time only to change his dress, reparedto the ren.
devious where Macdonald awaited him. With.
out word he flung himself into the saddle, and
his companion initiating his example, they were
soon without the city. They had passed the out.
posts forsome time, when Macdonald, pushing his
horse close to Preston's, opened the conversation
"We're clear of that counfounded town at last
thank Heaven!" he said, "and |, for one, AIM
sorry. Them Engishmen are as saucy as prn'
ces, and think nobody has any courage but them
selves. But know one stout fellow that car
snuff candle with hsrife attwo hundred yards
and before week we'll have rap at 'em, for
s'pose you go direct, sir, to MariCn's campl"
Preston nodded gloomy assent, for buried il
his own thoughts he cared not to be disturbed
Macdonald saw this, and, defeated in his attemp
to open conversation, dropped back, but wher
out of hearing muttered,
81 see how lis. Them women's always get
ting man into trouble. For my part I'll be
bachelor. Marrying's like getting tipsy, yer,
pleasant except for the after repentance"
| CHAPTER II.