Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-08-02

wound which makes him seek our
hospitality again." she said, family
smiling.
''Oh. madam" said Seymour softly,
yet in utter desperation as to how to
begin, unfortunately it is not to be
cured of wounds, but to inflict them,
that this time l am come. II am
sorry-that l have to tell you that
r'-he continued with great hesitation.
You are bearer Of i'll tidings, l
perceive" she continued gravely.
Speak your message, sir. Whatever
it may be, l trust the God l serve to
give me strength to bear it. Is it's
HILLARY" she went on. with just a
suggestion Of break in her even,
carefully modulated tones.
"Yes, dear madam. He-he"-
stop. l had almost forgotten my
duty. Tell me first of the armies Of
my king-the king first Of all with our
house. you know"
Poor Seymour! He must overwhelm
her with bad news in every field OF
her affection. For moment he al
most wished the results had been the
other way. The perspiratiOn stood
out upon his forehead in spite Of the
coldness. and he felt he would rather
charge battery than face this terrible
old woman, who put the armies OF
king-and such king, too-before the
fate Of her only son! And yet he
knew that what he had to tell her
would break down even her iron will
and, reaching the mothers heart beat
ing warm within her in spite of her
assumed coldness and self repression,
would probably give her deathblow.
He felt literally like murderer before
her, but he had to answer. Talbots
own letter, General Washinstons
command and the prOmptings OF his
own affection had made him an actor
in this pathetic drama. He had no
choice but to proceed. The truth must
be told Nerving himself to the In
evitable, he replied to her question.
1Tha armies nf the kino have heen
defeated and forced to retire. General
Washington has outmaneuvered and
outfought them: they are now shut up
in New York again. The Jerseys are
free. and we have taken upward OF
1000 prisoners. and many are killed
and wounded among them-on both
sides. in truth" he added.
The worst news first" she replied.
"One knows not why these things are
30. 1t seems the God of justice Slum-
bers when subjects rebel against their
rightful kings. But | have faith, sir
Yhe right will win in the end-must
win
$50 be it," he said, accepting the i'm
piled challenge, but adding nothing
further. lie would wait TO be ques-
toned now. and this strange woman
should have the story in the way that
pleased her best. AS for her. she could
not trust herself to speak. Never be-
fore had her trembling body. her beat
ing heart. escaped from the domination
of Ler resolute will. Never before had
her mobile lips refused to formulate
tie commands OF her active brain. She
fought her battle out in silence and
finally turned toward him once more.
There was something else you said,
| think. My-my SOM" Her voice
sank to Il whisper; in spite of herself
one hand went to her heart. ALI, moth
er, mother, this was indeed thy king!
Isis he wounded? My God. sir! Not
dead?"
His open hand. which he had extend
ed To her. held two little objects. What
were they? The bright sunlight was
reflected from one of them, the locket
she had given him. There was dark
discoloratiOn on one side of it which
she had never seen before. The other
was his prayer book. o GOd-prayer!
Was there then II God, that such things
could happen: Where was he that
day? She had given that book to him
when he was yet child. "Dead"-she
whispered" -"deadw shrinking back and
staring at him.
Would God had died in his place,
dear madam he said with Infinite
pity.
"How-how was it?' she went on,
dry eyed, In agony, moistening her
cracking lips.
Fighting like hero over the body
Of General Mercer at Princeton. His
.~,o,, ,.ot,n, tod ,nA loft fhamo-
"The rebel towards" she interrupted.
NAY, not towards, but perhaps less
brave than he. The British charged
with their bayOnets. Our men had not
that weapon. They fell back"
"Were you there, SIR"
Surely not Should I be here now
IL had been there then, madam" he
replied proudly.
"True, true. You at least are gen.
tleman. Forgive the question"
General Mercer and some Of his
officers sprang at the line. 1 had 1t
from his own lips. Some one cut the
general down. Hilary interposed and
enabled him to rise to his feet. They
were attacked, fought bravely until
until-they died"
Stricken to the death at least, but de-
termined to die as the rest had died,
fighting, she drew herself up resolutely
and lifted her hand to that pitiless
heaven above her. "So-be-it-untO-
all-the- -enemies''- When had he
heard hey say that before? he Won
dercd in horror. She stopped. Her
face went whiter before him: the light
went out of it.
"Oh, my son. my son-O God. my
son. my son-oh, give him back. my
son.-ry SOM She reeled and fell
against him. moaning and beating the
air with her little. feeble hands. The
break had come at last. She was nc
longer n Talbot. but woman. With
infinite pity and infinite care he half
led, half carried her into the house.
and then, after being hidden not to
summon assistance, he sank down on
his knees by her side, where she lay on
the sofa in the parlor, crushed, broken
feeble, helpless. old. With many in
terruptions he told her the sad story
| He laid the long dark lock Of hair be
| had cut from her sons head In her