The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-19

xA6HRfN9 SuTTectlOu Without many HIS
CO. givings lest I should by so
doing bring harm upon the Caven-
dishes. But on discussing the matter
in all its bearings with Major Robert
Beverly, whom 1 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 a 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 l 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? I have lived to be an old man.
and verify nothing hath so grown in
the light Of my experience as the inn
possibility of serving love, except at a
loss. not only to others, but to oneself
But that truth Of the greatest impor-
lance I'm the whole world hath also
grown upon me, that love should be
served at whatever cost. I cared not
then, and l care not now, who suf-
fered and who was wronged IL only
that beloved one was saved.
l went home that night from Barry
Upper Branch riding a horse which
Dick Barry lent me, on learning that
i 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 1 wish that I had not
% promised my mother" he said. look
Ing back over his great boyish shoulder
as he rode ahead, "for sometimes
think it's part OF the estate of man
to put up stakes at cards and to win
or lose as beseems a gentleman Of Vir-
ginia and a cavalier. But, sure Harry;
a promise to a mans mother is not
to be broken lightly. and indeed she
doth ask me every night when I re-
turn late. and 1 shall see her face at
the window when ride in sight of the
great house: but faith. Harry, would
love TO win in something. if not in
hearts. in a throw of the dice. For,
sure, 1 am a man grown and have
never had my own will in aught that
lies near my heart"
With that he gave a great sigh. and i
/. 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 l knew not. for all /
I was loved in return, the heart of |
a certain maid as well as he who was |
despised. and spurred his horse and |
rode on ahead. and when we had |
come TO the division of the road sa-
luted me shortly and was gone. and /
the sound of his gnlloping died away |
in the distance and I rode home alone |
meditating-
And when I reached Drake Hill |
white curtain huttered athwart a win |
dow and I caught a CLEAN Of white |
arm pulling il 10 place and knew that |
Mistress Mary had been watching for /
mel cannot say with what rapture |
and triumph and misgivings.