Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-29
FffffH PARTfSAN
A Romance of the American Revolution
nv w. GILMORE SIMMS

| who had been waiting ana Watching
concealed in an inner apartment, MADE
his appearance before his father. L
was a meeting of rejoicing as well a:
regret; for the old man was proud oi
his son, and loved him not less thar
his daughter There were long stories
| told between them which do not con.
Germ this narrative. But all relating
to Colonel Walton, his daughter, anC
the danger before him, was drunk ir
by the son with greedy interest. Ht
ascertained the place Of the colonePs
Imprisonment; and found, to his grea,
regret, that 1t was within the walls
Of the fort itself. 1t was there, ano
there only, that Katharine could see
him. It was there that she watched
and wept with her father now; and
the soul Of the proud spirited girl
mortified in many respects, was hum
bled to the dust as she contemplated
the degrading doom which he was des-
tined to undergo. Death on the bat
tlefield would have been honorable
death, in her estimation; and though
even now, he was to perish in the
cause Of his country. that cause, sa-
cred and lofty as II was, could not les
sen her horror. Of that disgrace which
such a mode Of death brought with It.
The infamous hangman. the defiling
proud, unbending spirit of the noble
girl, revolted whenever she thought
upon it, She shuddered to survey the
pictures which her imagination con-
tinued to describe before her. She
shuddered and lay convulsed at the
feet Of her father.
She was permitted to remain with
him throughout the day, but was COM
PEELED to leave him at a certain hour
every night. This was an indulgence
Of Major Proctor, who sympathized
with her sufferings with all the feel
ings Of man, and the courtesy OF
the honorable gentleman. He deplored
and disapproved of the judgment OF
CORVALLIS: but, according to that
strict military etiquette, upon which
no officer insisted more rigidly than
Proctor, he forbore any utterance OF
opinion in respect to his superior's
proceedings, and only, while he resolv-
ed to obey them rigidly, prepared to
temper his severity with all the sof-
tening indulgence which was left dis
cretionary with him. Katharine felt.
and looked her gratitude-her con-
sciousness of his delicacy and forbear-
ance. Still, 1t panied her pride to be
dependent, even to a degree so small,
upon her country's enemy. She felt
this humiliation also, but, with a prop
er good sense, yielding to circum-
stances, she showed no sign Of such a
feeling.
Humphries gathered these particu-
lars from his father and sister. He
learned that even at that moment
Katharine was at the garrison; that,
as the gates were closed at ten o'clock.
she would then be compelled to leave
it; and readily conjecturing that she
had made arrangements for remain
ing at Dorchester during the night he
now felt desirous Of finding out her
place of residence There was, how
ever, but one ready mode Of making
this discovery, and as the night was
dark. and the object worthy the risk,
with a bold determination, he made
his arrangements to lurk around the
gate of the fortress, until she should
make her appearance. He could then
follow her at a safe distance, and thus
find out her abode.
No sooner determined than acted
upon. He sailed forth, and, by a
circuitous route. reached the point OF
observation. Here he waited not long
before the old family coach made its
appearance; and, in half an hour af-
ter two ladies, escorted by as many
Nfficers. appeared from the entrance.
The ladies were assisted into the car
riage, the officers returned, the gates
were again closed, and the vehicle
wheeling about to pursue its way,
when Humphries, who had sheltered
himself behind a tree close in the
neighborhood. now boldly leaped for
ward, and mounted behind the coach,
was carried along with ii.
They alighted, as he had anticipated,
It the lonely dwelling of old Pryor.
The sturdy landlord himself came
forth. and pushing aside the negro. as
sisted the ladies from the carriage.
They entered the house, and watching
his opportunity, Humphries followed
them. The moment that Pryor was
disengaged, the partisan sought him,
and, in private, unfolded himself to
the pleasantly astonished landlord. A
few moments more gave him an inter-
view with Katharine and her aunt.
The guise, garb, and expression OF the
latter, were stiff and old-maidish, as
usual Not so with the former. Her
eve was wild, her hair disordered, her
cheeks flushed, and her step quick and
convulsive, while her lips frequently
quivered with the thrilling thoughts
that were present and working In her
mind. She hurried forward to meet
Humphries upon his entrance: seized
his hand with unstudied and earnest
warmth and hailed him as friend
as one sent from Singleton.
Il cannot talk to you yet" said she,
brokenly, II must wait for breath;
but l am glad-oh. very glad to see
you"
"Sit down, Kate, my love-" said the
old lady; you fatigue. you affiict
Yourself, my dear"
She sank obediently into the chair.
but again Immediately started up, and
approached the partisan.
Il cannot sit am in no want OF
rest, and have no time for 1t. Oh
Mr.. Humphries! tell me-speak to me
say what is the hope you bring me-
Major Singleton"
She interrupted him.
"Ay-Robert-I look to him to save
me--to save my father! Where Is
Robert now?"
I'm the Cypress, Miss Katharine
come from him now!"
Thank God! He has not deserted
me-he will not desert mel"
Never, Miss Katharine, I'll answer
for It: the major is never the man to
desert you, or anybody-never."
Il know it-I know it, Mr. Hum
phries. You do his noble heart only
justice when you say so. He will not
desert me-he will not desert my faith
er. But / must go 10 IllIl-l lIuSl SSe
him. this very night. He must tell me
what he can do-what he will try to dc
for me-in this horrible necessity. He
must show me that he will save my
father"
And as she spoke, she hastily retleo
the strings of her bonnet; and hel
whole manner was that Of one full OF
resolution.
why. what would you do, my
child?" asked her aunt.
Go to Robert Singleton"
My child, don't think of it-remem-
ber. you're a lady"
"A woman-a daughter" she replied
almost fiercely. II have no fears
should have no scruples. If there be
danger or reproach, l will risk 1t al
for my father. You fear not, Mr
Humphries, to conduct me to your
leader"
It's an ugly road, Miss Katharine
for a lady-mud and water, bog and
bush. and mighty crooked"
rs that all! shall such things keeI
me back from my duty, when all de-
pends on 1t? Oh, no, These are tri-
fes-your difficulties I fear not" Then
turning TO her aunt who had now ris-
en- and seized her arm persuasively-
"Oh. scruples, aunt scruples. Do you
think | see and feel these things. wher
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