The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-07-02

val IN no uncertain terms. BE very
careful, my daughter. Even if this
redcoat's intentions are honorable,
what would you be in England? A
sailors wife among strangers who
have no interest in you; while he roams
the seven seas and loves a different
woman in every port. See him tomor-
row when he calls, but never again." A
vexed and fearful girl met the cap
tain the following day under her
aunt's supervision and delivered her
fathers ultimatum. perhaps we can
find way" he whispered as he babe
them good night.
The next afternoon as Betty strolled
listlessly in her aunt's grounds col
ored boy stealthily approached and
handed the girl note. "Meet me to-
night when the clock strikes twelve, by
the willow tree on the rivers bank"
At twelve o'clock a radiant and
happy girl stood at the appointed place
and scarcely had the clock ceased strik-
AllEo "llCAA GiIC hCOI VI d OOdO IOuCIlCu
the shore. Extending his hand, the
captain assisted Betty into the boat
and silently they drifted down stream.
Then taking the oars he rowed into a
secluded cove of Rock Creek where
with the accessories of moonlight and
mist the old, old story was retold and
arrangements completed for sailing
the next night. "Meet me again to-
morrow night and we will sail away to
England where interference cannot
reach u.s." was his parting injunction.
Secretly Betty prepared for the final
rendezvous. But her aunt becoming
suspicious, warned her father, who
patroled the house. At the appointed
time a boat reached the shore, and
Betty, attired in travelling dress and
carrying a suitcase started across the
lawn, walking straight into the arms
not Of an expected lover-but an
outraged father, who demanded an
explanation of such madness. Bitter
words and tears were unavailing. The
girl would not listen to reason and the
father was forced to imprison Betty
in her room, where the hours were
passed in agony of spirit. There was
despair at dawn when she beheld the
white sails of her lovers ship I'M
furasd-saw the vessel, which she
would never see again, drop slowly
down stream on the ebbing tide. In
the meantime, her father was hasten
ing their departure. He placed the girl
with her maid in their coach and Or
dered Tom to drive home without de-
lay.
When they reached "Frog Harbor'
Betty went to her room where she re-
manned many days. Her spirit crushed,
she seemed to be ever struggling to
follow the white sails of slowly dis
appearing ship.
Thirty darkened years passed away.
Betty had never spoken to her father
again seldom to anyone. The mother
died. Five years later the father passed
away and the plantation was sold.
Betty was taken, with her slaves, to
a home in the mountains her brother
John had prepared for her. Many more
years passed away The neigh
bors told their children and grand
children stories of queer Aunt Betty
of the haunted house-,how she had tor
tured her slaves to hear them shrek
by pincing them with hot fire-tongs.
And they said she had even killed the
little black boy who waited on her.
She would clip the tongs to scare
away witches, and when she went out
she would don huge sunbonnet to
preserve the fairness of her face, as it
was to the day of her death at eighty
one.
Now that the old house with its shell
tering trees has disappeared, I hope
that the perturbed spirit Of poor little
Betty Hoye has found an abiding
place somewhere.
ITO Be Continued)