The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-21

carrying a pillow case containing some yalu-
ables, the horses were whipped into gallOp
and the procession started heller SHELTER for
the woods.
The servants of Squire Cushman shared
the general alarm, and as the squire was
away from home, they, too, prepared for
flight and urged the housekeeper to pack up
the silver and taking Miss Rose and her
nurse, to hasten to place of safety with
them. But when she went to the young
lady's chamber, she found her watching the
incoming boat with eager eyes, and she firm
ly refused to leave the house
They are not enemies to me-, she said.
They are from dear old England my home,
and | will not run from them even if the
whole village goes
The hOusekeeper tried to reason with her,
but in vain, and not daring to leave her in
the house, sent off the servants with the
most valuable articles to a safe hiding place
and awaited the result with trembling anXi-
ETY..
Rose stood at the open window, watching
the boat. As it neared the shore she sent
her maid for the squire eye-glass, and rest
ing it on the woman's shoulder obtained a
good view of the harbor and all who were in
the boat.
Nearer and nearer it approached the shore
and the few fishermen who fingered near the
wharf, their curiosity overcoming their
fears, saw that 1t was commanded bya young
officer, whose dress betokened the high rank
he bore
The boat came up to the wharf, and one of
the sailors sprang ashore and fastened it.
Giving a command to his men in low
tone, the officer landed, accompanied by two
marines. Seeing the fishermen about to run
he cried out.
"YOu have nothing to fear; If you let us
come and go unmolested, your village shall
be spared, Come here, want to ask you
question"
One of the most daring approached him.
NOW my man" he said, no tricks, but
answer me correctly. Do you know where
Judge Cushman lives, and will you show us
shall be done to any of you, only tell me the
truth"
The man, only too glad to escape so easily,
pointed out the house, and the officer with
his men, fastened toward it.
In the meantime, Rose had been scanning
the boat with eager eyes, trying to discern
the features of the men. When she saw the
officer approaching the house she gave one
long fixed look, and shouting to her nurse
st is hel it is Charlesr' flew down the
staircase followed by her servant and the
housekeeper, and as he entered the. open
door, sprang into his arms and was ciasped
to his heart in a loving embrace
But he stopped her eager questions by say
81 have no time to lose. You see the ship
at the entrance to the harbor? Since you
left England, my darling, have been pro-
NOTED to the command of that noble craft
ana ordered to America. You may imagine
how glad was to know | was to be near
you, for thanks to nurse here received your
last letter; and since my duty brought me to
this part of the coast | determined to find
you. Yesterday we overhauled fishing
craft from this port, and | learned l was
only few miles from Won. at once shaped
my course for this harbor, resolved to take
you with me, for | can endure this separa-
ton no longer. Where is your uncle?"
He is away from home, dear Charles"
said Rose, "'and nearly all the people here
fled, SO frightened are they of the dreaded
Good! That makes it easier for you to
but what do you mean, Charles? How
can go alone with you on that great ship?
| shall be afraid"
Afraid with me, sweetheart? Nurse will
go with you, and as my wife you will be safe
from all harm. Let us find the clergyman
here and ne will unite us. Do you think he
NO." said Rose, 'he has always said,
believe, that he was a man II peace and
would be left unmolested. But, Charles,
since have been here, l have thought much
OF my fathers wishes, and although / could
never be false to you, dear Charles, have
thought that time and distance may have
softened his heart, and loving me as | know
he does, he might sometime consent to our
marriage"
Sweetheart" said Charles, do not dis
ried am sure your father will forgive us.
Besides am surrounded daily by great per-
lis, and may not outlive this war. Let me at
least call you my wife, and | shall be doubly
armed for the conflict. Do consent, dear
Rose"
He clasped her once more to his heart,
pressing kisses upon her lips, and none but
a lovers ear could hear the softly whispered
YES" =,
a Of m fhn a1n
compel him to marry us. Nurse shall pack
some necessary clothing for you and meet
us at the boat. My orders are to cruise up
and down the coast on the lookout for mer-
ehantmen. will sail as far as Halifax,
there land and leave you with good friend
of mine, and join you later in the season
when the weather compels us to seek winter
quarters"
He then gave few directions to the nurse.
who received them with many bows and
smiles, ordering one of the marines to wait
for her and bring her to the wharf. The old
housekeeper tried to intefere with their
movements, but her words passed unnoticed,
for leaning on her lovers arm, Rose waved
her laughing good-by, as she passed out of
the house forever.
The minister made many objections to per-
forming the ceremony, but they were all
overcome by the entreaties of Rose and tn,
stern commands of her lover, and as he af-
forwards said, he had no alternative, for if
he persisted in his refusal he might have
been taken away prisoner in the vessel and
his church burned
So Rose and her husband sailed away
from our Shores never to return. We heard,
however, long after, that, Charles Ashton
was wounded soon after his marriage, and
had left the service. We never knew how
Squire Cushman bore the news of his niece's
flight. Nobody dared ask him, and he died
not long after, leaving his property to dis
tant relative.
There, girls that is the way my grandma
used TO end the story, but l can tell you
something more.
Last summer an English lady and gentle
man stopped at the hotel here several days.
One day they obtained permission to go over
the old Cushman house. They fingered long
in the chamber looking over the sea and we
learned that the lady was the granddaughter
of Rose Cushman, who had come, with her
husband to visit the scene of her grand
mothers elopement.