The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-01-17

before this to have welded Won. hut - =
would not perceive my meaning and Siya
me opportunity. | may be absent s9n,e
weeks, but when return l shall claim Won.
for | know you have given me your heart y
She gave him her hand and suffered him
to press it, but she said: "When Won come
back, Nathan, then l will give you ans.
wer."
She thought to test his constancy BY alb.
sence.
Months passed before Nathan returnad.
The laws delay detained him Wbila he
was away came the roll of musketrv at
Lexington that was heard around the
world.
Nor more sturdy patriot lived than Far.
mer Hgsted. He was ON fire, and, thongb
in that vicinity there were many of his did
friends who were loyal to King Georoe.
the farmer carried his zeal so far as to cease
to speak, except with contempt, to those
who did not espouse the cause of the colo
MES. OF his means and his time he gave
| literally, and later on served himself in the
field.
One day he said to his daughter: "Ke-
ziah, my child, you are a comely woman
and will soon, it may be, be sought in mar
riage. Promise your father that Won will
never wed Tory. 1t would break INV
heart were you to be separated from your
family by marriage with one not patri-
men heareabouts of such dispositionn
Keziah said promptly: 81 promise YOU,
| father, that | will wed no Tory"
! The maid had given that promise without
cost, for she said demurely to herself.
Gam | not to wed some day Nathan Foster,
and is he not a patriot"
| When Nathan returned there was the aw-
| full presage of war, and he determined
| speedily to claim Keziah, that he might
i give her protection, and because he knew
not what the coming war might dAAh1
| for himself.
---Heu ds- De -weuced fff-twd weeks 9bIfe
this day." he said to her on the evening of
his return, and she placed her hand in his
and smiled upon him.
Nathan" she said few MINUTES later,
81 did give promise to my father that
was not hard to make. He warm pat
| riot, as | am too, and he aSled me not to
wed Tory. How easy it etme for me to
| give the promise when l su'mised a little
| that you would claim me. Why, what is
the matter, Nathan?"
She saw that his face hd grown set and
hard as she was speaking.
| You promised your frther that you
would not wed a loya subject of the
| King"
I'm truth 1 did. Whynot, Nathan?"
"And you have promised to wed me in a
| fortnight?"
eyes, Nathan" 49,,
(which promise willyou keep"
"Why, what is it you mean, NathanW
"Did you not knowthat | am and ever
shall be as loyal to the King as any of his
| subjects?"
Nathan! Nathanp
'My mother was horn in England. By
her | was taught to revere the King. | can
not be traitor to him, and would not if
could"
The girls face was now as white as the
I'm that she placed on Nathan's sleeve.
"Ah, my BRIDE" he said gently, ''what
have you to do with these things? l am
your only king and you shall be my queen"
She did not speak.
"You believe in Scripture" he said, "and
you know that therein is written that a
wife shall cleave unto her husband"
"Ah, Nathan, you are not now my hus-
band"
You will break your word to me?"
''You terrify me, Nathan. Do not be so
fierce. Yet | will say, Nathan, let us for
the time leave matters as they were"
THAT would be cowardly. You have
promised me-"
Yes, but under misrepresentation"
"Of my affectiOn:"
"NO, no. You are too cruel. did not
dream that you were not a patriot"
"Keziah, would you let my duty come
between our lover"
"Nathan, would you have my duty I'M
done by my affection? Nathan, renounce
the King"
81 will not"
"Then must withhold my proniss,..r-
you"
She said it braveIy, though every word
cut her like knife.
"You love me?" he asked.
$50 much wouel gladly die for YOU"
''If so much you will wed me-"
mot so long as you are an enemy to our
country and my people,"
81 was fool to believe in the consistency
of a maid. What is the affection that can
be snapped at the within of father? Ibid
you farewell, mistress. If it be consolation
for you, rest assured that you have my
heart"
He turned to go.
"Stop, Nathan. Let us wait patiently
until the outcome of the war is determned.n
mo, we can not bide the future our
test is now. II | go, Keziah, shall not
come to you again until you bid me-"
The girl trembled, and then, looking with
the determination of pride upon him, said:
That, Nathan, l shall never do"
He said no more, but went. In a few
days hereceived commission in the Kings
army.
Eight years later Captain Nathan Foster
returned to his farm, where his sister had
dwelt during his absence. He had given it
to her as he went to the war, both to save
it from contiscation and to provide her
with home.
you will not deed it back to me-" he
said to his sister when he returned "We
will live here together, and the farm shall
be ours in common"
The sister wondered if he would bring
home bride, as years before he had said
he should, but he made no mention of such
a purpose.
Exposure in the field had bronzed his
face, and his figure was erect and his walk
martial. "a splendid man he is" thought
the sister. HE will marry SOON" But
she said nothing.
On the Sunday after his return Captain
Nathan resumed his place in the old pew
at the brick meeting house. The aged pas
tor had passed away, and some of the
farmers had grown gray, while vacant
places told of others killed in battle. The
matrons, too, were stouter, and those whom
he had known as children were strappng
lads and handsome maids.
They greeted the Captain as he entered
the porch so generously that he was touched
and glad that he had determined to reWfS
and spend his days among them.
The old friends thought him changed for
the better, and they were proud of their
townsman, though he had fought against
them in the Kings army.
As Captain Foster took his seat in his
pew he glanced about, and encounteredthe
eyes of Mistress Keziah. She sat in her
old place. He nodded with such slight in
dication of recognition as is permissible in
church. and she returned his courtesy after
his manner. Not again during the service