The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-18
CHAPTER XII.

1r CHAPTER xI.
f. SMOKING THE WING.
The 18th of April came-the time when the
people of England and OF her thirteen colo
MES, members of one race and one empire,
were to take their separate roads Z
On that evening there was an assembly IN.
the parlors Of Lady Harriet Leland. The
usual fine ladies and gentlemen gathered at
the appointed hour; Dickie and Anthony ar
rived, curious and excited; officers came In
their bright uniforms, There Mistress Caro-
line Oliver came, determined to outshine her
hostess, one lamp another; and thither
came Alice Tudor,
She was escorted, by Frank Elery, whom
a note had summoned to her service. He was
delighted to be with her, yet wished himself
away. Much was doing in the town; there
was frequent occasion for watchfulness. for
consultation, for dispatching warning notes.
Why had all grenadiers and light infantry
been free from exercise the last few days?
Why were the boats of the men-of-war
moored together near the foot Of the Com
mon? But Alice's face was a pleasure to
his eyes, her voice a caress to his ear.
Yet silence fell between them their
mouths were stopped by their thoughts.
There is nothing to say thought Frank
to himself Either nothing or too much. :"
But Alice listened for words, even common
places. She saw him SO seldom and thought
Of his cares, that it was impossible for her
not to desire closer intimacy. Gratitude and
admiration, the undying and the other
constantly growing, with them a natural and
deep regret that she and he were SO sepa-
rated daily worked to maintain and increase
her secret affection. Besides, what did he
think Of her-or did he think OF her at all ?
the silence to be broken. But they reached
the house without another word, and were
admitted to the anteroom.
There, before they could separate to go to
the dressing-rooms, she turned to him. DO
you know what have been thinking?''
Tell me- he said.
She stood in the light Of many candles; a
white scarf was over her head beneath which
her curling hair and her eyes, at that moment
earnest, were doubly fine. AS she spoke she
unclasped her wrap, and it. revealed her fig
ure, all in creamy white. She was a picture,
almost a vision. Admiration seized him. She
saw, and it confused her. She answered with
a charming blush. ~.
"Just as we reached the door, she said,
"a memory came to me. In the deep woods,
upon the snow, you and I were walking to-
gether-on snowshoes. Frank, in our clothes
of fur and dressed deerskin. You bore your
ak and gun; was carrying a sable taken
from a trap. Such cold. such silence, and
such barrenness! Can you remember"
Can l remember" he repeated fire
kndling in his eyes. g. 49, -
What difference she said, softly.
'What a difference" he echoed. A differ.
ence indeed Were they two even the same;
Could this glorious creature once have been
that little girl? Was he once a woodsman
slayer of beasts and bearer of burdens? Had
| they who stood in this handsome room with
waxen floors and paneled walls ablaze with
lights, truly lived in that snowbound wilder
ness in a little hut? A shadow came be
tween them and figure In scarlet bowed
before Alice. 49,,
May conduct you to Lady. Harriet?" Il
! was Sotheran's voice ~.
| Thank you," she returned. - but I mus
I lay off my wrap, and Mr.. ,Ellery is here TX
assist me. will not trouble you, captain.
! She gave Frank one glance as she turned tt
| the door of the dressing room. Yes, he real
lied, she Is the same. The fire in his eyes
| became a flame. He, too, turned to lay aside
his cloak, and Sotheran, unnoticed, bit hi!
lip and returned to the reception room
| The glow of Franks fame remained to war;
| him. He met unmoved the cold chances o
officers in the dressng-room, as they sur
veyed his homespun. What does Nthe viii.
here" muttered Hartman TO de Berniere
"this night of all?" He slipped out to war;
Sotheran. * --~:.. =. 80 = x.sE5
~ know" said sotheran, II know Hi
eye was on the floor. and he tried to concea
| the anger in his face. . T. F.. ss'' F.. =.
Eyes. and Doctor Church is here" went o.
Hartman. 1.-TWO wings. If they should sus
pect!" ~'-.
Leave Church, said sotheran. "He will
be busy with the punchbowl and the ladies
But we must get Ellery out. Hartman, d
you as say,-you and de Berniere:"'
Alice and Frank entered the reception
| and there wasa a slight general movement to
Ward Alice sotheran saw Dickie, Anthem
and full. half Of the officers and tories turl
| in her direction. Even Hartman felt the at
traction. II
\ How she stirs a room!' the lieutenan
exclaimed. "Egad! must pay my respects.
He was starting forward, when Sothera
Icaught him by the sleeve. 4 -s@ -
"You are forgetting reminded the cap
tain imperiously. ''See Ormsby, de Bernier
and one or two more, but not Tudor. Bi
them be ready to smoke the whig. You mus
i give me your speech that you made before tn
congress of officers -. % ;
"Really?" 49,, EH.<
Eyes, and Berniere his. Go tell him so.''
Alice was bringing Frank forward, almos
as one Introduces a stranger. Tories an
officers pressed up to speak to her, but non
greeted Frank. Displeased, she paused mo
ment to make sure. A little knot Of soldier
and civilians gathered at once In her front
another at her right side. At her left stoo
I Frank alone, althOUgn ne was acquainted VII
many. Impatiently she swept away with on
movement OF her fan, and with head erec,
her eyes steel blue, led Frank to where Lad
Harriet was standing.
| Whispers rose between them to be imn1edi
4 ately stilled Their voices were heard dis
tinctly in the room. $50 glad to see you
DEAR said Lady Harriet And you hav
brought the truant! Mr. Ellery, am please
to welcome YOU
'And I, madam he returned. most flat
tered by your invitation"
Tudor stepped up to Alice and drew he
aside to speak with her Lady Harriet EN-
barrassed to be alone with the whig an
impatiently signalling to those behind Fran
to move, go away, do anything but stand an
stare, was progressing to the easiest topic
the weather, when a voice rose in the quie
Of the room and she stopped to listen.
1t was Harriman's voice, in a tone {
pompous gravity. He was standing in a cirol
i OF officers, who were evidently prepared fc
applause. MY >eyer-honored fellow citizens,
he had begun; .it is with high sense of m
greatness that I venture to address vol
i Obedient to the calls Of my country at a
lIItimes appear before you to offer the feeb
81 efforts Of, an honest mind Those aroun
] cried ..Hear!' Frank flushed and bit his Ill
1t was burlesque of Warren,s recent orr
, ton.
j ..The hearts of Rritens and Americans,
went on Hartman, now burn with jealous