The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-01-12


drive us out of New York. l am too
feebleto fight, but 1 can use pen, aud
tongue, and gold, and by Jove! so long
as a faculty is left, I'll cry No sur
renderp
"1'll see, George" she said
L'Estrange met her by appointment
at the old-beach-tree, not in silk and
lace, but IN the bravery of the English
uniform.
"Why did you put this on to-day?"
she asked
"Why not?"
"To meet me?'
Certainly"
George l. Estrange"-and her eyes
flashed, her nostrils dilated-"this is an
insult"
He laughed.
"An insult" she slowly repeated, as
she broke off a hazel switch, land a
cowardly one-so cowardly that l needs
must notice it." And so exasperated
was she that she struck him two swift
blows across the face in rapid success
sion.
"Jac-the deuel." he cried, as, blind
with pain, he put his hands to his face.
When he removed them she was
gone.
"a rebels daughterv' he Kissed, be-
tween his clinched teeth. $50 help
me heaven! I'll pay her off for that
blow, and with INTEREST,"
y
A few months later party of red
coats, debouching from the woods that
crowned the Palisades, marched to the
Bence mansion and took possession
of it.
Old Ephraim Bencc was for defend
ing the place to the bitter end; but the
more prudent counsels of wife, daugh-
ter and such relatives as were stopping
with him prevailed, and he witnessed
the seizure of his home and belong
ings with hatred that seemed almost
uncomfortable.
$50 you are in command" he cried,
as George l. Estrange-now major in
the British service-swaggered into
the apartment.
"Oh yes. Why should l not be?"
"And you come to swagger here?"
"a capital place to swagger it is,
too" observed the major, as he cooollv
threw his legs across the arm of a
sofa.
You are white-livered, cowardly
dog"
you are a very irascible old gen.
tleman."
eff it was not for this cursed govt
I'd spit yot like a larkY' roared the in
furiated old man,
A very ancient figure of speech, my
friend. where's your daughter?'
"She is here" cried voice almost
in his ear as Jacqueline, pale, every
nerve quivering, as she stood before
him. In spite of his braggadocious,
the major yielded.
"Oh, you little rebel! you see, ccme
here in command" he laughed.
"Not to command a few men or a
few women"
1--WE shall see Mistress Jacqueline."
"If you had the courage of a gentle
man you would have flung your COM
mission in the teeth of your general
ere STOPPING to set your foot across this
threshold, save as protector"
bah! Rebellion kills sentiment.
I'm not the long-eared biped that 1
used to be. You and l will have good
time together here, and"
GLOW dare you!" cried the girl, her
eyes flashing, attempt but so much
as the familiarity of my given name,
and l will resent it as an insult"
"Pshaw!" growled the major, as he
moved toward a window, in order 10
conceal his modification, for his lieu
tenant, Staleybridge, was standing by.
4
That night Major L'Estrange held
high revel in the old oaken dinner
room of the Mansion. A captain of
dragons, Oldham, the lieutenant and
an ensign banqueted with him.
They drank heavily, as was the
fashion of that day, and afrer dinner
commenced to toast their respective
sweethearts.
When it came the majors turn he
hesitated.
The lieutenant, who owed him a
,,r,,1,,o ond Ioxad him, NOT ox-o;o;,oal.