The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-11-09

l1llOtSOn ana h1StreSS Anne OH NlSlt
to Berkeley, drew through Ashby's Gap,
along slopes spotted with clumps OF
lilac and goldenrod.
Francis Byrd rode beside the win
dow, for he was to join Lord Dunmore
Mt Winchester, whittier the governor,
In burly fit of rage Mt his recalcltrant
burgesses, had betaken himself to
await the gathering of troops from the
northern counties for the expedition
against the restless Shawanee Indians
on the Scioto river.
They had met but few travellers of
quality so far to the westward-for the
most part wandering petty chapmen or
perhaps a Palatinate trader coming
from Pennsylvania. These latter drove
teams Of six or eight horses wearing
jtngling bells, and their huge Conesto-
ga wagons were loaded with plow irons
and with salt, lead and gunpowder for
the lower settlers.
At the notched summit Byrd rose In
his stirrups.
'@rhe Shennando, Amer he cried.
Below, where the unbroke sunshine
spun Its web. lay n gold valley clasped
In hills. The near mountain walls
stood all matted with FURNISHED leaves
Of wild ivy and bloom Of chamoe-
daphne, its white cup shapes stained
with purplish red. In the wooded bot
tom the river shivered With the tum-
bling foam of steep torrents and went
slipping soapily over ledges and be-
tween wild acres Of mottled sycamore,
Of dropped willow and OF birch. The
sun as they rode became dull saffron
gold between the overlapped wedges Of
crimsoning hills.
"Poor dearl" sighed Anne as an extra
heavy jolt brought lamentation from
her nerve racked companion. 1--WE
shall soon be there, Aunt Mildred. Win.
chester is just beyond the next forest"
Its been just beyond the next for
est for three hoursw moaned the lady.
'The colonel really must have new
springs put to the chaise. This road Is
barbarousw
"There is Winchesterw Anne ex-
claimed joyfully. II sec the flag CD
the fort"
This a great square fortificatIon with
four bastions, the stockudc built by
Colonel Washington before the reduc.
tion of Duquesnc. was gone much to
ruin. 1t sat on tie towns edge, with
generous barracks rearing above the
walls and soldicry grouped before the
entrance. Here Byrd left them to- re
port his arrival, and the two ladies
rode 10 the town ordinary.
They descended to find tho long par
lor thicli!y set with guests and passed
quickly through the hall to the inn
yard. waiting disposition of their lug
gage.
'1hc place IS ovcrfull, 1t seems"
Mrs. Tiilotson said to the landlord.
"Oong." lie answered. "rhcre are
a-pi"nty of beds, though nigh all my
tani;ards arr kept well IN use. Ills the
sold.cry Mt the fort draws them Il good
thing for tho Kings Arms. The In
dams may 20 u-Scalpiug as oft as they
will"
"Thcy are all kings men within?"
asked Anne.
aye. n proof Of my loyalty. These
be times" he added, scratching his
grizzle head rs kc went I'm. when tits
hard to choose betwiXt old and new
things. with the Wings so hot. AS for
me, though, mcthinks the old will out
last my time"
"Aunt Mildred" called Anne delight
cdly look! There is my Lord Fair
faN's chariot.'
1t stood under the wide shed, huge
and un&ainly. Anne went to 1t and
pattcd the dark leather and laid her
young cheek against the purple cush-
ions.
"IIc is here, them" she cried 1T
Mrs. Tillotson after her, she passed to
tho wide low window and peered with
in. L was flung half open, and through
1t came CLASSY tinkles and babble of
talk.
Colonial costumes we've sown through
the long room, and here and there
were royal uniforms flagrantly GRIM
son. Cooked hats and grcatcoats lay
about OH the chairs, and riding whips
wore scattered Oil the tables.
Opposite them. against the farther
wall, BurnaDy Rolph of Wcstham sat
squat in his oak chair where the can
dies glntcd on his gold lace, stirring
with his dress sword Il punch of Ja-
maica rum in Il great bowl. Beside
him, his arm flung carclcssly back,
iuuiStN oaDtuin hOS. NOW tnG SDlrlt
was in his mottled, sensual face, and ii
seemed to cloak Il devil In scarlet.
The girl shrank back instinctively
and held her aunt's arm more closely.
Then she turned her eyes over the as
sembly.
"NIistress Amer exclaimed voice
behind her.
"Ol," she cried, turning, "NIr. Hen
ry! 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 salow face and then, with
n hint of approval, at his dark wig ana
suit of minister's gray.
He saw her glance and smiled n little
quizzically. IL am being fast spoiled"
he said. II have II plenty of coats good
enough for me, yet once go to the con-
gross must get new one to please the
eye of other folk. KAN on my way
back from Philadelphia now"
"Are You lodged at the Kings Arms?"
asked the elder lady.
AT the Three Rams. Methinks the
royal tang hcrcabout is bit strong for
me. / have scent for 1t like a beagle
for porcupine."
lord Fairfax is here" said Anne,