The enquirer southerner., 1874-07-10
TIE
enquirer ~gontbsrner, s
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1874
ALECE GREYSON'S PERIL.
a Story Of the American Revolution
BY H0RATIO ALGER, JR.

1t is useless to urge your suit,
Lieutenant Mortimer, said Alice
Greyson.
And why useiess?' asked the
young officer, fixing his gaze earn
estly upon the face of his fair cons
panion.
If there were no other reason,
said Alice, this one is sufficient.
You are an English officer, and
have taken up arms against my
country.
Il am an English officer, it is
true, but | am no more the enemy
of America, than is the physician
the enemy of his patient when he
applies the lancet for his good.
Your words are not even speci~
Gus, Lieut.. Mortimer. America is
no patient, and the physician may
wait till she summons hin: to her
assistance
L am sorry you sympathize with
the ragged rebels, Miss Greyson.
Why, l am told, the army under
Washington are most Of them bare
footed, and look as if they had just
come out of rag-bag, fancy
your fastidious taste would hardly
sustain the sight Of such a molly
crew.
! You may ridicule them, if you
like, Mr.. Mortimer, said the young
lady, proudly
AS for me, | am ready to ac~
knowledge that I honor them for
the sacrifices they have made for
their country. Do you think they
go in rags, or shoeless, from choice ?
No they have given up the cons
forts of home, and bear without
murmuring the privations Of camp
life, on account Of their devotion to
the holy cause ofliberty. 0, l wish
| were q man y
And if you were, Miss Grey~
son = said Lieut.. Mortimer, as he
gazed admiringly at the flushed face
Of the beautiful girl, unconsciously
more beautiful for the enthusiasm
that glowed in her eyes, and lighted
up her speaking countenance.-
And if you we're, what would you
do?'
what would I do? | would join
these same ragged soldiers, of whom
you speak so contemptuously, Lieut..
Mortimer she answered proudly.
Then l am glad you are not a
man.
EOn that point we do not agree.
'But my main reason | have not
mentioned. If you were a man,
you would not have the same attrac-
tion in my eyes
You had better forget all that
'On my soul. l cannot do it
Surely you will give me little
hope? You will not be SO cruel as
to refuse that ?
L do not willingly give pain,
but never answer your suit Others
wise than l have to>day.'
[ cannot take no for an answer.
l am willing to wait
And what do you expect from
waiting ? asked the young lady,
quietly.
L expect that the rebel horde
| beg pardon-I mean the band Of
mistaken patriots will discern their
folly, and lay down their arms in
loyal submission to King George.
Then your feelings will change to-
wards those whose duty requires
them to assist in suppresslng the
insurrection, and you will feel dis
posed to view my petition more ia
vorably.'
DO not fatter yourself that such
will be the case,' said Alice. 1t
will never be. Nor will you find
this insurrection, as you call it, SO
easily subdued.'
'On this point, fair lady, suffer
me to disagree with you at present,
and the young officer raised his hat
l regret that duty compe!s me tc
forego the pleasant privilege Of re
naming with you longer. Adieu
or rather au revoir.
AS he mounted his horse and rode
away, Alice gravely inclined he1
head, buG did not answer his fare
well. In truth she was angry witt
HIM for having spoken so contemp
tuously of the brave men with whom
she sympathized most heartily, anc
perhaps not the less because ther
was certain young soldier Il
Washington's army, for whom sh
cherished an affection which NOR
than anything else threatened dis
appointment to the hope Of tn
young English officer.
Her eyes were bent throughtfull.
upon the ground after his depar
ture, and accidentally her glanc'
rested on a futtering white paper
which appeared to contain writin
of some kind. She walked forward
and picking it up read as follows {:
LIEUTENANT MORTIMER -
am willing to assist you in captur
! ing the fair rebel, who, it appears
has charmed your fancy, Whe
she is a prisoner, she will probabl
be less obdurate in her refusal {
; your suit.
JOHN TEMPLEToN.'
The eyes of Alice Greyson fasl
ed with Indignation as she rea