Middletown transcript., 1904-09-10

the courses Was not he the greatest |
beau Of Boston city? Could not he
make his way with any maid? What
allied him, then? Truly, he must be
hard hit ! So the fathers plumed their
parental plumage to certainty regarding
the young people, and talked 50 fast Of
old days together that they really forgot
the silent pair at table with them. But
Virginia. tongue loosened suddenly when
all had returned to the parlor, and the
squire bade her sing to their guests.
"There may be fine upon singing
these days. Methinks I have heard that
King George has levied tribute. Have
you heard aught of such, sir p.
For the first time she addressed Give
Newcome, who colored furiously and re-
mained silent. A malicious light danced
in her long-lashed eyes.
"Ah, truly have heard So" she went
on in response to the surprised question
Of the other two faces. "And to collect
such fine is exceedingly dangerous, for
man might lose his head by so doing.
Is not that SO, sir r.
Give Newcome's dark cheeks whitened
until across one showed something like
scarcely healed whip cut-and Virginia
turned quickly away But he answered
no&, with steady gaze upon her:
=
"Fair mistress, 'tis less painful some
times to lose ones head than to lose
ones heart. When man has lost his
heart, what matter if she carry his head
also in her keepingg'
She swept mocking courtesy without
looking at him.
"You are at home in the making of
pretty speeches, sir. May I sing, then ~
"Pray do," he said beseechingly.
|. Yet she sat down to the spinet with
him never SO much as offering to turn
a page for her, and the large parlor was
filed by the soaring freshness of her
voice, while squire and judge listened
perplexed. Was ever wooing so begun
before? Surely it was not SO when they
were young Then gallant showed more
Of ardor and lady more of graciousness.
| And not many times, but all the time
we're they perplexed during the week
that followed. If they strolied about
the estate Virginia hung, chattering.
upon the judges arm, while'the son wss
left to her father did they ride she
kept alongside the judge and. enticed
him. into canter which put them far
ahead Of the others; at table she was
| 50 delightedly occupied with the elder
guest that she was prettily oblivious Of
| the younger; she evaded, she eluded, she
escaped-neyer allowing her suitor mo-
lnent, alone with her, yet doing all in
such "a way that the old men looking
on wondered that the young man should
not have more heart to make his oppor-
tunities. But on the last. morning Of
their guests stay Virginia was summoned
to the library-whither she went hum
! ming:
"When in bower with beauty blest-"
the most charming embodiment of girl
hood that ever father had to scold. And
so the squire thought as he tried to
frown into the winsome face-but froWn.
lie did; nor could she smile the frown
away.
"Haye you said YES to Give Newcome'
yet ?"
She laughed, although she, looked
down.
Il have not, sir.'
"And why?"
Such pretty surprised lift Of brows
never was before. II
Indeed, sir, you only bade me say
yes when he asked me-
The squire turned away his head. to
hide amusement. This witch Of maid
But his eyes were severe when lie spoke
again.
Daughter, ! wish you to 60 to the
garden arbor, and wait there until some
one comes to fetch you.''
when that someone asks if am
ready to return to the house must say
'yes,' must not 2"
Hesighed helplessly as she went. Had
ever father such another daughter? If
only her good mother was alive to give
counseT!. But he could not see how the
saucy merriment faded from her face
as the door closed behind her.
Nor did she lift her lashes when a
long shadow shadow fell across the arbor,
where she sat with a bit Of 'broidery-
a. a.domestic picture in green and white
I gngham, with muslin kerchief folded
about curve Of throat and dimpled arms
bare to the elbow dapples Of light droop-
ing upon her through the why fragrance
Of oyerhanging grapevines.
"Mistress Faulkner, would mo-
ment's speech with you.'
Still was she intent upon her work.
-'"Master Give Newcome, you have me
at your mercy, since you bar. the en-
trance"
"Do you bid me 60 then, mistress2
II bid you do nothing, SIR
II lie had come to make his way it
seemed not an easy way. Was it be-
cause he knew not what words to choose
that he stood and looked at her until
her cheeks grew redly warm under the
consciousness of his gaze? When the
pause began to seem SO intolerable that.
she was compelled, as it were, to glance
up at him, he spoke:
Mistress, have mother with hair
Of gold like yours, but her eyes are blue
and tender. have father-you have
seen him. Both hold me as the idol
Of their hearts. To learn Of my wild
playing at Robin Hood for the settle
ment Of gaming debts would kill the
Joy from their lives. Mistress, believe
nle-since / watched goodbye after you
at the edge of Durham Woods / have
borrowed money on my word of honor
u