Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-04-18
CHAPTER |.

In the year of grace 177i a climbing
sun glowed above his majesty's colony
of Virginia. 1t drank the opal mists
of the marshes. iecked the fields into
shadow haunted cloth of gold and SO
unrolled over the old middle planta-
tion." where a round century before
Bacon and his men had taken the oath
against England browsing, yellow
mid-May afternoon.
Two quickened rivers, like silver Cir
dies unclasped, wound through The
lowland, from where phantom-far lay
the shadows of pines against the color
washed line of sky, sharp edged and
black, in gigantic pointed fronds. The
rivers rolled broadly to the sea, hold
ing between them green valley sweet
with the warm perfumes of leaf and
flower. and this valley folded to its
ital.
The teal and mallard that winged
over from York to James looked down
thereon and saw single broad thor
oughfare, shaded by poplars and mul-
berries, with william and Mary col
lege at one end and the new capitol
at the other. Struggling streets Of
wide porched houses bordered with
garlands debouched upon this, and
spreading away In all directions, like
/ gathered ribbons, by league long plan
,tation and through broken forest, went
ttawny, twisting roads.
Along one Of these roads, by clumps
iof rustling laurel. came great coach
with green body and brown cloth, bear
ing the arms Of the Tillotsons Of Glad.
den Hall. A black body servant rode
behind It a-horseback.
The coach. which rolled humping
and swinging ponderously where the
way was rugged, pleasantly and light
ly where the road was smooth. held q
matron and a slender girl. The latter
was Of that age when nature paints
with her richest brush. Her hair was
a wave OF russell lights, with shadows
of warmer brown. Her face. rose
stained, was the texture Of rose. Her
mouth, below serious eyes Of blended
blue, gave touch Of willfulness. II
there was intentness on the brow. SC
was there languor in the lips, red, hall
ripe. the upper short and curved to
smile. She was all raptures-all sap
phire and rose gold against the dark
cushion.
Both as they rode were silent, look
ing out through either side window
upon the warm, scent stepped glimpses
Of the way. All along were waving
reaches Of wheat, where the poppy
flung its wrinkled spash Of red, OF
acres Of young growing tobacco where.
In sweating slaves toiled listlessly, their
songs woven with the undertone OF the
sluggish stream, slashed by reviline
oaths and whip crackings Of bearish
over6eer. At the dusty edges Of the
road thistle and wild honeysuckle
scrambled for their breath, and COW.
slips went spinning yellow ribbons. II
was a slumberous land swathed in a
tremulous haze Of heat and a wash OF
sun.
Anne" said the matron at length
withdrawing her gaze from the win.
dow.
Yes, Aunt Mildred"
'"Do you intend to treat that boy
badly?"
The girl was silent, gazing across the
fields, watching the birds slender fash
lings In the olive hollows.
}; "You haven't answered my ques
ton"
What question:"
do you intend to treat that boy
badly"
What boy?" inquired Anne, with {
sweetness that BODIED other things.
Francis Byrd"
II intend to treat him as l always
have--no better, nor worse"
. "The world has changed since m,
: time" reflected Mrs. Tillotson. "Maidl
deemed themselves lucky to have ont
gallant and wasted small time in wed
ding. Last night l thought it hat
been Captain Jarrat. Now be is lef
for Molly Byrd to make eyes at. TIT
F. way that woman acts! So | suppos,
J II will be with Francis"
Let them cease arranging things TO
, me, them" cried Anne. IL will not b,
put up and bargained for. WI b.
= the subject of no family councils.
3 will wed when and whom please"
Her aunt looked bit startled at tn
J outburst.
"Of course, of course she assente,
. mildly. but you don't please. Your
eighteen-two years older than I wa
when ! married your uncle. Franci