Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-10-18

no enemy SO much at loss as with q
laughing one, since 1t wrongs his own
bravery to meet smiles with blows,
they gave forth that was Robin
Hood; that the convict tutor, Harry
Wingfield, was Robin Hood!
felt myself white with wrath then
and was for blindly wrestling with
great fellow who was among the fore
most, shaking with mirth, an oak
wreath over his red curls making him
look like satyr, when Mistress Mary
rode between us. Back, Master Wing
field" said she. II pray thee, stand
back" Then she looked at the folk,
all smiles and seady understanding OF
them, until they hurrahed again and
rang their bells and blew their horns,
and she looked like blossom tossed
on the wave Of pandemoMum.
had my hand on her bride rein,
ready to do my best should any rude
ness be offered her, when suddenly she
raised her hand and made motion.
and to my utter astonlshment the
brawling throng, save for some on the
outskirts, which quieted presently, be-
came still. Then Mistress Mary's voice
arose clear and sweet, with childish
note Of innocence In 1t:
Good people," said she, "fain would
I be your Maid Marion, and fain would
I be your queen Of May If you would
hold with me this kingdom Of Virginia
against tyrants and Oppressors.'
question If dozen there grasped
her meaning, but, after seconds gap
ing stare, such shout went up that 1t
seemed to make the marshes quiver.
know not what mad scheme was In the
maids head, but l verify believe that
throng would have followed her where
ever she led. and the tobacco plants
might have been that morning cut had
she 50 willcd.
But pulled hard Mt her bride, and
l forgot my customary manner with
her. so full Of terror for her was.
"For Gods sake, child, have DONE l
said. and she looked ut me, and there
came strange expression, which had
never seen before. into her blue eyes.
half Of yielding as TO some strength
which she feared, and half Of that high
enthusiasm Of youth and noble senti-
ment which threatened to swamp her
In its mighty flow as 1t had done her
hero Bacon before her.
know not II could have held her.
1t all passed in second the while those
wild huzZas continued. and the crowd
pressed closer. all crowned and crested
with green, like tidal wave Of spring.
but another argument came to me. and
that moved her. "'Tis not yourself
alone, but your sister and Madam Cav
endish to suffer with you," | said. Then
she gave quick glance ut Catherine,
who was raising her white face and
trying to get near enough to speak to
her, for her sisters speech had made
her frantic with alarm, and hesitated.
Then she laughed and the earnest
look faded from her face and she called
out with that way Of hers which no.
body and nothing could withstand.
"Nay," she said, wait till be older
and have as much wisdom In my head
as hath the Maid Marion whom you
have chosen. The one who hath seen
so many Mays can best know how to
queen It over them"
So saying, she snatched the wreath
with which they had crowned her from
her head and cast it with such sweep
of grace as never saw over the head
of fax headed and masked Maid Mar
ion. and reincd her horse back, and
the crowd, with worshpful eyes OF
admiration Of her and her sweetness
and wit and beauty, gave way. and was
off down the road toward Jarvis field.
with loud clamor Of bells and horns
and wild dancing and wavings Of their
gadsticks and green branches.
Mistress Mary rode before us at a
gallop, and presently we were all at
the breakfast table in the great hall at
Drake Hill, with foaming tankards OF
metheglin and dishes Of honey and sal
mon and game in plenty. For, what
ever the scarcity Of the kings gold.
there was not much lack Of food In
this rich country.
Madam Cavendish was down that
morning, sitting at table with her stick
beside her, her head topped with
great tower of snowy cap, her old face
now ivory yellow but with wonder
full precision Of feature, for she had
been great beauty in her day. so
alert and alive with the ready compre-
hension Of her black eyes. under slight
" scowlIng brows, that naught escap-
ed her that was within her reach OF
vision. Somewhat dull was she OF
hearing, but that sharpness OF eye did
much to atone for 1t. She looked up
when we entered with su"h keenness
that for second my thought was that
she knew all.
"What were the sounds OF merry
making down the road?' said she.
"'Twas the morris dancers and the
maypole. 'Tis the 1st Of May, as
you know, madam" said Mary in her
sweet voice, made clear and loud to
reach her grandmother's ear. Then
I'D she went to kiss her, and the old
woman eyed her with pride, which she
was fain to conceal by chiding. You
will ruin your complexion II you go
out in such wind without your
mask" she said, and looked at the
maiden's roses and lilies with that rap
ture of admiration occasioned half by
memory of her own charms which had
faded and half by understanding or
A.I.- r.,.od:ah