Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-09

! gain its liberty.
"One word moro, Mademoiselle, said
/ he, "and il / transgress the limits OF
etiquette do not. / entreat You, attn butte
il TO ignorance nor 10 any disregard OF
your position, but permit me TO inquire
if there is any one of your compatriots
for whom your father designs your hand
or for whom you yourself already feel
eome prediction ?"
Madeleine replied that she had not
yet given a thought to matrimonY,
neither had her father any intention of
contracting an alliance for her that
such was not the custom OF America.
Then farewell" said he. smiling
brightly; :" shall 90 to long captivity
/ perhaps, but its gloom will now be light
ened With beautiful hope. And rest
assured, Msdemoiselle, that if ! do re-
gain my liberty before this war shall
end I will now have a double incentive
for doing valiant battle for America"
With that he stopped and respectfully
kissed her hand.
The British soldier, who was also
young and perhaps had tender spot IN
his own heart for some far-awsy lassie in
his native land, had stood very patiently
while this little scene was enacting.
/ DE Lille turned toward him. saying
81 forgive your former words for the
/ sake OF your present kind indulgence.
! Now am ready, sir; lead on.
This occurred in l77S. The war went
on with various success-frst one side
and then The other gaining n victory.
/ Upon the whole, the American cause
WAS strengthening each year, the British
| prspmtiOnately declining. South Caro-
/ lima bad, however, lost one post after an
/ other and was now pretty much held as
conquered by the British.
Madcleine's father had continued 70
reside upon his plantation, although the
enemy made frequent raids upon his
stock and homestead. In one OF these
raids tho party, commanded by a captain
/ from one Of the ncighbOrIug posts, had
entered the mansion and called for some
/ thing to eat. The request was polite,
/ but Mr.. Dubosc understood that coming
from the dominant party 1t was oqulYa-
/ lent TO command.
/ While the rcpast was in progress one
! of the common soldiers who had been
stationed outside near the door slipped
| into the house unknown to his superior
/ officer and undertook an exploring expo
/ dition upon his own account. lie walked
very unceremomousiy into the apart
ment where Mrs. Dubose and her dauRh-
| tiers were sitting upon which they al
I turned their backs upon him, noticing
/ him no more than If he had been a cur
Prcsumlug on their silence the fellow,
who evidently WAS sOmewhatintOIicated,
sank into chair and ventureI TO address
remark TO Geneyieve, the second
daughter Now, the latter Was almost
rs spirited and beautiful as Madeleine
She immediately turned on the man
very withering look and pointed 10 tho
door lie only laughed and kept his
seat.
Mr.. Dubose, much TO the relief Of
his wife and daughters, came 10 the
door at this moment TO see IT they were
intrudcd upon. Much inccnsed be step
ped back TO the Captain, whom be per
ceived t. be gentleman. aud asked him
to come with him.
"This man" said he, els intruding
his presence upon my family, which You
must know Is exceedingly olstasteiul to
them appeal TO you az gentleman
10 order him from the room.
The officers cheek famed with anger
at the behavior Of the soldier. Without
q word he drew bis sword and stepped
towards him as he preclpltatoly arose.
The ladies screamed, thinking be was
about to be slain in their presence.
Geneyieye impulsiycly sprang to tho
officer and caught his uphited arm, cry
ing: "Oh do not Kill him. don't
think he knows any better.
The officer looked at her attentiyely
for moment. then saying IN low
voice, 9" spare him at your interces-
son,' replaced his sword u its scab- |
bard
Turning to the man he said sterniy:
" Go, now; but the next tmo you are
guilty of such conduct look 10 H. lie |
then made an elaborate apology TO the |
ladies for the ruieness OF hls subordl- /
nate. offering to give orders that they |
should no moro DO moicsted by any /
raiding party from the garrison 10 !
which he belonged, and after a little de- |
lay took his departure.
The ladies we're unanimous IN tho !
opinion that h. was the incest English |
man they had yet seen. Genevieye was /
rather more chary with her praise, but /
when left alone found herself specializing
about him. This occurred more than
once, q half regret miugling with Tie re-
Election that he was an enemy of her
country.
About a week later he came again, at |
tended only by an orderly, his professed |
object to discover If they had been sub |
iected 10 any further annoyance and 10 /
renew his promise Of protection
Dinner-hour coming on while the off |
Ger was in the house, Mr. Dubose high /
bred cuurtesy would not admit OF allow
ing him to depart without being invited +.
70 dine. He therefore, with outward pO- |
Likeness but inward reluctance, rendered |
the invitation. THIS was precisely what /
tine young man had hoped for and en- |
doayorcd TO effect by 90 timing his visit |
as to bring himself within range OF their
usual hour for that meal
lie had been haunted necessarily by /
Cenoyioye's fair face, and wished by /
hook or 10y crook TO behold 1t once /,
more. Mr.. Dubose, utterly unsuspicious, /
conducted him 10 the dining hall. 60 y /
what name shall introduce you TO my /
family 2" he asked, pausiBg before /
reaching the door.
Captain Yillars, replied tue officer. /
The girls were taken somewhat aback /
at the unexpected entrance OF q Uni /
formed British officer to their family |
party, but quickly recovering themselves /
they endeayored TO perform the honors /
Of their table with becoming courtesy /
and grace. lie ate very little, and was .
AS much astonished at the easy, graceful +
conversation, the high-bred manners OF +
this colonial family as they had been at .
his sudden appearance. Of course he /
made himself ms agreeable as possible.
If he had been captiyated by Gene
yieve's beauty in the first instance he .
was now much more so after recognizing .
her other charms and graccs. lie re-
turned several times after this, inyenting .
various plausible preteXts. as he thought, /