Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-09-08
A VALLEY FORGE SWEETHEART.

A VALLEY FORGE SWEETHEART.
Enemies TO the Continental army
swarmed in Philadelphia. Lord Howe
was in possession of the city. British
officers in gay uniforms danced with
the loyaist ladies in the halls where
the voices OF Franklin and Adams
had echoed in the cause Of freedom.
Men clad in tatters left bloody tracks
with their bare feet as they moved
from one hut to another among the
snow drifts at Valley Forge.
No man rejoiced more that the win
ter was severe and that the Sodlike
heroes at Valley Forge were shoeless
and starving than the rich tory mer-
chant. John McFarIane. He smiled
the sentiment: 1T pays to be loyal to
the king" The night before Lord
Howe had kissed the hand of his
beautiful daughter, Dorothy, and had
chosen her for his partner in the
minuet. There now stood before him
u blushing young English Gsronet,
the epaulets Of general upon his
shoulders, who had just asked him for
her hand.
1T is great prize you would rob
me of, Sir Richard. Suppose | should
say no, said Mr.. McFarlane, enjoy
ing the young mans suspense.
Then | should abide by your decis-
ion and bear it as best | could.
well, Sir Richard, it is yes. And
now does Dorothy know about your
intention o.
"She does not thought it best to
first obtain your consent
Very proper, Sir Richard, very
proper" And Mr. McFarlane called
Dorothy, Dorothy!' Dorothy heard
and came at once.
Il know your secret, her father
began.
Dorothy was astounded. 1t could
not be that they had really discov-
cred her secret. No, her father was
looking too good-natured for that.
Father, will you please explain 2
she asked.
Then, my daughter, Sir Richard
wants to take you back to England
with him when the rebels are
whipped"
Il heard nothing OF this, General
Harlequin" she said, turning to Sir
Richard and bowing gravely.
NO" pat in Mr.. McFarlane He
thought to gain my permission first,
Dorothy, which was very proper Of
him.
Il prefer the American way OF ask
ing the woman concerned first, was
the girls half defiant answer
Then | will ask YOU, said the gal
liant Sir Richard. will you be my
wifo?''
You honor me, sir"-she drew
away from him a little-"but | must
refuse"
"What What - cried Mr.. McFar-
lane. What are you talking about,
Dorothy"
There comes a time when a woman
who has loved man secretly, and he
has returned her love, wishes to make
it known to the whole world. For
two years Dorothy had been in love;
for two years she had kept her secret.
She felt that the time had now come
when she wished to tell them all that
her heart was not her own. She
wished her father to know it; she
wished the proud young English OIL
Ger to know it, To her it seemed al
most sacrilege that any one should
even ask for her hand when she was
engaged to him. The color mounted
to her face, and, throwing back her
head. she said firmly: Il am engaged
to an officer of the Continental army.
If the earth had opened before him
Mr.. McFarlane could not have been
more surprised. AS for Sir Richard,
he bowed stifIly and said: Miss Nc
Farlane, l owe you an apology.
Then he bowed again, this time to
her father. who began in volcanic
speech:
Sir Richard, | am ashamed OF her;
ashamed OF her, sir. It's joke OF
hers. Sir Richard. All You leave her
with me until tomorrow. l will ar
range matters, Sir Richard.
Sir Richard bowed once more. After
he had gone Mr.. Mcfarland flew into
a perfect passion.
He denounced the Continental army
with all the oaths he could command.
Dorothy made no answer. Finally he
went off to his room yelling out
threats of condign punishments on
the way, and Dorothy went TO hers
where she threw herself upon her bed
and cried as if her heart would break.
1t was after midnight when she
slinped the brass bolt on the door.
Mr.. McFarlane's passion had mean
time worn of until he slept peace
fnIlv. Dorothy found her way in the
darkness to the kitchen, where she
Iiybted candle and sat down to wait.
soft rap at the door made her