Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-03-06
CHAPTER vIu-(Continued.)


of importance" said Kate. evasiyely,
and with the least possible shadow of a
smile, which being observed by Dix,
gratifed him very much
Il was about to confide to your safe
keeping a secret, which must transpire
sooner or later. l do this as a proof of
that strong yet tender friendship which
have cherished for you for many
months. For the last few days l have
not been idle. True to the great cause
Tor which have been constantly in the
saddle, warning all the Royalists in this
and the adjoining settlements to meet
at an old field near the cross roads. l
louno them wide awake for the enter
prise, and tomorrow they will begin to
assemble"
lndeed! exclaimed Miss Martin
with considerable emphasis.
1T Is true" added the Tory; "and /
nave been promised a captains commits
SION. If you really feel that friendship
Tor me that your glowing cheek and timid
manner would seem to indicate, trust
you VIII keep this little piece of gossip
profound secret until we make our
selves known and feared by our deeds
IL Is always well to be guarded about
matters of this kind. One of our first
movements after getting fairly organ
ICED, will be to hunt up Gen. Marion and
MS ragamuftin crew, and rid the coun-
try of such vagabonds."
DO you suppose you can gather much
Of a company, Captain DixY'
About sixty resolute fellows as ever
drew sword; all mounted, too"
1t will be in your power TO throw
strong protection around my father"
said Kate.
IF his fair daughter proves kind and
considerable, he shall suffer no harm in
person or property" was the reply.
And if she should not prove kind
and considerate, what then?" asked the
maiden.
y will not be answerable for his safe
ty single day-no, not for a single
hour" exclaimed Dix, striking the table,
emphatically.
20 dear, don't look so stern, Mr.. Dix
cried Kate.
Il made my last remark, gentle neigh
Dor, that you might know precisely how
the case stands. l wish you to look at
the subject in a plain, reasonable and
matter-of-fact way, and act accordingly.
You must endeavor to influence your
father"
Must II" asked Kate.
Il have said it, my dear, and pardon
me if l insist upon compliance"
Certainly, captain; you're so much
deeper than l am, and know so much
more about these things"
You are the most sensible and rea-
sonable of girls, and l shall always lore
you. You do not think me positively
hateful, do you?' asked Dix, in a coax
ing voice.
Il will express my sentiments more
freely at our next interview, perhaps"
was the playful rejoinder.
Further conversation of this nature
was prevented by the entrance of Mr..
Martin.
Dix departed, and left Kate mistress
of his secret, and greatly his superior
in shrewdness. She had experienced
considerable difficulty in controlling her
virtuOus Indignation during the inter
view, but feeling that much good might
result from the practice of some self
control and little Discrimination, she had
passed through the scene triumphantly.
Her noble and ingenious mind at first
revolted against the idea of deception
in any case whatever; but as she looked
into Dix's character, and perceived what
he was trying to accomplish, she con-
quered her aversion, gained a deeper
insight into his nature, and overcame him
in the skillful playing of that game at
which he considered himself an adept
The unutterable repugnance which she
felt in her pure soul when he departed
must be left solely to the Imagination.
Her father soon after remarked in her
hearing that it was greatly to be regret
ted that young man who appeared so
honorable and honest in his intention,
should embrace so bad a cause.
do you refer to Mr.. Dix. father"
asked Kate. "Then l am sorry to be
forced to say that you are egregiously
mistaken in his character. A more ur-
principled person it has never been my
fortune to be acquainted with"
Your words greatly astonish me-"
exclaimed the pastor. "You should not
condemn Mr.. Dix so severely on account
of his political sentiments"
You shall judge for YOURSELF" an
swered Kate; and she rehearsed the con
versation in detail which had transpired
between herself and the party referred
to-
Mr. Martin was exceedingly surprised
at the unexpected relation. and felt that
it was indeed difficult to judge of char
acter by the outward seeming.
Things have now assumed an aspect
entirely unexpected" he added. Il am
panied, embarrassed and indignant We
are placed in a most unenviable position.
| have long known that the Jealous eyes
of our enemies are fixed upon me, and
that | was not secure from personal
harm for o day or an hour; but l had
trusted that the hand of villainy would
fall upon me alone, and not involve you,
Kate 1t seems that l have been mis-
taken. and have more to fear for you
than for myself"
do not think of me. father-I fear
nothing; on the contrary, it is for you
alone that / tremble."
pet not my danger distress you. for
il is glorious 10 die for ones country.
Whatever situation l may be placed in
let it never influence your conduct so far
as Cyrus Dix is concerned. Pursue a
high and truthful course, never violat-
ing your best convictions of right, or
going counter to the still small voice of
that divinity which presides in every
bosom. A man like the party referred
TO can never be congenial to a nature
like yours; hence no duty which you owe
TO me or to God can ever force you into
any nearer relationship with him.
would die daily the death of the gibbet
rather than have you connected with
such a villain as Dix has proved himself
20 be-"
My own instincts would teach me to
shun him, if you had never expressed
your sentiments on the subject"
in regard to this Tory gathering at
the old field. near the crossroads, it
seems to me something ought to be done
about it, resumed Mr.. Martin.
Il have already considered the matter
and decided what ought to be DONE" re-
piled Kate. Il propose to advise. Ma
rion's Brigade of the Tory gathering"
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