Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-07-09

was standing ID the doorway to greet
him. Seymour bowed low to her, and
she returned his salute with a sweep
ing courtesy, old fashioned and grace
full
Lieutenant Seymour is very vel
come to Fairview Hail. though trust
it be not the compelling necessity Of
a wound which makes him seek our
hospitality again." she said, family
smiling.
/ ooh, madam said Seymour softly
! yet in utter desperation as to how to
begin, unfortunately it is not to be
cured of wounds, but to inf1ict Them
that this time I am come. Ii am
sorry-that have to tell you that
| I"-he continued with great hesitation.
/ "You are a bearer Of i'll tidings,
| perceive she continued gravely.
Speak your message, sir. Whatever
it may be, trust the God serve to
4 give me strength to bear it. Is it's
-Hilary?" she went on, with just a
suggestion of a break in her even,
carefully modulated tones.
Eyes, dear madam. He-he''-
stop! I 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 a 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 mad to answer. Talbot's
own letter, General Washington's
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.
''The armies of the king have been
| 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
I sides, in truth" he added.
THE worst news first," she replied.
zone knows not why these things are
SO. It seems the God of justice slum-
bers when subjects rebel against their
rightful kings! But l have faith sir.
| The right will win in the end-must
win"
$50 be it" he said, accepting the Inn
| piled challenge, but adding nothing
further. He 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 her resolute will. Never before had
/ her mobile lips refused to formulate
the 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 son?' Her voice
sank to a whisper; in spite Of herself
one hand went to her heart. All, moth
er, mother, this was indeed thy king!
Isis he wounded? My God, sir! Not
1 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 a 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 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 "dead!' 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
men retreated and left them
1.-THE rebel cowarisr' she interrupted.
'1Nay, 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, STRIP
/ Surely not. Should / be here now
If had been there then, MADAME" he
replied proudly.
True, true. You at least are a gen
tleman. Forgive the question:
General Mercer and some Of his
officers sprang at the line. had it
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-