Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-10-07
PATRIOTISM OR LOVE

and hostess. Gertrude Ashcroft. whom she a
= visiting In the beautiful western home
winch Lieut.. Richard Ashcroft and his SIS. a
ter, orphans for many years. had purchased e
iust prcvious TO his enlistment at the be- {
ginning OF the recent war.
Il am sorry you cannot feel as 1 90,
replies Gertrude. 10 whom her orotners
friend could not be else than her TREND.
ssYou have made such q hero OF Richard
because he Is nv brother, that you are un-
fair to Capt. Turner. because be has had
opportunities to win higher rank and great
er bonors-
Lieut.. Ashcroft had seen over years
service in The Philippines. been wounded
several tines as bad also Capt. Turner,
and now he bad written home that they
had leave Of absence for six months aud that
be was bringing his friend with him. not
mentioning his secret hope that thus tried
and true friend might some day be hrs
brother, ye. wise enough 10 let matters
take their own course, confident IN the
attractions which the Two natures, which
lie knows so vel. vii have for each other.
My sister IS expecting Us tomorrow"
Ashcroft SAYS 20 has friend, so we viii
give her joyful surprise today"
Alghting q. the station they take . cab
for the two-mile drive. Gertrude viii
hardly recognize me IN this beard, he says,
and then, a. The entrance 20 the grounds
y reached. there is a buried Conversation
tie driver IS told g stop, and jumping out,
| one Of tie gentlemen starts briskiy CT With
an injunction 20 his freud 10 hurry on N
/ a minute or two and 50 complete The sur
j prise.
Miss Ashcrof; has driven into town ate
/ this afternoon 20 attend 10 final prepsra-
/ tions for her brothers return. and 50 Il Is
/ Edith Chester. who = on the veranda, en-
/ joylnE nature ant her favorite author, when
I the military figure comes 90 sight and up
the s,eps. Sprus.ng from her cnair and
extending her hand. she says with a charm
inc smile. Lieut.; Ashcroft, ! am sure
your sister Gertrude does not expect YOU
until tomorrow aud has gone IN town for
an hour OF So
As the gentleman looks amazed. she in
sroducSs herself. and touching the bell for
a servant. excuses herself. as SIC feels the
awkwardness o. her position When she
reaches her room she Is feeling thoroughly
disappointed but for just what reason she
cannot tell.
D This i her hero" she thinks. but what
a disappointment Il ;he mar she has ideal
lied. as ou,y a soldiers daughter ear DO
I She must conceal this feeling and she d
Z thankful that the dreaded captain has bad
the good sense rot 20 intrude on tnis irs'
q home coming.
A glance from the window proves So,
Pc Is mistaken m her surmisCs as 20 tins man
e modesty. for there he Is. coming across the
lawn with quite the air % supremacy which
d she might have known 20 belong 10 th'
Is captain. and she Is thankful as she sees th
? village cart and Gertrude driving hurried.
c toward the house Sle can hear her tx
\ carnations Of Joy. and then follows a cor
- fusion Of voices ard much laughter
+ The dinner bell soon rings. and havin
4 donned q fresh muslin froCk she come
r downstairs, resolved 20 conceal her fee
Al ings and mar no ones pleasure. and aftc
y the iutroductions are over she unds herse
= az table opposite the man for whom Sd
D. has felt go strange prejudice. and yet VII
3 attracts her from the hrst- \ de-. gattt
a- cvcuirg of music follows, and the ueNl Ga
r. IS followed oy & succession o. days 81 res
c. ful conversation and drives and Cvcnins
"a spent IT. the musicroom, when the ma
~. iu whom she IS almost urwiiirc.y intcrcs
J. Cd charms them al with his wonderful voio
and Gertrude. who had az first shown sse.
attention 10 tins man, gradually oecom'
& absorbed IN her brother. who IN turn
r. most attentive and gallant. an ideal brothe
lc one might say
oI At asst comes the night before the d
on fixed for her departure home. and she
re feeling glad that Capt Turner will uev
ic- know the Injustice she has done him. wh'
ng a weli-knowr voice said: MAY intru'
la. upon your privacy. Miss Chester, and c
"a JOY this moonlight with you? Miss CO
Of trude and her brother are IN the libra
Of and I want to tell you something"
70 And then. as he tells her the old, Q
story. she knows the truth at last. for .
heart tells what her reason has been
= slow 20 admit. that this mans regard IL
: deed priceless treasure.
= j -
sion, but she bravely tells the story Of b,
she 50 impulsively wronged him by al 4
Just criticism. and how deeply she regr'
. Il, when be takes her IN his arms and sa,
ST MY darling. il was DO treason 20 me,
~ you did not even know me then; |, too. hs
81. a confession 10 make, but as II invol'
., others ] must ask you 70 wait until
morrow. II you can then forgive me ! sh
claim you for my wife and prove my love
a LIES devotion"
So As he sees her start At the word conf
sion, be adds: at is not Of disgrace q
| have % ask forgiveness. but OF folly
~. In ready reperted, which waS perpetrs'
4. with neither thought nor intent Of harm
., anyone"
81. Add then Gertrude ana her brother CO
Up, and after more general conversai
A. good nights are exchanged and abe IL al
IN with her rev happiness
In IN the morning abe con e. down 20 bre
CX fast. Imagine her horror 70 see her 10
|. holding IL bis arms hes friend Gertr
and to bear him say: "DD you think I'd
= VIII forgive my deception when she knS
! what We are to each other"
yed -, -.... 800 .~ts ~ sus -. 'u.n.ne :: =
rm. 80. - ss,,. 49,. a. .-nsI;r-,S .
'in good morning. while the surprised COZ
70 turn. and In q manner utterly audacious
4nd beaming With happiness. reply with q ms
q laugh. and a. Edith stands there too horn