The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-04-20
THE DOOM OF DALZELL.

Tomorrow night Marian Bradford,
be it for veal or woe, | cast my lot with
my countrymen. Too long have | re-
manned idle, while others, with less
cause than |, have rallied round the
banner of Washington and fought the
good fight of freedom and independ-
ence. Tonight decides my fate; L have
calculated the odds against us, and
know they are great, but still | deem it
my duty to myself and my country to
take my place in the ranks of the patri-
OTIS who are struggling for the regener-
alton of my native land. The time is
come when the mask must be thrown
OFT, and all those who are in favor of
freedom must declare for it, and those
in favor of King George and oppression
take sides with him. | know your ia
Their is royalist, and calls me a rebel;
has forbidden me to speak to you, and
closed the doors of his house against
me; but, Marian, my love is stronger
than his hatred, and l have dared to
disobey his commands and ask you to-
night to meet me, perhaps for the last
time. With me it is a question of death
or life, for if you refuse to grant my re-
quest L shall leave you and my home
with the fixed determination of throw
ing away my life in the first battle that
offers me respite from the sufferings of
unrequited love. Now look me in the
face and answer me truly
The speaker, young man, whose
fair and handsome face had not yet lost
the tinge and hue of boyhood, looked
SaarohinolH- ,N+D l,n 6
his beautiful companion as they sat to-
gether in the moonlight on the balcony
of her fathers dwelling. She raised
her face to his and, with a look in which
love and melancholy were blended,
asked in a soft but eager tone:
"What request have you to make,
Walter Tyrrellp Speak, and | will an
swer, and from my heart"
Then answer me truthfully, Marian
do you love me?'
"Walter, if | did not, | would not
have granted you this interview during
my fathers absence Idor'
Then, Marian, you love a rebel"
$50 be it. |, too, am rebel"
"You, the daughter of Col Brad
ford?" .
Eyes, Walter, am the daughter of
Tory, but still am an American
"Oh, my beloved Marianr' exclaimed
the enraptured lover, taking her hand,
which she allowed to remain unresist-
ingly in his, "what Joy and rapture
thrills my bosom to hear you speak
those wordsi | came tonight to bid
you farewell, for | intend at midnight
to cross the Delaware and join the army
of Washington. | came to request of
you to think of him sometimes who
would never cease to think of you, and
whose only fault in your fathers eyes
was that he was rebel. But now, be-
licving the fond words you have spok-
en-, and relying on your love, | shall 90
with happy heart, and, knowing that
your prayers will be waited to heaven
for the cause of my country and me,
will bear with fortitude the hardships
and privations of soldiers life, and
hope that the day that sees my country
free will also see you my true and low
ing wife. And now let Dalzell come,
for | am ready to depart"
80 Walter, fear him much! He is
one that looks with q jealous eye upon
our love-
THAT he loves you, Marian, l know;
but remember that he and | were old
schoolboys together; our friendship has
never been severed, and, like me, he is
true to the cause of his country. There
is not a heart in Trenton tonight truer
than Dalzelrs. We have been COM
rades since childhood, seldom a day
apart, and tonight we go together as
patriots to the American camp. My
cousin. Williams boat will be in readi-
ness at twelve to convey us across the
river, and as brothers we shall fight
side by side and fall or conquer in the
cause. So disabuse your mind of all
suspicion and kiss me good-by until we
meet again. Your love will nerve me in
the hour of battle, and the miseries of
the camp or bivouac will be forgotten
in thoughts of you. 1t is getting late,
and must see my mother before l de-
part"
He clasped her in his arms as he
spoke. her head dropped lovingly on
his shoulder, warm embrace was
given and returned, and Walter Tyr
roll with "a tnrou1 au1 axu1fant baort