Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22

duly appreciated by those he quilted. |
to his own apartment.
The whole party were deeply i'm
pressed with the ingenious and SOL
cmn manner Of the traveller, and all
but the father found immediate relief
in his declaration. Some Of the cast
off clothes Of the captain, which had
been removed with the goods from
the city. We're produced; and young
Wharton, released from the uneasi-
ness Of his disguise, began at last to
enjoy a visit which had been under
taken at so much personal risk to-
himself.
on the afternoon Of the succee ding
/ day the party were assembled in the
/ Darlor around the tea-tabIe Of Miss
Peyton, when a change in the weather
| occurred. The thin scud, that appa-
rently noated but a short distance
| above the tops Of the hills, began to
| drive from the West toward the East
1 In astonishing rapidity. The rain yet
! continued to beat against the eastern
| windows OF the house with fury; in
| that direction the heavens were
dark and gloomy. Frances was gaz-
! ing at the scene with the desire OF
| youth to escape from the tedium of
| confinement, when, as II by magic,
| all was still. The rushing winds had
! ceased, the pelting Of the storm was
/ over. and, springing to the window,
with delight pictured on her face, she
saw a glorious ray Of sunshine light
ing the opposite wood. The foliage
/ glittered with the checkered beauties
/ of the october luster Of an American
autumn. In an instant the piazza,
which opened to the south, was
thronged with the inmates OF the cot
tage. The air was mild. balmy and
refreshing; in the East, clouds, which
| might be likened to the retreating
| masses Of a discounted army, hung
| around the horizon In awful and in
creasing darkness. At a little eleva-
ton above the cottage, the thin vapor
! was still rushing toward the East
/ with amazing velocity; while IN the
West the sun had broken forth and
shed It's parting radiance on the
scene below, aided by the fullest rich
| ness Of a clear atmosphere and
/ fresnened heritage. Such moments
| belong only TO the climate of Amer
lea, and are enjoyed in a degree pro-
| portloned to the suddenness Of the
contrast and the pleasure we expert
| ence in escaping from the turbulence
| OF the elements to the quiet Of a
peaceful evening, and an air still as
the softest mornings in June.
The musings Of the party were now
interrupted by the sudden appearance
Of the peddler He had taken adj
vantage Of the first CLEAN of sunshine
TO hasten to the cottage. Needless
~ wet or dry as It lay in his path,
with arms swinging to and fro. and
with his head bent forward Of his
body several inches Harvey Birch APP
preached the piazza, with a gait pc
Culiarly his own. 1t was the quick
heightened pace Of an itinerant ven
der Of goods
Zine evening" said the peddler
saluting the party without raising
his eyes; quite warm and agreeable
for the season"
He had seated himself on the
]
| and appeared TO have forgotten the
object of his visit. His rowing eye
| however, soon caught a glimpse Of
new objects In the view. and he
| sprang up with alaCrity, gazing in
tently toward the water. He changed
his place, glanced his eye with mark
| ed uneasiness on Harper, and then
| said with great emphasis:
THE reg'lars must be out from
| below"
why do you think SOP" inquired
Captain Wharton, eagerly.
God send it may be true; I want
their escort in again.
Then ten whaleboats would not
move so fast unless they were bet
ter manned than common"
Perhaps cried Mr.. Wharton In
alarm. they are-they are Continen-
tails returning from the island"
They look ike reglars,' said the
peddler, with meaning.
Look! repeated the captain, there
is nothing but spots to be seen"
Harvey disregarded his observa-
| ton. but seemed to be solilouuizfng
as he said in an undertone. "Tbev
came out before the gale-have laid
ON the island these two days-horse
are on the road-there will soon be
| fighting near us" During this speech
Birch several times glanced his eve
toward Harper with evident uneasi-
ness, but no corresponding emotion
betrayed any interest Of that gentle
man in the scene. He stood In silent
| contemplation of the view, and
seemed enjoying the change in the
air. As Birch concluded, however.
| Harper turned to his host, and men
/ toned that his business would not
admit of unnecessary delay; he would
/ therefore avail himself of the nne
evening to ride a few miles on his
journey
The uneasiness Of the peddler in
| creased in a manner for which moth
/ ing apparent could account: his eve
was constantly wandering toward the
lower end of the vale, as If in ex-
recitation of some interruption from
that quarter.
Every preparation being completed.
| Harper proceeded to take his leave.
| There was mutual exchange Of po-
/ lite courtesy between the host and
his parting guest; but as Harper
frankly offered his hand to CAPTAIN
Wharton he remarked, in a manner
Of great solemnity:
The step you have undertaken is
one Of much danger. and disagree
] able CONSEQUENCES to Yourself MAY. 70