The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-04

to Virginia first of all. Virginia's veal
OF woe was her anxiety.
AT So'elook on the evening of the day
of which we have written the widow
Percy and her daughter were eagerly
scanning the columns of Richmond
paper which had arrived half an hour
before, when Royal Kenton was an
nounced. He was received in a manner
to let him know that his presence was
welcome, and conversation turned at
once to the all important question. Aft
er 1t had continued for a time Mrs.
Percy suddenly observed:
Mr.. Kenton, we were speaking Of
you this afternoon and were agreed
that your position was at least embar-
rassing" ...-..
(which MEANS" he smilingly re-
piled, that You have been wondering
which side wocld take in this con-
test"
Mother and daughter looked at him
with considerable eagerness, but with
out reply, and he continued:
No doubt ought to ba ashamed Of
the fact that | have lived to be "a years
of age and have taken no interest in
politics. If all others were clear on this
question, could soon decide it for my
self. Here we have some of the ablest
men of America contending thst no state
is bound to the Union by any oonstitu-
tional law, while others equally wise
advise war as penalty for secession.
We have no precedent to guide us. No
state was forced into the Union II the
people of any one state believe that sep
aration would be benefit, how oan we
deny her right to withdraw And yet
no state has a moral or legal right to
imperil the welfare Of the general gov
ernment''
II cannot speak for the south, but
for Virginia only" said the mother.
Il know little OF politics. i am content
to leave the question to the statesmen
of our state. have no bitterness Of
sectional feeling"
You are from Rhode Island. Mr..
Kenton," observed the daughter.
Yes"
"But you came hero to make your
home with us. The state has adopted
you, so to speak," .-s. ...
"Yes. -
"You have become voter here You
have no intention of returning to the
north?"
None whatever"
"Then you must stand on the same
platform we do You must stand by
yonr state.''
He has doubtless given the subject
serious thought" said the mother in
tones meant to gently reprimand the
daughter for her eaRerness
81 have indeed" answered Kenton,
land it seems to me that
AT that moment colored girl ap-
peared at the door and beckoned to
mother and daughter in an excited way
and whispered; de sogers hev' cum
fur de Yankee, an dey's gwine to do
sunthin awful to him! Dey wants he un
to cum outdoahs right smart!"
Soldiers? What soldiersr" asked
Marian.
Why, dem soldiers dat's paradin up
an down an maxim sich fnssl Dar's
ober IA hundred of 'em aroun de housed"
And they want Mr. Kenton?"
Yes m--want him right bad. |
heard 'em talk bout tar and fedders!"
Whispering to her mother TO entertain
their caller, the girl excused herself and
passed down the hall and out at the
front door. Just as she opened it Steve
Bruyton was reaching out to ring the
bell. Behind him were "A dozen or more
men.
well, what is wanted7" quietly
asked Marian as Steve pulled off his
hat and shifted about in nervous way.
"N-nuthin, ma am, nuthin 'tall!7 he
t..1 1, a ~
5est considered that we'd better call
and-and"
Did You want to see any one here?"
why don't you nn tell her?' ex-
claimed Ike Baxter as he pushed him
self forward.
Waal, ma am, we uns cum yere to
see somebody continued Steve.
- Yes, we uns cum TO see that Yam
keel" added Ike.
You mean Mr.. Kenton?' queried
MariaA.
That's it! They say he's Yankee
spy, and it's our dooty to hev little
talk with him!"
Who Gays he's a Yankee spy?"
"Reekon it was Duke Wylo, ma am,
and he orter TO know. He's goin to be
hist loolehdht Oh our company, yo'
know"
And Mr.. Wyle told you that Mr..
kenton was Yankee spy, did he q de-
manded Marian as her eyes flashed and
her breath came quickly.
Yes, ma am"
Steve Brayton. yo' un s a fool ~ call
ed voice from the cIewd-the voice Of
kome ono who knew that Wyle was a
caller at the house.
He dun told me so, and it's left fur
us to find outi" continued Stove, who
wanted to square himself.
And you want to question himP"
asked Marian.
As dooty, ma am, as dooty TO
Virginny. Can't hev no Yankee spy
about yere, yo' know. We hahn t got
nuthin agin him as a man, but if he uns
spyin ON us that's different Will yo'
please call him outf"
No, Three of You can come in and
question him."
Steve Brayton, Ike Baxter and Tom
Henderson followed her into the house,
while tho others crowded up on the
yeranda to wait for what might happen.
MIR. kenton, some callers to see
you, - said Marian as they entered the
parlor, and he rose up, with puzzled
look on his face.
Steve Brayton had broken the ice and
recovered from his embarrassment. He
did not propose to do any talking.
Kenton was either for or against. The
quickest way to ascertain was to present
the enlistment paper. Ho took it from
his pocket, extended it to the young law
yer and said
I1O RK CoNrlNIiEn.