Evening star., 1924-01-15
CHAPTER II.
At the Cocks Feather Inn.

behind the Virginia hills on Il day
not SO long after the sale Of slaves
in JAIME stown. Its last light was
gorgeous on forest and sward. gid
ing the roofs of the stout houses the
colonists had builded for themselves
oil up and down the lovely land.
Where crossroads lay whitley
among the green, sweet with the
smell of trodden dust. long low
building sat sedately. its log walls
and deep verandas offering simple
welcome 10 the wayfarer.
The host himself. round-stomached ch ed
and with a plain benignity of feature,
stood in the cool shadows with his
hands clasped under his coarse white
apron. Many a day did the good man
stand thus looking up the jamestown
that way.
BEHIND him. in the wide doorway,
a young lass stood. smiling.
She was rather tall, deeply nodded.
a martial air that would have better
behtted brother. had she possessed
one. Her head was beautiful. shaped
on lines of strength and intelligence
her brow broad and fair, and the face
beneath the soft dark hair was live
and spirited. over the sparkling
dark eyes long lashes swept with
constant movement, and tiny crinkles
drew them prettiiy at the corners
when she smiled, which was very
often. She looked at the broad back
Of the tavern-keeper now with a
Qutzzical expression.
Father she said presently, with
Il little ripple of laughter in her
voice, who are you expecting this
night of such great importance?'
In
You should know. my girl he
answered.: "for who comes often est
to the poor hospitality of John Fair
weather? And why?"
The girl laughed openly. putting a
shapely hand on the Intel and tipping
WHO: why. the blades from
jamestown. of course. And for the
golden ale whose fame is far in Viz
ginia.nothing else"
"Fie. There is one who comes and
"oh-yes. Young Tim Lovelace,
you mean?"
There was innocence and raillery
in the soft voice.
mot he" said John Fairweather.
though young Mr.. Timothy is true
blood of the country. and l am fiat
tered that he patronizes me. No, you
mink"
"oh--then it is. the Fairfaxes from
HcVOnd the river.
John Fairweather took his pudgy
hands from beneath his apron and
snapped n finger in vexation.
'Doxey. IL you weren't your moth
er's daughter. and her dead these
many years I'd box those s,,s pink pink esrt ears
Lord Les"
Listen, father" she broke in.
hrfchtIy-"horses' hoofs a-pounding
down the turnpike this minute"
with the words there came on the
still air Of the evening the rataplan
OF mounts and men registering out Of
the forest.
They came swiftly and pulled up
with dash and dust afying in the
very dooryard Of the Cocks Feather
early prime of their years, scions
of good families all. reckless blades.
snuff taking macaronies, gallant and
handsome lads. bent on an evening
at cards and ale.
They swung down with rattle of
spur, their broidered coattails, to a
man, sticking out over their small
sidearms: for il was the custom OF
the time to carry a short sword.
six of them were Harry Corton.
lack Frisbee and young Tim Love
lace, along with Brithan Randolph.
his cousin Charles, and that young
Tom Jefferson. about whose reckless
associates in other walks there was
The seventh was a handsome man,
noticeable in any gathering. that
same Lord Lester whose name had
been on the fat hosts tongue but a
moment before. He was slim rs
reed and as graceful
Fair curls tossed on a head whose
pride was very great. while deep
blue, sparkling eyes beneath straight
golden brows looked out on the world
with challenge. with the instant Of
.Nt. 10Y
leapt to the girl In the doorway and
he lost no time in bowling over the
hand she gave him in greeting.
"Fourteen long miles. posthaste.
Mistress Doxey," he said softly, to
drink from the fairest hand IN the
colonies"
on her shoulder bobbing adorably
ITO drink the best ale, you mean
my lord, she answered quickly.
Then she turned inward TO attend
TO the duties set her by their arrival,
and the newcomers trooped in after.
passing through the large outer
room to a more private one beyond
Here candles we're already Lighted IN
sconces on the rough walls, the
while. out of the circling- shadows
the kegs and barrels waited on their
trestles, their spigots family odorous
The floor was freshly sanded ana the
tavenrn- keeper hustled here and yon
like nervous hen. setting forth
cards and mugs for the coming revel.
The young gentlemen settled them
selves around the tables. their gay
laughter filling the soft spring night
with pleasure.
thin gray shadow had seemed to
hover over these merrymakings when
the wine and ale were flowing free
and tongues were loosened. Some
times a. deep gravity sat upon the
fne. mobile face Of young Mr. JEFF
eerson when the usual cup was drunk
in loyalty to King George. that
hort-siehted monarch across the
sea, and he had once risen and all
but forgot to drink: in the deep
been lowered that time, eyes mar
roWed and lips compressed. while his
mates waited. Then he had smiled.
tossed off the draught, and the ten
There was another. too, whose
merry glance scanned each face when
the speech swung toward the polit.
icai fife of the colonies--Timothy
ItovvsAce. But of him later. Gallant
day to be spilled on a glorious field,
whose heart was ever high with the
hazard Of life!
Mistress" said Charles Randolph,
a st.cEsd %osdef to p'af, overf,oWing s the little
s,lgar-sanded cakes for which the
girl was famous, 'are we to be fa-
vored tonight by the white-throated
bird that sings in the outer room?"
Doxey set her platter at his elbow
and smiled down at him. In the
smile of this slim daughter OF the
crossroads there was a lure of sweet
moss, a subtle charm of honesty and
keen understanding. which drew
mems hearts toward her, as sparks
ny upward. The little tie crinkis c ssc;t, e. her ss
$50 che h1AAAA potnk -o& hadinaSA