Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-06-28

u
knows"
.My Aunt winifred's friendi" wini-
fred exclaimed in extreme surprise. ~
know now why you and Bess looked at
each other So"
''f you were so unfortunate as to
meet him at your aunt's," said Lottie.
with judicial air, "why you know,
Missy, that was something you could
not help, and you are not bound TO
know him now, Of course"
~ did not know himi I would not
know hint" cried Winifred, in strong
excitement. "He was at aunt's once,
for few days, and begged her not to
let him meet me. When he came uncx-
pectedly into the room where was, the
only time ever saw him, turned my
back upon him and left him. The sight
of him made my whole heart burn. I
could not think Of him except as an
enemy arrayed against my dear, dear
brother, who knew must be in the Con-
federate army. / never dreamed Of the
possibility OF meeting between him and
Brer Nicholas, except in mortal combat,
and the sight of him was dreadful; il was
intolerable to be in the same house with
him." She threw herself back In her
chair, and covered her face with her
hands, trembling. "Oh, if could have
known! If could but have knownw
she moaned.
"Well, we don't know that he did any.
thing much for Cousin Nicholas" said
Bess, with intent to be consoling. "And
one doesn't care TO be under obligations
to Yankee officer"
''If he did but see Brer Nicholas, that
is much. Oh. Bess, think how long it
has been since have seen my brother!
And this man is my Aunt Winifred's
friend--my good old aunt, who was al
ways SO patient with me-"
at makes no difference" said Lottie.
"He brought letter from your aunt;
Cousin Jasper told grandmother all about
it. He said that Mrs. Lorrimer expected
too much when she asked him to invite
Yankee officer to his house. He was
very angry; and that was why he wrote
for you to come home 90 suddenly; and
as dutiful daughter / don't see how
you can take any notice Of this man."
Lottie concluded, with some emphasis.
She rather distrusted her cousins five
years residence ut the north.
Nobody notices him." said Bess, re-
enforcing her sisters argument, Except
Mrs. Theodore Scott-she was Miss La
taste, don't you know, who used to give
you music lessons. lie was Ill at the
hotel, and she took him away, and In.
sisted upon his staying at her house.
She says 1t is her duty to take care Of
him, because his family had shown her
some kindness or other. years ago; but
people don't go to that Mrs. Scott's now, +,
not IL they can help it."
In spite of this statement Winifred
Thorne's heart was on fire to go to "that
Mrs. Scott's." She was sitting, the next
day, absorbed in this desire, when, hap
pening to glance up in the restlessness Of
her impatience, she found her fathers
gaze bent upon her. She had thought
herself alone, and started slightly, red
dening with sense of guilt she had not
felt before.
"What is the matter with meT' she
asked, and smiled family.
Nothing; see no fault in you, Wini-
fred" the colonel replied, with an an.
swcring smile. followed by sigh.
The tears rushed to Winifreds eyes.
All at once she comprehended that il
must be her duty to confide in her father
and with that impulsiveness which had
characterized her decisions of old, she
asked:
Father, aren't you going to see this
Capt. Fletcher, some time? He is Aunt
Winifreds friend, You know"
"What do you know about him?" the
colonel asked, with searching glance.
"Did Mrs. Lorrimer tell you Of his pres.
ence here?'
"No, no; che told me nothing. did
not know of his being here until yester.
day. But l wish you would 60 to sec
him"
"Do not ask that of me, Winifred,
ness of defeat is not yet over. My aunt
expects too much"
''It is not for Aunt Winifred's sake,
said Winifred, in a voice that shook with
her intensity of feeling; "it is that he has
seen Brer Nicholas"
The colonel had been striding up and
down the room, but he stopped short
| when Winifred said this, and seemed to
ponder the statement.
at is quite possible that he may have
met--your brother" he said at last "bui
what does that signify? attach no i'm,
portance to it,"
"Oh, my father!'
The plaintive cry touched the colonel
but it did not soften him. "How did yor
hear" he asked, gloomily.
MON Bee told me- and yesterday
asked Lottie and Bess about it, but they
know nothing; and Nom Bee knows SC
little. Oh, go to him; he is dear Aun
Winifred's friend, you know. Just once
just once!"
"Winfred what does this mean? Dc
you know this Capt Fletcher" the col
onel asked, suspiciously.
mo, no; but should be so Thankful
to see some one who has seen my broth
err Her voice died away, choked with
| tears.
The colonel went to the other end OF
the room, and stood there, looking al
his daugI~e er across the intervening space
! in gloomy silence. "It is of Nichola.
she thinks always" he said to himself
bitterly; mot of my wrongs
"Winifred, why cannot you let by
cones be by-gones?" he exclaimed, at
last. 81 have given Nicholas up'"
"Oh. no! nor Winifred entreated
shrinking as from blow.
"You should know" the colonel con,
tinued, in hard and bitter tone, "tha
because you wished it, stopped to make
overturcs to my graceless son-that
wrote again and again; but he refused
to respond, and now"--
His voice shook, and he ceased alb
ruptly.