Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-06-20


 l "Now, Seymour, since you two tru- ants have come at last, will you do me the honor to hand Miss Wilton to the 1 dining roonn7" remarked the colonel, strengthening up.
 l With low bow Seymour approached i the object of his adorahon, who after sweeping courtesy gave him her hand. 1 With much state and ceremony, pre- ceded by one of the servants who had been waiting in attention In the hall and followed by the colonel and lastly by the colonels man, stiff old cam l paigner who had been with him many years, they entered the dining room, which opened from the rear of the hall. The table was 3 mass of splendid 1 plate, which sparkled under the soft light of the wax candles in candelabra about the room or on the table, and I the simple meal was served with all l the elegance ana precision which were :! habitual with the gentleman of as fine i school as Colonel Wilton. At the table, instead of the light and i airy talk which might have been ex- | pected in the situation, the conversa- 1 tion assumed that grave and serious 1 tone which denoted the iInminence of ! l the emergency.
 The American troops had been se- 1 verely defeated at Long Island in the l summer and since that time had suf- fered series of reverses, being forced i steadily back out of New York after losing Fort Washington and down through the Jerseys, relentlessly pur- sued by Howe and Cornwallis. Wash ington was now making his way slow l ly to the west bank of the Delaware 1 He was losing men at every step. some | by Assertion, more by the tA Apiratio.. the terms of their enlistment The news which Colonel Wilton had | brought threw 8 frail hope over the situation, but ruin stared them in the face, and unless something decisive was soon accomplished the game | would be lost.
 l Did you have pleasant ride up the river, Katharine?" asked her father. l ''Very, sir" she answered, blushing violently and looking involuntarily at Seymour, who matched her blush with I his own
 There was g painful pause, which | Seymour broke, coming to the rescue with g counter question. 'Did you notice that small sloop creeping up under the west bank of the l Fiver, colonel, this evening? I should think she must be opposite the house now, if the wind has held" l 'Why, when did you see her, MT. l Seymour? thought you were. looking l |at-at'- She broke off in confusion 1 under her fathers searching gaze. He l smiled and said:
 "Ah, Katharine, trained eyes see all l things unusual about them, although l they are apparently bent consistently upon one spot. Yes, Seymour, did no Idce 1t. If we were farther down the l river we might suspect it of being an l enemy, but up here fancy even Dun l more's malevolence would scarcely dare to follow"
 I Katharine looked up in alarm. "Oh, 1 father, do you think it is quite safe? Chloe told me that Ph1bus told her | that the raiders had visited Major 1 Lithcomb's plantation, and you know I that it is not more than fifty miles down the river from us. Would 1t not be well to take some precautionT'
 Tut, tut, child! Gossip of the negro Bervants!" The colonel waved 1t aside carelessly. ''I hardly think we have l anything to fear at present, though what his lordship may do in the end unless he is checked hardly like to imagine"
 'sBut, 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 it cost him his life when you had him turned out of the club at Williamsburg"
 "Pshaw, Katharine! That wretch l would not dare. It is a cowardly black l guard, Seymour, whom saw cheating at cards at the Assembly club at the capital. I had him expelled from the I society of gentlemen, where, indeed, he had no right of admittance, and scarcely know how he got there origi- nally. He made some threats against me, to which naturally paid no at tent1on. But what did you think of the l vessel?"
 4T confess saw nothing suspicious about her, sir" replied Seymour. "She seemed very much like the packets which ply on the river. I 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 to the wharf to examine and re- pert Blodgett, do you go down to tie 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 behind the coloneTs chair, sa- luted with military precision and left the room, saying: "yery good, sir. I shall let nothing escape my notice, sir"
 Now, Katharine, hope you are sat fsfied."