A Daughter of Maryland — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

144 A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. est prospect. When I had lost that hope, I tried to crush my aspirations along with my patriotism, but neither will suffer itself to be extinguished. Do not let me pain you with this hopeless declaration. It matters little to me now whether it meets with scorn or sympathy. In a-realization of the storm and separation so sure to come, it is little better than folly for me to speak. None realizes this more than myself. You will naturally believe in your father, and his choice will be yours. My estimation of you will not be lessened by that, and if in the dark days that are to come I can be of help to you, I pray I may be allowed to come to your assistance. My mind will always bear in memory the happy days at old Sylvania, and on the coming Christmas shall I especially remember you all, knowing it will be one of deep sadness in many ways. Whether justi- fied in doing so or not, I shall treasure the thought that the outcast is not wholly forgotten. : “If I have surprised you by this rambling letter of mine, then it will be but a proof of the faithfulness with which I have kept my secret, and if I have been a better fox hunter than a politician, you will now understand the reason. ’”’ Very much more was written for her to read, and when she had for the third time reached the touching signature of ‘‘ Yours unto death,’’ she could not see for the tears. ‘*Poor Robert! I never thought you would be an outcast from home. It will be a lonely Christmas. We shall miss you, even father. I wonder who is right. I wonder if it is wrong to do that which the heart dictates. Sometimes I think it is father who is mis—nay! I must remain faithful to him.’’ Christmas was near at hand, but contrary to the usual custom no preparations were made for its celebration. The holly and spruce, pine and cedar were not plucked from their parent stem to deck the walls or wreathe the old family portraits. The show of cheerful hospitality so prom- com choo S -cO a“ . ww W -” 8 4 .