The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1905-06-30
| A LADY OF
| LONG AGO

r EE sudden shying Of his spirited
mare almost threw Dudley into
the road, but in an instant he had con-
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 bordered On
either side by 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, and as Dudley gazed at the
fantastic figure he instantly eXonerate0
his horse.
''The Lady of Long Ago." who stood by
the roadside looked as if she might have
been cut from the pages of an 1880 maga-
zine. A multi-ruffied voluminouS silk
skirt, certainly worn over hoops, black
lace mantilla, poke straw bonnet coV-
cred with flowers, a white lace veil, silk
gloves, with reticuie comprised the at
tire Of the quaint figure. Her snow white
hair was parted in the middle and fell
over each ear in symmetrical ringlets.
"Oh, l pray you, pardon me" she said
In thin, little voice. y fear startled
your steed | tried to withdraw from the
road when l heard you coming, but the
shrubbery is impenetrable."
Dudley lifted his hat courteously and
assured her that it was of no moment.
while his mare turned her head in NOR
boh ho 1pc M
of the little piece of antiquity.
rs this your road?' asked Dudley. Il
should be pleased to drive you to your
destination. My horse is quite manage
abIe-you need not be alarmed"
''The Lady Of Long Ago." as Dudley
termed her IL his thoughts. came for
ward raised a tiny foot TO the step and
spraag lightly in.
Thank you kindly, sir. l am on my
way hither to the home of Squire Lang
ley, jtwo 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
would get in here and NOW out all this
stuff"
The lady gave little shrek.
"Oh, sir. it would be vandalism! The
road is thing of beauty as it is. My
nephew would not allow it to be cut
down You have never travelled this way
before?"
mo, am not quite sure of my road
now
Are you stranger in this vicinity,
them"
Entirely; though l hope not to be
long. | am in search Of a friend of my
fathers"
Indeed. May | inquire the name? l
j am familiar with all the goodly folk
about here"
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
reticule and hastily fumbled among it's
contents,
81 find that l have failed to bring d
card" she said, in shocked tones. my
name is Lavinia Hartley"
And my name" he responded, els
Dudley Johns. That is also my fathers
name"
''And quite household word with us.
assure you. My nephew frequently
speaks of your father. l feel as though
I 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 will insist upon a
visit from you"
Il certainly hope to meet you again
and often said Dudley, earnestly, but
did you know my father? 1t seems as if
| had beard him speak your name
She fumbled nervously at the reticule
"I-pardon me, sir, but my memory is
very deficient. l cannot tell you. This
is the turn you must take. Our home is