The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-08-31
HEARTS . ;:$'s't
COURAGEOUS
CHAPTBR /.
COPYRIGHT. 1902. BY Ihe DO~cOAaenul. Company

CHAPTER 1.
n IN the year of grace 1874 a climb-
ing sun glowed above his maj.
esty's colony OF Virginia. 1t
- drank the opal mists of the
marshes, flecked the fields into shadow
haunted cloth of gold and so uprolled
over the old middle plantation" where
a round century before Bacon and his
men had taken the oath against Eng
land, n browsing, yellow mid.May aft
t%ernoon.
Two Qufckened rivers, like silver CIR
dies unclasped, wound through the
iowland, 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 n green valley sweet
with the warm perfumes of leaf and
flower, and this valley folded to its
heart Williamsburg, the gay little CAP.
ital.
The teal. and mallard that winged
over from York to James looked down
thereon and saw n single broad thor
%oughfare, shaded by poplars and mul.
berries, with William and Mary col.
lege at one end and the new capitol
ut the other. Struggling streets Of
wide porched houses bordered with gar.
dens debouched upon this, and spread.
Ing away in all directions, like gathered
ribbons, by league long plantation and
through broken forest, went tawny,
twisting roads.
Along one Of these roads, by clumps
of rustling laurel, came n 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 n-horSebuck.
The coach, which rolled humping
0pd swinging ponderously where the
way was rugged, pleasantly IL light
ly where the road was smooth, held a
matron and Il slender girl. The latter
was of that age when nature paints
with her richest brush. Her hair was
n wave Of russell lights, with shadows
of warmcr brown. Her face, rose
stained, was the texture of n rose. Her
mouth, below serious eyes of blended
blue, CAV Il touch of w~illfulncss. If
there was intcntncss on the brow, so
was there languor In the lips. rcd, half
ripe. the upper short and curved to
smile. She WAS all rapturcs-all sap
phirc and rose gold against the dark
cushion.
Both as they rode were silent, look
ing out through either wide window
upon the warm, scent stepped glimpses
of the way. All along were waving
reaches of wheat, where the poppy
flung It's wrinkled splash OF rcd, or
acres of young growing tobacco where
in sweating slaves toilcd llstlcssly, their
songs woven with the undcrionc of the
sluggish stream, slnsied by rcviling
oathS and whip crackings of IL bcarish
ovcrscpr. AZ the dusty edges of the
road thistle and wild honcysucklc
scrambled for their breath, and cow
slips went spinning yellow ribbons. 1t
was IL slumbcrous land swathcd In q
trcmulous haze of heat n n wash Of
sun.
"Annc," said the matron at length,
Withdrawing her gaze from the win
dow.
Yes, Aunt Mildred"
"Do you intend to treat that boy bad
ly?"
The girl was silent, gazing across the
fields, watching the birds slender fash
ings in the olive hollows.
you haven't answered my ques-
tion."
what question:"
"Do you intend to treat that boy bad
ly"
what boy?' inquired Anne, with a
sweetness that BODIED other things.
"Francis Byrd"
II intend to treat him as / always
haYe-no better, nor worse"
"Thc world has changed since my
time" reflected Mrs. Tillotson. Maids
/ daemed themselves lucky to have one
.dlant and wasted small time in wed
ding. Last winter l thought 1t had
been Captain Jarrat. Now he is left
for Molly Byrd to make eyes at. The
way that acts! So I suppose
4. will be with Francis"
lie them cease arranging things for
me, them cried Anne. II Will not be
put up and ~bargained for. / will be
the subject Of no family councils. I
will wed when and whom I please
Her aunt looked q bit startled 1t the
outburst.
"Of course, Of course" she assented
mildly. "But you don't please. You're
eightcen-two years older than I was
when / married your uncle. Francis
Byrd of Wcstovcr is the pick of them
all"
Gle is a mere boy" Anne's tone held
q growing impatlcnce.
Gle is not too young" went ON Mrs.
Tillotson, ito take stock of all you say.
But remember, dear, that he is to wear
the royal colOrs now. TITS all well
enough for you and me to be open
Wings. We don't have to do any oath
taking, and they don't hang us. But
kings mon cannot he so free of tongue"
Anne turned upon her.
81 know The rest of It'll" she cried.
"Fmncis is spending time at Alberti's
rooms-my fault, Francis is making a
friend OF Patrick lIenry-my fault!
Francis has n mind Of his own, hasn't
lioY If he chooses so, well and good.
Aunt Mildred, there Will be u day
when any NirginiaR will be proud to be
a friend of Patrick HcnryW
The lady shook her head not unkind.
ly. Your mother over again, Anne"
she said. Loyal ana true. All, mel"
She was silent, but Anne knew of
what she was thinking. After n time
SHE put her hand over and touched the
girls. keep your friendships, child, if
uou likns tI,c,nn clio cold ar bo,ro