The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-14

do Won mean by such delay? l was
Obliged to send servant to search
FOR YOU
Il crave your Excelienry's pardon.
ne answered, II was playing bowls
with Miss Margaret and so gave lit
tie heed to time"
The secretary at the Governors side
thrust the goose quill hard into the
ink horn. and blot fell on his paper
His ENcelcncy had come to this. his
faNorite country house, with q retinuo
OF guests and servants, to celebrate
not the New Year, but an event at
once uncommon and Interestingly
double marriage.
''Pakenham." said the Governor,
',you hear the preparations for your
wedding on the morrow. ! marvel
that YOU should waste time at bowls
with my niece, Margaret, or forget
for moment the Importance of the
OCCASION when the lady who has come
from England to marry YOU is al
ready approaching the house. Let me
remind you. sir, that your father has
sent Miss Keppe to mend with her
wealth the wasted fortunes of your
family, as well as to make you happy
by the gift Of her youth and beauty.
Nov. If YOU would save your repu-
tation as lover and gentleman.
mount and make such speed as YOU
can to meet Miss Kcppel's coach"
Il make haste to obey your COM
mands.'t said Pakenham, and he bowed
and went jauntily out OF the council
chamber.
But the moment its door closed upon
him his countenance changed. With
sroan he started to descend the stair
case, and in It's first turn found him.
self face to face with slender, bru-i
rette girl, who was Just coming up.
He bent his fair, tall head, and kiss
ed her on the lips; then tore down the
stair, his sword Gathering against the
stout oak as he went.
Meanwhile in the council chamber
the Governor was talking to his sec
rotary.
1T is well for the boy to go with
you to the altar Tomorrow" said the
Governor. Seeing YOU so happy in
the love of Margaret, he may pause
to reflect upon his own folly, and.
haply. awake to some sense of graft
tude and duty. I am fond of Pakenham.
and desire his welfare. He has been a
6. great favorite, too, with Margaret"
Yes" assented the secretary.
His EXcellcncy withdrew. A light
tap sounded on the door, and Mar
garet Winslow, the niece of the Gov
ernor, stepped into the room.
As she advanced to meet her lover
she nvoluntarily cast down her eyes.
He tried to take her hand, but she
broke from him. and ran to a window
that commanded view. Of the high
way.
Let us watch for Miss Keepers
coach, Jasper, l have a secret to tell
you, and oh. ] am sore afraid-my
heart is beating fast
"Eh? Afraid? OF what, pray-of
whom?"
"Of you and my uncle. Do you think
the English girl can be far away? 1t
is hard for me to make my confess
sion--it will be harder for you to hear
IT,
Margaret, what jest is this? Your
face is like chalk-you tremble!"
And we'll may! Look! she is at
hand!-I see the outriders-the heads
of the horses yonder in the curve of
the road, where the tall cedar stands.
Oh, / must tell you now, or our lives
will be forever wrecked! 1t IS Paken-
ham whom l love. Jasper--not YOU
and alas! he loves me. If he marries
the English heiress tomorrow, and II
am forced to wed you, my heart will
break
The blow was cruel. Never Til that
moment had he doubted her faith.
The coach turned in at the gate.
The bleak winter night was broodlne
On tile marshes.
over the barren waste a man came
running like u fox, looking behind hin
now and then as he fled. Far away ir
.he distance twinkled a light In.
stinctively he set his face toward 1t
1t shone firm a Dow black house OF
the edgeiof the marsh.
lie raped on the door and a hand
como young woman opened to him.
Madam he said, may l ask {
place by your fire and morsel o.
SUPPER"
His voice and bearing betokened :
man of breeding. She drew back tina
he might enter.
1.-THE fire is free to all wayfarers,
she said. "and as for superhero /
a portion set for me- give it t.
you gladly
She motioned toward table sprea
with coarse bread and q mess of pot
tagc-untasted, as yet. He was watch
ing her closely, and as she moved t
take a pewter plate from the dresser
he saw,a hem of stiff, costly silk undo
tile hcmespun cloak that was throw
about her shoulders-also stains o
uniry travel that aroused a strang
suspicion in his mind.
at is evident that you are not tn
owner of this house?"
She shook her head--a fair, gracefl
head. with hair like the silk of corn
"Fisherfolk live here. They are All
sent now on an errand for me-"
The wind screeched around tn
cabin; the boughs of the hornbeai
tree ratified against the chimney, Wit
pudden resolution the man spoke:
u am His EXcelency's secretary
she turned and flashed on him IVY
wide blue eyes
"Ah! the man who will wed the Go,
ernor's niece TO morrow?'
'Pardon---the man who will wed II
Governors niece-neper. Miss Wins
low has thrown me over for a happit
lover. Two marriages were arrange
for the Governors house on Ne
Years neutrality-suspicious. will be cell
brated."
She looked graYely perplcXed
Il am also a wanderer tonight
she said sadly. and, worse yet,
nm stranger in strange, !nhosp
table land"
"Then,"s replied the secretary. "the
Is but one name by which l can ca
you, You are--you must be, the En-
libh maid Miss Keppel? Though VIII,
left the Governors dwelling ] su
rosed that lady to be safely hons,