The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-02-28


and ushered in movement that be-
came the birth of a nation. 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 fastened to join
Washington's army. The Colonel's
wrath at the detection of his sons was
intense but unavai.ing. 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 he a hopeless struggle. For
how could an infant colony, without an
army, without money, with no re-
sources, hope to win independence
against the strength and power of
England! Arthur Arundel: forbidden
the house by the choleric old Colonel,
mana ed to have final interview with
Dorothy, in which the girl, hart
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 associ-
ates and who threatened that every
rebel should chang as high as Haman, y
put away the coquetries that had made
her Virginia lover so respondent. He
went away her affianced 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 We'd" 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 sum-
mons came to Dorothy.
A great tear 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 a dry sob
arose in her throat 1t was serene,
if pale-faced girl who faced the two
men in the Colonel's study.
Both rose as she entered.
dorothy" slowly began the Colo
mel, major Charlton has done me the
honor to ask for your hand in mar
riare. In view of the troublous times
which have come upon US, and since
your only protection now is an old
man he asks your consent to an imme-
date marriage, that he may place you
in safety and security within the Brit
ish 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 honor
able position in English society-snch
position as have always hoped you
might be called upon to ill. We have
arranged that the marriage shall take
place on ednesday, and if the haste
appears unseemly, it may be pardoned
because of the evil days that have come
upon u.s."
Dorothy had listened quietly while
her father thus disposed of her, taking
her assent 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 l am fully sensible
of the honor Major Charlton would
confer upon me, it is impossible for me
to accept it, | do net desire to leave
my parents, and feel as safe at Car
roll Place as I should he at Richmond
or at New York;
IL am the best judge Of your safety,
Dorothy. This rebel uprising will
plunge the country into war. Under
Major
"Sn! am not inclined to marry
for safety. ! do not love Major Charl-
ton; | have no desire for the alliance
he proposes Sir" turning to Charl-
ton, the honor you propose is too
great for me, la belle savage of Vir-
ginia' as am, | should be out of place
at Court; | prefer to remain a single
Virginia gentle-woman.'
Tue Colonel was growing red in the
face.
"Zounds, Mistress Do.othy, these be
fine words You will make ready to
marry Major Charlton on Wednesday,!
Let me hear no prating of love or such
Jolly"
Il am aflianced to Arthur Arundel,
sir. | have gwen him my word; and
shall not marry Major Charlton on
Wednesday, nor on any other day.
And Mistress Dorothy, with head erect
and the danger signal flaming on either
cheek, courtesied low, not once, but
twice, and reached the door without
turning her back to the enemy.
The Colonel swore and stormed and
clustered and the Major set his teeth
hard and swallowed wrath enough to
choke him. TO be fouted by raw
Colonial girl, to have his proposal
thrown in his face-with a joke at that,
what would the men of his mess say?
Arundel, who had already Inundated
him. to be preferred before him! He