A Daughter of Maryland — page 109: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

G0 A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. ‘‘Pardon me, Robert,’’ said the major, extending his hand. Bails I was hasty, but I heard it said you were against us.’ ‘‘T freely forgive you, father, for thinking so; but I gave no one reason to think I was not loyal to my State. I heard the name of Carroll Southard mentioned, if I was not mistaken. What has he been doing?’’ Major Lancier felt. somewhat humiliated by his hasty conduct, and now in amends he was quite willing to discuss even so unwelcome a subject as the fortune of a Southard. Aurian, eager to improve the unexpected oppor- tunity, volunteered such information as she could give without betraying too much, in the hope she might learn something of the hunted man’s fate. Neither her father nor — Robert, it proved, knew more than she, or as much for that matter. ‘*‘T have always wanted to ask you one question, father. May I now, please?’’ Pa: ‘Certainly, though I am not promising you an answer, understand. ’’ ‘*T assure you it is no idle curiosity that prompts me to want to know, but with all your bitterness toward the Southards, why did you allow Carroll and I ever to associate when we were children ?’’ ‘*Didn’t know as I did to any extent. If I-did it was due to my own blindness and weakness.for you. I don’t want you to think this quarrel was anything of my chos- ing. It was begun before I was born; was in fact’a part of my inheritance. The barrier has risen higher and grown deeper with each succeeding generation, until now there is no tearing it down.’’ | ‘*Did Carroll Southard ever wrong you, father ?’’ ‘Yes, from the very fact that he was Calvin Southard’s son. My daughter, you are treading not only on forbidden but dangerous ground. Let this be the last time while I am living that his name or that of any of his kindred is ais ne | a Pere: BRR ate sg ; “comi ick D00ks.com_