The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-23
Chapter ".

It was not by accident that Sotheran COL
lected Hartman. De Berniere and Ormsby,
and led them that evening to Alices cottage
His comrades were to maskthe object of his
visit which accomplished In the moment
OF his entrance. He Tudor's detected face
and Alice's pensive air, and knew that he had
succeeded. ...-
But the accident that brought Dickie there
was entirely to his taste. Diclie had come
with ANTHONY, yet was without his usual
buoyancy. That cloud which for two days
had darkened his brow it Sotherans busi-
ness first to deepen and then to clear away
The captain saw his opportunity to begin
upon the second of his projects. .
He took possession OF Alice with the lordly
manner that seemed to give him right Har-
ley, who had come shyly to view his goddess
sighed as he found himself in corner BESIDE
chatty Mrs. Drew. Hartman and ormspy
exchanged glances, meaning that what henry
desired was sure to be. Dickie. IMMERSED IN
these things, did not notice. or certainly what
remained of his cheerfulness would nave de-
serted him. ~ |
sotheran, from his seat beside Alice. com
nanded singing. "Ormsby, you sing. Some |
thing stirring, as BELTS the times. We are all
soldiers here but one-and Mistress Alice.
He bowed to Alice; Dickie felt the distinc-
tion which left him out He was the one that
was no soldier: flush mounted to his tenn
PIES he smiled uncomfortably, and the clouo
began to deepen. ,
"Dtckie will be a soldier some day with the
rest" cried Anthony He waits but to bs
sure he should join the volunteers.
What reason does he lack?' asked Sotner-
an Sure you are no whig, Dlck1e!
NO" hesitated Dickie. He was too outspo-
ken to conceal his reasons. MY brother
begged me once to take no such step until n
came of age"
:" tbs but ten weeks now" explained An
thony.
Hartman.
No" confessed Dickie, land yet
"Did you think there would be such need OF
you az now" Interrupted Sotheran.
mo. indeed" said Dickie.
.'Well!' began sotheran. But wait
you, choose, Of course. Sing, Ormsoy.
Ormsby began a song, then much In 1asn-
aon with rhymes on lords and swords and
yield and field and fly and die. But ulcKle
felt the force of Sotheran's permission 10 90
as he pleased, given in a tone OF 1ndlnerence,
OF amusement, of surprise, Of contempt, all
in such parts that their bitter mixture SunA
the lad in gloom. >,
For Dcke was troubled indeed On the
very day of the Concord fight the tories Oh
the town, some 200 in number, among uneih
Anthony and younger Oliver ana all MS
friends had offered themselves to the COVER
nor. They were now enrolled as the Volun-
teer Association; his name was solicited on
all hands. Why? they had asked when he
refussd and he could only reply: MY
brother" He was waiting; he had held out
hut Dickie could not hold out long. All the
influences that were strongest-his uncles Gr-
cling, his friends pleading, his devotion 10
the king, and the attraction OF soldiers
life. were working upon him, and only the
love of his brother held him back, he had
been trying to wait until his twenty -nrst
birthday. but doubted If he could last. Eacn
assault upon his resolution weakened II. ie'
he could not forget Frank
Alice perceived his depression, and spoke
TO Sotheran under cover Of Ormsbys noise.
..Captatn," she asked, lis 1t not sad enough
that brothers should be divided In oplnlon'
Would you have them enrolled to hgnt eacn
other - .
he did not answer, sitting as one that THINKS
When he raised his eyes to hers he was very
serious.
MISTRESS Alice" he answered II can i'm
agne only one thing worse wnicn Is 20 nave
both brothers against the Klns.
He had slenced her.
..you will understand me- he pursued.
study,ng her face. II have no personal feel
ing. This rebellion consider most shocking.
Those that abet it condemn. All should
unite In suppresslng H.
az suppose that you are right she an
swered.
The admission was forced from her. She
could see both sides, and perceived-in Frank
and his brother-that each might think Itself
right The fight promised to be stubborn. 1t
was acknowledged that the defenses OF tne
rebels at Roxbury, blocking the Neck. were
60 strong that Gage must wait for reinforce
ments Besides, beyond were hills, and hills
behind hills and united province. Was the
general not right in desiring volunteers?
sotheran spoke again at her side. Il shall
even feel justified he said. 1n persuad1ng
young Mr. Elery to join the volunteers
che doiH et2
be right. cannot judge. But not In my
presence, Captain Sotheran.'
II will not " he promised.
And he did not He saw that Anthony, en-
couraged by his words, was ready to reopen
the subject Among the younger tories the
warlike spirit was aroused, and Anthony
needed little encouragement to hammer, in
season and out, at his friend to gain his con-
sent But Sotheran, watchful, turned the
subject whenever 1t became dangerous, or
dered the others to sing in turn, sang him.
self. drew as reward a song from Alice
and finally, sweeping almost the whole COM
pany with him, said good night and left the
house. .-
II am obliged to YOU" said Alice as he
left
She held out her hand, smiling brightly.
He drew back II do not know If l car
take your hand, he SAID MY sentiments
are the same" @--.. .....
"And soldierly" she answered, still offering
her hand. .'Neithersyou nor is responsible
for the times thank you for what you hav
done, not for what you may feel you mus
do" He experienced thrill as he touches
her, thrill that was familiar to him. Hi
love was now burning. It was strong FIR
and large, at times warming and cheering, a
others plaguing and torturing him. For h
had reached the. necessity of self restraint
and 1t was hard to learn.
But he was learning it, In view of 1t
rewards. Twice ne had denied himself tn
pleasure-the certain pleasure-of killin
Ellery To ruin him before all eyes was hi
intention to bring him not mere sudde1
death, but first disgrace To implcate hin
in this two-penny rebellion; to see him i'm
prisored, tried and executed, would be a re
yenge worth waiting for. sotheran gloate
over the idea of Ellery In a cell, chained an
condemned to death, thinking of Alice VIII
was lost to him. TIL then the captain coul
afford to delay his own courtship.
Dickie fingered a moment behind, wher
Harley, clinging to his place, hoped for
quarter hour Of quiet talk before he, toe
must leave.
@'tAlice," said Dickie, "tell me what shout
do"
Bright as she was from her farewell
Sotheran, she instantly grew grave. Yo
mean, shall you volunteer" she asked.
Eyes, answered Dickie.
'fHow can I adviser" she returned.
'.It seems as If ought he said. 'sThi
follow his convictions" Dickie spoke as If b
follow his convistions.' Dckie spoke as b