Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-04-06
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(Copyright.)
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER l.
1T was one by the village clock
When he galloped into Lexington.
He saw the gilded Weather-cock
Swim in the moonlight as he passed,
And the meeting house windows, blank
and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare,
AS if they already stood aghast
At the bloody work they would look
upon"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
On the night of the 18th of April, 1775,
Delight Leland sat on the broad stone
doorstep of her fathers house watching
the moon rise. Half a mile to the west
ward she could see the roofs of Lexing-
ton village. At her feet lay the meadows
and orchards of the Leland farm.
The full moon sailed slowly up from
behind the dark tree tops, flooding the
landscape with splendor. Objects here
tofore distant and obscure were brought
into clear view and clothed with beauty.
The girls dark blue eyes kindled with
admiration of the scene. She rose to her
full height and drew deep breath. The
brightness of her face softened to tender
longing.
1T is a glorious night" she murmured,
folding her arms and stepping along the
narrow pathway, At the gate she paused
Leaning over it, she looked eagerly down
the road to Boston.
How l wish he would come" she said,
half aloud
A shadow approached from the other
direction and reached her feet, a mans
step fell noselessly on the thick turf be-
side the fence.
This way. sweetheart said a deep
musical voice in her ear.
She gave a start. "Oh, Dave" she
cried.
He saw that she was trembling violent
IL, and noticed with surprise her sudden
patlor.
"Why are you so startled, sweetheartV'
he asked anXiously, coming inside the gate
and taking her cold hands in a close,
warm clasp. Were you not looking for
me? Why, Delight, what is it? Is any
thing wrong? Don't cry so; don't, sweet
heart!"
In genuine distress, he drew her to a
bench under some tall evergreens and
tried to sooth her almost hysterical weep
ing. He had known her from little child
hood, and had never before seen her like
this. Silently he passed his hands over
her soft hair, now and then his lips touch
ing a curling lock. How was he to dream
that all her thoughts had been of another
as she stood by the gate in the moonlight
Who should tell him that the sting of a
guilty conscience brought the pallor and
the tears when his unexpected voice broke
in upon her reverie Of longing for that
other one? What would have been his
CONSERVATION had he even suspected that
during her recent visit to her uncle, Fran
els Leland, in Boston, handsome young
British officer Archibald McPheadris by
name, had stolen away the love he believ-
ed to be his own.
But he did not dream of the truth; no
one had told him. Suspicion was entirely
foreign to his open, noble nature. And
so it was that he caressed Delights beau
tiful hair and tried to undo the mischief
he had wrought by coming upon her so
suddenly, with no greater shadow over his
happiness than regret for his thoughtless-
ness. 1t did occur to him that she had
only lately become so sensitive. He re-
called two or three occasions on which a
quick burst of tears or Il petulant word
had been his reward for some surprise
planned for her enjoyment, but he could
not dwell long upon these transient clouds
when Delight sat beside him resting her
head against his shoulder and gradually
growing calm.
I've some great news for you, sweet
heart" he said, in a low tone. Roger
came out from Boston just before sun
set. He brought you this package from
Desire
He saw plainly in the brilliant moon
light the deep flush which mounted to her
forehead, as she took the thick parcel
from his hand.
1T is the millinet and taffeta for my
new aprons and the gauze for mothers
cap. Desire promised to send them when
the new goods should be opened at Mis-
tress Hafe's shop she explained, some
what hurriedly.
Very like there may be a line from
your sister inside. Desire was ever fond
of using her quill l remember she made
always the neatest copy when we went to
Dame Wheelock's school as youngsters"
Did Roger stop at my Aunt Salome's
and have speech with Desire?" she asked,
slipping the package under her apron and
not Offering to open it to see whether or
not the line was inside.
No The blackamoor at your unele's
door said she was out for a walk to the
shore with your aunt. and that young pop
Inlay of an Archie McPheadris / saw
there once when l came to speak with you
last winter. Are you cold that you shiver
so. sweetheart? Let lis go into the house."
He rose and drew her arm within his.
Together they walked up the well-trodden
pathway. A roaring fire bazed in the big
chimney place and leaping shadows dart
ed hither and thither about the large
kitchen as they entered. 1t was a pleas
ant room. On the red cedar dresser rows
of pewter mugs and platters, highly pol
ished, shone like silver. Glittering brass
candlesticks stood on round-leayed table.
In a small, gilt-framed mirror the dane
ing flames Of the fire were reflected. High
backed wooden chairs, low wooden set