The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-21

VISITOR.
At the lady's door she hestated
The lady was sobbing, her face In her
hands.
Meg wanted to say something.
MEN," she began, lump in her
throat, "Memr
The lady looked up miserably, and
beautifully, Meg thought.
81 want my bill, girl, and the carriage
ordered"
Meg curtsied.
nut. Mem. mayn't 1 bring cup or
tea. or some wine?"
Surely the lady should have come
thing to eat.
We'll, You might bring some tea"
the lady Begin. "And seeing that the
men and horses are fed. and told to be
ready as soon as they possibly can"
Meg could not resist saying as she
ourtsied again:
Its this. mem, that we're bit upset
at the Independence because such great
folks have come down OH us so that
you, Mem, must excuse us If were
slow
"Oh. you have heard me, girl" said
the lady do co.
'Beggin' your pardon, Men, said
Meg, and insisting on making her point
and astounding the lady
Its no less than Ginr'l Washington
hisself."
Suddenly the lady started up.
who. girl? General Washington
here?"
Meg enjoyed the astonishmena her
statement had made.
i've said 1t. men,
Take me to him quick
The lady sinoothed her hair, fixed her
neckerChief, rubbed the poor red eyes.
Now, girl"
Meg stared at her in establishment
Hes forbidden anyone seem him
mem. You know mem, he's a terrible
| man"
Take me to him, tell YOU 1 will
| see you are not blamed
For IL moment Meg hesitated, until
the superior Will aided by shilling.
and her own feminine curiosity to see
| the dcnoument conquered.
| This way, mem. That's the door"
| Here the lady hesitated, and then
knocked. at first timidly. and then de-
terminedly. Meg wondered how she
| dared.
| "Well, come in," said q weary voice.
The lady opened the door, and from
the threshold regarded the great man
| as the circle Of light from the candle
| on the table at which he was writing
fell about him. On his part the tired,
light blue eyes looked their surprise
| the eys Stuart painted Il dark blue that
fading pigment might give the color
.
Like Meg, he thought the lady distin-
guished
u beg your pardon" he said rising.
Il, sir, am Lady Asgil."
He started; he hesitated; he looked
| at her again.
Captain Asgilrs mother" SHE add
ed
II have had your $ettres. DO be
seated he managed to say.
You have not answered them as
wished" she said.
II came 10 America, sir-to see my
son-to ylead with you-the despot"
You have the right to think that
perhaps" he said now gently. II have
had thousand letters. Many people
have pleaded for your SON"
And? And you can let this 60 on %
Lady Asgill,' but he stopped in CON
fusion.
Meg, watching at the door, muttered
In open-mouthed wonder, THE young
cap'n'S mother"
DO be seated, please" said he. who
had not feared the battle and who
feared the sorrow In his visitors eyes
But she looked at him sternly Can
tain Asgill may die when YOU can pre-
vent 1t. They talk of you, you General
Washington, as great man-as the
liberator, and you are as bad a despot
as any king"
You are accusing mo, madam" he
said, still gently. IL cannot blame Won.
Yet every criminal has right 10 de-
Tense"
She did not sob now, although there
was that dull despair in her eyes. She.
spoke, self-controlled, contemptuously.
accusingly:
You VIII say, | suppose. that His
Majesty agents can arrange the mat.
ter by pmiahing those who hung Can.
tain Huddy. You always write that =
Yes, ] could say that; | could say
l am sorry. that ~
Il shouldn't believe you"
DOUBTLESS not. | don't expect YOU
to, Lady Asgiil. ] know how horrible
inns all has been-to ynu-the mother.
| ] know"
She SAID nothing. locking at him with
those accusing eyes Yet perhaps his
manner and reluctant memory of his
great lame, made her listen. He went
. OH now with stronger self-control
Many things | have to do from nv
position an not free to act for nv
sell: J nave to do as Congress and the
inllfiary court manages these cases
us these VIII have me. And yet"
And YETI" she began
Wait said he. II expect my aide
de-camp, Colonel Pemberton. every mo-
ment." -''
She looked at him passionately.
General Washington Won are n
ooth-tongued dcmagogue. Men may
call you what they may"
Al the moment steps were i'm the hall
me aide-de-camp entered. CHANGING Gu
fiousiy al the generals visitor.
Yes, Colonel Pelnberton'