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rfFymrr,^fffiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini (Hearts Courageous I i '"i fc? the bow ln hlkkill company llf -- ftmaatiflmnif^^ f ?#* CHAPTER XV. ^ g ORE than one along the sontl M road that sultry morning ol July 4 turned to gaze after n _J fuir haired girl who passed up on a lead-white horse, with a negro boy behind her astride a sorrel. Yellow dust splotched Anne's olive clonk as she rode into the town, and yellow dual olung to John the liuptist's wool. How many leagues? She would havf been worn but for the purpose thai buoyed her up. She rode some way, paying as little heed to the sparse groups along the streets or to the few painted Indians lounging with their peltry in the squares as to the las-tie browed roofs or the wooden statuary in the pretentious yards. Her thoughts were busy with the past. They flew hack to that night nt <Jladden Ilall, her last view of Ar: ind, ?when Jarrat's troopers had dragged him away; to the flight of Iiunmore and Ills family, his wanton hurtling of Nor folk with his rabble of runaway slaves, and the last fight at Gwyn's island, whence the impotent earl, with his bru tal aid, Captain Foy, sailcsl away to the north, never again to set foot upon Virginian soil: to her anguished wonder ss to Armand's fate meanwhile. Even Utnry's return from the Second eon gress, tw news that Colonel Washing ton bad been elected commander in chief of colonial forces and the glori ous outcome of ills long siege of Boston had not been able to cheer her. She thought of the long hours she liad watched by the bedside of the ? iKiadwomau with grave faced Dr. s 'ralk watching her slow return to life; of the still longer days when she had rat by the listless figure who only stared leaden eyed and with brain pite ously dulled to hear asked over and aver again with desperate earnestness that same question, "Where is it? can't you remember?"?a question met always with the same result; of the long, fruitless search, the unreasoning faith in him that would not yield to re * vital or argument, and Anally the lucky accident which had given her the clew to the packet's hiding place. She had started the selfsame day, taking John the Baptist with her, leav ing a hurried message for her uncle and aunt, who were then away in Bich liiond. And this, the twelfth day there after, found her at her Journey's end riding into the wide, clean thorough fares of Philadelphia. "Mis' Annie"?John the Baptist's sol emn drawl broke her reverie?'"dat yal ler boy at de place whar we stayed las' night say dee gwlnter mek ev'ybody ekal. Do dat mean we niggers gwine ter be white lak you, or is y'all gwlue tcr be black lak me?" But Anne bad 110 answer. Going toward High street, her course Jay by the open green on which the new stutehouso fronted. She noticed that the pavements were almost deserted and found herself thinking wondering Ij that the streets of ltichmond were noisier. It was with n start of surprise that on turning a corner by the green she pulled up without waruing on the skirts of a great hushed crowd, well ordered, moving restlessly under tree that shrilled with locusts. Most of those nearer the front were gentry. They walked back and forth slowly, trampling the blue thistles and wbortl?'l(erry bushes. Next them was a stratum of the trading and working classes. No wonder the wealthier mer chants Jeered them, for they wore trou sers of coarse drill, even leather Jer kins, and some carried tools. lien' was a group of weavers from Germantown, and not far away a knot of Swedes from Wieacoa. The older men among these wore leggings and skin coats. On tlie outskirts of all, here and there, lmlriiiiK themselves aloof, walked state lier, heavier figures in small clothes of rich velvets und sutlns uud wearing powdered wigs. They carried Irritable looks, these "Pennsylvania lords," as the bitter Ad ams called them. It was tmd weather for Tories. From the yard of Clarke's Inn, across the street, they looked askance at the workmen, passing sneer ing allusions to the representatives from Massachusetts, angered at the assump tion of legislative powers by men clear ly of more humble blood than them selves. They saw the cannon in position by the statehouse and the Continental flags fluttering from the shipping In the har bor. They knew that in the nearby . woods Ave battalions of Assoclutors, drilled nnd armed, were awaiting any outcome. They knew tlint the people were ready. If only tlielr lenders should choose. Anne U|>oii her tired horse looked with wonder at this earnest, quiet crowd r.nd thrilled w ith n new sense of the dignity of the assemblage within those brick walls. The beat was sim mering, und she had thrown open the thin cloak she wore, showing a flash of crimson waist with a sheen of metal buttons. Mordecal Floyd, looking 011 near by, gazed on her with pursed Hps. "ttmall wonder," he said grimly, "that unrighteousness doth overwhelm the children of tire world nnd wove them to wrath when we see nil ubout us the testimony of undonlul. Lust of the