Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-10


of your legion us I am here surround
ed by my black servants"
She spoke with spirit. the rich color
mantling her cheeks. for IL was
matter of pride with the Ellerys that
no family in all the colonies could
more confidently Claim or better
merit the devotion of their depend
cnts. strict disciplnarians they
we're, knowing we'll that laxity was
mistaken kindness, but liberal and
just always.
| "Ah. madam" Rcssemcr answered
ct is not necessary to tell me that
your people love you. No one could
be associated with you an hour with
out doing that, much less years"
She swept him mock courtesy,
and then. in true southern fashion,
accompanied him TO the front door;
It's a ia shion that even yet southern
bostesses find it hard TO wcan them
selves from. stepping out upon the
portico. she saw that the sky. SO
smiling when they arrived. was over
cast, while banks of ominous black
clouds had gathered in the east.
"Methinks, colonel" she said. "thcre
is n storm brewing. | beg that you
tarry until we see how much of
one il is to be. for our South Carolina
tcmpcrts are not often mild. even at
this mild season Of the year"
II thank you. sweet lady" Bcsse-
mer answered, "but fear we have
infrnecd too long upon your hospi-
| -. ho hn .Ic
will have taken advantage of our self
indulgence 10 he up to mischief.
Duty tells me must join my Gen.
CORVALLIS as soon as possible. though
inclination fain would chain me
here"
Even as he spoke the wind rose into
a gale. and swaycd this way and that
the tops of the great elms which
lined the avenue from the carriage
gate to the house. There was II
binding fash of lightning, II growl
of thunder and splash of rain.
Then, as though encouraged. the cle
ments let loose their fury.
1t would not be the first storm that
I;esseR.er and his men had breasted,
but never had they set out in one
from surroundings so hospitality in
,iting. Not since they left Charleston
had they seen such lavish display of
luxurious living us here: and. indeed,
few country seats even i'll rich Nir-
gina maintained the daily scale of
munifcencc exhibited by this South
Carolina plantation.
The storm was angmenting its
force. Bessemcr hesitated what to
do. As rain began TO descend in
sheets. he gave the command for his
men to break ranks and pitch their
sheltertents.
"You see. dear lady" Besscmcr SAT-
TO her, as she stood watching the
soldiers dcft work. that the very
elements are lcaguing for my hapni-
ness to-day in offering me so good
an excuse for INDUCING longer in
your sweet society"
"Pcrhaps." Jane answered. ut is
my pleasure they are considering,'
and could he who six months ago
angrily accused her Of being the mos:
heartless coqrctte in thirteen colonies
have seen the glance she bestowed
upon the Englishman, he would have
CRASHED his teeth in fury.
The storm. coming from the east,
soon made the portico un,ena BILE, and
, Jane led her guests through the wide
hall into the drawing-roonr- long
apartment. hung with rich tapestries
At one end was the great fireplace
with its marble mantel and its costly
mirror in its setting Of blue and gold
From the center OF the ceiling hung
a chandelier all a-glittcr with gilt and
glass. rarely lighted save for some
special function. Along the walls
, were brackets with smaller cande
, labra, and so dark had grown the day
without that Jane ordered Enos &c
) light these. A harpsicord, beautifully
! inlaid. stood, with it's long, low seat
: in front of ii, between the two west
windows. Bessemer, catching sight
OF it, begged for music.
Jane, n little at loss how else tc
entertain her guests. seated herself
!, without ado and sang and played the
popular airs of that day Her voice
naturally sweet, had received the
: | ulSncSt cuIllNtliOH IndI 'OI
and Philadelphia could afford. Bcsse-
, mer, standing beside her, bent for
ward as though entranccd.
, "To think" he murmured in so low
a tone that his officers. seated at Il
discreet distance. could not hear-"tc
think that Nature, not contenteo
, with her prodigality in laNishing such
/ wondrOus beauty, grace. and wit upon
one being, should add this gift of mu
sic too"
, Jane flashed him another allurine
: glance as she turned upon her seat
, to divide her attention with her other
r guests. Those young officers, how
. ever, attracted though they were by
, her good looks" and her gracious
q. manner, were too wise to poach upor
, their coloners preserves.
, She excused herself presently ant
went out to supervise the dinner, I'M
( locking from the keys at her side
, the various cupboards and chests il
the mammoth storeroom to set forth
- dainties and sweetmeats for the
= MONDAY meal. The breakfast hat
been slim affair compared with the
; feast to which they sat down little
, after one o'clock.
p Out side the rain was falling heavily
/. Within the dining-room all was Goot