Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-09-21

Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


There is a house still standing in
South Carolina, one of those old fash
toned but stately manors, that is more
than $50 years old. The woodwork
above it's cornices, it's massive CHM
neys, it's fluted pillars extending from
the porch to the roof, smack of arts
tocratic persons who dwelt there when
the place was new, but who dwell
there no longer.
When the Revolution came on Charles
Iingold, then lord of the manor re-
NAMED loyal to the king. but his chill
dren, all of whom were grown, chose
the patriot side. His two sons were
with General Marion, the Swamp
Fox" His only daughter. Margaret
remained at home with her father.
though her heart was with her broth
ers in the continental service.
| One evening during that troublous
/ period Margaret, looking out of win
/ dow, saw u man in q scarlet coat rid
/ ing toward the house. Going out on to
/ the porch, she stood there between two
of the great white pillars waiting for
| him. When he drew rein before her
and dotted his hat politely she saw
! that he was what a woman would
| naturally admire. a gentleman, a sol
| der and handsome. He came of the
same aristocratic English stock from
which she herself had sprung.
May | ask" he said, ARE you loyal
Z - III
rebels?
my father is for the king" was the
reply.
and you?
"It doesn't matter where my sympa
thy lies. for | am a woman, but were
l man l would now be fighting for
the patriot cause"
May | see your father"
Certainly"
The officer dismOunted. The girl cali
ed negro servant to hold his horse.
then showed the man into the library,
where her father was reading. and
/ left the two together. Captain Ar
buckle, one of Colonel Tarletons Off
GERS, had been sent out by his chief
to make inquiries among such Tories
as he could find in the neighborhood
as to where the Swamp Fox" was
lurking He asked Mr.. Ringold for
information. but the latter frankly
told him that though he was loyal to
the British cause he had two sons in
Marion's corps and begged to be ex-
cused from replying to his questions.
But since darkness was coming on he
offered the captain entertainment for
the night.
Arbuckle accepted the invitation. not
for the entertainments but that he
might pass an evening in company
with Margaret, whose stately figure,
comely face and aristocratic bearing
had made profound impression upon
him, Women to young English bloods
of that day were considered legitimate
game, and Arbuckle vowed within him
self that before he parted with the
girl for the night he would take at
least one kiss.
He kept his resolution, though he no
more than kept it, for he got but one
kiss. He left crimson spot where
his lips touched Margaret's cheek
and fire in her eye. Rising. she swept
out of the room. leaving him discom-
flied. He had not expected such Il re-
buff from Il woman dwelling in this
wild country, SO far from old England
He was in doubt whether to regret
his act or to make an excuse to re-
main. with view to Il further effort
But for the present there was moth
ing to do but go to bed.
In the morning he breallfasted With
Mr.. Ringold, and when the meal was
finished, feeling obliged to return to
duty, he ordered his horse. The negro
who brought it handed him Il not"
from Margaret in which she told him
that champion demanded satisfaction
for the insult he had offered her the
evening before. Captain Arbuckle was
astoniShed lie had played the same
game many time ut home, with no
serious consequences, to meet with e
challenge to mortal combat on like
provocation in the wilds of America.
But for one thing the officer would
have offered humble apology. That
was the champion. \ spirit of rivalry
took possession of him. Who was this
man who was to stand in defense of
the woman who had 50 impressed
him? Was he Il lover, brother or
friend? In any event, could he. an
Englishman-the proudest race on
earth-apologize for taking a liberty
with one born in land recently ac-
quired from savages?
Tell your mistress" he said to the
negro. that will communicate with
her as soon as my duties as a soldier
will permit"
On his return to camp Arbuckle
found that the command had got wind
of the Swamp Fox" and had gone in
chase of him. Tarleton had left an or
der for the captain to remain in the
camp in command of small guard
left there till the expedition returned.
This left him an opportunity to take