The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-08


been drenching and pitiless. IL beat
upon the wearied Continentals behind
their soggy breastworlls; it pelied the
victorious soldiers of the king; II
coursed. in ceaselesS torrents. down the
long. sloping roof of the Rapello home
stead. and dripped. with monotonous
rhythm. from gutter. spout and over
hang.
The two women in the forenoon OF
the Rapello homestead had sat for
long time. silent but thoughtful. Their
feelings we're too strong, their reflec'
tions too antagonistic 10 permit Of quiet
conversation. For Madame Rapello was
Long Island tory. and Mistress Davis
Rapello was a Maryland rebel. To
Madam Rapello King Georges red.
coats. encamped on the Bedford Hills,
were sureties of projections; 10 Mistress
Doris Rapello. they were but tools OF
tyranny.
And when with all the greater force
we're they surety and tool. this stormy
August day in the year of grace seven
teen hundred and seventy-six. when, on
The hills and in the cleared land beyond
the Rapello house. from Jamaica TO
Bedford. from Bedford to Flatbush,
Nom Flatbush back TO Brooklyn church,
the soldiers of King George had fought
and overcome. defeated and driven back
the soldiers of the Congress. Victory
sang i'm the heart of Madame Rapello,
defeat hung heavy within the loyal
breast of her daughter-in-lnw, the faii
Mistress Doris.
With all this. too. came the divided
duty that is doubly hard. For Lieutenant
Garry Rapello was one of Smallwood's
Maryland macaroons. and John Isa,
pcllo. his father. was an outlawed tory,
held fast prisoner in Connecticut gaol.
Madame Rapello was angered at her
sons detection from the king and
chafed at her husbands imprisonment,
while Mistress Doris Rapello. Garry's
pretty girl-wife. was the daughter of
that arch-rebcl. Colonel Ralph Small
wood. of Maryland.
So, whether redcoat or rebel won the
town of Brooklyn in the end. fresh dis
content was certain to visit the Ra,
pello homestead. in which, for the time
and much against her will, Mistress
Doris Rapello had her home. coming TO
IL from Maryland TO be with her hus-
band. before that fatal day when the
kings troops invaded Long Island and
turned the quiet farmsteads and high
ways of Brooklyn and it's neighboring
crossroad villages into camp and battle
ground.
And still the rain fell heavily and
the fog hung low. Night set In, and the
two silent women, who loved yet hated
one another in that day of divided duty
and their country's stress, sat waiting
for the Developments they knew must
come.
A step sounded upon the ample stoop.
quick but steady and decisive step:
then follow a stamp and shake. as from
one who seeks to rid himself of some of
the water that hangs TO a rain-soal<ed
cloak; hand fumbles with the latch
on the stout half-door, then the door
opens wide. and Doris springs to meet
her husband half way, with a cry of
welcome and relief-a cry echoed by
his tory mother. yet suppressed the
next instant. obedient TO her detestd-
tion for his rebel regimentals.
why. Doris. girl. so glad. are you?
There. there. child. have a carel am
streaming wet. Lord, tits wicked
night. Whatwith the rain and what with
the fog. scarce could find our swing
gate as ] climbed up from the Ferry.
Mother. have you not dish OF some
thing hot for your half-drowned boy?
'Tis as chill as winter. though it be an
August day. and feel it 10 the very
marrow"
II can give you n warming dish Of
tea. son Gerrit. IL but your rebel
scruples will be oyerborne by your
necessity
S&sut. Cerrit Rapcllo raised re-
etrainiug hand. "Never mind the tea.
mother mine" he said. ~ dish OF hot
suppawn will do If but you have it
handy; and. il not. why. / viii do with
out"
Il have II close az hand. my son. and
will dish IL for you straight:" and. pass
ing from the fore-roonl, Madam Rapello |
went for the dish OF suppawn.
God forgive me for the ruse against !
my own mother. Doris" Lieutenant
Garry said. sinking his voice 90 n hur-
ried whisper; but thus - must be when
we are on opposing sides. Sh, no wo--l.
my dear. We retreat tonight. The
General finds the British far too strong
for and Long Island is 10 be given
20 the King. But IL were death
sh | our plans be discovered. We 70
in secret. Few know the move, save
the General and certain Of his trusted
leaders. Your father told mc OF IL but
this instant and bade me acquaint you
with IL at once, that you might be set
across to New York tonight. SO. bus
lie. my girl. hustle and let black Mollie
gather up such furbclows as you have
need Of; for. ere another day be spent.
we will have you safe from harm within
our lines across the river"
"And out of this house. foreverl o.
Carry." And Doris. who had drawn Oft
her husbands wet cloak. now proceeded