Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-17

BY . scouting party In the rash attempt
to obtain Q clandestins interview with
me. am thankful that II did not fall
10 my brothers to capture him. but II u
well that his efforts against our country
Are ended. at least for the present
LILLIAN, my sister. you look at me In
sad surprise that speak Of him 20 cool.
|ly. You think me hard and unfeelingr
"Ah, no, Rodsl But ! cannot under.
stand how o love 20 strong a. yours was
can be 20 totally annihilated. even u the
object prove. - Grenvills has. utterly
unworthy"
"Ah, dear sisteri II this had been Of
the common order Of ain or worthless.
ness, there might have fingered some
shades Of tenderness. but for the son
who would trample upon his mother.
tho traitor who would betray and de-
stroy his country. there can exist no
feeling but entire indifference. Yes-a
stronger one than that-detestation."
"And what" interrupted Ralph. "do
iou imagine that Grenville hoped to gain
by q disguised entrance into my sisters
presencef Why, to persuade her to leave
us and allow the frst rebel chaplain to
marry them and then convey her to his
southern homei Or, II she thought that
was asking too much, to osecure her prom.
ise to be his when the south had subdued
u.s."
"iow did you learn thisy' asked his
father In amazement.
"When captured, he was marched close
by our camp and urged his guard to pro-
cure an interview with our colonel. Eus
tace met him and brought back an ear.
nest petition for one word with Rose.
Suspecting Grenville imagined our sad
reverses had somewhat disheartened rs,
and that he might also fatter himself
that q sight Of him would revive her love,
our little heroine consented to 60 with
Dunbar. Itwas well that was of on
scout. could not have borne his as
surance 30 quietly as Rose and our Eus
tace did"
"Well, he understands me now, my
dear parents, and will never, ] am sure,
entertain so wild hope again. That he
suffers do not doubt. and for the suffer.
ing. though deserved. I am sorry. But he
chose this crooked path against all our
entreaties and has no one to blame but
himself. We will not waste this short
reunion by any more words Of him. j
thought It best to tell you this at once
that oil the rest Of our time might be
undisturbed. One Of the old good night
hymns, papa, hyou please. and then we
will 20 to rest that we may be prepared
for great pleasure tomorrow"
While Rose and Ralph were on their
visit home Dunbar had been sent with q
strong force to disperse an encampment
Of rebels who had stationed themselves
inconveniently near our lines. He was
successful In his mission. had routed
them completely and taken many prison.
ers. During the time that this party
waited about the union station they had
with them many females Of the baser
sort. who had often been surprised In at
tempting to lure our men outside the
lines, but great watchfulness and strict
regulations had given them little en-.
couragement.
On their way back to camp the next
day. having scattered the rebels, o WON.
an, feeble and ragged, came out from
the wood near the roadside, holding o
dirty rag ON stick as flag OF truce.
George, who FIRST noticed her. halted.
She advanced and stood before him,
earnestly gazing into his face. She could
not have been more than % or 23 years
old and must have once been handsome.
Meeting no look Of recognition. she
dropped her eyes for o moment, then
raising them again with half despair
ing, half defiant look she said:
~ would speak with your colonel. ]
have something to say to him."
George galloped to where Dunbar rode
and reported this request. The regi.
ment halted ut Q sign from their com.
mander. who rode back with George to
where the figure still remained like Q
statue. immovable. When they reached
her, the searching look which had so dis
turbed George was fastened on Dunbar's
face and with the same result. The men
gathered near with looks Of wonder.
mingled with suspicion, that she might
be acting rs decoy to some rebel am
bush. She needed them not nor turned
her eyes from Eustace's face as II to
compel recognition. He remained 81.
lent, wondering to what this would tend.
till. her strangely earnest gaze becoming
irksome. he spoke abruptly:
"well. woman. what do you wishi J
have no time to loiter."