Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-11-22
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
H0 HAD not formed my plan Of
I#I taking part in the coming in.
1 surrection without many mis-
(SS2sS givings lest l should by so
doing bring harm upon the Caven-
dishes. But on discussing the matter
in all its bearings with Major Robert
Beverly, whon had ever held to be
a man of judgment, he assured me
that in his opinion there could no
possible Ill result come to such house
hold of women. especially when the
head of it was Of such openly avowed
royalist leanings. Unless indeed, he
admitted, the bringing over Of the
arms and the powder was to be traced
to Mistress Mary Cavendish.
This he said not knowing the secret
of his first wife's tomb, and | feeling.
as indeed / was, an arch deceiver.
But what other course is left open
to any man. when he can shield the
one he loves best in the whole world
only at the expense Of some one else?
Can he do otherwise but let the other
suffer and even forfeit his sense Of plain
dealing? have lived to be an old man,
and verify nothing hath SO grown In
the light of my experience as the i'm
possibility of serving love, except ut
loss, not only to others. but to oneself
But that truth of the greatest impOr-
tance in the whole world hath also
grown upon me, that love should be
served ut whatever cost. l cared not
then, and l care not now. who suf-
fercd and who was wronSed If only
that beloved one was saved.
went home that night from Barry
Upper Branch riding a horse which
Dick Barry lent me, on learning that
had come thither without one, though
not in what mad fashion. and Sir
Humphrey rode with me until our
roads parted. Much gaming was there
that night after we left; we leaving
the Barrys and my Lord Estes and
Drake and Captain Jaynes and many
others intent upon the dice, but
Humphrey and did not linger. hav-
Ing naught to stake and he having
promised his mother not to play.
Sometimes l wish that had not
80 promised my MOTHER" he said, look
ing back over his great boyish shoulder
as he rode ahead, "for sometimes l
think tits part Of the estate Of man
to put up stakes at cards and to win
or lose as beseems gentleman of Vir-
ginia and cavalier. But, sure, Harry,
q promise to a mans mother Is not
to be broken lightly, and indeed she
doth ask me every night when / re-
turn late, and | shall see her face at
the window when ride in sight Of the
great house; but faith, Harry, l would
love to win In something; If not In
hearts, in a throw of the dice. For.
sure, l am man grown and have
never had my own will in aught that
lies near my heart"
With that he gave great sigh, and
l, striving to cheer him and indeed
loving the lad, replied that he was but
young and there was still time ahead,
and the will of ones heart required
often but a short corner of turning.
But he was angry again at me for
that, and cried out | knew not, for all
was loved in return, the heart OF
n certain maid as well as he who was
despised, and spurred his horse ana
rode on ahead. and when we had
come to the division Of the road. sa-
lutcd me shortly and was gone, and
the sound of his galloping died away
in the distance, and l rode home alone
meditating.
And when l reached Drake Hill
white curtain fluttered athwart win
dow and l caught gleam Of white
arm pulling it to place and knew that
Mistress Mary had been watching for
mel cannot say WIN wnat rapture
and triumph and misgivings.
1t was we'll toward morning, and In
deed a faint pallOr Of dawn was IN
the east and now and then a bird was
waking. Not a slave OH the plantation
was astir and the sounds Of slumber
were coming from the quarters. So l
myself put my borrowed horse In sta
BILE and then was seeking my own
room, when, passing through the hall,
white figure started forth from a
shadow and caught me by. the arm,
and it was Catherine Cavendish. She
urged me forth to the porch, i being
bewildered and knowing not how, nor
indeed il it were wise, to resist her.
But when we stood together there, IN
that hush of slumber only broken now
and then by the waking love Of Bird
and it seemed verify as If we two
were alone in the whole world, sense
of the situation flashed upon me. l
turned on my heel to re-enter the
house. Madam" l said, this Will
never do. II you remain here with me
your reputation
"What think you care for my repu-
tationY" she whispered. What think
you? Harry Wingield. you cannot 90
this monstrous thing. You cannot De