Evening star., 1924-01-23
Continued from Yesterdays Star.)

but tne other shook his head and
handed him a letter.
This was no delicate bit of cobweb
like that one which met him far up
the James. but plain and sensible
Looking communication. So he took
it near the hearth to read
This is what he saw, written in a
round feminine hand, painstakingly
crossed and dotted:
ITO Patrick Henry, sometime fire.
quenter OF the Cocks Feather Inn.
"Sir,-Once. upon a night in spring
You SAID to me, If ever l can serve
you, call, and I shall come l call
You noW-on vital business. This
at the house of Mr.. Merwln (who
hath befriended my father on "A time),
ana would rain see and speak with
you. An You are true to that promise
come.
Your obedient servant,
"DOXEY FAIRWEATHER."
The man by the hearth Strengthened
10 his tall height and the flames
themselves Were no more clear and
shining than his blue eyes. A little
smile curled up the corners of his
mouth. the hand that held that first
missive trembling slightly. lie turn
ed to beSpeak the messenger without
and bid him III for cup of wine to
hearten him, as one NAH to another
but the glistening horse and its rider
We're gone. disappeared into the drip
ping night which had given them up.
So Patrick Henry. the patriot
called by another name, and with .
price upon his head in jamestown.
promise with faithful pronptness.
He took down his Jacket from It's peg.
shook 1t with almost timid care and
Strengthened out its ragged fringe.
1t had gone shabby, in all truth, in
the months when he had ridden the
byways, for he had forgot to have the
old Indian, who ever kept him sup
piled, to tan his skins for new
one. Nov he regretted his negii-
,gence. However. it must serve. So
he put 1t on, swung a belt about his
loins to hold the knife that went
always where he did, tightened the
thongs at his knees, set his fur cap on
his head, took his rifle and stepped
out to saddle Roanie.
What high hope was in his heart.
who can say? What visions of
hardly-hoped-for joy? If he saw an
woman's dark head shining in its
light-perhaps above a cradle-who
could blame him? Love was with
him-had been with him for the
whole se long year dos since he l,sd had stolen
maiden's voice singing i'll the
He smiled now as he rode in the
rain. his long. legs swinging in the
saddle-bow thinking of that spirited
face turned to Lord Lester in angry
Indignation. of the sharp young voice
saving detiantly, Il am not so high
and mighty. being only an inkeeper's
daughter, therefore privileged to be
kind" and Of the haunting strain of
The Rose and Thorn" All. could
he ever forget that melody?
This one woman, of all the world.
Lad taken his heart by storm; this
one slim girl, keen, spirited, brave,
whose favor could not be bought by
rank or station: whose beauty was
SO rare and glowing, whose deep
kindness was ii byword among the
frequentcrS OF her fathers inn.
All: thought Patrick Henry, riding
in the night at her first call, this was
the woman by-ordinary in whom he
had believed-must always believe.
At that house of Mr.. Merwin, situ-
ate 4 little way down the main road
from. the governors. of which the
stood In her hooded cape and spoke
earnestly with a group of men.
She breathed fast, for she. too. had
ridden in the night. and on her round
pearls on parchment, for all the color
was gone from her face. Only her
eyes glowed with it-great dark eyes
that sparkled and dulled and sparkled
again as the light from the candles
struck across them.
The gentlemen, most OF them sum-
moned hastily by the barrister at
the girls request, regarded her won
none too we'll pleased to be disturbed
at a rubber of cards, and Won kneib-
ling and the strange man in the
uniform who had been with them at
the inn. along with Lord Lester.
brought from watching Mrs. Penelope
at her endless broideries. since, for
some occult reason, he had desired
TO come. Now he looked at Doxey
with sick longing, standing back, as
was his courteous habit.
"SiyS," said Doxey, trembling a lit
tel. Vas you all know. l am Il royal
ist."
None better. my girl" said the
governor kindly.
hath need of her true hearts; that his
majesty's cause is in grave danger
is it not so?''
Aye. would God it were not"
answered his eXcellency.
Then it is the bounden duty of
each loyal heart to do what he can
for the cauSe-and II believe"-the
steady young voice shook a trifie-
that l may serve"
She wet her lips. which seemed sud-
denly gone dry, and the gentlemen
waited.
When last you conferred at my
fathers inn, sirs. ]. waiting your need
of wine and cakes in the outer room,
did hear, half consciously. your
speech concerning one Patrick Henry
and how. great a danger he is to us.
You spoke of that meeting in Rich
mond and that he must not attend.
if might ask"
"Plans!" cried the governor "Yes,
plans! But that is all. We have had
our minlons securing every byroad
capturing him. but the mans an eel
wisk of smoke, No one knows
where he is or has been--or is likely
TO be! And ] say again, mistress. if
it means war for the colonies. Sedi-
titon will rise like the James in
freShet. and none may know the re-
suit. I'd give a chest of gold to have
him in my hands this night"
Again the girl wet her lips. Her
fingers shook a trifle on her cape's
edge.
.Then. said" she said, IAN you will
give me safe conduct for him il win
him as I wish. I think 1 can keep
him from that meeting. You grant
me it?'
With all my heart. mistressr cried
the governor fervently.
Doxey turned to Mr. Merwin.
IT think Patrick Henry will be here
within. the hour. An YOU will con-
duct him to private room, not
knowing where we are here, and
take me to him, l will thank you"
"'Odsblood!" cried his excellency in
amaZement. How found YOU himp
How did you effect this thing?"
Il know a-many things, sir" said /
sources. 1 had rather not say"
Mr. Merwin left the room with
alacrity and a strained silence fell.
Doxey sat in the chair which Lord
Lester placed for her, and she seem
ed fascipated by the candles that
burned in sconces on the walls. for
her dark eyes were fixed upon them
steadily.
The soft sound of the dripping
caves became loud in the stiffness
and Lord Lester watched the girl
with mingled emotions. After a long
time there came from the outer street
the sound of a horses hoofs that
went carefully, as II its rider Mere