Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-13

was a naughty man, but with good
and noble heart, straight-faced in out
ward coldness and formality. He was
an Englishman by birth, and did not
consider himself bound in any ungen-
erous crusade when he offered his ser
vices to the Government for the pur-
pose of quelling the Irish insurrection.
But taking the field and playing po-
iceman are two different things. At
least, so Captain Howard considered,
and twas with modification he found
that the role of dragon captain in Ire
land was at the time more than half
police exercise. Registering an inward
vow to resign his commission at the
first opportunity, the captain returned
to the object of his mission.
"This place, is it not called Glen Al
len p
The old gentleman motioned assent.
Unfolding a document, the Captain
continued; "The Government having
had information that in this house is
concealed notorious rebel, for whose
capture large reward is offered, l am
deputed to search the premises and as
certain the correctness of the informa-
tion. AS loyal man you are required
to render all due assistance in the in
vestigation.'
The old gentleman, rising in stately
manner. signified his willingness, and
with strange repugnance to the per-
formance of the duty, Captain Howard
ordered from the doorway half his men
to surround the house and arrest any
one attempting to escape, the remain
der to enter the house and await his
orders.
While the search progressed he stood
with arms folded and gloomy brows,
following mechanically from room to
room. Suddenly his gaze fastened on
a picture-an Oil painting-of brown
ringleted girl, with soft, hazel eyes,
childlike in their candor and innocence,
and sweet red lips, occupying the place
of honor over the mantel shelf. 1t was
the face that had haunted him for a
twelve month, the face of a girl that
he had met in London society, had fol-
lowed Intellectually and had loved I'M
reasonably. It was face he had sud-
denly lost sight of, and sought in vain
until now. He learned from the old
man that it was the picture "of re-
lative" at present staying with him.
With unconcealed anxiety the captain
requested to be allowed to see the origi-
nal of the picture, and the old gentle
man, humoring his visitors strange
fancy, left the room and returned pres
entity with young lady whose extreme
pallor was heightened by her dress of
deep mourning and the melancholy Of
her soft hazel eyes. At sight of the
stranger faint blush dyed her cheek,
Captain Howard, much agitated, ad-
vanced, and, taking her hand eagerly,
convinced itself by her recognition
that his fair London acquaintance
stood before him.
'How came it I lost sight of you so
entirely after that brief London carni-
VAL" he said, "and how is it find you
here in this convulsed country--in this
solitude?"
"For the first question ! can answer,
there is nothing more common than
for casual acquaintances, in strange
country. to meet, part, lose sight of
each other, Unless some powerful
incentive remained urging pursuance
of the acquaintance. To the second I
would answer, this is my native land
these are my native hills; what place
more meet for my residence?" she spoke
half comtemptuously, half defiantly.
"And your brother, the dark-eyed,
Quixotic boy. Great Cod" he mutter-
ed, 1T cannot be-"
A deadly pallor spread over the girls
face; she raised herself proudly to her
full hight and demand, "Well, sir,
what cannot be ?"
He silently handed her the warrant
for the arrest of dark, slender youth,
name assumed, whose capture was i'm
portant to the government, and against
whom there was strong information.
The paper went on to state he had been
known to be connected, on important
occasions, with some of the most prom
inent rebel leaders, and large reward
was offered for his arrest, alive or dead.
The lady flushed and paled as her eye
ran over this document, and her agita-
tion was not lost on the dragoon.
With sudden resolve he said, turning
to his men:
"There is no necessity to search fur
ther, l believe"