Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-21

contrasts, and, in truth, could not but think, as I watched this beauti- full scene which you have conjured for us tonight, what a medley our life now is. This afternoon, from my chamber window, saw you take past our house the prisoners you had | captured. Such sad, weary-faced men they were, many of them sorely 1 wounded and scarce able to walk. My heart bled for them; yet here to- night we are in the midst of music and dancing, and they within ear 1 shot of it all. How cruel, how heart l less it must seem to them"
 "Methinks, madam" Bessemer an swered, with a sheer born of his ac- cunulated irritation, though policy warned him of the unwisdom of | showing it, 'methinks you show most wondrous solicitude for these rebels; and what think you I have 1 heard tonight? That you are one at heart"
 merry look spread over Jane's l face. If she could but keep him fencing with her upon the subject of tory or rebel, she might prevent him from broaching the other sub- 1 ject she dreaded, for she was not yet 1 prepared to say whether or not she would marry him.
 And so you have found me out?" she cried in mock disnay. "Ah, col- onel, what punishment will you mete to me? Am I to be carried cap tive on one of your prison ships now lying in Charleston harbor? They say they are most unpleasant places to reside in. Or am I to be hung, or l what?"
 Bcssemer looked down at her, the gravity of his face softening before the sparkle in her eyes. II do not know" he said, what punishment could be great enough to mete out to one who withdraws so precious an ally from the kings cause; however, with your permission, fair lady, we will leave that most serious question for future consideration. Tell ms rather what you think of the suc- cess of my plan for keeping in good humor tory friends? Think you not l this entertainment will make the ladies wish the harder that we might remain victors instead of those un-i manner1y rebels and inspire our svmpat thizers among your neighbors with renewed ardor? Come, sweet enemy, give me your opinion"
 T doubt not you are right, col onel." she answered saucily. "Me- 1 thinks have heard that it did indeed tax the fertile brain of your general and yourself to hatch schemes for keeping in line your tory allies; but my Aunt Susannah says such is ever the handicap of bad cause. The enthusiasm of it's followers, lacking the fuel of righteousness, soon smoul- 1 ders and must be constantly rekin- d1ed; while a good cause-well, she would remind you that the American patriots do not need dance to in spire them.' ... ei
 "A neat speech, my beautiful rebe1,' he observed; "but is this all the reward I am to receive when I had far more in mind the hope of giving you enjoyment than of enter taining your tory neighbors? Nay, do not turn away. Hear me out. This morning when I rode from your door my pulses throbbed with hope; but tonight something in your man. ner thwarts me. What has reared this barrier between us? Have you spent those few short hours in mak- ing of your heart a fortress? And, if so, what weapons can I use that will batter down it's walls? Will pa- tience and persistence do the work |? Then, indeed, will I never despair"
 "We all know" Jane observed, ''that Col. Bessemer adds to his repu- tation as q gallant soldier that of an adroit strategist. I see he would fain betray the hearts owner into 8 confession of the strength or weak ness of it's forces; but methinks it would be wiser for the besieged to permit the assailant to determine for himself what weapons to use"
 "Ah,' said Bessemer, half bitterly, half questioningly, eff I could only be sure a certain rebel were not har- bored within the walls of that heart, I might be more encouraged to make the attack"
 And is a loyal soldier of his maj esty the king to be daunted by a rebel?" Jane asked. "Fie! 1would not have thought it.7
 ne ILUR1lSIliItdl LdSC d6i IN SllCas NO, on my soul, is he not" he cried, 'snor by ten thousand rebels. I ac- cept your challenge, madam. The time is not far distant when hope to prove myself match for that rebel. Meanwhile, it behooves me to select one of wonder forests stout trees for stringing up another rebel now in my keeping. By 1daybreak, I trust, we shall be rid of him and leave his dangling body as warning. to others of his ilk."
 The brightness died out of the girls face. "You cannot mean that you will hang that poor old gentleman who is now captive in our garret saw him when they brought him to the house this afternoon, and l thought his face most sweet and noble, while I have ever heard him spoken of as brave.''