The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-06-23
'Why did you put this OH todayp" she

s'To meet me?"
"Certainly."
"George L'Estrange''- her eyes
flashed, nostrils dlated-"this is al i'll
suit"
He laughed.
can insult" she slowly repeated, as
she broke off hazel switch, "and a
cOwardly one-so cowardly that needs
must notice it," And so exasperated
was she, that she struck him two swift
blows across the face in rapid success
ion.
"Jac-the deuce" he cried, as, blind
with pain, he put his hands to his face.
When he removed them she was gone.
GA rebels daughterl" he Kissed, be-
tween his clinched teeth. $50 help me
heaven! I'll pay her off for that with
interesti'
A few months later, a party of red
coats, debouching from the woods that
crowned the palisades, marched to the
Bence mansion and took possession of
it.
Old Ephram Bence was for defending
the place to the bitter end; but the more
prudent counsel of wife, daughter, and
such relatives as were stopping with him
prevailed and he Witnessed the seizure
of his home and belongings with
hatred That seemed almost unendur-
able.
$50 you are in command" )" he cried,
as George L'Estrange-nowa II major in
the British sefyice-swaggered into the
apartment.
ooh, yes. Why should not be?''
"And you came to Swagger herep'
GA capital place to Swagger it is too,"
observed the ma ajor, as he cody threw
his legs across the arm OF the sofa.
"You are IL white-livered, cowardly
dog"
"You are very irascible old gentle
man.o
eff it was not for this cursed gout I'd
spit you like lark?" roared the infu-
rated old man.
GA very ancient figure of speech, my
friend. Where's your daughter2"
"She is herep' cried Il voice almost in
his ear as Jacqueline, pale, every nerve
quivering, stood before him. In spite
Of his braggadocio, the major yielded.
'Oh, you little REBEL you see, come
here i'll command" he laughed.
''Not to command II few men or n few
women"
eve shall see Mistress Jacqueline."
eff 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 a protector" "
''Bahl Rebellion kills sentiment. l
am not the long cared biped that used
to be. You and will have good time
together here, and"
"IIow dare you'll" cried the girl, her
eyes flashing, "attempt but SO much as
the familiarity of my given name, and l
will resent it as al insult"
'Pshawr' growled the major, rs he
moved toward window, in order to
conceal his modification, for his lieu
tenant, Staleybridge, was standing by.
That night Major L'Estrange held
high revel in tile old oaken dining-room
OF the mansion. A captain of dragons,
Oldham, the lieutenant and All ensign
banqueted with him.
They drank heavily, as was the fash
ion of that day, and after dinner COM
menced to toast their respective sweet
hearts.
When it came the majors turn lie
hesitated.
The lieutenant, who owed him q
grudge, and loved him not, exclaimed:
"Why not toast the beauty who is now
unuef our rOO1!"
"a beauty under the roof2'' roared
the dragoon. "Let's trot her out"
L'Estrange stood up.
''Here's to Jacqueline, the prettiest
rebel in all American' and drained the
goblet to the dregs.
eve must see her!'' beloved the dra-
COON. "Send for her, major!''
L'Estrange was three parts drunk,
fol 1,o II l.
muddIed brain-that now would be Il
good time to keep his VOW in regard to
paying Jacqueine Bence for that blow.
'I'll send for her, by Georgel'' he
cried.
10 the servant who responded to tho
ring he gravely said:
''I want to see Miss Bence for q
moment on business Of Importance.
Importance mindp'
The young girl at first refused point
blank to appear, but OH Il second and
third pressing message she resolved to
comply.
How beautiful she looked as she stood
glancing from one to another OF those
drunken debauchesl
"What is your business with me,
Major L'Estrange'' she slowly and
deliberately asked.
''Come here" lie exclaimed
~ am here. sirl What would you
have of me?'
''Do you recolleet a blow you gave me
| in the woods here Oh II certain summers
day?" he asked.
Perfectly well, sir"
"Then l mean to take twenty kisses
for it," and he sprang to- his feet.
At that instant the door was burst
open, and body Of Swift's yeomanry,
led by Joe Wilson, a near neighbor, lo
whom Bence had sent for succOr, leapcd
| into the room, making prisoners OF the
drunken revelers.
An hour later and the gallant major
| with his comrades in arms, were OH the
march as prisoners Of war, past the very
beech tree where a few months previous
ly he had received the cut across the
face he so richly deserved.
| Jacqueline married Joe Wilson, and
their descendants still flourish in that
picturesque spot known as Englewood.
AS for the L'Estranges, they were
to use a slang phase, "clean wipe,
out"
WHEN farmer farms rightly his sol
| is constantly growing better his Daa