Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-04-22
CHAPTER |.

ing sun plOWeu above his mai
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
a round century before Bacon and his
men had taken the oath against Eng
and browsing, yellow mid-May aft
ternoon.
Two quickened rivers. like silver Cir
dies uuclasped, wound through the
lowland, from where phantom-far lay
the shadows of pines against the color
washed line of sky, sharp edged and
black, in gigantic pointed fronds The
rivers rolled broadly to the sea, hold
ing between them Il green valley sweet
with the warm perfumes of leaf and
flower, and this valley folded to its
heart Williamsburg, the gay little cap.
ital.
The teal and mallard that winged
over from York to James looked down
thereon and saw single broad thor
oughfare, shaded by poplars and null
berries, with William and Mary col
lege at one end and the new capitol
at the other Struggling streets of
wide porchcd 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 Il great coach
with green body and brown cloth, bear
ing the arms of the Tillotsons of Glad
den 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
ly where the road was smooth, held a
matron and a 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
of the way. All along were 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 woven with the undertone of the
sluggish stream, slashed by reviling
oaths and whip crackings of a bearish
overseer. AT the dusty edges of the
road thistle and wild honeysuckle
scrambled for their breath, and cow
slips went spinning yellow ribbons. 1t
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.
Yes, Aunt Mildred"
do you intend to treat that boy bad.
ly?"
The girl was silent, gazing across the
fields, watching the birds slender flash
ings in the olive hollows.
You haven't answered my ques-
ton"
What question:"
"Do you intend to treat that boy bad
ly?"
what boy?' inquired Anne, with q
sweetness that BODIED other things.
Francis Byrd"
II intend to treat him as 1 always
have-no better, nor worse"
1.-THE world has changed since my
time" reflected Mrs. Tillotson. maids
deemed themselves lucky to have one
gallant and wasted small time in wed
ding. Last winter l thought it had
been Captain Jarrat. Now he is left
for Molly Byrd to make eyes at. The
way that woman acts! So / suppose
1t will be with Francis"
LET them cease arranging things fol
me, them cried Anne. Il will not b,
put up and bargained for. will bt
the subject of no family councils.
will wed when and whom please"
Her aunt looked bit startled at tn,
outburst
"Of course, of course" she assentet
mildly. But you don't please. Your,
eighteen-two years older than l wa
when l married your uncle. Francis
Byrd of Westover is the pick of then
ALL"
HE is a mere boy" Annes tone hel,
growing impatience.
HE is not too young" went on Mrs
Tillotson, ito take stock of all you say
But remember, dear, that he is to wea
the royal colors now. IT'S all wei
enough for you and me to be opel
Wings. We don't rave to do any oat
taking, and they don't hang us. Blu
kings men cannot be SO free Of tongue.
Anne turned upon her.
/ ha NJ ftVy al tad