Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-03-04

wv lights Of an English dawn |
" nowadays can figure for !
himself to the letter how
twas when Lady Peggy and Chockey,
after a make haste toilet In the dark,
slipped out into tho sweetness that |
long ago spring morning.
Lady Peggy took the lead, kirtle high |
upheld, shoes soon bedrabbIed In the
dust and dew. Chockey, bearing the
newly covered box in her stout arms,
followed close at heel. Both women,
yelled double, and being wholly unused
to such matters, sighting the path
much the worse for the covering; in
fact, Peggy stumbled along like some i
old crone, and yet laughed under her
breath merrily back at laundering
Chockey.
Hist, Chock! Had l now but brought
dads cane and snuffbox I must sure
be taken for some threescore dame
come yawning out Of bed before her
hour to overtake, mayhap, a recreant
grandson. POUNDS, as my twin d say,
were he here" and, hauling at the
mischievous brussels veil, down flop
ped her ladyship on her knees be-
twixt two villainous ruts.
"Oh, my lady," moaned the waiting
woman. painting under cooks delaine
and the calfskin box. Lord ha'
mercy! An this be the way to Lon
don, I'd liefer be sittin' in the kitchen
chimney a-blessin' my porrIdge and
spoonin' Of t than this" assisting hea
mistress to her feet
"Fie upon thee, Chock! Remember
you're waiting woman now to a lady
Of fashion-to wit myself-and vel!
used to Journeys up to town in coaches
every season! Ludy' Here Peggy
stood in a puddle to take breath. Il
wonder IL wen ever pass muster at
the inn. And yet I'm sure landlord OF
dame or hostler d never think Of me-"
Haste, madam" returns Chockey
for do not forget the coach starts al
on the stroke. and we've still the
quarter mile to CO."
And on they went Peggy with Q
measured tread, Chockey plodding aft
er, into the inn yard, where even now
the great coach with its four bays
waited the signal to start.
"All h'up for the London malt"
shouted the coachman merrily.
And Lady Peggy and her woman,
neatly sandwiched between fat, fussy
dowager and swearing, tearing old
gentleman who together absorbed the
most Of the vehicle and all the atten.
ton of their fellow passengers, found
themselves on the road to town.
No one paid the least heed to them
save that at the stops the guard came
civilly to ask Chockey II her mistress
required any refreshment to which
Chockey, well prepared, always an
swered mo-" since to raise their wells
might betray their identity. So twas
in hunger, silence and oblivion that
the momentous journey was taken.
Without incident the journey mp to
the great city is accomplished, and BY
8 in the afternoon up pull the four
horses before the door Of the Kings
Arms in the Strand, and Lady Peggy
and her woman and her box are Get
down in the yard amid the din and
hustle incident always to the arrival Of
travellers.
Not much attention Il bestowed on
them, a couple Of unpretending ap.
pearing women. evidently not persons
Of quality, as the meek little ealfskin
box is their sole belonging. Coming up
to London, too. without even one man
servant bespeaks but little considera-
ton In the throng Of ladies' Of fash
ion, gallants over their coffee, courtiers
popping in for the news. sparks intent
on ogling a pretty face or noting 4
trim ankle that much o'ercrowded the
yard. ordinary and parior Of the Kings
Arms.
Just here once for an instant Lady
Peggy's brave heart failed her; most
when she espied at the door. Just get
ting into her silken curtained chair, a
Lady so young and beautiful, 80 richly
GRIT 50 spick and span, with such won
derful patches and such snowy DOW
deged locks. such sparkling eyes, such
begemmed fingers glistening through
her mitts, and knew at once that Lady
Diana Weston was indeed 'in town.
She faltered bit, indeed sank down
on the box, which Chockey had set in a
corner Of the yard, and for brief mo-
ment both mistress and maid believed
their masking falls with few splash
ing tears.
Then spoke Lady Peggy. rising and
pluckiAg up her spirits. "Chock," said
she. "beckon me a boy from yonder
group. Inquire the path to the corner
of Holywell road and Lark lane. Order
l. him shoulder the box and lad the way.
Speak with a swagger. Chock. Knock
the drops out Of your lashes with a
laugh, grill Let 'em think we're old
hands at the town and used to being
waited yuponv' Lady Peggy straight
ened herself In her grimy shoes and
gave the Levantine twitch which she
hoped was quite the mode.
Meantime Chockey did her mistress
bidding, and In less time than It takes
to set it down the two were following
the lad in and out Of such q net and
mazework Of streets and lanes az set
their heads a-whirling. Now they
w >~~~sS0 sAAVAAA SA4O OCAx0s k1OW 6CIO68
that alley, foul smelling as a ditch or
q dirty dog; anon up a broader way
where knockers shone and chairs wait
ed at the curb. then a cut down here,
and at last this was Holywell road and
yonder the opening Of Lark lane.
Well. to be sure, twas a sorry spot.
As Lady Peggy paid the boy and stood
ON the step she ruefully surveyed the
environment The wigmaker's oppo-
site, with a wig in the window, she
half laughingly noted, the very yellow
counterpart Of Sir Robin McTarts
round pate; dingy chocolate house at
tother end Of the row of dark, tim
bered, nodding houses. and this one of
the stretch. taller. grimier even than
Its forlorn neighbors. was where poor
scribbling .Kennaston hunted that Jade
called Fame!