Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-01-26
WHOLE NO. 642.

were rushing eagerly to ENJOY the
aquatic games of the lake, and others
We're already toiling their way up the
neighboring hills, with the restless
curiosity of their nation. To all
these sports and pursuits, those Of the
enemy who watched the besieged, and
the besieged themselves, We're, how
ever, merely the idle, though sympa-
thlzing spectators.
Duncan had stood in musing at
titude, contemplating 9this scene a
few minutes, when his eyes were di-
rected to the glacis in front of the
saiIy-port already mentioned, by the
sounds Of approaching footsteps.
He walked to an angle Of the bastion,
and beheld the scout advancing, un-
der the custody of French officer,
to the body of the fort. The counte-
nance Of Hawk-eye was haggered and
careworn, and his hair detected, us
though he felt the deepest degrada-
ton at having fallen into the power
Of his enemies. lie was without his
favorite weapon, and his arms were
even bound behind him, with thongs
made Of deer skin.
The sounds Of other voices caught
his attention, and for Il moment
caused him to forget his purpose. At
the inner angle Of the mound he met
the sisters walking along the parapet
III search, like himself, Of air and re-
lief from confinement. They had not
met since that painful moment when
he deserted them On the plain, only to
assure their safety. lie was, how
ever, anticipated by the voice of the
ingenious and youthful Alice.
"Ah, thou truant. thou recreant
knight, he who abandons his damsels
i'll the very lists" she cried ), "here
have We been days, nay, ages, expect
ing you at our feet, imploring mercy
and forgetfulness of your craven
bacllsliting; or, I should say back
running, for verify you fled in a man
ner that no stricken deer, as our
worthy friend, the scout, would say,
could equal.," :"
You know that Alice means our
thanks and our blessings" added the
thoughtful Cora. ''In truth, we
have wondered why you should so
rigidly absent yourself from a place
where the gratitude of the daughters
might receive the support of pa
rents thanks
Your father himself could tell
you, that though absent from your
presence, have not been altogether
forgetfuI Of your safety" returned
the young man ''the mastery of
yonder village Of huts has been keen
ly disputed; and he who holds it is
sure to be possessed Of this fort, and
that which it contains. My days and
my nights have all been passed there
since we separated, because thought
that my duty called me thither. But,
he added with an air CT chagrin, which
heendeayored, though unsuccessfully,
to conceal, chad | been aware that
what | then believed a soldiers con-
duct could be so construed, shame
would have been added to the list OF
reasons
"Heyward .-Duncan," !" exclaimed
Alice, did | think this idle tongue
Of mine had panied YOU, | would
silence 1t forever. Cora can say, il
Cora would, how justly we have
priced your services, and how deep
! had almost said how fervent-is
our gratitude"
'And will Cora attest the truth
Of it," cried Hayward. ''What says
your grave sister? Will she find an
excuse for the neglect of the knight
in the duty of d soldier
Cora made no immediate answer.
"You are not well, dearest Miss
Munro." he exclaimed; "we have
triAed while you are in suffering"
"'Tis nothing" she answered, re,
fusing his offered support with femi,
nine reserve. "That I cannot see the
sunny side of the picture Of life, like
this artless but ardent enthusiast, ,
she added, laying her hand lightly
but attectionately, on the arm of hel
sister, " is the penalty Of experience
and, perhaps, the misfortune Of ma,
ture. See," she continued, "look
around you, Major Hayward, and tell
me what prospect is this for the
daughter Of a soldier whose greater