The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-02

spise myself, a. W0ulu you IN Asnort
time. Il l Yield 10 your present i'm
pulses to avoid VI you cail hardship,
but which name asure.
"Do not interrut me, my friend.
There Is something Else which ! must
say, and you must he1 Ame patiently. A
few months, perhaps eeks, will deter
mine II peace Is to nue in all our
borders. Until this Jon is settled
remain 'anong my oy opie Hear
me yet q moment Ion and she
caught his hand while trelnbled
like an aspen leaf, tdear D. Re5, hear
me. have not understood you late.
had thought your whole heart full
Of patriotism that no local attach ents
could make you swerve. But wiflp a
few days oh, Jasper-I ask no quesf1 Rn.
wish for no explanation now. wilA
do trust your patriotism, and to PROV
my trust before all here promise, and n
know my parents will not gainsay the
pledge. Should this bitterness end IN
war, no matter how soon, my brothers
will, ! know, be ready to enlist in the
first call-and your" Ahl who could re-
sist the pleading look Of agony she bent
upon that face, disfgured by SO many
conflicting emotions?
"And you, beloved, will spring to arms
with them to fight together under our
dear old flag for Justice and freedom.
With all my heart ! will bid you god
speed, and, father, the day my brothers
and Jasper march to the rescue solemn
ly promise to become his wifer'
ssAmeni with all our hearts," said her
parents in one breath, but Grenville
clasped her moment to his breast, ex-
claiming:
"Rosel Rosel You tempt and try me
fearfully, but this is idle enthusiasm.
There is no war, probably will be none,
unless the north
ssOh, let us drop this subject said
Rose. "You understand me. And as
have said, God is my witness, 40 Will
do. When the time OF trial comes, and
come it win, you are too good, too noble,
to be found wanting
.sBut hear me, Rosel You must and
will Should we be involved in war,
why must l join in the contest Consent
to be mine now and let us revisit to-
gether in the old world the scenes you
have so often described"
s.And this to me! To mel Oh, Jasper!"
And clasping her hands tightly over her
eyes--in tones SO childlike and piteous--
shut / did not understand You. I dream.
! did not hear you. You did but jest to
try me. Let it pass. You need not ex-
plain" she continued to moan.
A moments pause, and then great
change passed over her. With head erect
and eyes as keen and resolute as mar
tial hero she said:
sThere needs no more words. You
must know l would never join hands
with one who could leave his country or
remain idle in time Of peril. A scorn
equaled only by what should feel for
traitor would annihilate every emotion
of love from my heart. But must say
good night to all. Remember" laying
her hand tenderly on Jasper's arm, II
know this is but sport, rather cruel, but
trust you all the same, and you will not
fail me when the trial comes. For my
sake let me ask that no more be said on
this subject tonight"
Grenville rose as she left the room, evil
IDENTIFY with the design of replying, but
waving good night kiss to all she passed
from her friends to her own chamber.
An awkward pause succeeded, but
among the gentlemen each face wore
Took Of lnistrust and scorn, while 8Irs
Newton and Lillian's heads were bowed
In sorrow.
In vain Jasper tried to assume caro-
less and Indifferent air, and soon mutter-
ing something of a forgotten engage
ment he departed
A few minutes Of gloomy silence fol-
lowed his departure, but Roses request
was constantly in their minds, and no al
lusion was made to the painful scene,
but that in their hearts he now stood re-
vealed thete could be no donbt. Mr..
Newton mHdo few remarks about some
business, and then Dunbar took his leave.
and the family separated for the night.
As Ralph passed from the room his fa-
ther noticed his greatly excited manner
and said q few soothing words to him
and earnestly enjoined upon all the me-
cessity Of strict self government for
Roses sake, assuring them that 1t was in
his opinion the better policy to wait pa
tiently for the final result, which could
not be far distant.
POor hosei AS soon as tne CLOSING
door hid. her from view all excitement
died away. and like one stunned and be-
wildered by some fearful blow she crept
up to her room and mechanically seated
herself there. With hands tightly clasped
in her lap and stony eyes, she sat as pale
and motionless almost as the dead till
her tender mothers kiss reused her from
this sad stupor, and she found relief in a
passionate flood Of tears.