Guilford High School - Rostrum Yearbook (Guilford, ME)

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THE ROSTRUM 13 was Co-lonel Sir Gerald Carlisle. Search this place! he ordered. Coloner Sir Gerald Carlisle, in his hurry to do his prospective wfather-in- law's slightest bidding, tipped over a stand cn which three or four candles were standing. One of the candle-s set Hre to his coat tails and he did not notice this until the flames had a start. But when he began to feel the heat he let out a terrific bellow, whereupon the oflicers and Major- General Arnold forgot what they were loo-king for and came to his aid. They all rushed out of the room toward the kitchen where the fire was put out and the drinking re- sumed. And all was quiet once more. Millie opened the library door and looked cut into the hall. The men and women were all drinkng gayly and boisterously. They had forgot- ten all about her. She went back in- to the library and opened the closet door and said to Pat, Are you stifled ? He answered. Not quite. but I had a long wait, at least it seemed long to me. How did you come here, anyway, Pat ? Millie asked. Did you come through the Window from the garden or up over the 'bank and over the bal- cony railing ? He answered, his eyes still linger- ing on her face. I came in through the Window from the garden and I waited here for awhile until Katie came in, then I sent her for you. Pat, you know the house is full of father's British otiicers and you simply must hide yourself some- where until the party's over. In the carriage barn or in the stable. Hurry before thev find you! Millie's voice was trembling in her anxiety. g Patrick Morrow pointed toward the window, his face paling slightly as he said. Look, Millie! Millie looked out on the cold De- cember nightg its very stillness seemed omincus to her. There, through the snow-covered trees she could see two Hessian soldiers who were on guard examining footprints in the fresh snow. The footprints led to the library window in a straight, unerring line. It's far to-o late, said Pat, but never mind, Millie, dear. It was worth capture to wish you a Merry Christmas. The best of luck to you, and God bless you, dear. But it isn't too late, said Millie, opening a closet and pulling out a dark cape, a beaver hat, and a pair of riding boots, Here are some things of father's. You can put them on and steal out, unseen by any- one. Quick, Pat! Let me help you out cuf your uniform. Her frantic fingers fumbled with the brass buttons of his tattered coat. But at last she got it open. Some- thing fell suddenly into her hand. A womanls lace handkerchief and a crushed knct of pink ribbon. Noth- ing that had ever belonged to her. Pat! There was someone else in his life. The horror in her dark eyes hardened them as she backed slowly away from him. Another woman, whose tokens he was wearing over his heart. He had lied to her and deceived her and she had loved him so terribly and hopelessly. How could you, Pat? Oh, how could you? cried Millie, as she stood stiff as a statue against the wall. Patrick started towards her, his hands outstretched, his whole face the picture of despair. 'Millie, in the name of God. Millie, listen to me! He spoke with his voice trem- bling. ' Millie was now at the door. Her fingers grasped the door knob so tightly that her knuckles showed white. She could hear the music,

