Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-12-27


claimed so vehemently that it lent a dra-
matte charm to her beauty. "May heaven
strike with every American and every
French arnr'
''God strike for merry England" he
responded with a grave smile, to which
the scar Of Prescott's sword cut added q
touch of evil. "They never can cross
our works"
Rose stood up before him, tall, stately,
inspired with the spirit of patriotism, her
face burning and her lips compressed
Somehow his words were as prophecy in
her ears, and she felt strange sinking
of her hope; but she resolutely sustained
herself. Then into her inner conscious
ness once more rang Prescott's parting
words, 'Good-by, dear, dear Rose"
Il wish l could say something more
cheering to you," Maynard said. prepar-
ing to go, "but cannot We are going
to hold the town"
He now wore the uniform of captain
in the English army. 1t made his COM
manding figure still more notable as he
slowly walked away.
Before he had gone far he turned
about and came back.
"Miss Fenwicke,' he said, and now
there was decided husldness in his
otherwise rich and well controlled voice;
Miss Fenwicke, nothing that you may
ask Of me shall be refused = nothing
nothing"
When he was gone Rose stood as one
in a dream. Slowly she was realizing
what to her was most agonizing. This
man whom she hated had heart and
was suffering. The thought thrilled
through her with unspeakable effect,
like some vague but pervading sense Of
sorrow, pity and regret.
Again the battle was resumed, the
cannonading increasing to great
throbbing roar, as all the ships in the
river and all the batteries on land opened
in chorus and were answered by every
gun on the works around the town. The
French had thrown a strong force on
land to cooperate with the army Of
Gen. Lincoln, so that now the allied
troops practically surrounded Savannah
and every point was threatened. Days
went by On the 9th of October at day
break there was sudden roar OF ar
tillery, wild shouting and q prolonged
burst Of musbetry as the whole forces
of the besiegers stormed at once. Count
dEstaing led his men, and he was gal
lantly supported BY Gen. Lincoln. The
assault, though furiously impetuous and
stubbornly persistent, utterly failed.
With heavy loss, d'Estaing wounded,
their columns broken and in disorder,
the allied armies fell back. and in a few
days asked for truce to exchange pris-
oners, after which they withdrew, the
French Geet sailing away, the American
army retreating up the country. burn
ing the bridges behind them.
In the meantime Rose had gone through
most trying ordeal for the sake of love
and patriotism. From the moment that
she had realized that Maynard really
meant to sacrifice himself in any and
every way for her, she had determined
at all hazards to escape from Savannah
Her will once fixed ON the adventure
nothing could change her resolution.
When she found that Maynard, infu-
enced by his love for her, had assumed
the character OF a sincere and truthful
man, she felt that what he said to her
must be true. and then the terrible con-
viction fastened itself in her mind that
Savannah could never be reduced by the
allied forces. and therefore Prescott
could never come to her. This was
enough. All her nature arose in aid of
her determination to make her way
through the lines to her lover, if indeed
he were still alive; If he were dead she
would at least be among those who loved
their country, to suffer, and, if need be,
die with them. Would not this be well?
With every moment the secret consid-
Grafton that this was her duty fixed it
self more firmly in her heart; and SO she
set about preparing for the undertaking,
which to us must appear strangely out
of keeping with her nature and scarcely
justifable.