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

Captain Villars now changed his tactics
He had recourse to a letter. He wrote to
her very deprecatingly, but at the same time
declared that he had fallen hopeless vic
tim to her many charms of mind and per.
sou, and asked to be permitted to see her
unless she abhorred him for being engaged
ia such a hateful cause
Genesieve received it without the knowl-
edge Of her parents or sisters, read it, and
shame on her if you will-treasured il
She even replied to il, telling him she
could not consent to see him clandestinely,
but would not object to meeting him in a
conventional way Chance at length be-
frioDded the young man, much 10 his joy.
Genevieve aud Madeleine were out riding
one afternoon, from neighbors, when a
heavy shower came up. They were ac-
companied only BY the black butler, whose
courage and fidelity had been 50 frequently
tested that he was greatly trusted by the
whole family They halted under a large
tree to escape being drenehed, and had
scarcely drawn rein when two gentlemen
rode up for the same purpose from the op-
posi,e direction, They were Captain Vii
lars and brother officer, whom he pre-
seuted first to Geneyieve aud then to Mede-
Ieine As he had wished, the young man
attached himself Immediately 10 the latter,
leaving Captain Yillars at entire liberty to
turn his whole attention to Geneveive-an
opportunity which he was not slow TO i'm
prove to the utmost. Speaking rapidly
aud in low tone he urged his suit, with
all the persuasive eloqaence OF look and
word. Geneyieve in vain entreated him
10 desist, declaring she could never consent
to hear such words from the enemy of her
country; yet all the while she listened with
out great shox Of anger
Her lover was possessed of much eou-
rage, moral as well as physical He never
once lost heart, but persisted 50 earnestly,
and was 50 ably seconded By her own heart,
that he at length succeeded in winning
from her hesitating promise to meet him
at some safe trysting- place.
The rain over the ladies resumed their
homeward ride and the British officers re-
turned to their post. That night there
was a knock at Cgesars door, and when he
came out he was quickly drawn aside, and
felt some coins thrust into his hand Now
there never was well-disposed negro who
might not be induced to enter heart and
soul into love affair.
Captain Nillars had the tact to impress
upon the faithful servant the idea that he
would be furthering the happiness Of his
young mistress by any service h. could
render her lover, and Caesar immediately
promised all the cooperation in his power.
To make assurance dOubly sure" the
young officer promised him golden guinea
if he could point cut a trysting-plaee not
too remote, vet safe from discovery Caesar
declared that he knew just such place as
the gentleman desired. 1t was almost in
full view Of the front pOrtieo, aud We. never
would be suspected He had accidentally
discovered it, and considering it capital
hiding-place in an emergency, had wisely
kept it to himself. He now conducted
captain Nillars to it. IL was an unusually
large oak, containinga hollow large enough
to hold several men, but closing up almost
completely at height of rather more than
six feet from the ground.
The closing was deceptive, for in reality
the hollow ran at least fifteen feet above in
the huge trunk widening out again and
allowing a comfortable standing position
just above its apparent roof In addition
to this it was furnished with natural and
very convenient loop-hole looking directly
toward the mansion. By just slightly
bending man OF medium height could
look into Mr.. Dubose's front portico
In great delight at the discovery Cap
tain Villars aseended into this natural OBJ
servatory and felt that ensconsed within it
he was master of the situation. He be-
slowed upon Caesar his most cordial thanks,
but euioined upon him the strictest secrecy,
That night on his return to the garrison he
wrote to his lady love, In his letter he
told Of the convenient hiding place for him
self he had obtained aud assured her there
would not be the slightest occasion for sus-
picion if she would take book with heI
aud sit under the tree, as if reading, while
he talked to her from the hollow, and re-
quested her to do so ON the following
Thursday afternoon at 3 O'Clock.
On that evening at the appointed houl
Genevieve took up "Evelina, which had
recently made its appearance on this side
of the water, and said as it was so warm
indoors that she was going out under The
hollow oak to read. She invited her sis
tiers to go too; but they declining she, con
siderahly relieved at the refusal, weni
alone
To any one beholding her from a shor
distance she appeared to be deeply appre
ciative of and intent upon the volume il
her hand, but she was really intent upor
the conversation of her lover, who wa'