The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-08-12

mask Mrs. Smith. and lend me plume
far NV hat, I'll rid and show them
how we do i. IN kentucky!
For it was as a Young Nehtuchlan ID
hard luck Arthur h9d explained his
plight and presence in that part OF the
country. Both tie farmer an MS NiIe
had often discussed the stran2>F WHO
had come to the, door in the guis. OF
q tramp. but they could see by his
ways and manners he was 40 tramp
They judged him by his open, manly
counteaance and gentle courtesy, aud
whatever was his secret they felt it
was no GishCnofab!c one.
On Starlight. then. the farmers
blootied saddle horse, in his new cheap
| best clothes, and with his black silk
| mask and ostrich plume the farmers
| wife had furnished from her Sunday
! finery, Arthur rode away with the best
| wishes OF tie farmer and his wife and
| his little girl, ''to show" as Farmer
| Smith expressed it, those stuck up
| Fairfax swel1s a taste of old Kentucky
quality
Quabba l:4i been gone since the day
before. but arthur overlook him near
Stanley hall They waved at each other
as Arthur tsalloped past. And then
Arthur reined his horse in little coEse
| OF wood near the mansion. Did he but
| know it. it vas the spot whore he had
| been born.
Ee had last seen Esther at Ua"ar'S
camp, but lie was not surprised 10
catch the 1iutter Of her dress at the
! window OF the balcony that overlooked
the garden at the side Of Stanley hali.
EIe had well remem bered Hagars part
ing words iuat she would take Esther
10 dwell at Stanley hall.
Cautious and as quiet as he was in
stealing toward the house, the keen
ears Of Like Lowell, at Stanley hal.
! that day with messages to Hagar from
her gypsy folk. heard his cautious foot
falt. and from q hiding place saw
Arthur thro7T a hastily scrawlad note
tied to stone. through the open bal
cony to I.sther's room. Tho nott
begged her 10 meet him at the Old stile
at the top Of the hill, back Of STANLEY
hall And Esther was there to kee1
the tryst.
You must not do ti.is.'' she painted
wildly when Arthur explained his pur
pose. Bur -irt.lur iaucie,; and D2i9
her a broii.eriy compliment Tor Ec
bright eyes and fair cheeks. set Off al
the better for her agitation and th
beautiful white frock that she hat
3onned fol. the tournament.
II will rice wearing yo-:T favor, L
ttcr, dear said Art hur, and he too
! 1,n l,n li,1 l.
her and rlie away. placing on nj
mas! as he adjusted the sash as
scarf.
At StanIey hall IIagar iupa tier1l
waited for Esther, the carriage morse
| restless at the portals of the mansion.
| "Where have you been" she aske,
| gathering flowers. l SUPPOSE" Fo
/, as IN excuse Esther had hurriedl
| gathered; q handful OF roses to accouI
| for her delay.
| At the Fairfax fair grounds al wa
/ hustle and excitement. The Cent1
Il we're i.iy-ii..; il and taking their sea-
Il in the gayiy decorated grand stan;
/ Already Blair ssta1iey's mother. Wit
!! her guests, Mrs. Burton RanGolph
! Richmond and the beautiful lady fro
! ! New York whom Blair was al atte1
ton to. Vivian MaTston. had taken the
seats and were smiling and holding
"a friends and "cquaintanCes.
W Sheriff Sam Swain was busting abol
ct and in h. heavy, numbering way te2
ing a hunctbacE1 organ grinder VIII
IN With Il monkey. had been the subje
II of much amusement On the tournamel
h grounds. Sheriff Swain was jocular
N pretending he would arrest beth Il
y. musician aEd lis monkey. and be ";
10 shaking the official handouts at the
~ coin gathering entertainers.
And now the master of ceremcal
~ made the announcement the maskt
Knights were to tilt in Il general mel'
IT. CoNTINTEp ON PAGE -FOUR