The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-29

II promised to go over to the Hens
leys' tomorrow with uncle and Mr.
Montague, she said softly. "He may
have to leave Soon and
'sAnd you can't afford to lose any Of
his precious time, g" I said scornfully
very well. Coed night, now, Dr."
I was STOPPING down to kiss her cheek
as had always been my custom, when
she drew back suddenly and looked up,
smiling. We were both silent an in
slant. Then she gave little, shy cour-
tesy, hardly lifting her eyes from the
ground.
Good night. Robert, - she said
gravely.
bowed quickly, and with hurried
GOOD night to the rest went away.
My mother was waiting for me when
returned and at once asked me how
found Diana. could not say much, but
asked If she thought her changed.
"She has a reputation in Marchtown
for great DEAL" said my mother,
For what?"
''For beauty, of course, but also for
coquetry. Uncle Blake has had five Of
fers for her, and she has refused them
all People say
"What?' I inquired.
"That this Englishman will win the
day. Di treats him with more Difference
and submission than she has any man
yet, and your Uncle Blake is most anx-
ious for it. !"
In the few weeks that followed I saw
Di very rarely, as there was much of an
engrossing character on my mind.
War was imminent with England.
Every true feeling American was reused
to excitement and indignation. We be-
gan to hold small meetings. Finally
regiments were recruited and there was
wave Of warfare through the land.
The sound of drum and cannon seemed
to be in our ears when we walked OF
slept Ny Uncle Blake's house was no
place for me at this time His sympa-
thies were in reality English, though
from policy much affected at the time
he appeared to favor the American inter-
ests could not talk to him. Moreover, Z
he had an English guest, and when
went to the house it narrowed my deep
est feelings to see the growing intimacy
between Diana and young Montague.
Sometimes, very rarely, l saw Diana
alone. Then certain flippancy in her
manner panied and annoyed me. Could
it be that she too, was English at
heart? Meeting her one day unexpected
~ at our own house-she had ridden
over for the first time in weeks-I taxed
her with it, abiding to the cause. For
moment the old confding Di seemed
reused. She looked at me with gentle
sort of surprise.
IT thought you at least knew me,
Robert" she said reproachfully, "and
cared for me.
81 thought SO, too, answered her,
until came home. Two years do
great deal, Di."
She said nothing, but walked away
with an angry light in her eyes. had,
I found, spoken rashly. From that day
Di grew colder and more distant toward
mo until finally all semblance of cousin
ly intercourse was at an end between
us. But for the intense outer interests
of the hour, would have found my
heart very heavy, but there was no
time for anything less serious than our
Hearts, brains hands, all went to feel,
plan, work for redress. A fortnight
more and we were at war-Lexington
and other battles fought. Then the ma
TONS cry turned to heaven and General
Washington for help. The very dark
ness of despair seemed closing in around
US. Husbands and brothers left their
homes upon an hours warning, and
there are records of womanly courage
and devotion within their households
not exeelled by those of the brave hearts
and hands stilled on the field of battle.
My uncle's house was upon neutral
ground and he upon territory which
seemed to be equally SO. OF Diana I
saw very little, but the English visitor
had disappeared, and my cousin had
grown pale, cold, distract, the very
shadow of her former brilliant SELF
The regiment I commanded was sta
toned for some time about ten miles
from Marchtown, and occasionally I
tried to hear bits Of news of Diana.
Once sent her little note, when one
of the rare safe opportunities offered,
but received no reply, and 1 under
stood that, no matter how keenly her
judgment went with America, her heart
had followed young Montague wherever
no had gone.
We had some slight engagements near
Marchtown; then the enemy withdrew,
and for about week we were left in
undisturbed possession of the field. My
regiment was stationed at the i'm
promptu fortifi0tions we had erected,
while some 90 miles beyond General
H was quartering with a small de-
tachment of men for day or two, in
order to make some special investiga.
tions, the result of which he would
communicate to me, with plans for the
ensuing fortnight. was to be sent for
If needed to join forces, for the few
days quiet had produced no peaceful
sense of security The English army lay
right across the river. Danger was to be
hourly apprehended. They had taken
complete possession of Uncle Blake's
house. Where was Di I knew not
lo1-