Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-06-07

again"
More than once before spring came
tptoeing down the trees Anne looked
out to the north from quiet Castle Hill,
homesick for sight Of Greenway
Court and Baron Fairfax. Weakness
and age had at last sent the old man
to his chair, and he sat through the
long days sorrowfully patient. as his
ancestor, the hero Of Naseby fight, sat
at Denton in Yorkshire, waiting the
coming of the victorious banners Of the
king.
The beginnings Of tie struggle had
found him doggedly wrathful.
"'Bill Of rights aigh?" he would
shout. 81 want no benefit Of it. I am
colonial and loyal"
And when his neighbors contended
that what they stood for was the old
Issue for which their ancestors broke
pixies at Marston Moor he turned his
back upon them.
In the Old Dominion there was COM
parative tranquility, but even in the
forest he had heard the first blare Of
the kings armies in Boston and New
York with hungering fear that drew
his eyes often wistfully toward Mount
Vernon. There sat the lad he had
trained and nodded, "the first soldier
In Virginia" a grave man. They whis-
pered evil things of this mans loyalty
now, but the baron for long shut his
oars and would NOT hoor
The time came soon when Tories were
hated, despised, driven by fire from
their homes, their property confiscated.
But this old man alone was not touch
ed.
"Let the rebels comew he had roar
ed, pounding the floor with his thorn
stick. LET them come! I met the In
dams here in 80, and leave for no
cursed rebels. The king may not be
able to protect, but he will reimburse
me-"
But Tories and Wings passed by
| alike, and not pound was touched in
his storehouse, not horse taken from
his stables. When the foragers swept
the valleys his field slaves skunk away
with the rest, but he had not house
negro who did not stay with him to
the end.
The final chapter was opened at last.
Lafayette was marching southwark
with twelve hundred Of Washington's
own light infantry. The word had
struck sharper than an adder's tooth
the bloody SHOWS of Valley Forge, the
pelting retreat through the Jersies,
want, rout encouragement and de-
spair! The king must win, and George
Washington was gone too far even for
loves forgiveness. Now he sent his
rebels to his own natal colony to hurl
them in final desperate attack at the
kings throat.
After this news the baron took to his
couch and closed his doors against re-
port. Through all the war Washington
had found time to send gentle and ten
der letters to his old friend. These my
lord had read, longing for some sign
OF sorrow or of turning, but they had
brought none. Now he read no more
One morning Anne stood at the deep
set window of her room ut Castle Hill
Far away, their dim splendor relieved
by golden gorges Of early sunlight,
reared the solitary mountains, hung
with pale green, pale gold and blent
lavender and graylike faded tapestries
The June breeze was soft with the first
thrill Of summer, blowing across the
shelving fields. Birds were futing ir
the tulip trees, and the dewed odor Of
roses lay on the garden, drenchingly
sweet. The place seemed safe folded
from the war that lay, a sullen fiend
in cloud, far away across the Yir
ginia hills.
| A distant clatter came to her, and
she looked and listened where the east
ern road bent behind clusters Of trees
Almost before she had guessed the
meaning Of the sound a troop of dra
goons, whose red coats proclaimed then
British, dashed into view and rode a,
top speed toward the house.
The British! So far to the westward
What could it mean? Then, in clutch
ing apprehension, she fed downstairs
to Mrs. Walkers room, to find that lady
already dressing with speed and trepi
dation. AS she opened the door, the
yard below swarmed with confusion
Of soldiers and shrieking servants.
"Stay where you are" came DR.
Walkers voice from the next room. g,
am going"
mo, DOCTOR" Mrs. Walker opposed
II am going myself" And 60 she did
Anne with her.
4 Aunt Daph', the cook, having fec
from the kitchen, was crouched, shud
dering, at the foot of the stair. "Dem'
de Britishers, missus!' she moaned
"Dem's de Britishers!
II know it." answered Mrs. walke
calmly as a knock Numbered at til,
door. go back to your kitchen"
The figure on the threshold bowed
TIL his plumes swept the sill.
pardon me, madam-ladies," he be
gan, "but must ask Of your hospital
ity breakfast for myself and my Off
GERS. I may introduce myself? Colone
Tarleton Of the British legion, at you
service"
Anne caught an astonished breath a
realization that she was standing be
: fore the most dreaded Of CORVALLIS
cavalry leaders. Gould this red cheek
ed, petulant Tipped lad be the dragon
OF whose cruelty and daring she ha,
SO often heard? She courtesied slowl,
to his bow.
Il might add" announced the visitor
that no harm shall be done this prop
: erty. We have business farther on"