Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-03

| In his frequent visits TO Lillian and the
| friends ut the farm often reused their
| Indignation almost beyond control, show.
| ing that under al the pescefulness OF
their present life . hre smoldered that
needed but spark st any time or mo-
ment to leap into an inextinguishable
fame.
when Dunbar was present, the ooun-
try's prospects were the constant theme.
but OF late Grenville, who once was ac-
customed to meet Dunbar that they
might walk together every evening to
Mr.. Newton's house. now apparently
avoided him. for they seldom met and
never called together. While Jasper was
with them t.,ose topics that were Of the
greatest interest were never mentioned
The family ventured ON no questions,
and he volunteered no remark. He was
unwearying In little acts Of kindness, apt
TO devise topics Of general interest or
amusement. and to Rose never was lover
% devoted.
n Rose was only waiting patiently for
unmistakable revelations Of his feelings
and intentions or had really been lulled
TO rest by his uncessing kindness and
tenderness. neither her parents nor broth
ers could understand. but they had be-
como painfully certain that he harbored
In his heart u purpose that might ut any
moment ''sweep all her hopes. like sand.
away"
Il came at last. that fearful day. just
ss the cold. stern winter had departed
and spring was full Of promise-Sumter
surrendered. For some days groups Of
men were seen standing on the corners
Of the streets In earnest conversation.
and expectation stood aghast with hor-
ror."
The excitement spread all over the
country. At Montgomery farm the
peace and quiet Of the winter were dis
PEELED by stern and resolute watchful.
ness. waiting impatiently for the signal
to spring to arms. Dunbar was with
them every evening Of the previous week
to keep them posted and arrange for In
slant action whenever needed. Gren-
vile came not ut all. Rose moved about
her work mechanically, repelling any
indication by word or look that seemed
like sympathy with an impatienoe, an
irritability. % foreign to her nature that
Il was too evident some concealed fear
or sorrow was hidden In her heart.
On this eventful Sabbath Granville
made his appearance In season for din
ner. He apologized for his absence the
past week OH the plea Of slight illness,
telling Rose he would have sent her q
line. but each morning he felt sure Of be-
ing better before night, but found him.
self mistaken. He had. however. EN-.
braced the first moment Of c0nvalescence
to come to her. So wretchedly pale and
haggard did he look that her heart 70
preached her for the doubts which she
had tried In vain to conceal. and even
her friends were 20 struck by his misera.
bly, changed appearance a. to be almost
ready to hope they had inisjudged him
and cart fully avoided remarks that might
disturb the Sabbath by bitter feeling or
unguarded anger.
Eustace had failed to DO with them In
the morning or to attend Lillian to
church. and knowing such unwonted alb
sence was significant George, with his
fathers consent. after dinner was just
starting for the city when he espied the
truant riding rapidly up the lane and
FASTENED to meet him. As the friends
met Eustace exclaimed.
ut Is war now. war Of complete ex.
termination or submission
"Stay moment Is Grenvills with
your
"Yes. He has been here but short
time and Is either III or In great mental
anxiety. Have you heard anything
more Of his mevementsy'
"Yes. indeed. Enough to destroy himl
Our poor Rose!
.The southern sylnpathizers in the
city are wildly jubilant over this frsi
aggressive step Of their brethren and
now feel safe to speak ont. Horton
told me exultingly that Grenville was
heart and hand with them: that he had
lust received letter from his father
urging him to break away from all ties
here at once and hasten to join them.
saying tha. his fathers influence with
his party had secured for his son high
position In the large army they are rails
ing. Horton says he saw the commits
sion. and that Grcnville had accepted
this very morning and was confident
that when Rose saw that his mind was
fixed she would yield"
"Ah. how little he understands our
darling! Or rather, he understands too
well. What he said to Horton was spo-
ken In moment Of excitement, and his
dispirited manner since no came proves
plainly he dare not even breach the sub
ject to her. He must have known Of this
news you bring. and yet not u word has
be spoken"
"But. oh, George, how will the dear
girl bear ity'
'It certainly will not be half 30 heavy
upon her as the torturing suspense under
which she has for some weeks been pin
ing. think we have bcen unwisc to
conceal our knowledge Of his intentions
so long. But will at once unmask the
villainl Ny sweet darling sisteri"
When the young men entered the
house. all gathered anxiously around Eus-
tace. for. his face once seen. there coald
be no doubt he brought tidings OF great
Importance. The tale was soon told.
The fearful step had been too long antic.
ipated for any great surprise to blend
with the excitement and indignation II
caused. The color Hed from every face.
but tho lofty courage and stern rcsolu.
tion stamped on each feature needed not
words to tell how willingly they would
offer their lives for q country 70 dearly
loved aud bitterly insultcd.
"And now may God bless MS aud speed
us to our work." said Eustace. while
with his arm thrown closely around Lii.
lian he read with prido and admiring
love the unselfsh spirit with which she
laid her hearts life ON her country's al.
tar.
Dir. Newton raised his hand to heaven
and soleinnly blessed them. while Mrs.
Newton. with more than Roman moth.
er,s fortitu,le IA Christian heroisin
yielded her brave boys to her country's
service. But when Alfred sprang to her
arms with an imploring look and the one
word-"Mother"-she pressed her quiv.