, 1886-12-28

and comply with bis wishes.
The squire did all in his power to mako
the visit agreeable. even relaxing his ha-
bit,al reserve and inviting all the young
people in the neighborhood to his house
TO he introduced 10 his niece.
Although Rose was very sweet and
gracious to all her guests. no one became
Mt all familiar with her. and finally all at
tempts at intimacy ceased. and she was
left to the -companionship of her uncle and
her old nurse.
But active preparations for war o
banished all minor topics. The young
men were getting ready to join their
ships; p~rivateers were being fitted out
and the whole country was wild with ex-
element.
Our village became almost deserted.
Every vessel of any size was manned and
equipped with guns and ammunition, and
sent out to meet the enemy, and all tho
poor wives and mothers could do was to
watch and wait at home News Travelled
slowly in those days, and tidings of de
feat or victory seemed long in coming.
Often we climbed the hill and from
the church tower scanned. the horizon
for n glimpse of some man-of-war for
we lived in constant fear that our town.
like many others on the coast. might be
invaded by the enemy. But. though We
often saw large ships passing. and once
heard the sound of distant c~annonading.
we were left in peace.
And 80 the summer passed: its weary
weeks of watching and anxiety wore
away; the line storm visited ms with all
its fury. and then came the mild and
Y.t,.. 1,,.ttn.. .t tIn. .lntra of LAff
delight, when all nature seems in a
dreamy, quiet mood, giving us a gentle
smile before old winter, with raging ele-
ments. comes to bind her with his icy
ietters.
About the middle OF October a watcher
on the hill saw IA man-of-war heading for
our harbor. He gazed with almost
breatliless anxiety until with his glass he
deserted the English flag at her mast.
Then he rushed down the steep road
into the main street, shouting:
THE British are comingl Save your
~sclves!''
All at once vas noise and confusion.
The men left their work, the women
forsook their spinning wheels, and all
ran to the beach or to the wharves.
Yes, it was true; she had anchored out
side the harbor, and, too large to enter
herself, we could see u large boat just
leaving her filled with men, who would
probably land and plumber, perhaps burn,
our village. Resistance was useless. fer
the ship could easily shefl the whole town,
lying rs she did at the mouth of the lIar-
lnr, but little more than a mile away.
1t had been planned long before that in
case Of invasion the people should take
their vsluables and flee to the woods for
safety.
so as quickly as possible the large hay
carts were brought out, the best leather
beds were hastily thrown into them the
tall clocks We're placed on top, us many
women and children as could be were
piled i'll, each carrying a pillow case con-
tanning some valuables, the horses werc
whipped into a gallop and the procession
started heller SHELTER for the woods.
The s~ervants-of Squire Cushman shared
the general alarm, and Us the squire was
away from home, they, too, prepared for
flight, and urged the housekeeper to pack
up the silver, and, taking Mis- Rose and
her nurse. to hasten to n 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 firmly refused to leave the
house.
They are not enemies to me- she
said. They are from dear old England,
my home, and L will not run from them
even ii tive whole village goes"
The housekeeper tried to reason with
her. but in vain, and not daring to leave
her in the house. sent of the s%ervant
with the most valuable articles to u safe
hiding place and awaited the result with
trembling anxiety.
Rose stood at the open window. watch
ing the boat. As it neared the shore she
sent her maid for the squire's spy glass,
and, resting it on the woman's shoulder,
obtained a good view of the harbor ana
all who were iii the boat.
Nearer and nearer it approached the
shore. and the few fishermen who fingered
near the wharf, their curiosity overcom-
ing their fears, Jaw that it was com
manded by n young officer, whose dress
bctokened the high rank he bore.
The boat came up to the wharf. and
! one of the sailors sprtng ashore and fas-
/ tened il.
Giving n command to his men in n 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 II question
One of the most daring approached him.
Now, my man." he said. mo tricks,
but answer me correctly. Do you know
where Judge Cushman lives, and will you
show us the way to his house? Do not
fear; no harm shall be lone TO any of you;
only tell me the TRUTH
The man, only too glad to escape -
easily. pointed out the house, and the
officer. with his men, FASTENED toward it.
In the meantime Rose had been scan
ming 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 shout
ing to her nurse: 1T is hei 1t is Charlesi'
flew down the staircase, followed by her
servant and the housekeepcr, and, as he
entered the open door. sprang into his
arms and was clasped TO his heart in a
loving embrace.
But lac stopped her eager questions by
saying:
Il have no time to lose. You see the
ship at the entrance of the harbor. Since
you left England. my darling, | have been
promoted to the command of that noble
craft and ordered to America. You may
imagine how glad | was to know ] was
to bc near you. for. thanks to nurse here,
l received your last letter. and since my
duty brought me TO this part of the coast,
| determined to find you. Yesterday we
overlnulcd n fishing craft from thisp port,
and l learned l was only n few miles
from YOU. | ut once shaped my course
for his hnrLor. resolved to take Won with