, 1889-10-22
CAPTAINS SWEETHEART.

tober sunlight poured in a mellow flood,
cleaning on the polished floor of the
hall, dancing in waves of reflected light
upon the rafters of the ceiling. The
house was ample and sedate. The hall
wa with its high wainscoting of wood,
above which hung the family portraits:
ladies with wondrously arranged and
powdered hair, sitting pensively upon
the shore of miniature lakes, upon which
swans disported, OF standing beneath
dropping willows.
There were men, too, grave featured
men, in mail, and more modern ones,
smiling, tricked out in all the bravery Of
lace Int damask. These were ancestral
Rodmans, brought by John Rodman
when first he came to America some fifty
years ago. A great fireplace filled al
most the entire end of the hall. Opposite
h entrance a helmet and crossed lances
occupied the space between the mantel
and the ceiling. A carved staircase de-
scended almost to the floor. then made
an abrupt turn and ended in two finely
carved posts quite in the center of the
room.
The house was more imposing than
most of its rivals in - county, fin
obl NhAOdkAiOdt W CAl = OQN
and mirrors, brought especially for 1t by
old John Rodman from England.
All was quiet on this bright afternoon.
On a couch covered with n design in
crimson lay an embroidery frame, to-
gether with the novels, 1.-THE Reward OF
Consistency" and 1.-The Curious Imperti-
nent." Near by was an open harpsi-
chord. with music scattered all atop OF
it. Behind this n Lutte hung upon the
w~ainscoting. The October breeze blew
In from the fields, stirring the leaves of
books on the couch, r~ustling among the
pages Of music, making the chords OF
the instrument itself vibrate gently.
Without the twittering of birds sounded.
The strips of sunlight on the floor grew
longer and longer until it almost touched
the dry logs in the fireplace.
Slowly passing down the staircase,
first in shadow, then in sunshine, came
a fair young girl, in a white gown, with
her golden hair gathered in a loose knot
high upon her head. A few curls had
escaped from their fastenings and were
hanging in pretty confusion upon her
neck With one hand clasping the ban
lister rail, the other the locket at her
throat, she descended listlessly. Sudden
ly she raised her head, her eyes shone
brightly with expectation, a delicate
flush came to her cheek.and In the cor
ners Of her mouth there lurked smiles
and dimples. On the lane sounded the
beating of horses hoofs. She ran TO the
door as, with a great ~clatter, a young
officer in the English uniform dismount-
ed quickly before tho house.
"oh, Hugh" she exclaimed as he ran
up the steps, II was so afraid you would
not come. | have been watching since
noon for you'll vow / have"
"Prue, l could come no quicker. Our
general has singled me out for duty this
afternoon. have been SO angereCl But
now-now that j see you in that frock-
/ a forgive him" and, with a laugh,
he drew her gently into the hall and
kissed her.
BE careful" she whispered, 'if we
are seen. There's mother-I left her
mapping in her chamber-but IL she
CHANGED to awakei Oh, Hugh, be care
full"
"How long, lear Prudence, am i to
be thus put off-thus kept waiting?
When may l see your mother, entreating
for this little hand? Prue, whenY'
NAY, not nowi perhaps when my Lord
CORVALLIS doth win or lose; then, may
hap. Still, l know not"
Always Il know not Alacki l am
sick to death of hat answer" He arose,
striding angrily up and down the room.
"Contentment and patiencel dearest
Hugh. You know mother would not
give her consent now. We must feign
loyalty TO the congress. This tedious
war has set us. much awry. l do not
even think she would let you come here
were it not for Elizabeth's pleasure. Is
1t not strange? Father was English.
Elizabeth is and T"-shc paused and
flushed, then continued III fain
would be, while mother and Dick are all
for Washington and liberty"
"Iour brother is n traitorl'
"Hushi' she cried quickly, ''he is my
brother and your cousin Elizabeth's hus-
band. Shame upon you Hughr"
"Your pardon, mistress; l will not say
thus again"
ID not, | pray you, Hughi am the
traitor. Sometimes l feel l must run
mad when | hear mother and Dick talk
ing of our wrongs and England's tyranny.
As they upbraid the English and his
majesty, George Ill, then feel the
'eiiSse' Nhcst TRAITOR, iof my neart Is
with you, and where you are. there Is
my country
Beloved" he cried, pressing her to
him-but she quickly escaped from his
caresses. Running over TO the harpsi-
chord and seating herself, she began to
play softly the minuet music as her sis
~ter-in-law, decked out in her bravest
finery, slowly descended the stairs.
Good day. fair Bessi'
Good day to you, sir cousinl And
how comes it o are not with your
troops in town? Is Capt. Trevor turn
ing truant to his dutyf'
NAY, good mistress, my duty now
lies hit to my pleasure. / came to bear
the music to -ou that 1 spoke of. Also
q new scarf that ! just received for you
rom London. Twas fortunate that /
came by it. These are difficult times for
A hale old man. Mr.. Jas. Wilson. of
Aliens Sprinps Ill who 10 oyar eo -