Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-07-13
A LADY OF
LONG AGO

7 HE sudden shying OF ms splflted
mare almost threw Dudley into
the road, but in an instantfhe had COR
troll of the plunging animal, whose
movements had to be confined to a
strictly up and down course, as the mar
row. grass-grown road was bordeFed on
either side by 3 thicket of tropical
growth of assorted shrubbery, overhung
by trailing wild grape vines.
When Dudley and the mare were quite
normal the former looked about for the
cause of the unexpected maneuvers. The
cause stood in some bushes at the right
Of the ROAD, AID as Dudley gazed at the
fantastic figure he instantly exonerated
his horse.
The Lady of Long Age" who stood by
the roadside looked as If she might have
been cut from the pages of an 1880 maya
zine. A multi-ruf1ed voluminous silk
skirt, certainly worn over hoops, black
lace mantilla, poke straw bonnet COW
cred with flowers, a white lace veil, silk
gloves. with reticule comprised the at
tire of the quaint figure. Her snow white
hair was parted in the middle and fell
over each ear in symmetrical finglets.
"Oh, pray you, pardon nae" she said
in a thin, little voice. Il fear ! startled
your steed. tried to withdraw from the
road when heard you coming, but the
shrubbery is impenetrable."
Dudley lifted his hat coETteopsly and
assured her that 1t was of no moment,
while his mare turned her head in NOR
tifeation on beholdipg the harmlesnsss
of the little piece of antiquity, =
is this your road2" asked Dudley. n
should be pleased to drive you to your
destination. My horse is quite manage
able-you need not be alarmed"
"4Ae Lady of Long Ago" as Dudley
termed her in mis- thoughts, came for:
ward, raised a tiny-foot to the step and
sprapg lightly in.
THANK you kindly, sir. l am on my
way hither to the heme Of Squire Lang
ley, two miles this road, then TO the east
one mile"
This road does not seem to have been
much travelled" remarked Dudley. IL
should think the road commissioner
wouid get In here and NOW out all this
stuff"
The lady gave little shrek.
"Oh, sir! it would be vandalism! The
road is u thing Of beauty as 1t is. My
nephew would pot allow It to be cut
down. You have never Travelled this way
before?"
mo, l am not quite sure Of my road
NOW"
Are ysq stranger in this vicinity
then?P
Entirely; though I hope not to ba
long ! am in search Of friend Of my
fathers"
Indeed! May ! inquire the name? |
am familiar with all the goodiy folk
about here.P
His name is Henry Hartley"
She gave little start and looked At
him keenly through her veil.
"That, sir, is my nephew's name"
She removed her gloves, opened her
retjcule and hastily fumbled among Its
contents.
81 find that / have failed to bring .
card" she said, in shocked tones. my
name is Lavinia Hartley"
"Apd my name" he responded, lis
Dudley Johns. That is also my fathers
name"
"And quite household word with US.
assure you. My nephew frequently
speaks of your father. Ifeel as though
ought to accompany YOU, but l am on
my way to tea party. OF course, you
will be at the house on my return this
evening, My nephew wiz insist upon 2
visit from you"
az certainly hope to meet you again
and often" said Dudley, earnestly, "pHt
did you know my father? 1t seems as II
1 had heard him speak your name"
She fumbled pervously at the retieMe
'T-pardon me, sir, but my memory IS
very deficient. l cannot tell you. This
is the turn you must take. Our home "a
a mile away, a large colonial house On
the right"
"Of course" he said, u shall take YOU
to Squire Langleys."
During the rest of the drive Dudley lis
tened. fascinated, to the quaint speech
of the Lady of Long Ago. They passed
moving machine and again Dudley had
an anxious moment with the mare, H
expected that his companion woul'
faint. shrek or try to catch the reins
but she did none Of these feminin
things. She remained serene and i'm
movable, in ladylike posture,
my nephew drives fractions horses
SO | am used to these little diversions,
she explained, "and rather like the ex
element. | trust you don't think m
unmaidenly."
! my aunt has an automobile and is he
own chauffeur"