Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-09-30
Copyright. 1904, by ]. b. Lippinco,, Company.
CHAPTER II.-CoNTINuEp.

At length they began their prepa.
stions for departure, but ere they
were ready to set forth the colonel
turned to Jane with real concern. rs
it possible, dear lady" he asked
that you are left alone in this great
house with only these blacks? Surely.
'ewere perilous situation. and ]
must crave the privilege of leaving
with you a guard of some of nv
faithful fellows until your father and
mother return"
Jane threw back her head and
smiled at him in bewitchine de-
rision. what a harsh mistress Col.
Ressemer must think me-" she re-
marked, that l should needs be
afraid to be left alone with these,
my people. Know you, sir. that every
negro upon this plantation has be
longed all his life to either nv
fathers family or that of my own
mother or my stepmother. Each OF
them is bound to us by ties that have
beeu weaving through generations.
Every one OF them is as dear to me
a. though he were my kinsman. and
dare to believe that j am equally
dear 10 each of them. Nay. colonel.
you ere not half so safe at the head
OF you4 legion as l am here surround
ed by my black servants"
She spoke with spirit. the rich color
rnantling her cheeks, for it was n
matter of pride with the Ellerys that
no family in all the colonies could
merit the devotion of their depend
DVrtN 49,. IL.
were. knowing well that laxity was
mistaken kindness, but liberal and
Just always.
Al, madam" Besscmer answered
lit IN not necessary TO tell me that
your people love you. No one could
he associated with you an hour with
out doing that, much less years"
She swept him a mock courtesy.
snd then, in true southern fashion
accompanied him to the front door:
it's fashion that even yet southern
bostesses find il hard to wean them
selves from. Stepping out upon the
portico, she saw that the sky. SO
smiling when they arrived, was over
cast. while banks of ominouS black
clouds had gathered in the east.
~ storm brewing. / beg that YOU
tarry until we see how much of a
one it is to be, for our South Carolina
tempests are not often mild. even at
this mild season of the year"
Il thank you. sweet lady" Jesse
mcr answered but / fear we have
infringed too long upon your hospi-
tality as it is, and that the rebels
viii have taken advantage of our self
Indulgence TO be up TO mischief.
Duty tells me / must join my Gen.
CORVALLIS A. soon as possible. though
inclination fain would chain me
here"
LFen as he spoke the wind rose into
gale, and swaycd this way and that
TIE tops of the great elms which
lined the avenue from the carriage
gate 70 the house. There was a
binding flash Of lightning. a growI
OIL thunder and a splash Of rain
Then as though encouraged, the Gle
ments let loose their fury.
~ would not be the first storm that
Besscn,er and his men had breasted
but never had they set out in one
from surroundings so Hospitality in
'iting. Not since they left Charleston
had they seen such lavish display Of
luxurious living as here; and. indeed.
few country seats even in rich Vir.
ginia maintained the daily scale Of
munificence exhibited by this South
Carolina plantation.
The storm was augmenting it's
force. Bessemer hesitated what to
do. A rain began to descend in
sheets, he gave the command for his
men TO break ranks and pitch their
shelter-tents
You see, dear lady" Bessemer said
20 her, as she stood watching the
soldiers def work, that the very
elements are leaguing for my happi-
ness to-day in offering me so good
sn excuse for indulging longer in
your sweet society"
Perhaps Jane answered. 1T is
my pleasure they are considering"
aad could he who six months ago