Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-05

uA> IAS cal VI grace lllf Il CHILD.
I'll ing sun glowed above his maj
esty's colony of Virginia. 1t
drank the opal mists of the
marshes. fecked the fields into shadow
haunted cloth Of gold and so unrolled
over the old middle plantation" where
round century before Bacon and his
men had taken the oath against Eng
land, browsing, yellow mid-May aft
ternoon.
Two quickened rivers, like silver Cir
ules unclasped, wound through the
Rowland, from where phantom-far lay
the shadows of pines against the color
washed lipe ct sky, sharp edged and
placK, IN glganr1c pointed rronds. The
j 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
, heart Williamsburg, the gay little cap
! ital.
2 The teal and mallard that winged
over from York to James looked down
thereon and saw single broad thor
3oughfare, shaded by poplars and null
Z 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 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 great coach
with green body and brown cloth, bear
iry the arms of the Tillotsons of Clad
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
/, ~ where the road was smooth, held a
+ matron and slender girl. The latter
was of that age when nature paints
with her richest brush. Her hair was
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 If
there was intentness on the brow, so
was there languor in the lips, red, half
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 wide window
upon the warm, scent stepped glimpses
4 Of the way. All along We're waving
reaches of wheat, where the poppy
flung its wrinkled splash of red, or
acres of young growing tobacco where
In sweating slaves toiled listlessly, their
songs weEen with the undertone of the
sluggish stream, slashed by reviling
oaths and whip crackings of bearish
overseer. At the dusty edges of the
road thistle and wild honeysuckle
scrambled for their breath, and cow
slips went spinning yellow ribbons. It
was slumberous land swathed in a
tremulous haze Of heat and wash of
sun.
Anne" said the matron at length,
withdrawing her gaze from the win
dow.
II Eyes, Aunt Mildred"
"Do you intend to treat that boy bad
ly7v
The girl was silent, gazing across the
fields, watching the birds slender fash
ings in the olive hollows.
you haven't answered my ques-
ton."
what question:?
DO you intend to treat that boy bad
!, ""
"What boy?" inquired Anne, with a
Dweetness that BODIED other things.
francis Byrd"
II intend to treat him as always
E haye-no better, nor worse"
1.-THE world has changed since my
dme," reflected Mrs. Tillotson. maids
neemed themselves lucky to have one
gallant and wasted small time in we'd
ding. Last winter I thought it had
been Captain Jarrat. Now he is left
Tor Molly Byrd to make eyes at. The
way that woman acts! So I suppose
It will be with Francis"
~ "Let them cease arranging things for
{ me, them" cried Anne. 81 will not be
put up and bargained for. I will be
Me subject Of no family councils.
NIL wed when and whom please"
Her aunt looked bit startled at the
bathurst.
"Of course, Of COURSE" she assented
Z mildly. But you don't please. You're
i eghteen-two years older than was
when l married your uncle. Francis
Byrd Of Westover is the pick of them
hil''
"He Is mere boy" Anne's tone held
growing Impotence.
HE is not too young" went on Mrs.
rillotson, ito take stock of all you say.
\ But remember, dear, that he is to wear
The royal colors now. 'Tis all we'll
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 men cannot be SO free Of tongue"
I Anne turned upon her.
II know the rest Of It'll" she cried.
ssFrancis is spending time at Albertrs
tooms-my fault. Francis is making a
eriend Of Patrick Henry-my fault!
Francis has mind of his own, hasn't
be? Il he chooses SO, well and good.
Nunt Mildred, there will be day
when any Virginian will be proud to be
friend Of Patrick Henry!'
The lady shook her head not unkind-
". Your mother over again, Anne"
she said. loyal and true. All, mel"
She was silent, but Anne knew of
what she was thinking. After time
she put her hand over and touched the