Middletown transcript., 1898-06-25

W06l the patTOOu s6ub AUE AOK oA0 1@1O0
to persuade her, from sense OF de-
corum, not to dance any more that
evening. But the devil in Betsey was
only the more aroused. The young
Frelinghassen was SO sad, SO gentle, bore
80 little evidence Of the love she was
painting for. His manner drove her wild.
Her spirits rose again. She danced with
Morton. His magnificent physique and
grace and fattery carried her away on
the wings of impulsive youth. The two
danced and danced. They danced till
the wedding couple had taken their
places in the coach and four and they
were called respectively to their places
in attendance. They accompanied the
bridal coach as far as Harlem on its
five days. journey to Boston.
But Reginald Morton did not intend
to part from Betsey even then. He fol-
lowed her back home on foot to declare
his attentions to Colonel Van Horne.
The family were at their Albany resi-
dence His walk had given the young
lover some distinction, but it was not
Of the kind likely to win SO strict dis
ciplinarian as Colonel Van Horne or
the championship of SO considerate a
mother as his wife. Regis suit was re-
fused, and the colonel himself, to make
sure of his position, led the young man
to the wharf and saw him aboard the
New York sloop. Returning home he
called his daughter to him and told her
what he had DONE "My wishes will be
respected. Promise me to have nothing
to do with him by word or letter. !"
But Betsey's ardor was not cooled.
81 cannot.
"What, do you mean to disobey me?"
81 mean / cannot bind myself; will
not. "
The issue was made. The colonel, in
view of his coming journey to the halls
of congress in Philadelphia, called in the
young PATRON and desired him to re-
main in his house during his absence
and guard his daughter. He felt per-
haps that Frelinghassen' love would
prove better and less irksome means
Of securing Betsey's obedience than any
harsher steps.
But the acute maiden suspected her
bodyguard, and her father was no SOON
er gone on his six days journey to Phil
adelphia than she began to draw the
feather over the eyes of love and turned
the tables by playing sweetheart and
bodyguard to the young PATRON. For
love Of him, SO she said, she became ar
IDENTIFY patriotic She helped commit
tee Of women to bind an unjust tea deal
er and serve the community with tea at
their own price. She did the binding
and deposited the money in the till her
self. Frelinghassen and her mother
looked admiring, askance, over this es-
capade, but she pleaded pardon and
overwhelming patriotism SO sweetly
that they smiled.
Meanwhile the impatient Reginald
Morton had managed to have a letter
safely delivered into the hands of Mis-
tress Betsey, and one fine evening Bet
sey dispatched her devoted bodyguard
on presumably patriotic errand that
she felt would keep him all night. The
young man was willing enough to go,
but, unknown to Betsey, he was un-
avoidably detained. The moon was up
before he could make start, and by its
light he saw two mufied figures under
the young girls window. At low
whistle the window softly opened and
a rope was thrown up. Attached to the
rope was rope ladder, which, making
fast, Miss Betsey descended. A carriage
waited IN the shadows. fhithgr tth5
young PATRON followed them, and just
as the cloaked and hooded maiden was
about to enter the vehicle he put his
arm about her and threw back her hood.
Betsey never screamed, but there was
| the rattle Of two swords in two scab-
bards, and the PATRON with uplifted
hand said quietly, 81 am your friend,
Morton, as long as Mistress Van Horne
| wishes it, but if you want to save time
stand back and give me word with
her."
The swords ratified back, and they did
as he impelled them.
"Betsey,' said the PATRON, then
| you do not love me?'
Betsey uttered vehement. "Nol"
"And you are determined to marry
Morton? Enough. will perform the
ceremony. Inform your lover that I &C
company you.
At this Betsey well nigh broke down,
but with head held high she spoke to
Morton. That officer held out his hand
to Frelinghassen, who did not, howev-
er, appear to see it. They were driven
to the river, where boat was waiting
to take them across. On the other side
were the coach and pair. The ceremony
was performed in the coach, amid the
boom of cannon and illuminations
which were greeting all over the land
the daring and the bravery Of the sign.