The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-11-09

South, for the northern people were eve
ahead in the manufacturing line, thougl
e. l viii not admit that they were more so i
patriotism.
: This fashion was being followed il
South Carolina. My grandmother, tn
eldest of the three sisters, was, with them
among the foremost in initiating so goo,
. an example Madeleine, especially, tool
great pride in this, and soon came ou
winner at every match Her elder sisters
vainly admouished her not to be so pert
and saucy, assuring her it was unbecomin:
in her to parade her superior skill to thei
disadvantage; but her father cried "Bravo'
at every new triumph, and Madeleine
suffered not her sisters rebukes to have ;
feathers weight.
Ga her sixteenth birthday he declared
that she had arrived at woman's estate
and was therefore entitled to every privi
lege which they enjoyed. that to celebrate
the event he intended to invite some off
GERS from Charleston and all the youn4
ladies for miles around. These last should
bring their wheels with them and have :
grand spinning match on the lawn, to b,
followed by a ball at Bight. The gentle
men were To be the judges and should
award a prize TO the successful competitor
CHAPTER II.
Well, the appointed time arrived; the
ladies were in full force, eager for the
contest. aud the young officers eame with
much puuctuality. II was Just day or
two after Count D'Estaings arrival with
the French troops, aud every one was very
enthusiastic over the allies Nothing
would do but Mr.. DuboSe must have some
of these Young officers invited too.
The thirty contestants were 10 range
I themselves in three rows Of ten in a row,
+ with sufficient space for the gentlemen
/ TO walk between the rows and observe the
skill of each lady spinner. | don't remem-
Der what tue prize was, something OF no
( Intrinsic value, the honor and the tr'amph
being the only incentives.
After the spinning was over, while the
i ladies were resting aud making their toilet
for the ball, the gentlemen were to decide
on the successful aspirant and present her
With the prize after they had all entered
the ball. room and we're seated
Great was the gutter aud expectation,
Then the gentleman upon whom 1t devolyei
stepped forward. and in graceful little
speech presented the prize to Madeleine.
The lassie received it As gracefully as 1t
had been presented. and then bestowed her
hand upon the gentleman for tue first CO.
till,on. The music struck up and she
moved with her partner 20 the place Of
honor
have been tald that she looked mex
prcssibly lovely a. she stood there Her
dress-now. doa't laugh, my dears-was
of thin unbleached cotton cloth, trimmed
wi,h fessoons Of green lsayes, her lovely
shoulders aud arms bare. She worc no
ornament except single star in her dark,
braided hair.
Among the French officers vas one
Young De Iillc The younger son OF i noble
kouse IN Normandy He had DO expecta-
ton al ever inheriling the family estates,
Tor bis father was yet in vigorous manhood
and he hai an elder brother He had
therefore euicrcd into military service and
hapcd "a win distinction with his good
sword tie vas high-spirised, talented, and
sxcssslingly Eue- boxing
He declared To his companions that he
had seen no lady 10 beautiful a. Madcleise,
no. cot ia La Belle Frsncc. He early
sough, an introduction 10 her and ~As
charmed when be discovered she could
speak French very aucntly. lie spoke
excellent English. but Il was SO much
Isleasautcr to utter his compliments IN his
own vernaculaT without being understood
by All around them You viii perhaps
woadcr, ms doars, Why this little American
rirl. who had sever been beyond the limits
of her native State. eoald speak French 50
yell. bat you necd nos be when tell you
hrr grandmother was 4 Haguenot--a IA
tiye 81 France On The way 10 America
she had become acquainted with yoang
Enslishman, whom she afterwards married,
and with him s,,,led in South Carolina.
Now. Madeleine was a great favoriic
with her grandmother, and the old lady
had taken great pains u teach her Fren,h
and always eonyerssi With her IN that Ian
guage
From the moment og his introduction de
I.ille was very assiduous in his attentions,
Before the evening was over he was ire
tFieyabIy in love.
Wen. a. Afterwards happened At Bel
gums capital, al was going As mcrrily rs
@marriags,-bel. when suddenly the il
uingrslm servant rushed In great haste
and cried out The British the Brit
ish !! Il vas too true They were in the
yard-aInJst in the yery act Of stepping
in among the reyellers Instantly every
light was exlinsuished aud the male Por
tioa Of the assembled company. being un-
armed save for their swords, rushed out
and managed the majority Of them, to
escape.
Not 50, de- Lille, however. He having
DELAYED 10 say word Of tender farewell to
his partner, would in few seconds have
been seized by the enemy but for her ready
vii. Seeing them almost in the doorways
and knowing that be would inevitably be
captured it he should attempt to escape
she said .Suirez moi, Monsieur, aud run
ulilZ out INTO tHt AAAt AtSh AAS hAhN "ttA
went rapidly up the steps She drew him
into her grandmother room, who tortu-
nately had candle burning, and locked
the door
The old lady, who had retired but was
reading by the light OF the candle looked
very much astouished at the entrance Of
her granddaughter and a uniformed officer
into her chamber But Madeleine ex-
planned the situation in two words. Hold
ing up her finger warningly she said in a
low voice, The British, then hearing; the
heavy tramp Of armed men below, she
wrung her pretty little han1s in despair,
and cried ''Oh, grandmere, where can we
hide him p
There, said her grandmother, pointing
upward. Sure enough; why had she not
thought Of it? The bedstead was a canop-
led one, with a solid top. 1t was true the
posts were rather slender and polished, but
an agile young man ought surely to be
able to climb up \ heavy step on the
lower stair announced that the soldiers
were coming upstairs. De Lille needed
no second word With quick spring he
caught hold upon the post aud in amoment
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