The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-11-02
miscellaneous.
A Revolutionary Romance.

Howe was in possession of the city.
British officers in gay uniforms dane
ed with the royalist ladies in the halls
where the voices of Franklin and
Adams had echoed in the cause of
freedom; men clad in tatters left
bloody tracks with their bare feet as
they moved from one hut to another
among the snowdrifts at Valley Forge.
No man rejoiced more that the win
ter was severe and that the godlike
heroes at Valley Forge were shoeless
and starving than the rich Tory mer-
chant, John McFarlane. He smiled
the sentiment, sit pays to be loyal to
the king" The night before Lord
Howe had kissed the hand of his beau
tiful daughter Dorothy and had chos-
en- her for his partner in the minuet.
There now stood before him a blush
ing young English baronet, the
epaulets of general upon his shout.
ders, who had just asked him for her
hand
1T is great prize you would rob
me of, Sir Richard. Suppose should
say no." said Mr.. McFarlane, enjoy
ing the young mans suspense.
"Then l should abide by your de-
cision and bear it as best could"
"Well, Sir Richard, it is yes And
now does Dorothy know about your
intentions p
"She does not. thought it best to
first obtain your consent"
Very proper, Sir Richard, very
proper" And Mr.. McFarlane called
Dorothy, Dorothy " Dorothy heard
and came at once.
Il know your secret" her father be-
gan.
Dorothy was astounded. 1t could
not be that they had really discovered
her secret. No, her father was look
ing too good natured for that
''Father, will you please explain ?"
she asked.
''Then, my daughter, Sir Richard
wants to take you back to England
with him when the rebels are whip
ped"
Il had heard nothing of this, Gen
eral Harlequin" she sad, turning to
Sir Richard and bowling gravely.
mo" put in Mr.. McFarlane. He
thought TO gain my permission first,
Dorothy, which was very proper of
him"
II prefer the American way of ask
ing the woman concerned first, was
Then l will ask you," said the gal
liant Sir Richard. Twill you be my
wife -
sYou honor me, sir''-she drew away
from him a little-'butI must refuse. "
what, what ~ cried Mr.. McFar-
lane. What are you talking about,
Dorothy ?"
There comes time when a woman
who has loved man secretly, and he
has returned her love, wishes to make
it known to the whole world. For two
wears Dorothy had been in love. For
two years she had kept her secret.
She felt that the time had now come
when she wished to tell them all that
her heart was not her own. She wish
ed her father to know it. She wished
the proud young English officer to
know it. To her it seemed almost
sacrilege that any one should even
ask for her hand when she was en-
gagged to him. The color mounted to
her face, and throwing back her head
she said firmly, Il am engaged to All
officer of the Continental army"
If the earth had opened before him,
Mr.. McFarlane could not have been
more surprised. AS for Sir Richard,
he bowed stiffiy and said, Miss Nc
Farlane, owe you an apology"
Then lie bowed again, this time to
her father, who began in volcanic
speech:
ssSir Richard, | am ashamed of her,
ashamed of her, sir. It's a joke of
hers, Sir Richard. All You leave
her with Inc until tomorrow. | will
arrange matters, Sir Richard"
Sir Richard bowed once more. AT
ter he had gone Mr.. McFarlance flew
into a perfect passion.
He damned the Continental army
with all the oaths he could command.
Dorothy made no answer. Finally
he went off to his room yelling out
threats of condign punishment on the
way, and Dorothy went to hers, where
she threw herself upon her bed
and cried as if her heart would break.
1t was after midnight when she slip
ped the brass bolt on the door. Mr..
McFarlane's passion had meantime
worn off until he slept peacefully.
Dorothy found her way in the dark
ness to the kitchen, where she lighted
a candle and sat down to wait. a
soft rap at the door made her start
and then brought smile of expecta-
ton to her face. A moment later a
StalWarC young HAL Ilolu HOT III HIS
arms. He looked little like the officer
he was if one were to take the poor
clothes he wore as a criterion of judg-
ment, but the pale, earnest, firm face
bespoke the soldier in no doubtful
terms.
did you think HE long time COM
ing, my dearT'
II only feared they might capture
you. All was right?'
YES"
He had braved the danger of being
captured and hanged as a spy to spend
an hour with the women he loved.
Six years before he had been one of
the wealthiest of the young men of
Philadelphia. Now his fortune was
all gone for the cause of liberty. In
silence he pressed his sweetheart close
to him, and lifting her face looked
into it earnestly.
Two hours had elapsed before she
babe him go, lest daylight should still
find him in the city. AS she drew
away from his embrace she took the
little black bag lying upon the table
and gave it to him. There were 200
gold sovereigns in the bag for the
starving soldiers at Valley Forge.
Once more he drew her into his arms
and kissed away the tears that were
in her eyes.
There was O. tramp of feet outside,
the door was rudely opened, and a red