The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-09
PART III.

Rather Will die where stand seeming
10 be deserter and a turncoat, If but by
standing here j may keep you from
your purpose. Bear with me- mother,
and do as bid you, for will be master
here. You have heard unwittingly
what was meant for no ear save that OF
my wife, Doris. You have taken from
my lips secret will guard with my
life. ] ask you to respect it, and 10 hold
your peace. bid you do so. mother, as
one with the right 10 command. BY all
the lessons of honor and of truth that
ycur lips have taught me, by all that
love of loyalty that you hold so dear,
lby the affection for me and for Doris,
here, that you do so profess, L charge
YOU. Mother mine, let what you have
heard be as if 10 had never been said, and
so save my honor and your own good
name"
Honor. truth, loyalty!" Madam Ra-
pcIlo exclaimed, with scornful en-
phasis. These he high-sounding words
IN rebel lips. Y,ou and yours, Gerrit
Rapello, have thrown all these to the
winds. You have beggared them and
made them words of little worth where
they were once so esteemed. so sacred
and so pure. And is il you. sir--you, of
all men, who have deserted your moth
er, betrayed your father and abiured
your king for the sake of the pretty
face by your side--is il you that talks
NOW of honor and loyalty? Nay, sir,
find filter text for better sermon, for
this cannot hear from you?"
Mother. you will drive me madl"
Lieutenant Garry ragged hands clenched
and eyes ablaze. This is not ques-
tion of morals. 1t is life or death TO
me. For. if this retreat is brought TO
naught through my inrautious word
and your too-ready ear, then better
were 1 dead than live to be the scorn
of my fellows and the ruin of our
cause"
"Die not. but live, my son." his moth
er said. changing her tone OF recrimina-
fieH to one of loving -entreaty. "Oh,
cleave TO me, my boy! Did / not bring
you up to honor the king; did not your
father teach you lessons of loyalty,
and have not the Rapellos been ever
faithful to their established rulers from
the days when Jovis Rapello, the
Huguenot, fought under his king at
yvvy and his grandson, the third Jovis,
sgore fealty to the stadthalder Maurice
at Bommel and Nieuport? Turn back.
turn back. my son; cleave to me, your
another. to whom is your duty due,
next to your God and your king; turn
back, ere il is too late, and make your
peace with your king before the rebel |
cause, now tottering in its fall, drag
you down in ruin"
."And what about my wife, Doris, |
mother?" Garry asked, seeking advan-
tage from this change Of tone.
"She is yours, yours to command, my |
son, even as she swore to honor and |
obey YOU" his mother replied. "She is
my daughter now, and will need no
>econd call TO side with those who love |
ard will protect her"
"And If she will not" Garry VEN
Cured, looking first at his still silent
wife and then at his mother.
"Then she SHALL" said this deter
mined woman. "If she stay not willing
~, then shall she do as you bid her. by
right of your power as her husband
md her lord. IT is not for her to choose,
but for you to say. Surely, son Of mine,
you will not be swayed by little Doris
here, rather than by your mother. TO
whom alike your honor and duty are
due. Come, now, time presses and this
talk must end. What say you, Gerrit
Rapello? Which way will you turn?
Choose now between your mother and
your wife,
Madam, my mother, Lieutenant
Garry said. with just tremor in his
voice and just a flush upon his cheek,
81 respect and reverence you above all
Others in the world. You are my moth
er, and to you my obedience as
a son is due until other duties face me
with yet higher claims. That duty
stands now by my side. Here is my
wife Doris. whom / have sworn 10
love, TO cherish and protect. Her ia
ther is my father. her cause is my cause.
When you and my father sent me into
the Maryland colony to trade and travel
you did so with full knowledge of all
the risk involved. If there / became a
lover of liberty and q convert TO the
right, it is not for you 20 question my
actions. ] am q man. and as a man
choose. ] am a rebel. If il be rebel
20 oppose tyranny, il il be rebel 10
strike for our rights. I love my Doris
md honor you. Madam, i can say no
more"
''Nor need you." the angry mother re-
piled. now all enraged again. "You
are no son of mine. Lot or part you have
1oi la my life or home. Against you
l."
But here light touch fell upon her
upraised arm and the sweet eyes os
siistress Doris Rapello sought her
stony face. MADAM. my MOTHER"
laid the fair young wife. 'let me say
, word. Not for the world would bc
The cause Of strife or enmity betweer.
mother and son. Garry is my hue
band. and TO him Is all my duty due,
us TO k.lD my love IS given. Therefore
would not willingly mar his life nor