Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-12-18
v1Iia1nl My sweet darling sister!

AA4lEtCI lc1ACS G0 Lct1G was SOOH tOld.
The fearful step had been too long antic-
ipated for any great surprise to blend
with the excitement and indignation it
caused. The color fed from every face.
but the lofty courage and stern resolu-
ton stamped on each feature needed not
words to tell how willingly they would
offer their lives fer a country SO dearly
loved and bitterly iDsulted
'And now may God bless us and speed
US to our work said Eustace. while
with his arm thrown closely around Lii
liam he read with pride and admiring
love the unselfish spirit with which she
laid her hearts life on her country's al
tar.
Mr.. Newton raised his hand to heaven
and solemnly blessed them, while Mrs.
Newton. with more than Roman moth
er's fortitude-a Christian heroism
yielded her brave boys to her country's
service. But when Alfred sprang to her
arms with al imploring look and the one
word" Mother"-she pressed her quiv-
ering lips to his noble brow. unable to re-
ply to that unspolzen entreaty. But his
father laid his hand lovingly on his head,
saying: My boy, | am too old and you
too young to enter into active service for
our land, at least for the present. Should
there be pressing need, neither age nor
youth shall keep us back at such call.
This good mother will yield US without
a word of remonstrance."
While this was passing Rose, forget
ting lover, self, all but her country's
peril, had listened with compressed lips
and eyes whose heroic light might have
led men to the lannon's mouth. George
saw that spirit was reused within her
at this moment that would sustain her
under the coming revelation So, turn
ing suddenly to Grenville, he said:
Eve must endeavor to be all enlisted
in the same regiment, and by going into
town tonight we can enter our names
early tomorrow and be on hand tc
march at any moment. This precious,
darling sister will have little time to
deem her pledge Of last fall"
Without a moments hesitation she
passed to her lovers side and laid her
hand tilnidly on his, then raised those
eloquent eyes to his face with look of
earnest, pleading love, at the same time
carrying into his inmost soul the convic-
ton that every word Of that pledge was
well remembered and would be truly
acted upon III every particular He
threw his arms convulsively around her
and said:
ooh. Rose! My own Rosei Be mine
now Consult your own heart and not
your prejudices. In two days steamer
leaves for the old worldl 81 | will
give up all for your dear SAKE Leave
the strife and bitterness here and wander
with me through gay, beautiful France
and sunny italy till peace is once more
restored"
For one instant Rose gazed into his
face, with scorn and contempt quivering
in every ineament Then dashing his
arm from around her and springing to
her fathers side, her head erect and eyes
whose burning light should have blasted
the traitor where he stood. she cried
''Do you hear that man, father? Do
you understand what he asks of your
daughter
Il fear do but too well. my sweet
child Grenville. it is high time that all
duplicity on your part should cease.
Nay. check your passionate reply.
have not been as fully blinded as you
had hoped but for some time have feared
that, while apparently one with US, yet
in your heart you were joined to the
have misjudged you. with all my heart
| beg your pardon, but under the present
circumstances feel entitled to demand
an explicit avowal of your true senti-
ments."
WHO has warped your Judgment and
ysur affection to me? What proof have
you that, though less enthusiastic, am
not really as loyal to my country as
II 1o1 hox
much temper and embarrassment.
Mere subterfuge,' cried George Il
did not think you would stoop to such
miserable quibhling In your heart you
have meaning that your words do not
reveal You call the south your coun-
try, but do not recognize the north as
such. and then talk Of your loyaltyr
Again | ask what proofs have you of
this assertion
ooh, Jasper. Dear Jasper!" cried
Rose, once more starting to his side and
clasping Stands We ask no proofs
but your own words. Only assure me
you are true to our united country and
ready to fight with my brothers under
the stars and stripes, and we ask no fur
Their. Your love for your birthplace may
have warped your Judgment, while all
was uncertain and the strife had been
but war of words, but now that the
crisis has come you can no longer halt
between two opinions with honor. Why
do you hesitate? I cannot endure this
suspense! Speak. entreat you, and end
this miseryr'
He cannot do it, my dear sister, said
George, leading her to a seat beside her
mother. HE is joined to the south
heart and soul and has been from the
first, yet at the same time concealing it
from you, my Rosie. Dunbar brings the
proofs such as he cannot gainsay. Be