The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-03-22

be half after 10 o'clock, and l knew
that he was safely in cards at that
club of Old Hickory, whose lists now
bore the added one of another Robert
Carruthers, man of honor and de
scendant of its founders Also there
was no light in the rear of the house
in the apartment of that kind Kizzie,
in whose affections | had made Il large
place. y dim light burned in the hall,
and knew that there l would find my
faithful chocolate Bonbon sitting upon
a chair by the great door asleep.
1T is hello there, good Bonbon," l
greeted him.
"HOwdy, Mr.. Robert he answered
me by a very large smile, with very
white teeth set in his face of extreme
blackness. The gen'l said to call him
on the fome as soon as you come"
THAT | will attend TO from my apart
ment,' l answered him and then as
cended the wide dark stairway with
feet which were as a weight to my
ankles.
Very slowly entered that apartment
and turned on the bright light. All
was in readiness for me, and on the
small table under the glass case that
contained that behowered robe of state
of the dead Grandmamma CarrutherS
stood a vase of very fresh and limo
cent young roses.
Il would that | could remain and full
fill the destiny of woman of your
house, Madam Grandmamma.' | wills
pered to her lovely and smiling por-
trait on the wall opposite. u am the
last of the ladies Carruthers. but l
have a forfeit of that destiny, and
must 90 out in the night again in
mans attire to a death that will tear
asunder the tender flesh that you have
borne. GoOdby."
Then l made commencement of
very rapid packing-in one Of those
bags which l had purchased from the
kind gentleman in the city Of New
York-Of what raimeut | knew would
be suitable for a man in very hurried
travelling I put into it the two suits
of clothing for wear in the daytime.
but I discarded all of my clothing 70,
the pursuits Of pleasure
You must make a great hurry Thief
Roberta, for it draws near midnight,
and that is the hour that the train de
parts to the north" | cautioned my
weeping self AT that hour you go
forth into the world alone"
And then what ensued?
Very suddenly | heard the noise of
car being drawn TO the curb in front
of the house and Che rapid steps of a
mans progress along the pavings of
brick to the front door, at which he
made a loud ringing. In not a mo-
ment was the good BonbOn at my door
with a knocking.
The governor is here to see you, Mr..
Robert he informed me.
What shall you do, Roberta, mar
Quise of Cree and Bye% | asked of
myself. How is it that you can be
able to support the cold reproaches he
will give to you while requiring that
you stay to bring dishonor to your
uncle, the General Robert? You are
caught in a trap as is an animal"
And then, as l covered there in my
agony, very suddenly that terrible dare
devil rose within me and gave to me
very strange counsel. As it was
speaking to me my gaze was fixed
upon the robe of state of the beautiful
grandmamma.
Very well. then. that great Gouyer-
neur Faulkner can give his chastise-
ment and lay his commands upon the
beautiful and wicked Roberta, mar
QuiSe Of Cree and Bye, in proper per
son and not have the privilege of
again addressing his faithful and de
voted comraGe Robert who is dead I
tho Narquise Roberta of Cree and
Bye, will accord to him an interview.
and, in the language of this United
States, it viii be some interview
With which resolve | turned to make
an answer to the faithful Bonbon at
the door.
Where awaits his excellency the
GOuverneur Faulkner" l questioned
to him.
"In the hall at the bottom of the
steps" he made reply to me.
ATTEND him into the large drawing
room for waiting and make all of
the lights to burn. Say to him that /
will descend in a very small space of
| time,' commanded.
yes, SIR" he made reply and de-
parted.
And then in my wickedness l began
to commit Dissertation on the mem
DRY of my beautiful and honored
Grandmamma Carruthers. | walked
to that glass case in which reposed
that gown Of the beautiful lowered
silk and took it therefrom and laid it
upon chair above the soiled riding
breeches Of corduroy l had so lately
discarded | opened the carved wood
en- box ON the table underneath and
took from it the silver slippers and