Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-08-19
oooooooooooooooooaoaaoe.a

sCOOOCA>N~~
"Yes-1 promisc!"
"And will you be also watchful Of Lii.
lian's welfareT
"My soul! Can you ask itY'
Twill you, IL need should come. snatch
her from the grasp Of Jacob EastcourtF
with her consent, yes"
"My son, I see dark days coming. It
may be that the loosening Of the bonds
of this earthly life gives me clearer per-
ccptions Of the future. I see the British
army in possession Of Philadelphia. ! see
a dissolute and debauchcd soldiery run
ming riot in this fair Gown. | see the
British officers, separated by a broad
ocean from all the cndcaring ties and re-
straining influences Of home. given mp to
the grossest revclry: and be sure those
officers, wearing glittering titles and emp.
ty honors, will be admitted to the homes
OF a betrayed people. u! Robert, 1t will
he dreadful! When that hour comes,
will you, at the risk Of your life. II neces'
sary, be watchful of Lillian? In oil the
wide world she may have not one but you
TO truly love and honor her."
"Noman! My mother" exclaimed the
youth, seizing her hand, what new thing
have you discovered? What dread secret
has been revealed to your
only that which calmly and under
standingly sec, my son. Will you promise
what I have askedT'
Eyes! yes! Upon my honor promise.
All that an honorable man may do I will
do for Lillian. My life. II need be. shall
be devoted to her service"
BLESS you, Robert! And now beware
OF Jacob Eastcourt. He Is your enemy,
though he will, for time, profess to be
your friend. Let him not know that you
suspect him. In this way you will gain
admittance to our house. But remember
that In that house spies will be constantly
on the watch henceforth. l shall inform
Lillian, 20 that she, also, may be on her
guard. Enough for now. can say no
more. God knows I have spoken to you
the truth. You will not forget what
have said. You will be watchful, and I
know you will be true"
II will be watchful; and will be true"
He had become calm and reflective, and
was now able to comprehend the full
meaning Of the woman's mission. She had
given him sufiicient warning, and II was
for him to be watchful, and to decide up
on emergencies as they should arise.
Though the revelation of Marian East.
court had greatly shocked him, and rudely
demolished his last hope In the ultimate
manhood Of the father Of his beloved, yet
he could not doubt It. In fact, when he
came to reflect, he remembered that the
character given to the man by his wife
was the same % he had heard bis own
father set forth.
Robert gave Mrs. Eastcourt bis arm,
and having assisted her a. far on her way
as was thought prudent, be blessed her
and babe her goodnight. II would be
useless to attempt to follow bis thoughts
as he afterwards wended bis way slowly
h0mcward, for Of all his thoughts not one
was clearly followed to = possible lesiti'
mate result.
1t was near midnight when he reached
his home. and a. be found bis father
sleeping, he retired at once to bis cham
Der, where he was soon In bed. dreaming
Of things more strange than could have
been conceived In his waking fancies.
On the following morning he found bis
father still asleep. breathing q little heav.
lily. but regularly. After breakfast he
told Patience that be was going out to be
gone an hour.
III my father inquiries for me-" he said,
tell him have gone to the State House
TO meet my company; and II the doctor
comes while ! am gone. beg him to remain
until return"
With this he went out. At the entrance
to the State House he met two men, In
respect to whom he removed bis hat
They were Richard Henry Lee Of Vir,
ginia and John Adams Of Massachusetts
Captain Seaton," said the Virsinisn
smiling and extending his hand, II have
good news for you. You have heard OF
my young cousin HarryY'
"Heard OF himy' repeated Robert
flushing with pride and pleasure In the
grateful remembrance. I'VE were class
mates at Princeton"
FAYE, I remember. Well, my friend
Patrick Henry, has anticipated me, and
nominated him to Congress 40 a captain
OF cavalry; so I did the next best thina
left for me to do. and nominated you"
"A captain Of infantryw
mo. my boy-as captain Of cavalry. A
few Of your fathers old friends, out Of
love for him, and feeling assured that hi,
son would do honor to the position, have
dubbed together, and bought and equip
ped hundred and ten OF the very bes
horses they could find. Your commission
was made out last night, and the horse,
shall be turned over to you as soon q,
your men can be gathered and mustered
What do you say to thRt?"
Robert Seat0n caught the noble Vir
ginian's hand In both his own, but It wal
some moments before he could speak
Finally, his eyes beaMing refulgentl,
through the gathering tears, he said:
LET my deeds rather than my wordi
show my gratitude. ! will be true to tn,
trust thus rep0sed In me, and while liz,
Is mine I will keep the faith Of the Crane
Declaration which my country has JUS
given to the world"
God bless you. young man" said job,
Adams, laying his hand upon Robert
shoulder. II know your father well, ant
l judge You to be a worthy son Of such I
| sire. We have u great work to do"
And to that work my life Is devoted.
responded the youth, proudly. but modest
ly.
Right" said Lee. "And now you ma,
20 ana inform your men what Is In stOr
for them. They should be proud Of tn
distinction thus given them"
Half an hOar later Robert met eight,
OF his men In the enclosure on the Walnu
street side OF the State House, and whel
he had Informed them that horses ant
equipments were to be' furnished them
and that they were to be mustered In q
a company OF cavalry, their joy was be
yond bounds. They gathered around thei
youthful leader with shouts of gladness
aud swOre that they would be true an'
faithful. They cheered for Richard Hen
ry Lee; they cheered for the men who ha,