Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-09-22

plantations kept by the slaves, for
which they had one day fortnight,
besides Sundays, free to work on their
own account. Here and there also
were patches Of "ground-fruit,' as the
underground vegetables were called,
while there passed by on their way to
the open road leading to Kingston
wains loaded with sugar-casks, drawn
by oxen, and in two cases by sumpter
mules.
rs there anything finer than that in
Virginia?" asked the governor. Il have
never been in Virginia, but | take this
to be in some ways like that state. Is
it?"
'In some ways only. We have not
the same profusion Of wild fruits and
trees, but we have our share-and it is
not so hot as here. 1t is better coun-
try, though"
"In what way Is it better?" the gov
ernOr asked almost qcidly.
1T is better governed"
"What do you mean by that? Isn't
Jamaica well governed?"
Not so well that it couldn't be I'M
proved" was Sheila's reply.
"What improvements would you sug-
gest?" Lord Mallow asked urbanely,
for he was set to play his cards care
fully today.
More wisdom in the governor" was
the cheerful and bright reply. HE is
Indifferent to good advice. He has
been told Of trouble among the Ma
rooms, that they mean to rise; he has
been advised to make preparations,
and he makes none, and he Is deceived
by show of loyalty on the part Of the
slaves. Lord Mallow, If the free Ma
rooms rise, why should not the black
slaves rise at the same timer Why do
you not act?'
"Is everybody whose good opinion is
worth having mad?" answered the gov
ernor. 81 have sent my inspectors to
Trelawney. have had reports from
them. l have used every care-what
would you have me do?"
Used every care? Why don't you
insure the Maroons' peaceableness by
advancing on them? Why don't you
take them prisoners? They are en-
ragged that two of their herdsmen
should be whipped by a negro slave
under the order of one Of your cap
tains. They are angry and disturbed
and have ambushed the roads to Ire
lawney, so I'm told"
"Did Mr.. Calhoun tell you that when
he was here?"
1T was not that which Mr.. Calhoun
told me the only time, he came here.
But who Erris BOyne was. never
knew who my father was till he told
me. My mother had kept it from me
all my life"
Sheila spoke without agitation of
any kind; her face was firm and calm,
her manner composed, her voice even.
AS she talked, she seemed to be prob
ing the center of q flower which she
had caught from basket at the win
dow, and her whole personality was
alight and vivifying, her good temper
and spirit complete. AS Mallow
looked at her, he had an oyermaster-
ing desire to make her his own-his
wife. She was worth hundreds of
thousands Of pounds; she had beauty,
ability and authority. She was the
acme of charm and good bearing.
With her he could climb high on the
ladder Of life. He might be a really
great figure in the British world-if
she gave her will to help him, to hold
up his hands. 1t had never occurred
to him that Dyck Calhoun could be
rival, till he had heard Of Dyck's visit
to Sheila and her mother, till he had
heard Sheila praise him at the first
dinner he had given to the two ladies
on Christmas day.
On that day it was clear Sheila did
not know who her father was; but
stranger things had happened than
that she should be taking up with, and
even marry, man imprisoned for
killing another, even one who had been
condemned as mutineer, and had won
freedom by saving the kings navy.
But now that Sheila knew the truth
there could be no danger! Dyck Cal
houn would be relegated to his proper
place in the scheme Of things. Who
was there to stand between him and
his desire? What was there to stay
the great event?
He got to his feet and came near to
her. His eyes were inflamed with pas
sion, his manner was impressive. He
had distinguished face, become more
distinguished since his assumption Of
governOrship, and authority had In
creased his personality.
Let me tell you l have an order
from the British government to cOnfine
Calhoun to his estate; not to permit
him to leave it; and, If he does, to ar
rest him. That is my commanded duty.
You approve, do you not! Or are you
like most women soft at heart to bold
criminalS?'
SheiIa did not reply ut once. The
news was no news to her, for Darius
BoIand had told her; but she thought
it well TO let the governor think he
had made a new, sensational state
ment
NO. she said at last, looking him
calmly in the eyes. ~ have no soft
feelings for criminals as criminals,
none ut all. And there is every rea-