A Daughter of Maryland — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

148 A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. a CHAPTER XVII. THE INVASION OF WESTERN MARYLAND. Magor LANCIER was a lineal descendant of the Calverts, and no truer patriot ever drew his sword in defense of his native land. No summon but the call of honor was needed to unsheathe the weapon that had already proven its fidelity to its country, and no sacrifice was too great for him to make for the cause he believed was just. Thus, without dreaming of the dangers environing the old homestead and her most dear to him, he left Sylvania to the care of women and hirelings, while he went forth to lead a regi- ment of gallant sons of the South. He depended very much on the guardianship of Daniel Berners, but before a month had passed the latter had enlisted in the Confederate service, and Aurian found herself without even his doubt- ful counsel. If she had never before she then proved herself to be a brave-hearted woman. All over the land she knew was being repeated this sad experience coming to her; family circles were being broken, the members of happy homes scattering to different places under what was then believed to be a temporary separation, but which was to prove in many, very many cases a parting unto death. Thus she looked resolutely forward into the future, keeping her mind in touch with every movement made by the con- tending armies. Then, there came the intelligence which sent a thrill of terror to many a brave heart in Maryland. Under the stimulation of the triumphs of his first cam- paign, General Lee had conceived of the bold design of in- vading the enemy’s territory, and he had already crossed the Potomac into western Maryland. comicbooks co mn