Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-08-17

at the tavern on their way home. They
told the story Of the day to the little
crowd OF anxious women who eagerly
questioned them for news of some dear
one. t
My father would not let me go down
to the tavern, but went down himself
and brought us the, news. | can see
him now hurrying along the road
Something unusual has happened.
Nary exclaimed my mother, Il new
er saw your father look 80 excited"
l FASTENED down the path to meet
him. ....
bad news, my child; bad newsH' he
exclaimed. There has been an en-.
counter with the kings troops" And
then, reading the question liz my eyes,
he continued, But they brought no
news OF our men"
The hour set for the wedding was 3
o'clock, but II began to look as II there
would be no wedding, for II was now
after I o'clock, and none Of our men
had returned home.
Mother and sat In silence In the
hltCHtH WHlIt IhtntT Wulktu DICK anu
forth In the room above.
At last we heard steps outside. and
then my brother Arthur, who was
among the first to reach home, stagger-
ed into the room. | sprang up and ran
to him. He sank into the nearest
chair. and his gun fell to the door with
a thud. Arthur was only boy OF 10.
you must remember. and the day had
been terrible one,
When he had recovered little. my
father spoke What news do you
bring, my sonT he asked.
Now, | had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news. and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from ia
ther TO me and still did not speak |
felt sure OF II. So | put my worst fears
into words.
Arthur" said, SIS 1t Henryr
Listen" he said, speaking rapidly.
"rhe kings troops were In full retreat
when we reached the road We did
not keep with our companies. but each
one found shelter as he was able be-
hind trees, walls or fences. met Hen.
ry AZ | was crossing field, and we
took shelter together and awaited the
coming Of the troops. We had just got
settled when Henry caught sight of n
thanking party coming right down on
us. He called to the men near US to
run for their lives. and at the same
time we both jumped the wall and ran
for a house which stood In In the field
Just opposite. | reached the opposite
wall In safety and turned round to look
for Henry, but he was not with me.
At that moment the troops came round
sudden turn In the road and sent
some shots In our direction. At the
risk OF being shot at | stood up and
looked across the road He must have
been hit by the thanking party. for he
lay Just by the wall"
Are you sure It was hep asked ia.
Their.
Eyes; | knew him by the green on
his powderhorn," replied my brother.
"You staId by and looked after him r.
asked father.
II tried to, sir. but the troops came
down on nv. and we were obliged TO
move on. | went bnck to the place az
soon as could, but | must have mis-
taken the spot, for could not find
him."
Meanwhile sat In my chair feeling
az II had Just awakened from II bad
dream. | did not fully realize what
had happened. for II seemed impossI-
BILE
Here are some people. Mary" said
mother 'You would better go up TO
your room aud lie down"
did m | was told There on the
bed lay my wedding gown. could not
bear to look at 1t, and, picking Il up, l
placed II In the large chest In which
my linen was packed and pulled down
the lid; then threw myself on the bed.
and tears came to my relief. so | lay
there thinking over the events Of the
day. my wedding day that was to have
been, How different from whit I had
anticipated
Suddenly ! heard the sound OF u
horses feet coming up the road at u flu
rious Dnce. | sat up and listened.
Somebody IN riding on nm important
GRAND" I said to myself. Nearer and
nearer came the sound, aud the rider,
whoever he was, drew rein at our door.
Then there were II murmur Of voices
aud nm opening and shutting Of doors
and then my mothers voice calling to
me; MARY. Mary; child, come down.
Henry IL here. He's come"
Scarcely believing that heard Alright,
! got up and ran down stairs and into
the kitchen. and there before me, his
face pale as death, with blood stain.
ed bauduRa bnlInu ahnut hIa fnr.haaA