The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-11
THE ADVERTISERS DAILY SHORT STORY

over the young grass of the long ave- nue. inc branching oaks flung slanting shadows. The sweetness of Banksia roses
 dweit in the Virginia sunshine, where the trailing vines cyept up the grey walls, and around the jewel-like panes of the mullioned wfndo ys, winding about the
 stately columns that guarded the portals or Gordon Hall The peace of the coun- ry Sabbath had laid it's hand upon the daily come and go: a quiet that brought every far off moving thing very near. tn the rustic of a mighty silence. Mistress Esther Gordon came slowly down the broad, winding stairs. The light from the great oriel window above her head. shafting down into the gloom below, played quiyering halo of golden notes about the fair young head. In the dark setting of the old hall, the dainty figure shone out as some royal dame stepped down from a Romney picture, the blue brocade cut away from the firm white throat, where the pearls rose and fell amid the foam of lace. and the small feet clad in the high-heeled satin shoes.
 -Four" booms the clock that towers above her head, and as If in answer. the thud of galloping hoofs come up the avenue. Lansing had been true to his tryst, although just across the river lay the army of Cornwallis, and the hail of pickets could be heard in the clear evening air. There was scarce an in- stants pause, ere the riders spurred heel rang on the stone step, and Lansing
 
 A goodly man, this young continental albeit the bun and blue were a trifle tattered and faded, the blue eyes were bright, and the stalwart form carried d 1.-the grace. that betrayed even more than the tinged cheek, the good red blood of Powhatan. The Romney picture awoke. and Mistress Esther, the sweet face all aglow, held out her two white hands.
 You foolish boy" but there is no chidng in the lovely eyes-and then his grave face brought the question to her lips. Before she could voice 1t the faint sound of distant bugle rang across the river. Lansing sprang to his feet. There they are! Hide me, Esther, for the love of the sweet saints, hide me! It is the Kings troopersr'
 Over Esther Gordon's face a whiteness
 went. Between lover and King lay the choice of a moment, but before that tri- bunal where a womans verdict Is fore ordained. A moment later, and Mistress Esther's own little page was speeding the great red roan to hiding place in
 the swamp, and Mistress Esther herself
 was fitting kev to the high carved clock that lowered on the stair. To and fro. swung the great round disc of the pendulum, and the hands were pointing to ten minutes past four, when laugh. and chatter of accoutrements in the avenue warned them of the danger close ct hand
 Mistress Esther closed the case. and hid the key among the laces about her white throat. One little foot was poised on the last step of the stair, as the Cap tain entered the door, his glittering gold lace on the Kings scarlet lighting up 1 the gloom where the sun-rays failed to penetrate He bowed low, as Mistress | Esther advanced to meet him, and the l ungloved hand, half-doubtingly held out | to her, was white as a woman's, for Captain John Willoughby of My Lord Cornwallis' favorite regiment was versed Co. 1ANN tx. @R arfS h n n in the tactics of these wild colonists | who fought as Indians from tree to tree rather than as well-trained troops, stand ing up to be killed in the open. There was an instant's embarrassment. as he | halted and stumbled through the un- welcome duty of announcing his errand. Mistress Esther, I am forced to com
 init the indignity of asking your permis-
 sion to search the Hall Believe me, the loyalty of your house is unduestioned by My Lord Cornwallis. as well as your | humblest admirer." and here he bowed very low, but we have tracked one of the rebels straight to this mansion, and to satisfy evil tongues 1t were well to search, though it be a mere matter Of | form"
 Mistress Esther courtesied low. Gap tain Willoughby, there need be no apol- | ogv. no hesitation In this matter Of your | duty. c A Gordon is ever a Kings man,
 and It were well to set an example of
 moral as we'll as physical sacrifice in these times of disaffection. If so be 1t
 benefit the cause. My doors are open to your men. bid them search, search
 well, that Gordons 'oof may. hide no traitor to Ills Majesty" Up the stairs, and down other stairs. through the ramh- ling garrets, and into holes where scarce
 a mouse could hide, deep into the cav ernous cellars went King Georges men.
 but never so much as a coat-tail of the
 hated blue and buff could the most d.l- Wednesdays story. WITH THE LAW IN