Evening star., 1924-01-24
Continued from Yesterdays Star,

me dim hall and. fiinging open the
door to that other room. stood in the
entrance. Her face was white as
her breast.
Gentlemen she cried, "he is
there-go take him.
There was an exclamation from
Son kneibling. a cultural word
gentlemen pushed through in eager
ness. The girl stared at the candles
once more. and she did not hear the
sharply drawn breath of another
Lester. Mistress Penelope Dunmore
nad come hurriedly through the
night. The passionate whisper of
her serving maid had told her q roam
morse had passed through the faint
light OF the postlanthorn in the
street.
Presently the principal actors in
this small drama of love and war
stood together in Mr. Merwin's house.
while the rain dripped without-as
II Virginia wept-for they brought
Patrick Henry to stand in his shabby
clothes and face them.
AS he came through the door his
eyes went helplessly to the girl in
the hooded cape who had betrayed
MIN. and they were eloquent. Deep
eyes alight with flame, their lashes
turned up around the lids with a
sertain cer,ad boyish beauty, and they
w ieh a ehouSdHu tongues. An
odd silence fell upon the room, as If
all but the prisoner were painfully
embarrassed.
Lord Lester and Penelope each was
passing through strange expert
race; the nobleman. that of the tav-
ern Keepers daughter; the maid,
that of the patriot-and each saw
there the print of love-
His eXcellency spoke a few sharp
words. at which Won Kneibling and
the young officer stepped forward and
laid hand on the prisoners arms.
That. said the latter, gently, lis
not necessary"
But pleasant" said the German
mine friendt. very pleasant"
Perhaps" returned Henry. But
cheap triumph. since you must
needs take me from womans hand"
AT that there was a little sound
scarce audible. as II one caught in
her breath and let 1T out sharply.
once again the man looked at the
girl In the hooded cape.
Mistress" he said, though YOU
have me shot tomorrow-as no doubt
you will-you are still my woman
oy..sS,rdinary. .s,r 1 must still believe.
NO. cried out Doxey, suddenly:
And 1 have his excellency' word
for r,: safe conduct"
No" cut in, the governor. sharp
"iShSu. 1ueIe WAS no men.
ton made an you should fail"
You mean-' gasped the girl.
That this man. a traitor to his
King, is now our prisoner and must
pay the price of treachery"
And as example to other traitors"
Erinned Won Kneibling. "And this
time there will be no stopping at a
rifles mouth.
white Tipped. though none heard save
Lord Lester. who stood beside her,
and who reached a kindly hand to
touch her fingers. working in her
But Doxey Fairweather groped
blindly for the chairs back, and.
fastening her hands upon it, turned
great scared eyes from one face to
"Not-safe-conduct sirs?" she
said. stupidity.
None"
Then. what have done" she
whispered as if to herself. What
have I done"
But already the group of gentle
men, close packed about the tall fig
nre In their midst, was moving from
the room. At the threshold the pris-
oner turned and looked back with
For myself" he said, ct ask no
clemency. but there is one that ]
would bid some one to take and
keep. an any here is SO minded-the
hoOu Iodu ludl Walls LOT me
without Gentlemen. can I commend
faithful horse"
ia" said Won Kneibl!ns quickly,
have .t;s,,, NO., no fear; He will be most
other ride which I have pledged to
take through the streets Of James
town with another traitor at his
heels"
But from the farther side of the
dim room soft voice spoke with a
smooth and gentle accent.
Friend" said Lord Lester. I ac-
cept your charge. The roam horse
Will be waiting when perchance Vir-
ginia's difficulties shall be smoothed
away and all these sorry clouds are
vanished"
Patrick Henry. from his tall
height, flashed the nobleman a smile
across the others heads
Thanks, friend he said.
CHAPTER NJ.
A WOman's Kiss.
The new world lay trembling
holding its breath. Men with pale
faces and grim lips were travelling
its muddy roads from all directions,
going toward Richmond.
The dreary rain continued to fall.
tntensifying the silence of the forests
that marched ever along the high
ways of the young land.
Couriers galloped this way and that
with messages. Some of them were
on the kings business and went in
freedom, while others were stopped
by the soldiery. But many went in
sssret; and nd the lti,,s1 mutterng Of the
pregnant quiet which precedes ac-
tiou.
On the eve OF this fateful meeting
the governor had sent a call to all
could not prevent the rebels gather
ing. they might, by overwhelming
numbers. stampede them with fam
boyant loyalty.
e.ething with their own trouble:
Jamestown, famous for its legal
heads. its influence. must go in force.
SO there was gathering Of groups In
stamping of horses where coaches
Elistened In the rain, and hurried
speech Of men in long coats who
made ready for a desperate journey.
Before, the house of the governor
stood the best equipage the town
anorded, splendid coach, strong and
well curtained, drawn by the best
stock to be had in Jamestown. In this
along with his chosen few-Mr. Mer-
win, Mr.. Randolph (both of whom
were noted orators), Won Kneibling
and the man in uniform. Other
pulled on gloves. kissed their, ladies
and opened the gates to their gardens.
passing out on this most fateful
business. There were old men and
middle-aged, and some of the maca-
ronies who had been wont a year ago
to spend their time at the Cocks
Feather Inn over the cards and John
Fairweather's ale, though now their
gAyety was gone. Jack Frisbee and
wAre left ~ the roysferinR RrouD