Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-05-02
CONTINr -.

Fairfax could not have me heart % .
simulate opposition 20 tho natural .
feeling OF has hostess. especially since .
lie was hoping and wishing chat the .
departure OF the Vernors for Now
Orleans would be hastened by every
possible good fortune. Ho was ready
20 go with them at moment notice
himself.
"Yonr experience here will DO pleas
ant to remember" ne sand. "ard
should think that such an outing
would ada IN express charm Go yoa-
enjoyment of she city. i am surot hes
oven mv unhcroic adventures with tlc
masked raiders fron the wilderness
will ahori ne mrste enjoyable rccoilcc-
iions SO soon as 4 can get then ia the
proper perspective. To be perfectly
frank. I an myself quito wihiur 20 re-
turn 70 New Orleans
Father will be ready to 20 now"
spoke up Pauline. for the first time
che will not wish to keep us here any
longer.
II was useless for Fairfax 60 Try, he
could not lead the conversation away
from the robbers. and so they sat long
AZ the table discussing the subject
most unwelcome 20 him until Mr.. Yer
non returned just in time 20 take coffee
with them.
Tho incoming OF the bluff and CHEEKY
host changed the atmosphere of the
room az once; Mrs Vernon and Pauline
were smiling aud comparatively at
ease again.
81 have sent small boat with or
ders 90 my overseer at the Chande-
leurs 20 bring mp another large
schooner; I'm going 20 take every
thing away from here. These were
fir. Vcrnou's first words. "My sloop
1 Is just in from New Orleans. be adj
ded, turning some papers IN his hands
''Ihe war between England aud the
1 United States Is taking now turn 20
seems. and tais coast wall not long be
sale. We will return 90 New Orleans
\ at once.
Mrs. Vernon and Pauline exchanged
4 glance OF delight; evidently just then
i they wcro clad OF anything. even war.
i that would drive them away irom their
j wildwood home aud back o. the se-
curity and comfort OF the city. They
Il forgot Pierre Rameau and his cavaliers.
= they forgot Nasseur aud has house iu
ashes, a on the instant the vision %.
the mansion ON the narrow street ia
Il New Orleans arose In their mind.
with tho muvmur Of maa's ac,ivitic.
Il an the CLEAN OF passing vehicles. In.
decd, the thought Of war was vague
d remote. snrouded in the misty dis
81 fance. even the United States seemed
u - tnein not the country in which they
Il lived. bat rather some iar-oN laud d.
81 which they hai bar nominal insrr
esq,
Fa.r-@x had lei, Ncw Nori, just 3.
II advance O.. ;ae beginning ot war. ar.
81 perhaps no better imprc sion can u
gwen ~ she wide. uncoaquered dis
81 tauces Of our country before steam au,
electricity had compressed them. taa.
10 Imagine tLa.. although for sow
months the fighting he'd been Coin
on, the news oi :. was lust fairly reach
iug tki7 nook % She gulf coast wher
he found himself So deeply and sweet
" content that the thought OF hl
couatry's peril or his duty, as the so
s. # a patriot soldier. calling him 20 arms
had not once arisen In his mind. Il
had bra~7 the war mentioned IN Ne
8 Orlei rs; b It it had not impressed hil
~ a ate, of importance 20 himself
s when l hear you say that You are =,
ing back 20 the city, he said. for
shall have TO depend upon you TO giy
s. me room Il your vessel. W:
Just telling the ladies that la.
< nights experiences have quite ellie
my cup of desire, and that / am wal
ing TO retire from this picturesque r
: gioa.
Mr.. Vernon laughed, but 1t was eas
TO sec that behind his appearance
S cheeriulness grave thoughts wei
r. pressing uTon him. His heay
bearded face showed unmistakab
j lines of trouble, aud IN his deep-s
eyes 4 cloud was lowering He sipp
his coffee and made light remarks; b
Pauline's quick sympathy discover
his real mood.
Something has happened to Il
turb you, papa, she ventured. 'The
Is something you dread for US
know"
The perfect frankness of her vol
nnc manner and the outright sinceri
of her words seemed To touch
father 4 slight Hvsh crept into
cheeks aious the fringe o. bis ann
white beard; nc looked at her will
CLEAN OF tenderness in his eyes.
lyon are q very close observer. "
said, IN half banter. You read
as ii my face were q book.
He fluids IL hard to tear away fr
the freedom Of this Wild place"
marked Mrs. Vernon Il wish