The Ordway new era., 1913-07-11

patient charge back and forth with
in sight Of the windows and of the
terrace where his young colonel tar
ried. absorbed and forgetful: man and
beast alike had been in the serv-,
Ice Of the unhappy Braddock. and
might seem to walk there lively mem
ories Of duty done and undertaken.
But dusk came; the horses were put
up: and the next morning was well ad-
vanced before the abstracted young
officer got at last to his saddle. and
spurred on belated to Williamsburg.
His business concerned the prepara-
tions then afoot for General Forbes
advance upon Duquesne. Il came here
at this critical juncture." said WASH
ington to the president Of the council.
Clair. to represent In the fullest man
ner the posture of our affairs at Win
chester"-lack of clothes. arms. and
equipage. lack of money. lack of wise
regulations touching rank and -disci-
pline.
A Visit and Pledge.
General Forbes had been In Phila-
delphia a month already, awaiting the
formation Of his army in Virginia;
Sir John St. Clair. his quartermaster.
general. had come into the provinces
to see that proper plans were made
and executed: 1t w6s necessary that
matters should be pressed forward
very diligently and at once. and Wash
ington. when once at the seat Of gov
ernment, was not slack to urge and
superintend ofncial action.
But, the troublesome business once
in proper course. he turned back to
seek Mrs. Custis again. this time at
her own home. ere he went to the long
distance OF the frontier. The onset
was made with soldiers promptness
and audacity. He returned to his post.
after a delay too slight to deserve any
reasonable mans remark. and yet with
a pledge given and taken which made
him look forward to the end Of the
campaign with a new longing as to
the winning of a real home and an
unwonted happiness.
This was not Washington's nrst ad-
venture in love. but It was his last,
and gave him q quiet Joy which stood
him in stead q whole lifetime.
No young virginian could live twen-
ty-six years amidst fair women In
that hale and sociable colony without
being touched again and again by the
quick passion: and this man had the
blood of lover beyond his fellows.
Despite the shyness Of raw lad
who lived much in the open. he had
relished the company Of lively women
from the flrst. meeting their gay sal
lies sometimes with look from his
frank blue eyes that revealed more
than he knew. Love had first found
him out in earnest six years ago.
when he was but Just turned OF
twenty; and It had taken all the long
while since to forget his repulse at
the hands of fair young beauty in
that day OF passion.
An Earlier Love Affair.
Mary Phillipse had but taken his
fancy for moment, because he could
not pass such a woman by and deem
himself still true virginian. 1t was
more serious that he had been much
in the company. these last years. Of q
fair neighbor of the vivacioua house
of Cary, whose wit and beauty had
haunted him In the very thick OF
campaigns upon the frontier, and who
still mastered his heart now and
again, with sort of imperious charm,
in the midst of this very happy sea
son when he knew Martha Custis his
veritable hearts mistress for the fu-
ture. 1t may well have made him
glad of misadventures In the past to
know his heart safe now.
The campaign dragged painfully.
far into the dread autumn. December
had come before the captured post on
the Ohio could be left to the keeping
Of Colonel Mercer and q little garri.
son Of provinciais. But when ut last
he was free again there was no rea-
son why Washington should wait
longer to be happy; and he was mar
ried to Martha Gusts on the 9Th of
January. 1859.
A Brilliant Wedding.
The sun shone very bright that
day. and there was the hne glitter OF
gold, the brave show Of resplendent
uniforms. in the little church where
the marriage was solemnixed. Ohicers
of his majesty's service crowded
there. in their gold lace and scarlet
coats. to see their comrade welded:
the new governor. Francis Fauquier.
himself came. clad as befitted his
rank: and the bridegroom took the
sun not less calamity than the rest.
as he rode. In blue and silver and
scarlet. beside the coach and six that
bore his bride homeward amidst the
thronging friends of the countryside.
The young soldiers love Of \ gallant
array and . becoming ceremony was
satisfied to the full. and he must have
rejoiced to be 20 brave q horseman
on such day.
For three months of deep content
he lived with his bride at her own