Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-26

were royal uniforms fagrantly crim-
son. Cooked hats and greatcoats lay
about on the chairs, and riding whips
were scattered on the tables.
Opposite them, against the farther
wall. Burnaby Rolph of Westham sat
squat in his oak chair where the can
dies glinted on his gold lace, stirring
with his dress sword punch of ia
maica rum in great bowl. Beside
him, his arm flung carelessly back,
lounged Captain Foy. Now the spirit
was in his notified, sensual face. and 1t
seemed to cloak devil in scarlet.
The girl shrank back instinctively
and held her aunt's arm more closely.
Then she turned her eyes over the as
gembly.
Mistress Annew exclaimed q voice
behind her.
"Oh." she cried, turning, "Mr. Hen
ri How good it is to see you"
he took her hand and bowed to Mrs.
Tillotson.
ut seems as If we had not seen you
for year." Anne continued, looking
up into his sallow face and then, with
q hint Of approval, at his dark wig and
suit OF minister's gray.
! he saw her glance and smiled little
quizzically. 81 am being fast spoiled"
he said. II have plenty of coats good
enough for me, yet once go to the con-
gress must get q new one to please the
eye Of other folk. am on my way
back from Philadelphia now"
"Are you lodged at the Kings Arms7"
asked the elder lady.
"At the Three Rams. Methinks the
royal tang hereabout is bit strong for
me. have scent for 1t like beagle
for porcupine."
Lord Fairfax Is here" said Anne,
"but he has not yet seen us. We shall
surprise him." She clapped her hands
together softly. II wonder how he will
look. We were playing eavesdropper
Just now, Aunt Mildred and I. only to
steal a view of him. Is it very dread
full? Come with US and look"
II shall leave her to you, Mr.. Henry"
said Mrs. Tillotson. 1.-THE chests are
in, SO be not long, Anne. shall wait
| in our chamber"
As they crossed to the window Anne
stopped and looked at him question
ingly.
"What Of the congress7" she asked.
Her voice was sharp and eager.
He shook his head little sadly, his
brows together over his deep sunk
eyes. otis not the time yet. The
assembly is too young. They fear to
take q step in the dark. 1t is the blind
leading the blind" he said little BIT
terly. "There is no open eye. Stay
| there is one. he offered them thou
sand men-at-arms."
"Colonel Washington she said un-
der her breath.
aye, Colonel Washington, the best
soldier in America today. The only
/ one who sees. For the others, 1t is tenn
! porize. temporize. wait the kings bet
ter humor, Parson Duche, the rankest
| Tory Of them all, opening the session
with prayer.
"Why, Philadelphia delegate nam
ed Galloway spoke for new plan Of
reconciliation, with close allegiance, an
American legislature and president
| general appointed by the king. 1t came
nigh to stampeding the whole conyen.
ton. They see only war and the raw
1 age of our towns-not one rood beyond
that. They see not that the time and
people are ripe for it. They see not
that such q war cannot be fought alone
that we shall, we must have, help
from Europe, that we must win.
"Oh," he said with sudden passion
his eyes burning like Goals, "of sucll
stuf is our congress made! A multi.
tude Of counselors and no leader. The
sacrifce laid waiting, but no frew
Anne came closer to him, her fine
face flashing.
"But this is not the last time," she
said. 1.-THE congress will meet again
When IT. does Virginia should lead
them. The colonies must look to us If II
comes to worst. You say we have the
best soldier. So shall we have the best
regiments. Virginia alone of all the
rest was settled by q single people
TITS held by gentlemen, and gentlemen
fight best" She put out her hand and
laid it on his arm. ".You can be the
leader" she said. "You can be the
fire!"
Thereafter neither spoke for a mo
ment. From the stables horse whin
MED softly, and gust Of laughter and
the sound of falling ale pot came
from the crowded parlor.
Then they moved forward and stood
by the open window.
II see Lord Fairfax" whispered
Anne. there by the door"
Ghs ga nHhlsusn Mhau -hsx smith,