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12 THE ROSTRUM Major-General Arnold started to follow her, and then stopped and turned back, grumbling to himself, What a foolish girl! Why she doesn't take Carlisle is more than I can see thro-ugh. What a son-in-law he would make! I am glad she has fo-rgotten that 'rebel' Morrow whom I refused to let her see. I certainly would not want one cf George Wash- ington's 'rebels' in my family. Major--General Arnold did not know that at the very moment he was speaking, the rebel Morrow was in the Arnold library waiting for Millie Arnold. The heavily paneled library door closed behind Millie with a dull thud. From behind a tall screen by the win- dow a tall, blond. broad-shculdered man stepped swiftly. She flew to his arms. Her shaking fingers traced the thin, starved hollow of his cheek. It had been a long. cruel winter for the soldiers. Not enough to eat. Not enough to wear. But his men were tall, true-hearted men who be- lieved they were fighting for a just cause. Millie was the first one to speak. Pat! Pat, darling! What torture you're enduring this winter. Oh! If only I co-uld help you in some way. .But what's. the use! Father would never let me help you. He is so prej- udiced against the 'rebels' as he in- sists upon calling them. I cannot understand his attitude at all. He wishes to marry me off to that Colo- nel Sir Gerald Carlisle. As if I could ever care for that plump, pasty- skinned hypocrite. The only reason he wishes to marry me is because he thinks he might get some of my fath- er's money. But I shall never marry him. Patrick kissed ther tenderly, his blue eyes looking into her dark ones full oif despair, and then said, Mil- lie, dear, after the war is over will you marry me and co-me to live with me on the farm in Vermont, or is it asking too much? Could you be happy' living on a farm ? Millie answered him with her eyes shining, Pat, I could be happy living anywhere with you. Yes, after the war is over I will marry you. Oh, my darling, I'm so gjlad I came, he said. I am glad you came, also, said Millie, but it would be so much bet- ter irf you could come without all this secrecy and plotting. I will be so glad when it is all over. I have often wondered what my life would have been like if my mother had lived. That picture over there on the table is mv mother. She looks a great deal like me and I'm sure that if she had lived, my life would have been much happier. She died when I was born. and I have been brought up by my father mostly. and he has always tried to run my life. Millie and Patrick were sitting in the center of the room by a large table when suddenly Millie heard her father's heavy voice calling, Mil1ie! Millie! She said to Pat, Hide in this clos- et behind the portieres until it is quiet again. Quick! Patrick ran quickly into the closet, closing the door tightly behind him. Millie sat down at the table and opened a book just as her father en- tered. He glared at her. demanding, Who has been in here with you ? Why-why-no one. father. Millie said, but her voice was trembling and betraying her. Maj or-General Arnold had evident- lv' been' celebrating bv drinking heav- ily, as he walked with an unsteady tread. and he was at the stage Where he had an ugly temper. He looked around the room and th en opened the door and hollered to a few of the ofii- cers standing nearby, among whom

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14 THE ROSTRUM laughter, singing, and dancing close at her back. Don't you dare touch me, Pat. I never want you to touch me again! With a single movement, she flung the door open wide with Pat in his ragged uniform standing by her side. There was a sudden hush in the hall, through which Millie's voice cut clearly and distinctly, A spy from General Washington at your service, gentlemen ! Patrick Morrow started forward quickly and cried out something in an anguished voice. A shot shattered through the candlelight, sharp and clear. A pistol smoked in the hand of Colonel Sir Gerald Carlisle. Patrick Morrow buckled as though he was hinged in the middle and crashed to the floor. Pat! Pat! speak to me!', Millie was now kneeling beside him, star- ing in horror at the red stain slowly spreading on his tattered shirt. She had forgotten all about the bit of lace and the ribbon clutched in her cold fingers. Patrick smiled up at her although his eyes were dimming rapidly. The candles flickered and there was mis- tletoe and holly wreathed among them. He began to speak, his voice growing fainter and fainter, Millie, darling, don't cry. It was-just a- Christmas present-for you. Could- n't buy-anything else. My mother -left me them,-I-wanted you- the words faded to a murmur and died. Millie turned pointing her finger at Colonel Sir Gerald Carlisle, You, she cried, You killed him! She started to run from the room but her father detained her with a grip of steel on her arm. He said, You are not going to run, away. You are going to remain until the dance is over. But Millie cried, No! No! It is impossible! She looked around wildly and discovered that the 'body of Patrick had disappeared. .,What have they done with him ? she cried. Her eyes searched the room wildly. Her father spoke in a cold, stern voice, He has been placed with the rest of the dead 'rebels'. Father! Millie's voice was filled with horror and despair, What do you mean? If you do not bring him here at once I will leave this house and never return ! Major-General Arnold, a little so- berer now, and a trifle humiliated to have his guests witness this scene, relented and said, All right, if you insist on having that dead 'rebel' brought into our library I will have someone fetch him. He raised his voice here, and said to a nearby offi- cer, OfIicer, go fetch that dead 'rebel' into the library. He turned aside and said to the rest of the peo- ple who were milling around excited- ly, not knowing what the rumpus was all about, Let us continue with our dancing. My daughter will join us later. With these words he turned to his lady partner, signalled the mu- sicians to go on with the music, and led off the dance. The party proceed- ed at full swing. It seemed to be at height of g-ayety. Everyone was laughing and joking and dancing and singing. Major-General Arnold led the fun. He was still a good-looking man, al- though he was approaching fifty. All the ladies hoped for dances with him as he was a very good dancer and he was the kind of man that throws out flattery on every side. He told every lady whom he danced with that she was more beautiful than any other lady on the floor. Colonel Sir Gerald Carlisle was also a favorite with the ladies. He was' always very flattering and he was considered a very well-dressed man. His clothes were always immaculate, though a trifle flashy. tHe immedi-