The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-24

Tale q Colonial Days. :: BY ETA W. PIERCE
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Captain Pakenham, said His TX
cellency, the Governor, turning
toward the hearth where a figure
stood like some superb young Mars,
YOU are late, sir; what do you mean
by such delay? I was obliged to send
a servant to search for you.
crave your EXCEL ency's pardon, y,
he answered. II was, playing bowls
with Miss Margaret, and so gave little
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 Excellency had come to this,
his favorite country house, with a
retinue of guests and servants, to
celebrate not the New Year, but an
event at once uncommon and interest
ing "a double marriage.
"Pakenhan," said the Governor,
syou hear the Preparations for your
wedding on the morrow. / marvel
that you should waste time at bowls
with my niece, Margaret, or forget
for a moment the Importance of the
occasion, when the lady who has come
from England to marry you is already
approaching the house. Let me re-
mind you, sir, that your father has
sent Miss Keppel 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.
Now, If you would save your repu-
tation as lover and a gentleman,
mount and make such speed as you
can to meet Miss Keppel's coach.
II make haste to obey your COM
mands, 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 groan he started to descend
the staircase, and in its first turn
found himself face to face with slen-
der, brunette girl, who was just COM
ing up.
He bent his fair, tall head, and
kissed 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.
ut 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. / am fond of Paken-
ham, and desire his welfare. He has
been a great favorite, too. with Mar
garet.
Eyes, assented the secretary.
j. His Excellency 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 inYoluntarily. cast down her eyes.
He tried to take her hand, but she
broke from him, and ran to window
that commanded view of the high
way.
"Let us watch for Miss Keppel's
coach, Jasper. have 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
confessional will be harder for you
to hear It'll"
Margaret, what jest is this? Your
face is like chalk-you tremble!
"And well may! Look! she is at
hand IL see the outtiders- the
heads Of the horses, yonder in the
curve of the road, where the tall cedar
stands. Oh, I must tell you now, or
our lives will be forever wrecked! 1t
is Pakenham whom love, Jasper
not you and alas! he loves me. II
he marries the English heiress to-
morrow, and if I am forced to wed
you, my heart will break.
The blow was cruel. Never till that
moment had he doubted her faith.
The coach turned in at the gate.
The bleak winter night was brood
ing on the marshes.
over the barren waste man came.
running like a fox, looking behind
him now and then as he fed. Far
away in the distance twinkled light.
Instinctively he set his face toward
it. It shone from a low black house
on the edge of the marsh.
He raped on the door and hand
some young woman opened to him.