Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-17
"As you wish, sir, but must have
some private conversation with you as
soon as possible"
AFTER supper. my boy; after supper"
CHAPTER III.

CHATTER Ill.
n EFT to himself for moment,
I'LL the colonel heaved deep
@ sigh. He had premOnition
S Of what was coming and then
paced slowly up and down the long
hall. In his early youth he had been
soldier under Admiral Vernon with
his old and long deceased friend, Law
renee Washington, at Cartagena. Later
on he had served under Wolfe at Que
bee. A visitor, and welcome one. too,
at half the courts Of Europe, he looked
the man of affairs he was. In spite of
his advanced age he held himself as
erect and carried himself as proudly
as he had done on the heights Of Abra-
ham or in the court Of st. Germain.
Too old to incur the hardships Of the
field, Colonel Wilton had yet offered
his services with the ardOr of the
youngest patriot to his country and
pledged his fortune, by no means in
considerable, in its support. The con-
gress. glad to avail themselves Of the
services Of so distinguished man, had
sent him in company with Sllas Deane
and Benjamin Franklin as an embassy
to the court of King Louis, bearing
proposals for an alliance and with Il
request for assistance during the dead
~ struggle Of the colonies with the
hereditary foe Of France. They had
been reasonably successful in por-
ton of their attempt at least, as the
French government had agreed, though
secretly. to furnish arms and other
munitions Of war through pseudo
mercantile firm which was represented
by NJ. de Beaumarchais. the gifted au
thor Of the comedy "Le Marriage de FL
CARO-" The French had also agreed tc
furnish a limited amount Of money.
But, more important than all these.
there were hints and indications that
II the American army could win any
decisive battle or maintain the unequal
conflict for any length Of time. an open
and closer alliance would be made.
The ENJOYS had dispatched Colonel
Wilton from their number back to
America to make report Of the prog
ress of their negotiations to congress.
This had been done. and General
Washington had been informed Of the
situation.
The little ship. one Of the gallant YES
sells Of the nascent American navy. In
which Colonel Wilton had returned
from France. had attacked and cap
tured British brig Of war during the
return passage and young Seymour.
who was the first lieutenant of the
shin. was severely wounded. TheI
wound had been received through his
efforts to protect Colonel Wilton. whol
had incautiOusly joined the boarding
party which had captured the brig.
After the interview w.ih congress
Colonel Wilton was requested to await
further instI actions before returning
to France. and. pending the result sf
the deliberations of congress. after
brief visit to the headquarters OF his
old friend and neighbor. General
Washington, he had retired to his es-
tate. AS u special favor he was per-
mitted to bring with him the wounded
lieutenant in order that he might re
cuperate and recover from his wound
in the pleasant valleys Of Virginia.
That Seymour was willing to leave his
own friends in Philadelphia, with all
their care and attention, was due entire
ly to his desire to meet Miss Katharine
Wilton, Of whose beauty he had heard
and whose portrait, indeed, In her IA
Tiers possession, which he had seen
before on the voyage. had borne out
her reputation. Seymour had been in
formed since his stay at the Wiltons
that he had been detached from the
brig Argus and notified that lie was TO
receive orders shortly TO report To the
ship Ranger, commanded by certain
Captain John Paul Jones. and he knew
that he might expect his sailing orders
at any moment He had improved, as
has been seen, the days OF his brief stay
to recover from one wound and receive
another. and. as might have been ex-
pected, he had fallen violently in love
with Katharine Wilton.
There were also staying 1T the house.
besides the servants and slaves. young
Philip Wilton. Katharine's brother. Il
lad of sixteen. who had just received
midshipmun's warrant and was to
accompany Seymour when he joined
the Ranger. then Outtitting at Phila-
delphia. and Bentley. in old and vet
erln sailor, b0atswain's mate. who
had accompanied Seymour from ship
to ship ever since the lieutenant WAS
n midshipman. man who had but one
home, the sea; one hate. the English;
one love. his country, and one attach
ment, Seymour
Colonel Wilton was widower. AS
Katharine came down the stairway.
clad in all the finery her father had
brought back for her from Paris, her
hair rolled high and powdered. the old
family diamonds. with their quaint
setting Of silver sparkling upon her
snowy neck, her fan languidly waving
I'm her hand. she looked strikingly like
pictured woman smiling down at
them from over the mantel. but to the
sweetness and archness Of her moth
er's laughing face were added some OF
the colonel's pride, determination and
courage. He stepped to meet her and
then bent and kissed the hand she eX-
tended toward him with all the grace
of the old regime. and Seymour. com
ing upon them, was entranced with
the picture.