Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-06-16

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steep, but Mistress Kate had often run
like a young deer to the top Of 1t with
out approaching its difficulties as she
did hat evening. On every stepping
stone, each steep ascent, she fingered
In spite Of her expressed desire for
haste, and each time his strong and
steady arm was at her service. She
tasted to the full and for the first time
the sweets of loving dependence.
As for him, an admiral OF the feet
after a victory could not have been
prouder and happier. As any other
man would have done, he embraced or
improved the opportunity afforded him
by their journey up the hill to urge the
old commonplace that he would so as
sist her up the hill of life. and SO on
The iterations Of love never grow stale
to a lover. and the saying was not sc
trite to her that 1t failed to give hei
the little thrill Of loving Joy which
seemed, for the moment at least, to
tame her restless spirit, that spirit OF
subtle yet merry mockery which
charmed yet drove him mad. She was
so unwontedly quiet and subdued thai
he stopped at the brow Of the hill ant
said, half In alarm, -Katharine, why SC
silentT'
She looked at him gravely, a new
light, not of laughter, in her brown eyes
saying in answer to his unspoker
thoughts: 81 was thinking Of what yor
said about your orders. Oh. If they
should come today, and you should &C
away on your ship and be shot a
again and perhaps wounded, what
should I do?"
Nonsense, Katharine, dear! I an
not going to be wounded any more
I've something to live for now. yor
see," he replied, smiling, taking botf
Of her hands in his own.
"You always had something to live
for, ever before-you had me-"
sand what was that, prayT'
"Your country"
EYES," he replied proudly, taking of
his laced hat, land liberty. But you
go together in my heart now, Kate
you and country"
"Don't say that, John-well, Sey,
mour, then. Say country and you
would give you up for that. but only
for that"
"You would do well, Katharine; oul
country first. Since we have engaged
In this war we must succeed. l fancy
that more depends-and I only agree
with your father there-upon the issue
Of this war than men dream of, and
that the battle of liberty for the future
man is being fought right here ant
now. Unless our people are willing tc
sacrifice everything we cannot main
tain that glorious independence which
has been so brilliantly declared" He
said this with all the boldness of the
Declaration itself, but she, being yet &
woman, asked him wistfully:
would you give me up, sacrifice me
for country thenr'
"Not for the whole wide She lait
Q finger upon his lips.
"Hush. hush! Do not even speak trea
son to the creed. I am a daughter OF
Virginia. My father. my brother, my
friends, my people, and. yes, / will say
II, my lover, are periling their lives ant
have engaged their honor In this con
test for the independence of these colo
niles, for the cause Of this people and tho
safeguarding of their liberties, and IL
stood in the pathway of liberty for 9
single instant I should despise the mar
who would not sweep me aside with
out a moments hesitation" She spoke
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his own, her head high In the air and
her eyes flashing.
She had released her hands and had
suited the gesture to the word. throw
ing out her hand and arm with a move
ment Of splendid freedom and defiance
She was a woman of many moods and
'1nfinite variety" Each moment show.
ed him something new to love. He
caught the outstretched hand - the
loose sleeve had fallen back from the
wrist-he pressed his lips to the white
arm and said, with all his soul in his
voice:
MAY God prevent me from ever
facing the necessity Of a choice like
that. Katharine! But indeed it Is spirit
like yours which makes men believe
the cause Is not wholly desperate
When our women can 81 speak and
feel we may confidently expect the
blessing Of God upon our efforts"
"Father says that 1t Is because Gen.
eral Washington knows the spirit OF
the people, because he feels that even
the youths and maidens, the little chill.
dren, cherish this feeling. he takes
heart and Is confident Of ultimate sue.
cess. ! heard him say that no king
could stand against q united people,"
would that you could have been In
Parto with your father when he plead,
Cd with King Louis and his ministers
for aid and recognition. We might
have returned with Q better answes
than paltry money and q few thousand
stand Of arms. which are only prom.
ised after an
Would that I were q man instead
n being A. weak. feeble woman shs
exclaimed vehsmentiy.
"Ah. but ! very much prefer you q
you are, Katharine and tbs not little
that you can do You can inspire men
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