Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-06-07

S Father. Kate, where are
49, you: Come see our string
of Why. what's all this?" said a
young m:n standing, astonished, in the
door of the room. 1t was Philip Will
ton. holding Il long string Of fish, the
result of their days sport. Behind him
stood tie tail. stalwart figure Of the
old sailor. "ralbot-yOu? Where are
father and Kate? What are these men
doing in the dining room? Oh, what
is that:" he said. sinking back in hOr-
ror from the corpse of the soldier.
"Dunmore's raiders have been here"
"And Katharine!'
"a prisoner. with your father, Philip,
but trust both are uninjured."
mfr. Seymour, sir. where is he?" said
the deep voice of the boatswain as he
advanced farther into the room. The
light fell full upon him. He was a
splendid specimen Of athletic man.
hood - tall, powerful, long armed,
slightly bent in the shoulders. Decision
and courage were seen in his bearing
and were written on his face, burned
dull mahogany color by years of ex-
posure to the weather. He was clothed
In the open shirt and loose trousers Of
| Il seafaiing man. and he stood with his
feet slightly apart. as II balancing
himself to the uneasy roll Of ship.
Honesty and fidelity and intelligence
spoke out from his eyes. and affection
and anxiety were heard in his voice.
Lieutenant Seymour" he repeated,
"where is he. sir?"
There" said Talbot. stepping aside
and pointing TO the floor.
Not dead. sir. is he?'
Not yet. Bentley" Seymour. with re-
gaining strength. replied. 81 am not
done for this time"
"Oh. Mr. John. Mr.. John" said the
old man tcndcrly. bending over him, II
thank God to see you alive again. But,
as live. they shall pay dear for this
whoever has done 1.-THE bloody, ma
rauding rutfians"
Yes, Bentley; l join you in that
vOw," said Talbot.
And l, too," added Philip bravely.
"And L." whispered the wounded
man.
Its one more score that has got to
be paid off by King Georges men, one
more outrage OH this country, one more
,cbt we owe the English Bentley
continued tiercely.
No; these were Americans-Nirgin-
hns. more's the shame-led by that
bluckguard Johnson. He has long 1t
I'd the colonel" replied Talbot.
Curses on the renegades" said the
old man. "Who is it that loves free
dom and Sees not that the blow must
be struck today! How can any man
born in this land hesitate to- He
stopped suddenly as his eyes fell upon
Talbot, whose previous irresOlution and
refusal had been no secret to him.
Don't stop for me, Bentley" said
that young man gently. Il am with
you now. l came over this evening to
tell our friends here that | start north
tomorrow as volunteer to offer my
services to General Washington"
"Oh, Hilary" exclaimed Philip JOY
fully, 81 am so glad! Would that
Katharine and father could hear you
now"
Seymour lifted his unwounded arm
and beckoned to Talbot. God bless
you, Talbot" he said. ITO hear you
say that is worth dozen cracks like
this and | feel stronger every minute.
If it .were not for the old wound
wouldn't mind this thing bit. But
there is something you must do. There
is an armed cutter stationed up the
river at Alexandria. Send some one to
notify the commander Of the Virginia
naval militia there. They will pursue
aud perhaps recapture the party. But
the word must be carried quickly.
fear it will be too late as it is
Il will go, Hilary, if you think best"
VERY well. Philip. Take your best
horse and do not delay moment.
Katharine's liberty and your fathers
life, perhaps, depend upon your prompt
ness. Better see Mr.. West as you go
through the town-your fathers agent,
you know-and ask him to call upon
me tomorrow Stop at the Hall as you
come back"
"All right, Hilary, will be in Alex
andrla in four hours" said Philip, run
ming out.
Bentley, l am going to take Lieu
tenant Seymour over to my plantation.
VIII you stay here and look after the
house until l can notify Colonel VIII
toms agent at Alexandria to come and
take charge, or until we hear from the
colonel what Is to be done? You can
come over in the morning, you know
and hear about our protege. am
afraid the slaves would never stay
here alone. They are so disorganized
and terrorized now over these unror-
tunate occurrences as to be almost
useless
AVE, aye, sir. II Lieutenant Sey-
mour can spare me will stay"
Eyes, Bentley, do. l shall be In gooo
hands ut Fairview Hall"
This is arranged, then," said Talbot.
at is 8 o'clock. think we would bet
ter start at once. 1 will go out and see
that the arrangements about the car
riage are made properly myself" ne
said, stepping through the door.
Seymour's hand had closed tightly
over something which had happened to
fall near where it lay. Bentley, ne
| called, what is this in my hand?
C.~ Nol:o;nA