Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-08

help SuSpectlnS ne'S traltor anu
hypocrite. OF course" she added
proudly, 81 Ibelieve the South is right.
rhe Northern people call us rebels
against the government-against the old
flag and all that sort of thing. But do
you know, like that name9 Our revo-
lutionary fathers were rebels, fighting
for their independence just as we of the
South are doing now. Washington, that
grand old Virginian, was rebel and l
for one glory in the name."
Much as Cotton deprecated her style
of reasoning and her conclusions, he
could not help admiring her just then,
she looked so charming, her cheeks
flushed, her eyes sparkling with the
enthusiasm her words had called up.
81 only hope" he said as he gave her
a kiss, 'that my rebel wife won't rebel
against me-"
"But believe should, pet, if''-she
paused a moment and looked steadily in
his face-''if you were to go and fight
against the South. doubt if | could
stand that"
81 hope you don't claim, Ginnie," !"
said Cotton, secretly wincing, though he
spoke lightly as ever, "that / married
the whole South when | married you.
1t wasn't so nominated in the bond.
Besides, wifey," he added, pinching her
cheek, ''you knew what l was when you
took me for better or worse. / hoisted
my colors and you saw they were black
black as pirates flag"
"Yes, to be sure, took you in spite
of your politics. had to, because |
loved YOU so. And now, darling | want
you to be ever SO good and make me a
promise"
"A promise?" Colton's face grew
grave, for he instinctively OWNED from
| the drift of the conversation, what she
was going to ask of him. And of all
things in the world there was nothing
harder for him to resist than Ginnie in
coaxing mood.
eyes, dear, | want you to promise
that you'll not go into the war at all.
I've set my heart on it, because I'm
sometimes afraid you'll think you must
60 and fight for the old flag"
"You don't need to trouble yourself
about that now," said Cotton, evading
somewhat lamely a. direct reply. Per-
haps the government may not need my
services, as more men have volunteered
than were called for. The trouble may
be settled soon. Let us hope so, dear,
at any rate" he added, feeling himself
almost a hypocrite in expressing hope
for which he saw no good reason.
"But want you to promise. Harry,
she persisted with increasing earnestness.
81 should feel easy then because l know
| Won never break yOIlr word "
Cotton was silent minute or two,
not daring to look in the eager face of
that winsome Delilah, sitting there on
his knee, lest he should be shorn of his
strength. "You know, Ginnie," he said
gravely at length" nothing conld be
harder for me than to refuse you any
thing you had set your heart on; but
indeed, | don't think | can make you
such promise as that"
'Why not?" said Ginnie, surprised by
firmness OF tone and manner that he
did not often use with her.
because don't know what my sense
of obligation to my country may demand
of me, if more men are called for If
| it seemed plain duty to offer my SER
vices, should feel that l was not
patriot to shirk it."
"But surely, Harry, in your case, no.
body, not even your friends in the North,
could blame you for refusing to fight on
either side"
"My dear wife," said Cotton gently as
he saw those beautiful dark eyes filling
with tears, ''in deciding such question
as that, should have to be guided by
the dictates of my own conscience, not
by the opinions of others. The obliga-
ton to sustain the government in a
crisis that seems to me so full of peril is
ve.y sacred one in my eyes,"
"Oh, don't talk to me about obliga-
tions to your government" broke out
Ginnie impetuously. you'll never
convince me with all your arguments
that it could be your duty to fight against
the South. Pm sure it would divide us,
Harry. All my sympathies are with the
South: it's the cause | love, | would
fight for it if was man; and if you were
to 60 and fight against the South, l
couldn't help feeling as if you were
| fighting against meme, your own wite.
oh, it would be too cruel. | don't be-
lieve could forgive you for it,"
Cotton sighed heavily; every word of
her passionate speech seemed to stab
him. mo. Ginnie, shouldn't be fight
ing against you, that is wrong view to
ltake of it. l should be fighting for a
principle. But see," he added, as she
made an impatient movement, Its no
use for us to discuss the matter. Don't
let us talk of it now."
Ginnie had risen up to go, but
Colton's panied look caused a sudden
revulsion of feeling quite characteristic
of her. "Oh, no, dear old pet, we won't
quarrel" she exclaimed, casting her arm
about his neck. "We'll keep the hatchet
buried. as we promised to-, when we
were married, though of course we
never thought then there would be a
war that would make our differences so
much greater. And l know, Harry, you
love me too we'll to go off and tight
against the South. You couldn't do it;
besides, | will never let you go-Pll hold
YOU fast, see if don't"
She laughed as she kissed him and
flashed look of playful defiance at him
Las she left the room. Nevertheless she
went about her household tasks with a
sober face. 1t surprised her-startled
her little perhaps, that Harry, in spite
of her importantly, had refused to give
her the promise she coveted SO much;
refused firmly, though so gently, even
sorrowfully, that somehow she could
not be angry with him. 1t was a new
departure for the husband who had been
spelling her by his indulgence, his easy
compliance with her wishes in matters
that seemed to him Of small Importance
But while her determination to conquer
was only strengthened, she seemed to
have concluded it might be we'll to use
some diplomacy in order to "hold HIM
fast" as she had playfully threatened
Certain it is, the little witch was after
wards sweeter, more devoted than ever.
And Cotton, as he felt the silken cords
tightening around him, sometimes ques,
toned himself, did his duty as patriot