The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-04-22

Peyton, what do you think would be the
result of charge by squadron of ladies
upon Tarletons Legion?"
l can't answer for Tarleton," laugh
ingly replied the orderly, who had just
entered the room, "but l am afraid /
should throw down my arms and desert in
the face Of the enemy"
"You are an ungallant fellow, Peyton,
to hint even that the ladies could ever be
your enemies.
"0h, do look there !" cried Miss Stead
with silvery laugh, and pointing through
the open window "Shall We take the is
sue of that struggle as an omen?"
The whole party rushed to the window
and looked out on the lawn. A brilliant
redbird, the proximity Of whose nest per-
haps had fired his timid heart with cour-
age, had made a savage assault on blue
jay, the colors of whose feathers were
strikingly suggestive of the Continental
uniform. For moment the two COM
batants futtered in angry strife, and the
result seemed doubtful, when u female
mocking-b bird flew from her nest in the
shrubbery and drove them both inglorious-
ly from the field.
"That settles the matter" exclaimed
/
Colonel Washington, laughing gayly. "If
Governor Rutledge calls out the ladies',
shall throw up my commission at once,
and retire in good order to the security of
private life"
Perhaps then Lieutenant Peyton
would succeed to the command p rejoined
Miss Elliott, glancing archly at the young
orderly.
~ am almost sorry that your corps
has not been organized, miss, for | might
then consider myself gazetted for promo
tion, and claim my lieutenant's commits
sion over your signature. The young man
spoke in tone of gay badnage, but a
shade of annoyance came over his features
as he added with slight bow, ~ am only
plain "Mr." Peyton as yet"
81 beg pardon, said Miss Elliot, "but |
thought ''licutenant was an ensign's prop
er title"
eff Peyton were the ensign Of the
troop, his Office would be sinecure," {"
laughed the colonel, "seeing we have no
standard for him to carry"
"You surely don't mean, colonel, that
your gallant corps fights without colors ?"
said Miss Stead.
"Why, We cannot use those that we
captured from the enemy, and l fear our
lady friends will be unable to present us
with stand until the war is over and
silk becomes more plentiful"
Miss Elliott's eyes flashed with sud
den impulse, and the color deepened on
her cheek as she eagerly asked, "Would
you carry so poor flag as Carolina girl
can present to you? Many good knight
has gone into battle with no richer stand
ard than ladys scarf"
If Miss Elliot will honor my command
by entrusting her kerchief to its keeping,
swear to fly it in the face of Tarletons
Legion and defend it to the last drop Of
my blood"
"Then let this be your Aag,' cried the
noble girl with burst of enthusiasm
which echoed that which rung in Colonel
Washington's tones. A large tauteui7,
covered with heavy crimson silk embroi-
dered with raised laurel-leaves, was stand.
ing near. Miss Elliot seized, as she spoke,
the scissors from her work. basket, and in
moment had cut out the rectangular
piece which covered the back and offered
it to her distinguished guest. Washing
ton bowed low with courtly grace and
touched his lips to the fair hand which
presented it, while young Peyton, carried
away by the excitement of moment,
sprang to his feet with cheer which
started the wild birds from the shrubbery:
"Colonel Washington, l claim the right,
by Miss Elliott's commission, to carry that
flag into action, and swear that it shall
never be stained with dishonor while
Walter Peyton has right hand to grasp
its staff"
Take it, my boy" said the colonel in
voice tremulous with emotion, "and
guard it with your life. With Gods help
we will make that flag terror to the en-
emies of our country.-Miss Elliot, accept
soldiers gratitude for your precious gift
to-day. No prouder banner ever waved
over battlefield or claimed the devotion
of patriotic hearts. 1t shall be fripged
and mounted this very night in Charles.
ton, and pledge my sacred honor that
Washington's Light Horse shall prove
worthy Of their trust"
There was pause in the conversation
which was broken by young Peyton, who
ratified on for some time with Miss Stead
in that light vein which the most serious
circumstances cannot long repress when
youth and beauty meet Colonel Wash.
ington spoke but little, and with an evil
dent effort at gayety, which i'll agreed with
the earnest, thoughtful look which settled
on his features, while Miss Elliott could
not conceal the embarrassment which her
heightened color and down-cast eyes be-
trayed as she toyed with her embroidery,
avoiding the glanccs Of deep and ardent
yet restrained admiration with which her
distinguished guest regarded her. The
hour had arrived when the soldiers must