Middletown transcript., 1902-11-22

OPaSN OCu Win q ihuucI ny WuiCH =
mount it, tapestry hangings to keep on
draughts, and quaint carving in hiero
1 glyphics over the mantel to indicate tina
the occupant was welcome and expected
| to sleep well.
| The girls did not stop to gossip long
but were soon ready to descend to th
drawing-room, where, about the statel,
apartment, were grouped family portraits
one or two just painted by Stewart, ane
others dated back to the times of Hi
Excellency's maternal ancestors.
His Excellency had a grand dining
room, where presently his guests were
feasted and where they read afterward
the inscription over the fireplace man
tel which Lady Anne allowed her son tc
remove intact from her own family man.
sion:>
| yIvE LA LIBERTE
To my best my Friends are free
Free with that and free with me;
Free to pass the harmless joke,
And the Tube sedately smoke;
Free to drink-iust what they please,
AS at Home and at their ease;
Free to speak, as free to think,
No Informer's with me drink;
Free to stay night or SO,
When uneasy, free to 60"
The afternoon following the grand
dinner was spent in gossiping and walk
ing about the park where the peacocks
strutted and the deer fitted about.
In the evening the rooms began to fill
as coach after coach unloaded beyies Of
ladies and gay gentlemen at the entrance,
many others of the latter class coming on
horseback with Wallets or negro servants
in attendance, while two old danes came
in their sedan chairs.
1t was gay scene, and Priscilla, as she
often did, contrasted it with the homely
farmhouse, where yet was so much light
and cheer. She stood beside Portia and
the Governor to assist in receiving the
guests and, presently, looking toward the
doorway, she saw advancing one whose
very presence set her heart to beating
wildly, while her sweet face failed to the
lips. But her gorgeous eyes looked
warmer welcome than she allowed her
lips to frame as he bent in courtly fash
ion before her.
How now? So you have met before"
said the Governor. "Nay, Mistress Pris-
ella, but your acquaintance with the gay |
world will presently outnumber my own.
bid you welcome, fair sir, and will
myself make you known to some of the
arrest ladies present. Lieutenant Digby,
commission you to introduce him to
Hiss Nancy Longley," and SO young
stanley was led off long before he was
eady to leave Priscilla's side.
The Governor, who was an astute man
Il many crafts beside State matters, noted
he looks of interest and intense tones OF
he two, and his heart was torn by envy
nd jealousy-envy of the youth of this
roud gallant and jealousy OF the fair girl
Tho had won the feryent love Of his life;
'r never before in the impetuosity of his 4
outh had he experienced the love he
ow felt for Priscilla. Her coyness, as
e was pleased to term it, vexed him,
ut he said to himself that she would
'on give way to the ardor of his suit 4
I'd become his willing bride. He knew 4
III well the humble life she lived, and 4
though her father bore an honored :
lme and was greatly respected, His
xcellency was convinced that the sump- =
business, style and luxury of the guber- 4
Itorial mansion could not be without
e desired effect on Priscilla's youthful Z
ind. Therefore had he given this en-
rtainment to the notables OF the county; )
erefore had he given Priscilla a fore y
ITS OF the honor which she might ex- 4
ct as the Governors lady. 4
And now had come across the horizon \
his hopes this &hipper-snapper, this :
rveyor fellow, this hanger-on Of Lieu )
lant Digbyl The Governor could Z
lrce find in his vocabulary, apart from q
diane words, sufficiently opprobrious a
ms to characterize the tall, handsome 4
d dignifed young man who had stopped y
low over Priscilla's hand that his lips
lst have brushed it, and then raised Y
eyes with fervid admiration in them q
her fair face, which with its paIlor and a
wing eyes never looked so lovely be- n
e to the Governor. He promised him y
to watch the young man closely and y
His Excellency's face grew dark as he
1dered and baleful light grew and y
kered and anon expanded till rare, "A
b scheme laid itself bare before him. =
Tor adown the river there lay at the ~
sent time an English vessel, and on u
) night, and while it lay there, able W
lied men of the poorer class would u
rec dare to step outside their lowly q
ellings for fear of the press s-gang's A
dgeon. Many the lad who has been 4
lucted by His Majestys seamen and y
ed to serve aboard ship. Mutterings y
high as well as in low places were -
ling force, but at present the press d
g held sway, and before the vessel set a
many stout young landSmans would x
himself pressed into the English ~
ice. If this young man The was stout "
lusty and hearty; few years of sea- "
ng life would not hurt him), should -
fallen upon, say tonight, by the two n
hree sturdy fellows he had seen loiter- *
by the wllarves and alehouses, why, ~
] Mistress Priscilla would lose a lover y
he troublesome rival, and gain "
itiful wife in the near futnre. 20
he detail of this scheme, as say. =
uded itself upon his mind, but ii *
ed consistency until he overheard "a
L 4. I. L II