Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-17

You would do well, katnar1ne; Oul
country first. Since we have engaged
in this war we must succeed. fancy
that more depends-and / 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 Il
sacrifice everything we cannot main
tain that glorious independence which
has been so brilliantly declared" HI
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 then?"
"Not for the whole wide"- She laid
finger upon his lips.
"Hush, hush! Do not even speak trea
son to the creed. l am daughter Of
Virginia. My father, my brother, my
friends. my people, and, yes, ! will say
it. my lover, are perillng their lives an(
have engaged their honor in this con
test for the independence Of these colo
MES, for the cause Of this people and tho
safeguarding of their liberties. and If
stood in the pathway Of liberty for
single instant | should despise the mar
who would not sweep me aside with
out moments hesitation" She spoke
with pride and spirit which equalet
his own, her head high In the air ant
her eyes flashing.
She had released her hands and hat
suited the gesture to the word, throw
ing out her hand and arm with move
ment of splendid freedom and defiance
She was a woman Of many moods ant
Infinite 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 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 SO speak and
feel we may confidently expect the
blessing of God upon our efforts"
Father says that 1t il 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 IL confident Of ultimate sue
cess. l heard him say that no king
could stand against united people"
Would that you could have been in
Paris with your father when he plead
ed with King Louis and his ministers
for aid and recognition. We might
have returned with better answer
than paltry money and few thousand
stand of arms, which are only prom
ised after ALL"
would that I were man instead
exclaimed vehemently.
"Ah. but ] very much prefer you as
you are. Katharine, and it's not little
that you can do. You can inspire mer
with your own patriotism. If you will
There, for instance. Is your friend Tai
bot. If YOU could persuade him. with
his wealth and position and influence
in this country, to join the army IN
New jersey AS she shook her head
he continued:
II am sure. IL be thought as do OF
you. you could persuade him to any
thing but treachery or dishOnor." His
calm smile Of superiority vanished In
an expression Of dismay at her reply:
talbot! Hilary Talbot! Why. John
do you know that he is-well. they say
that he is In love with me. Everybody
expects that we shall marry some day
Do you see? These old estates join
and
"Kate. 1t isn't true is it? You don't
care for him. do you" he interrupted
in sudden alarm.
"Care for him? Why, Of course l
care for him. have s.nJwn him ever
since | was a child, but don't love
him. Besides, he stays ut home willie
others are in the field. Silly boy.
would have let you kiss me in the
summer house II it were so! No, sir.
We are not such fine ladies rs your
friends in the city Of Philadelphia per-
haps, we Virginia country girls upon
whom your misses look with scorn.
but no man kisses lis, and no man
kisses me, upon the lips except the
one THAT | must-let me see-is the
word 'obey?' Shall you make me
obey you all the time, John?'
"Pshaw, Katharine, you never obey
anybody-sO your father says, ut least
and If you will only love me that will
be sufficient"
Love your The night had fallen,
and no one was near. Love you,
Johnw She kissed him bravely upon
the lips. "Once, that's for me. my
own; twice, that's for my country.
There is all my heart. Come. sir. We
must 20 In. There are lights In the
house."
"Ah, Katharine, and there is light
in my heart too
AS they came up the steps OF the
high pillarel porch which completely
covered the face of the building they
were met at the great door which gave
entrance to the spacious hallway eX-
tending through the house by state
ly and gracious, if somewhat elderly,
gentleman.
There was striking similarity, II
not in facial appearance ut least III the
erect carriage and free air, between
him and the young girl. who. disregard
ing his outstretched hand and totally
d!sorganizing his ceremonious bow
threw her arms about his neck aud
kissed him with unwOnted warmth,
much to his dismay and yet not alto
gether to his displeasure. Perhaps he
suspected something from the bright
and happy faces Of the two young peo'
ple, but If so he made no comment.
merely telling them that supper had
been waiting this long time and bid
ding them hasten their preparation for
the meal.
Katharine, followed by Chloe. her
black maid. who had been waiting FOR
her. hastily ran up the stairs to her
own apartments upon this signal. but
turned upon the tOpmost stair and