The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-05-29
IA Maid of Old
Dominion Days..

avenue, the branching oaks flung
slanting shadows. The sweetness of
Banksia roses 6Toit in the Virginia
sunshine, where the trailing vines crept
M the grey walls, and around the
iewel-lke panes of the :nallioned win
dows, winding about the stately col
umns that guarded the portals OF
Gordon Hall. The peace of the coun-
try Sabbath had laid its hand upon the
quiet daily come and go; a quiet that
brought every far of moving thing
very near, in the rustic Of 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 IL quivering halo
of golden notes about the fair young
head. In the dark setting OF the Old
hall the dainty figure shown out as
some royal dame stepped down from
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
hgh-heelcd satin shoes.
Four" booms the clock that
towers above her head, and as if in
answer, the thud Of galloping hoofs
came up The avenue. Lansing had
been true to his lryst, although just
across the river lay the army Of Corn
wallis and the hall of the pickcls could
be heard in the clear evening air.
There was scarce an instants pause,
ere the riders spurrcd heel rang on the
stone step and Lansing strobe down
the length of the long hall. a goodly
man, this young Continental, albeit the
buff and blue were Il triile tattcred and
faded, the eyes were bright, and the
stalwart form carried 1.-the grace, that
betrayed even more than the tlnged
cheek, the good red blood of Powhatan.
The Romncy picture awoke, and Mis-
tress Esther the sweet face all agl0w
held out her two white hands.
You foolish boy" but there is no
chiding III the lovely eyes-and then his
grave face brought the question to her
lips. Before she could voice it the
faint sound of distant bugle rang
across the river. Lansing sprang to
his feet. There they arcl Hide me
Esther, for the love of the sweet saints
hide me! 1t Is the Kings troopersr'
Over Esther Gordon's face a white.
ness went. Between lover and King
lay the choice of Il moment, but before
that tribunal where woman's verdict
Is fore-ordaned. a moment later.
and Mistress Esther's own little page
was speeding the great red roam to
hiding place in the swamp, and Mis-
tress Esther, herself, was fitting a kew
tothe 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 a CHATTER
OF accoutrements in the avenue warned
them OF the danger close at hand
Mistress Esther closed the case and
MD the key among the luces about her
white throat. One little foot was
poised on the last step of the stair, as
Inc Captaln entered the door, his
glitter of gold lace on the Kings scar
let llghting up the gloom where the
sun rays Jailed TO penetrate. lie bow
ed low, as Mistress Esther advanced to
meet him, and the ungloved hand
half-dou5tingly held out to her, was
white as woman's for Capt. John Will
loughhy, of My Lord CORVALLIS favor.
tie regiment, was versed far better
IN the lore of courts than in the tactics
OF these wild colonists, who fought as
Indians, from tree to tree, rather than
as Well.trained troops, STANDING
up to be killed in the open. There was
an lnstants embarrassment, as he halt.
ed and stumbled through the unwel
come duty OF announcing his errand
Mistress Esther, am forced to
commit the indignlty of asking your
permission to search the Han. Believe
me the loyalty of your house is un-
questioned by my Lord CORVALLIS, as
well as your humblcst admirer.n and
here he bowed very low, "but we have
Tracked one OF the rebels straight to
thls mansion, and TO satisfy evil
tongues it were well TO search, though
II be mere matter of fOrm.n
Mistress Esther courtesled low
" Capt. Willoughby, there need be no
apology, no hesitation IN this matter OF
your duty. a Gordon is ever a King.
man, and it were well to set an ex-
".!P1e OF moral "a well as physical sac
rlhce in these times IF disaffect,on. if
so be it beneiit the cause. My doors
are open to your men, bid them search
search well, that Gordon's roof hide no
traitor to his Majesty" Up the stairs.
anu down other stairs, through the
ramp!lhg garrets, and into holes where
scarce mouse could hide, deep into
tne caVernons cellars went King
"eorge's men, but never 80 much "a q
coat tail Of the hated blue AMI bufr
Gouid U the most dilgcnt spy. Mistress
Esther herself peered down the ce,Ia,
stars and bnde them search welI lest
the rebel should disturb her honsohold
IN the midnight hour.
II was well done. No trcmor of ~,
SORT white hands that poured tho rare sre
re- aea wine for the Captain, and as 'to tho
shadows grew soft and the orav I ,,,,e ,ao
s.ole over the land, Mistress 'I,' r.,
,her paced by his side up and dow,, rs. u.s.
long hall, while he spoke of his ho,no ~ ,no
over the sea, and the old mother "ttne tha.
wrote such pitiful, loving letters to ',a' ha'
BOY IN this far-off savage lond " IT, md