The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-06
.ueleIon 8 uplaasusl ap.lelpa.lon, DO

benb ner rtsoiuteiy lron MN, giving "
her a letter for bis brother, as was his
wont on these market days-a letter which
she was to deliver to trooper who would
be dispatched to receive It,
She rode forth, while Augustus, mount
ed on a tall horse and carrying huge
basket paced soberly behind. Spring rains
had broken the avenue into alternate
courses Of mud and water, and, as she bent
to lift her habit yet farther from the prob
able splashing Pelham's letter slipped
from her waistband.
With such haste as years and stoutness
permitted, Augustus descended from his
saddle and restored the packet to her.
Alas, 1t was wet and stained
ut will be the delay of merely ten min.
utes to return and bid Captain Pelham
address another wrapper, she murmured,
glad of this excuse to behold the welcome
in her lovers eyes.
She tore off the drenched envelope hur-
riedly, lest the damp should have pene-
trated, and looked at the Enclosure with
keen daintiness. Her look changed. Her
color faded. Her lips set sternly. Happi-
ness went out Of Lydia Barrington's life
while she stared at the letter conlided to
her transmission by the man for whose
honor she had pledged her own.
Yet presently she lifted her head, and
turning her horse toward the manor she
rode up the avenue ut speed Augustus
found difficult to emulate.
Beside the high oak chimney in the en-
trance hall stood a massive writing table.
There she tore Pelhams letter to tiny
pieces, and sealed them carefully within
fresh envelope, upon which she inscribed
his name.
Explain to Captain Pelham the mis-
chance to his packet" she said Though
her lips were white her voice did not fall
ter. Inform my mother that have rid
den forth again unattended. Ask her to
prevent my father from hearing that l
have done SO until return"
OF that bitter journey, which led her by
devious ways through rough country
lanes, dangerous alike from maraudng
bands of friends or foes, there is slight
mention in her journal. Nor is there more
than the mere statement that she reached
Westinghouse presence and delivered the
warning she had brought.
81 told him that our roof sheltered
spy" she wrote; shat l knew not low
far his treachery extended, but that the
visit with which the general intended to
honor my father must be abandoned.
found him." she added briefly, $50 cour-
teous in trusting my information and in
abstaining from question as shall make
my memory ever grateful to him."
Even of her interview with her father
upon her return there is scant account
save of its conclusion.
when informed him of the treachery
of our guest and how l had been enabled
to warn tho noble man whom that treach-
cry would have doomed, my father drew
me down within his arms" she wrote
and the tear blisters show upon those lines
after 100 years my father blessed Inc"
1.-THE honor of our name has always been
well guarded" he said, "but it has never
been safer than with you, my daughterl
Go now, and bid your wretched lover fare
well"
Mistress Lydia has recorded every slight
est detail Of that final meeting with Cap
tain Pelham to which her father sent her
as though impelled by terror of the future,
in which love might reproach disdain with
too stern cruelty.
They met in the withdrawing room,
where pair of candles and dying fire
made pickering light. There those two
gazed at each others pale faces, with eyes
through which humiliation and scorn
burned that passion which would survive
either.
1.-The one grace you could have bestowed
upon the house whose shelter you desired
to betray was to leave itwhen your treach-
cry had been discovered" she said "Yet
you are here"
could you conceive that would depart
before your returnY
How should l conceive correctly the
moods or motives of spyp'
"Twelve hours ago you loved me-"
Il never loved you, Captain Pelhaml
The man loved was the creation of my
dreams"
Take not the past from me! You loved
me-me!" ho cried, sinking to his knees
what l have done was for love of you
to bring nearer the day when I might
claim you-nay, butyou shall listen! With
that great rebel free the war, which parts
us, may drag on for years With him a
prisoner his cause would fail. Peace
would come, and with its coming should
win my wifeW
''Your wife, whom you would have dis
honorcd by making her the unconscious
means through which you betrayed her IA
TIERS friendl"
II never intended you to guess my share
in his capture, nor could dishonor. reach
you'll"
mo. God be thanked Not so much as
by the touch of your tlngors!" she said,
withdrawing from his grasp the fold of
her habit skirt.
She walked to the door There sho
looked back,
Still kneeling, Pelham had flung his
nrms across table and laid his head upon
them.
She returned swiftly to him. She drew
his fair, bowed head to her bosom and pas
sionately kissed his white face, wet with
mans agonizing tears.
II lied!' she gasped. II love you-you
always-you eternally-as you love me
In SO much falsehood this is truth. Yet |
better the width of tho world between us
than that you should read daily in mine !
eyes the memory of your dishonor-and 50
farewellr'
There arc other records in that journal
of Mistress Lydia's-hcr fathers death, /
her mothers grief, the triumph of that
cause for whose safety this daughter of tho
Revolution paid so dear a prioe-but no
further mention of her lover.
Yet tho dozen letters which were found
after her death treasured with the history
of her youth are all signed with Pelham's
name. Tenderest, most rcverent of love
letters, they cover a space of as many
years, and close with one whose frail char
ncters bear witness to their writer's words
II am near the end now, sweet mistressl
The end which is to be the beginning"