The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-05-29

words that for tho first time Mistress
Esther had hearkened to, and yet she
said no word, but let the white lids
flutter down over the tell-tale brown
eyes.
Would the end never come? Verilv
she was becoming an arbitrator TO
self, to all maidenhood, as well az to
her King. And though the old clock kept
it's secret well, it could not shut out
from the ears of the man hidden with
in the low musical voice telling the
newest version of the very oldest story
on earth. AT last, when the voices had
sunk to an lndistinct murmur, and
there had come little silence to be
translated as he would, jealousy got the
better OF prudence. He scorned to
owe his life to her, this Tory Llght.o'-
love that but held HIM there to torture
the very heart from his bosom. So
little time, and the glorious head had
lain on his breast and now the dark
ness hid what must be repetition
with her Tory lover. Obi The Jade.
His hand was lifted to make known
his presence whom again, the blare of
the bugles sounded across the river.
Instantly there was u STIR in the hall
below, while Lansing held his breath,
the mere force of habit rendering HIM
quiet, although the passion of rage was
shaking him from head to foot. There
was a whispered farewell, and then
the Captains voice right beneath him,
/" The clock has stopped"
Mistress Esther went white to the
roots of her hair, and all the blood
rushed to her heart, leaving her faint
and sick, but the darkness hid her
agitation, and the gay laugh ripplod
lightly 10 she replied: ooh, Captain
You are sad tlatterer, L do protest.
That was a very pretty compliment,
but the clock IS not to blame. 1t has
given good notice that it no longer
guards the hour. am tins day ex-
pecting the smith, but he has failed
me, and 'twere well, as that mischlev-
ous page of mine must needs NEEDLE
with the pendulum, and to keep it
from his fingers l have locked it 30
| well that ] have lost the KEY. You
will judge me careless housewife in
very truth, but there are many things
in this vast house to burden the mind
of one poor maid," and Mistress Esther
sent glance from under her long
lashes that rendered the Captain more
fain than ever to lift the burden of
Gordon Hall from the shoulders of its
fair owner.
His men had formed in the avenue,
and there was no excuse for longer
delay, so the Captain backed linger
ingly down the steps, his sword iin-
gle, and the handsome head barred in
the gloamlng. With deliberate ease he
mounted, and away down the avenue
turning in the saddle az long as the
blue brocade trailed over the stones,
and Mistress Esther took car. to use
no unseemly haste, but waited until
the red was blended gray, and the last
Tilt of song had died away ere she
mounted the STAIRS and turned the KEY.
Lansing stepped forth from the case,
his eyes blazing with pent up wrath,
| but ere he could say the words that
must have been fatal to that loyal
| loving heart, two white arms were
| flung about his neck, and the sweet
face nestled against his shoulder.
For you, for you, did it, and now
may God forgive me the lies that |
have told this day, and the making q
shuttle cock OF good mans heart.
am traitor to all but you, traitor to my
self, and my king, for the sake of the
sweetest love that e'er maid hath
known. Thy country be my country,
thy Washington my king, or what you
will make of him, 30 long as Guy
lansing's good right arm is mine"
| With prayer of thankfulness for
the words left unsaid, he held her
close and there was silence where M
word avails.