The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-04-04
SHE WAS FAITHFUL.

On the right bank of the James river
stands the ruin of an old
church Gnu 40 -, draped thick with ivy
hind lies a churchyard where weather-stain-
Ell tonbstOnes are half hidden by tangled
briarS.
This is all that remains of the first Eng
llsh settlement in America.
by the door of this church on q Sunday
of 1916, Il man and woman met. The
evening service was over and the congrega-
ton dispersed but the maiden had fingered
long at her prayers, and the man had WatI
ed outside until the short spring twilight
was merging into night.
AS tho girl stepped from the low arched
door, the man removed his high-croWned
broad-brimmed hat and approached her with
an air of deep respect.
Sweet Mistress Nan, the humblest of
your servants Graves a word with you. |
have waited long for the chance
i know not what Muster Bacon could
say to Governor Berlleleys daughter that
should justify this unseemly interruption
on the Sabbath eve" she answered, with
great stateiness. Il pray you, sir, to keep
your conversation for more appreciative ears
and let me pass
Not until you have heard me-" returned
the man passionately. Madam. your
fathers Injustice | have borne with much
patience as L might, but yours l swear, |
will not and cannot bear. You shall hear
me and do me right before we part
"Patiencc! Truly, You have borne your
self with right rare patience and humility.
cried the girl, with bitter emphasis. "a
rebel i'll arms against the royal governor,
the representative OF your king.
"A rebel your father hath proclaimed
me, but that makcth me not one verify.
l am in arms to protect the women and
children of this settlement, whom your fa-
TIERS weak and v'ayering policy would de-
liver to the torch and scaping knife of
the merciless savage. To protect you your
self. Mistress Anne"
Enough sir she interrupted haughti-
ly. Sir William Earkelcy's daughter
wants no protection from her fathers
enemy.
Oh" she continued. with sudden pas
sion, stretching her arms toward him, how
] wept, how l pleaded, for the sake of our
love, for the hope Of our happiness, not
to thwart my father, to bear with the
forwardness of the proud old man. even
because he was my father. But you priced
ambition more than love, and henCefortn re
are strangers. Farewell, Master Bacon.
Never more may Anne berkeley lips
speak words to YOU And so-God keep
you"
by heaven we part not thus" said I3a-
con, throwing his arms about her.
The girl struggled violently and would
have screamed, but her wimple was wrap
ped so closely round her face that she
could scarcely breathe, and raised in the
strong arms Of her captor she was borne
rapidly away.
They passed through the churcbyatd he
the forest shades received them. They
had not gone far before a man advanced
from behind the trees and challenged.
Bacon gave the countersign, then added:
How goes itF
"Famously. captain. We have followed
your orders to the letter
How many have YOU taken"
Twenty at least. Come and zee"
Bacon followed him and they soon reach
ed the rebel camp. About one hundred
stalwart youths of the province We e biv-
ouucked under the trees. These hardy
woodsmen had no tents and needed none.
Under q widesprealiug oak was gathered
Il forlorn group of women, some twenty of
the wives and daughters of the principal
burgesses of jamestown. Toward those
Bacon advanced and sat down, Anne i'll
the midst.
Fair Mistress" he said, removing the
wimple from her flushed face and disorder
ell hair with gentle courtesy strangely
at variance with his recent violence, and
you, fair danes and damosels, pardon L
pray you, the rude deeds which nothing
but extremity of need could Justify. You
will be kept as hostages only until our
moderate demands are satisfied by the GOV
ernor and council, and then returned i'll
all honor and safety to your homes,
Flushed and disheYelcd as She was,
Anne Berkeley had lost nSue Of her high
spirit She looked her fathers true Qaugh-
ter as she faced her captor with flashing
eyes.
'"Others may forgive, Nathaniel Bacon;
] never will. For former love receive my
hate and scorn. And if my father avenges
not this outrage his daughter will:
Bacon stroyc humbly but yainly to mltl-
gate her displeaSure. Before he had spoken
long 81 scout came in hot haste to announce
the governors approach.
We may not fear This army of gray
boards, ell, my ladsT cried Bacon scorntully.
'"rhe lusty strength and spirit of the pro-
vince are with us; the governor has but the
less But we must meet them and perchance
fight"
A guard was detailed for the prisoners
md the rest FASTENED to repel the coming
foe, Soon muSket shots and shouts of an
gry c0mbatants were ringing through the
wood But the sound grew gradually
fainter proving that Bacon was driving the
royalist. back.
1t spread it deepened till the whole heavens
wore a crimson dye. jamestown was buru-
ing.
The din of battle had long died away,
the red glow had faded from the sky when
i'll the pale light OF dawn Il band of men
came slowly through the wood bearing q
burden which they laid silently at Ann
Berkeley's feet. An agonized face looked Up
to hers. weak hands were clasped inpIor-
ingy and lips wllereon the death dew gath,
cred fast whispered "Pardon,"
And where was now Mistress Berkeley
angry pride? Gone. She was no longer an
insuted lady. She was no longer Sir WI
liam Berl;eley's daughter. She was Il We.
man; simply Il woman, who saw her hearts
best love dying nj her feet.
Forgetting alike her station and the look
ers on, she llnCt on the ground beside him,
laid his head upon her breast, wiped with her
wmple the death dew from his brow and
the bloody froth from his lips lavished on
him kisses and words of fond endearmcnt
Not all in vain: No mortal hand might
stay the coming death, but she had robbed
death of its sting A smile of exceeding
peace lit up the pale face as the brave, if
errng, spirit passed to its own place
The seat of government was moved TO
WILLIAMSBURG and there in after years Anne
Berkeley shone the bright star of her fathers
court. Bat though many rich ami noble
euiors English and colonial. sought her
hand, she remained forever faithful to the
first wild love of her youth,
Declined the Test.
Erou, The W1ShinrtOn Star