The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-08-24

vow, said TALBOT.
And !, too" added Philip bravely.
And L" whispered the wounded
man.
Is It's one more score that has got to
be paid off by King Georges men, one
more outrage on this country, one more
debt we owe the English" Bentley
continued tiercely
No; these We're Americans-Virgin-
ians, mOre's the shame-led by that
blackguard Johnson. He has long hat
ed 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. II am with
you now. I came over this evening to
tell our friends here that I start north
tomorrow as a volunteer to offer my
services to General Washington
ooh, 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 an6 fool o1,o,x, x,,:,,,ko
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
and perhaps recapture the party. But
the word must be carried quickly. I
fear it will be too late as it isl
IL will go, Hilary, if you think best"
very we'll, Philip. Take your best
horse and do not delay a 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.
andria in four hours" said Philip, run
ming out.
Bentley, am going to take Lieu
tenant Seymour over to my plantation.
Will you stay here and look after the
house until I can notify Colonel Will
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 I am
afraid the slaves would never stay
here alone. They are so disorganized
and terrorized now over these unfor-
tunate occurrences as to be almost
useless
AYE, aye, sir. If Lieutenant Sey-
mour can spare me will stay
Eyes, Bentley, do. shall be in good
hands at Fairview Hail.
''This is arranged, then," said Talbot.
1T is 8 o'clock. I think we would bet
ter start at once. I will go out and see
that the arrangements about the car
rage are made properly myself he
said, stepping through the door,
Seymour's hand had closed tightly
over something which had happened to
fall near where it lay. "Bentley, he
called, what is this in my hand?"
1T is handkerchief, Mr.. John-s
woman's handkerchief, too, sir, and
covered with blood"
"Has it any marks on it," said Sey-
mour eagerly.
Yes. sir. Here are the letters X.
w. embroidered in this corner"
II thought So" he smiled triumphant
ly. "Will you put it inside my waist
coat there, over my heart? Yes" he
added, as if in answer to the old
mans anxious look, ut is true. I love
her, and she has confessed that she
loves me. Oh, who will protect her
now?"
"God, SIR" said Bentley solemnly,
but with strange pang of almost
womanly jealousy in his faithful old
heart.
AYE. old friend, he will watch over
her. He knows best Now help me
up"
mo, sir. Beg pardon for disobeying
orders, but you are to lie still. We will
carry you to the carriage. Nay, sir,
you must. You are too weak from loss
of blood with two wounds on you to
stand it. A few days will bring you
about all right though, hope, SIR"
"All ready, Bentley?" said Talbot,
coming into the room. "The negro
boys have rugged up stretcher out Of
a shutter, and with mattress and blan-
kets in the carriage I think we can
manage, driving carefully, to take him
over without any great discomfort.
have sent Dick on ahead to ride over
to DR.. Craik's and bid him come to the
Hall at once, so Mr. Seymour will be
well looked after. BY the way, Blodgett
is dead 1 had almost forgotten him.
he evidently met and fought those fell
lows at the landing We found him at
the foot of the steps by the boat land
Ing with two bodies That reminds me