Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-12-27
'IIIE ROSE gF CHATHAM, ! IN,
By MAURICE THOMPSON.
copyright. All rights reseryea.l
CHAPTER VII.

slowly by it became apparent to both
Mrs. Fenwicke and Rose that their
safety, as well us their comfort. de-
pended almost wholly upon the unhag-
ging and inexplicable interest taken in
them by Maynard. Apace with the
lapse Of time his exertions in their be-
half increased, although it was plain
that he used every precaution to try to
keep them from knowing it. He never
mentioned his connection with any OF
their affairs, save to make some inquiry
when it became necessary for him to
reach facts that it was of importance
for him to use in their behalf, and then
only in a way that precluded cmbarrass-
ment.
Neither Rose nor. her mother could be
cruel enough to openly question his
honesty of purpose so long as not even
the slightest appearance of questionable
intent was shown in his conduct, and cer-
tainly their condition would have be-
come unbearable had he chosen to let it
be So Still twas it the wound across
his check, or was it solne half hidden
expression Of his eyes, they suspected
and feared him; indeed, they found
themselves all the time expecting him to
disclose the secret evil he was planning
for them.
Naturally enough they often talked
the matter over, frequently resolving
that they would make an end Of it by
telling him kindly and firmly that they
would prefer to be left entirely to them
selves, but, us often when he came, in
his dignifed and calmly courteous way,
to inquire about their health or to re-
port some necessary details touching the
affairs Of their estate, it was quite i'm
possible not to treat his kindness with a
certain degree Of gentle consideration.
Never once did he in the slightest de-
port himself as if he were entitled to lie
treated as q friend or even familiar
acquaintance.
So the time passed on from spring to
summer aud from summer to autumn.
Early in September the feet Of Count
d'Estaing appeared off Tybee island, and
forthwith the British commander Ut Sa-
vannah made ready for d desperate de-
fense. Maj. Gen. Provost had not been
expecting the movement to begin so
early in the season and had not pushed
to completion the defenses that he had
planned.
Now, however, he displayed great
energy in finishing those works which
would cover Savannah to the eastward
and southwark. He ran his little feet,
consisting Of four brigs and ships, up the
river so as to have them assist him in
defending the town, sent dispatches to
Port Royal island, ordering his forces
there to march forthwith to join him.
and drawing Ii all his outpost detaeh-
ments concentrated every available man
within the lines of defense While this
was going on the American general. Lin
coin, was Inassing his little army with a
view to cooperating with d'Estaing in
the attack.
1t was exhil1rating news to Bose when
she heard of the approaching struggle,
She felt sure that Prescott would be
with Lircoln's army, and somehow the
thought was full of cheer. 1t was her
tuIu uuW W Htsii, as ~ Az iS4 MA .iiS
parting words. "Good-by, dear, dear
Rose" She was impatient tor the batlle
to begin. ..,.-
MAYNARD came to tell them that the
city was practically invested and that
the siege might be a long one. lie did
not think. however. that they would be
in any danger so long US they remained
ut the mansion. The eaemy's Shells
could scarcely reach there, he hoped. He
was ready and would be, he said, at all
times to do for them anything within
his power,
The guns began to below soon enough
and the dreadful sounds byOaght with
them conclusions that shook the town.
The air grew mnri;y 50 that the ligaS of
day had jaundiced cast, and by night
the flash OF the inortars and the long
blaze Of rockets made strange glare
peculiarly horrible.
Tli, fascination Of the sight grew upon
Ros. q, she watched the high curving
fight of tho mortar bombs and listened
to the loud jarring swish of the missiles,
followed by the heavy pounding of their
fall or by the explosion of the shells. 1t
pleased her excited fancy to regard each
shot as token of her lovers efforts to
reach her. Nearer, nearer, as they fell.
and more and more startling as their
conclusions became, the heart OF the girl
throbbed withdrawing pleasure scarce
ly mixed with the terror of the occasion.
"They never can take the town; wo
are far too well prepared for them" SAID
Maynard one day when truce had been
agreed upon to bury the dead, I'VE
shall drive them back badly beaten
His words, uttered so confidently and
gently, were as blows dealt with brutal
violence upon Roses heart. He had been
In the thickest Of the fight and showed
the tremendous draught it had made on
even his powerful frame. but he bore
himself with just that air of imperturb.
able, almost pathetic, patient reserve
AZ