The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-02-08


ular attention.
Dorothy was fattered and pleased at
being the object of such distinguished at
tention. 1t was very delightful, at the
balls and parties that filed the winter, to
have SO gallant cavalier at her command
and to know that maid and matron envied
her his attention Nor was Arthur Arun-
del, biting his nails in high dudgeon and
watching her with black looks from the
doorway as she fitted by under the Major S
escort, wholly as unpleasing vision to the
little cuquette. She played them off one
greatly to the delight of the Majors army
friends, who professed to be quite uncer-
tain as to the outcome. They rallied him
after the delicate fashion of their class,
about his Virginia belle, his Pocahontas,
his preference for plantation. life.
'sEgad, gentleman the Major would
say, filling his glass. 'sYou do me too
great honor. The heiress of Carroll Place
will be no belle savage at the English
court. -
What will you do about young Arun !
del, Major? Cad; the lad is green with
jealousy. Nor is Mistress Dorothy un-
mindful of his distress Zounds, Major,
1 believe the wench is playing you off
against him.
"Tll wager hogshead of the Colonel $
best tobacco that she is mine | want
her, he added significantly.
Course you? Take that, for foul
mouthed scoundrel p
Arthur Arundel, white with rage and
his eyes flashing fire, dashed glass of
wine full in the Majors face.
For such an affront only one expiation
was possible
The Major wiped the wine from his
ruff1es even as he drew his sword with the
other hand A ring was quickly formed
and the clash of steel on steel was fast and
furious. The Major was practiced fen
Ger, but anger and the wine he had drank
or shall we say the Providence that watches
over the sparrow fall-made his eye less
true and his hand less steady than usual,
and after few passes Arthur sent his
sword flying through the air, while his own
point cut cash in the Major cheek.
Words cannot picture the Major wrath.
To be publicly affronted by "a boy, to be
disarmed by one he had contemptuously
called country pumpkin, and this in the
presence of his comrades at arms was more
than his vanity could bear His VOWS of
vengeance were many and deep. and when
Dorothy-who had been informed of the
issue of the duel but not of its OCCASION
with demure and sympathetic words, but
a mischievous sparkle in her eyes inquired
as to the nature of his hurt and regretted
stranger in Virginia should have been so
discourteously handled ''by Virginia
gentleman he grew livid with passion
and included Hthe jade in his maledic-
tions.
And then happened that clash of arms
"heard round the world, when a handful
of countrymen defed the authority of the
King across the water-and ushered in a
movement that became the birth of a ma
ton When the story reached Virginia
it split the Carroll family in twain. The
Colonel remained staunchly loyal, his sons,
Francis and George took up the patriot
side So did Arthur Arundel, and the
three young men hastened to join Wash
ington' army. The Colonels wrath at
the detection of his sons was intense but
unavailing. He entreated and commanded
by turns; finally he solemnly declared them
neither sons nor heirs of his, and the young
men went away upon what they themselves
felt to be a hopeless struggle For how
could an infanty colony, without an army,
without money, with no resources hope to
win independence against the strength and
power of England Arthur Arundel, for
hidden the house by the choleric old Col
onel, managed to have a final interview
with Dorothy, in which the girl, heart
broken over the wretched dissensions in
her own home and appalled, at the boasts
of the British officers who were still her
| fathers most intimate associates and who
threatened that every rebel should hang as
high as Haman,' put away the coquetries
that had made her Virginia lover so de-
spondent. He went away her afianced
lover, happy and buoyant in soul despite
the peril he was about to enter Lip to
lip and heart to heart the two plighted
their troth, ''till death do us part; as if we
were already wed, quoth Dorothy.
The day after Arthur and Francis and
George Carroll started northward, Major
Charlton rode out to Carroll Place He
was closeted with the Colonel for long
time. Then summons came to Dorothy.
A great fear came upon the girl as she
obeyed. Must she too disappoint her
father, offend him, perhaps be cast off as
he had cast off her brothers? Her cheek
blanched and dry sob arose in her throat
1t was serene, if pale faced girl who faced
the two men in the Colonels study.
Both rose as she entered.
Dorothy slowly began the Colonel,
ssMajor Charlton has done me the honor
Co ask for your hand in marriage In
view of the troublous times which have
come upon us, and since your only protec-
sent to an immediate marriage, that he may
place you in safety and security within the
British lines. When this rag tag rabble
shall have been dispersed he will take you
to England, where as mistress of Charlton
Hall you will have an honorable position
in English society-such position as |
have always hoped you might be called
upon to FILL We have arranged that the
marriage shall take place on Wednesday,
and if the haste appears unseemly, it may
be pardoned because of the evil days that
have come upon us.
Dorothy had listened quietly while her
father thus disposed of her, taking her as
sent for granted. 1t was the way with
these old autocrats The women Of their
families were theirs to command
''Permit me, sir, voice in this ar
rangement While am fully sensible of
the honor Major Charlton would confer
upon me, it is impossible for me to accept
| it.
| do not desire to leave my parents, and |
feel as safe at Carroll Place as | should be
atRichmond or at New York
'.I am the best judge of your safety,
Dorothy. This rebel uprising will plunge
the country into war. Under Major"
r.