The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-01-11

usually regarded as amply able 10 deIenu
herself or her property should occasion re-
quire it.
A brief conference was held between
Admiral Stacey and his men, regarding
the most eifectual means TO be employed
in the destruction of the Sunstrum man
sion. At length, selecting dozen of his
trustiest followers, he directed them to
accompany him on shore, and to take along
quantity of highly inaammable matter
that the crowning act of infamy might be
the most expeditiously accomplished.
These 13 men having reached land, at
once entered the tortuous footpath which
wound through the terraced lawn, and
which led straightway up to the great
piazza which entirely covered the front of
this elegant abode.
As the little army approached, Madam
Sunstrum, armed with a destructive look
ing shooting iron of primitive mould, and
accompanied by Winnie, her pretty and
most accomplished young daughter, went
forth to meet them, and, when the intru-
ders had drawn sufficiently close to be ad
dressed, she proceeded to tell them in un
mistakable terms in precisely what estima-
ton she held them. She commanded them
to leave her premises, and defed them to
harm anything thereabout, warning them
of their peril should they persist in doing
so.
All laughed heartily at the woman
bravado, and Stacey directed the men to
apply the brand. Several times the at
tempt was made, and several times was
the kindling fame kicked aside. Stacey
was commencing to lose his temper, and
sternly ordered the woman to leave. Mad
am Sunstrum took new position in def
ance of the command, and as she looked
contemptuously down upon the rear ad-
miral, the soft breezes toyed gently with
her silvered locks and the sunlight brought
her every feature out in bold relief, it was
remarkable face, and caused the antique
Jewels in her ears, and the most unique
and ancient looking medallion about her
throat, to scintillate in the sunbeams, and
to remind one of some Roman model about
which he had read. Doubtless some of
the men were more concerned just at that
time with the problem of how to secure
those jewels; than they were with the art
of fire-making Stacey issued another
order more vigorous than the preceding
ones, but the last word of command had
scarcely died upon his lips when death
like pallor was observed upon his face.
His eyes appeared to be transfxed upon
the person of the courageous Madam Sun
strum, and for few moments he was un-
able to articulate a sentence, but with mo-
ton of his hand he babe the men desist
and smother out the flames which were
now commencing to gain headway. The
party observing that something unusual
had occurred to their leader, readily exc
cuted his orders and retired from the scene.
The admiral was seen to say some conf
dental things to the Madam, whose coun-
tenance wore an intensely surprised, and
yet triumphant expression, but save few
staccato exclamations, which were uttered
in louder tone than that employed in the
conversation, and which sounded like
mysterious, s'Providential, ''The
future will reveal &C., nothing could
be cleaned from that unusual and deep
meaning colloquy. The admiral and his
men hastily left the Sunstrum premises,
and enjoining that the utmost secrecy be
observed regarding what they had seen,
the admiral ordered all back upon the YES
sells, and following himself the detachment
was soon moving down the river from
whence it came, and the next day rejoined
the main feet with Cockburn in command,
and whose subsequent actions are merged
4 in the several strategic movements made
under other leaders, and whose ulterior
objects were the taking of Baltimore.
More than year had passed since the
strange experience of Admiral Stacey at
Madam Sunstrum' home Hostilities
were over. Universal amnesty had been
declared, and the angel of peace seemed
lowering over the war-fretted surface of
our beautiful Chesapeake bay.
1t was an evening in September in 1914.
The day was fast drawing toa close The
golden sunbeams were folding their bright
wings to recline upon the bosom of night,
pausing only for few brief moments, while
the beautiful mild twilight, like a silver
clasp united the day with the night. 1t
was the holy hour for new resolves, quiet
communion with the past, and question
ings for the future What were the feel
ings of that outraged populace, who six
teen months before had been rendered
homeless, almost helpless, by English van
dalism What must not have been the
remorse and penitence of Stacey, could he
have beheld the ruin and desolation which
was visible on all sides in the twilight of
the evening above referred to and for whose
pitiful condition he alone was responsible
But Stacey was near at hand, back under
the shade and gloom of the tall pine trees,
which stood like frowning sentinels upon
the rivers banks, just in the vicinity of
where two charming hamlets once had
stood, could be seen indefinitely small
sailing craft passing along spirit-like under
the pressure of light breeze. The boat
was not dissimilar to vast number of fish
ing smacks which were continuously NOV
ing about the stream, and for that reason
attracted but little attention. But o, had
the truth been suspected, or had it ever
been surmised that Admiral Stacey was its
chief occupant, how terribly would the
avenging rod of injured innocence have
fallen upon him, and crushed his young
life away. But Providence ordains all
things wisely, and that was not to be.
The boat was soon moored to the old
forsaken pier, and Stacey took the same
winding foot-path to Madam Sunstrum' $
home which he had trod before. The 81
lence of that place seemed ominous, and
Stacey would have gladly been relieved
from encountering it, but here alone could
the mystery be solved, and here he must
come before his return to England, in order
to clear away legal doubt that meant 50
much to him.
He shortly found himself upon the broad
piazza, and giving several taps upon the
old brass knocker, he was soon ushered
n n