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

OUR MOTHER"
about and looked searchingly into her
eyes. Not word was spoken. but slow
ly he released her and as slowly turned
away.
'Well, you women are curious folk"
he said Mt last. "But Doris may be right.
1t is not for me to make danger where
none is really present, and, after all,
this talk of retreat may be but cover
for some other action. We are ordered
under arms for an assault on the enc
my's lines this very night. What this
means none but the general himself
may know. Be generous, mother; do
not carry out your threat OF betrayal;
for, after all, there may be nothing TO
/ betray, and yoti may only involve your
self in fresh trouble where you are al
ready distrusted. Let us be wise. all
of us. Good-by, mother; good-by, my
Doris" and with kiss to each and n
look at his wife that was full of mean
ing, of entreaty and of trust, Lieutcn-
ant Garry Rapello, drew his cloak about
him and passed out into the night and
the storm.
''Now, mother" Doris said, hastily.
as the door closed upon her husband,
''let us act quickly. What do you in
tend?"
What, are you really with me,
child?" Madam Rapelo said. "Know.
then, that L am not to be blinded by
Garry's seeming uncertainty. There
was no uncertainty when he told you
his secret and bade you make ready TO
be gone. There is no uncertainty in the
host of boats at the ferry here. Your
rebels arc beaten and are planning
flight. That by my doings and by Gods
good help, shall never come TO pass.
Stay you here quietly, daughter, until
i shall return. i go 10 warn the nearest
British post"
Surely, not in this storm, mother"
Doris protested.
What are rain and fog, what are wind
and wet to me, girl, If l may but save
the cause of my king and put his enc-
mics into the snare that will spread
for them,' Madam Rapello replied.
"But TO do this you must slip through
our-through the rebel lines" Doris
said. "And Madam Annette Repello is
too well-known hereabout to pass the
guards unquestioned"
where God directs. nv daughter.
! will not fear" Madam Rapello an
swered and turned toward the chimney |
piece where, by the broad settle, hung
her wet weather cloak.
But Doris kept by her side. Mother
You must not CO." she said. Mother, |
you shall not CO." Her gentle voice |
showed no sign of anger. gave no show
of fire.
"Shall not!" Madam Rapello cried.
What language is this to me, child?"
But, as she flashed a look of stern in
quiry upon her daughter-in-law. she en-
oountered so determined an expression |
upon the young girls face that even her
imperious will halted an instant. "Why.
Doris, girl, what do you mean?" she
said.
81 mean what say. You shall not
go. Madam Rapello. you are my pris-
oncr," and with the word she caught
ihe elder woman's wrists in vise-liLe
grip. that seemed Impossible to so frail
a little body.
The mistress Of the Rapello home
stead was taken completely by surprise.
and Doris forced her down upon Tin.
broad settle and held her firmly there.
For space neither spoke. Then
Madame Rapcllo found her breath. $50.
this was your plan. this the
'cason OF your wish to stay with me?
inland me. Doris; let my hands 20
rec foolish girl. or will 90 you harm.
Tia desperate case. and"
y desperate case requires desperate
tmcaies. madam" said Doris. calmly.
Come you with me-" and. witt tse
ord, exerting oil Der s,gepsth, serveo