Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-24


CONTINUED
Did yOu have pleasant ride up the
river. katharine?" asked her father.
Very, sir" she answered. blushing
violently and looking involuntarily ut
Seymour, who matched her blush with
| his own.
There was painful pause, which
Seymour broke. coming to the rescue
| with counter question.
did you notice that small sloop
creeping up under the west bank Of the
river, colonel, this evening! l should
think she must be opposite the house
now, If the wind has held"
"Why, when did you see her, MIR.
Seymour? l thought you were looking
at-at'- She broke off in confusion
under her fathers searching gaze. He
smiled and said:
"Ah, katharine, trained eyes see all
things unusual about them, although
they are apparently bent persistently
upon one spot. Yes, Seymour, did no.
tice it. If we were farther down the
river we might suspect 1t Of being an
enemy, but up here l fancy even Dun.
more's malevOlence would scarcely
dare to follow"
Katharine looked up i'll alarm. ION,
father, do you think 1t is quite safe?
Chloe told me that PhGbus told her
that the raiders had visited Major
Lithcomb's plantation, and you know
that It is not more than fifty miles
down the river from US. Would 1t not
be we'll to take some precaution"
Tut, tut, child! Gossip Of the negro
servantsw The colonel waved it aside
carelessly. II hardly think we have
anything to fear at present, though
what his lordship may do in the end
unless he is checked l hardly like to
imagine"
But, father" persisted Katharine,
'they said that Johnson was in COM
mand Of the party, and you know he
hates you. You remember he said he
would get even with you If 1t cost him
his life when you had him turned out
Of the club at Williamsburg"
"Pshaw, Katharine! That wretch
would not dare. 1t is cowardly black
guard, Seymour, whom saw cheating
at cards at the Assembly club at the
capital. l had him expelled from the
society Of gentlemen, where, indeed,
he had no right of admittance, and l
scarcely know how he got there origi-
nally. He made some threats against
me, to which l naturally paid no at
tention. But what did you think Of the
vessel"
~ confess l saw nothing suspicious
about her, sir" replied Seymour "She
seemed very much like the packets
which ply on the river. only spoke
idly of the subject"
But, father, the packet went up last
week, the day before you came back.
and is due coming down the river now,
while this boat is coming up." said
Katharine.
"Oh, well, think we are safe
enough now, but to relieve your un-
usual anxiety | will send Blodgett
down 10 the wharf to examine and re-
port. Blodgett, do you go down to the
boat landing and keep watch for an
hour or two. Take your musket. man.
There is no knowing what you might
need it for
The old soldier. who had stationed
himself behi ID the colonel's chair. Sal
luted with L.ilitary precision and left
the room. saying: Every good. sir. l
| shall let nothing escape my notice
sir"
"Now. Katharine. hope you are sat
isfied."
"Yes, father; but if it is the raiders
Blodgett won't be able to stop them"
THE raidersr laughed the colonel,
and pinching his daughters ear he
said: Il suspect the only raiders we
shall see here will be those who have
designs upon your heart. my bonny
Kate. Eh, SEYMOUR
"They would never dare to wear a
British uniform in that case. father,
she retOrted proudly.
"Well, Seymour, l hear through an
express from congress today that Cap
tain Jones has been ordered to COM
mand the Ranger and that the new
fag-we will drink to 1t If you please;
yes. you. too, Katharine; God bless ev-
ery star and stripe in twill soon be
seen on the ocean"
1T will be n rare sight there. SIR
said Seymour. "but it will not be long
before the exploits Of the Ranger will
make it known on the high seas II ru'
NOR does not belle her captain"
81 trust 30. But do you know this
Captain Jones"
Not at all, sir, save by reputation.
But / am told he has one requisite for
a successful officer"
"And what Is thatT
He will fight anything at any time
or at any place. no matter what the
Odds"
Colonel Wilton smiled. "Ah, we'll, II
| II were not for men Of that kind our
little navy would never have a
chance"
mo, father, nor the army either. II
we waited for equality before fighting
/ am afraid we should wait forever"
"True. Katharine. By the way, have
you seen Talbot todayY
mo. father"
81 wish that we might enlist bis
services in the cause. I don't think
there is much doubt about Talbot him.
self, is there?"
mo. 1t is his mother, you know.
She is loyalist to the core. AS were
her ancestors. so is she."
The colonel nodded gently. He had a
soft spot in his heart for the subject
| Of their discussion. with her teaching
and training can well understand It.
Katharine. Proud. Of high birth, de-
scended from the loyal Talbots' and
| the widow of one of them. she cannot
bear the thought of rebellion against
| the king. don't think she cares much
| for Tho peOplp mr. their liberties either