ere. Friend Joseph; lust of tlie eye!" Joseph Galloway, standing by him. i looked at the girl, so straight and young ! nnd bright lined; then his erafty look I returned. "Consider the lilies of the - Held." he <|unted with unetiou as he ' took snuff. ' "I doubt not." pursued the Quaker, ' wagging his |>ow, "'twas designed to t east a slur upon the vanity of apparel since 'tis a thing of so little estimation ' in tin sight of God that he bestows it t, ill the highest degree upon the meanest i of his creatures, "l is to he presumed 1 that, were it a thing of worth in itself. Instead of bestowing colors, gildings '( and broideries upon tulips, he had be 1 j stowed them upou creatures of higher I dignity. To mankind he hath given j hut sparingly of gaudy features, a great part of them lieing black, a great part of them being tawny and a great part j being of other wan and dusky complex ions. showing that 'tis not the outward adornment that he wishes, but the ap pearing in supplication for the orna menting of tlie Spirit." "Even Solomon in all Ills glory was not arrayed like one of these!" Intoned . ids companion smoothly. "But I must j he going. Mordeeai. I have an errand at the tavern." nasi iuou nenra augur more or rue | message to the congress from France?" the Quaker Inquired in n low voice as j lie clasped the other's fervid palm. Galloway put his lips closer to the other's ear, and a glutinous chuckle 1 shook his Jowl. "M orders 1," he said, "1 dreamed last ; night that Frsince had an six to grind. I Wouldn't it he curious If the message ; didn't ti< kle the congress so much ! after all? Ho. ho!" Anne's first inquiry provoked a smile ' from the bystanders. Dr. Franklin? j Yes. he wis douht'ess in the hall, but to see him! Quite impossible! And a I lady too. At a recess she might sue < red. but not now. Who could tell but he was on the floor at that moment? So <he rod.- en. At High street she Inquired for an inn. as she had been in the saddle since dawn and the horses were jaded. Learning that the prin cipal ones were all full owing to the preseller of the delegates, she found her way to one of the more humble liostelries on another street. It wus the It eel Lion tavern. The place seemed well nigh deserfcxL Mad she known the significance of this ?lay's sitting of the congress she would nave understood. As it was, finding .10 host in evidence, she went Into the parlor and sat down to await his ap l?ea ranee. And sitting so. from the luili and ? onilx:-r nearer she heard the well re mem!; Ted voice of Jarrat. A panic seized her. The packet?It w is i:i the lining of her cloak at that 1110111 nr. He must not see her! She looked wildly about her. hut there was 110 door of escape. In desperation she r.tti to the deep set window. It was slur, but there were shalloon curtains a-toss the alcove, and she shrank be hind them as the door flew open. Jarrat came in noisily. One of the inn servants was at his heels. "I would speak with monselgneur," he said. "Request him to 1h? so good as to honor me here." He stood smiling redly as the servant went, and Anne watched him from between the cur 1 tains with fascinated gaze. "At last!" he muttered. "The flual I stroke, and still all goes well. If Ar j maud succeeds for us, then advance ment and favor for me. The king must reward me, for the plan was mine j alone." "Armand!" Anne's heart had given a great leap. Jarrat knew where he wan. what he did. "If he succeeds for us." What meant those strange words? Again a step In the hall, ngaln the door opened, a scraping servant s: .d, "Monsolgneur," and again Anne's heart leaped, for the man who stood on the threshold clad In a full costume of pur ple velvet was Armand. Armand, but sparer of feature, with shadows be neath the eyes. Yet they looked out with all their old nobility and with n strange tire. She knew now wliere she had seen that tire?it was in Henry's face?the lire of steadfast purpose that knows no quenching. Armand! Escaped from Dunmorc's clutches, safe and in Philadelphia! She wanted to rush out to bitn, to cry to j him that she had done the t>est she could, had come to fulfill her promise j at last. Put what did he with Jarrat? j "So!" the latter said. "As bravely trimmed as ever. 'Tls the dress of u prince." "My good Pllnrno has the best of tnste." On Armand's face was a strange smile. "Von have cn/eneA htm henuMfiillv I doubt not lie expects reimbursement from his king." "My king," eorreetid Armand softly. "K<-ep It up," laughed Jarrat. " 'Tls never forgetting makes a good play actor. Faith, it minds me of the old Virginia days. Then you i>os<d as only a marquis. We rise in the world. Yes terday In a prison cell nt Halifax, to day this little plan, release, and, presto, behold Louis' secret envoy. Well, you are near to the purchase of your par don. The time Is almost here. A half hour more and you will enter the state house. You lack not assurance. Here Is the letter you will deliver to the con gress." Armaud took the paper be banded lil in and put it In UN breast. "'Tl? signed with IX- Vergenues' name, of courue." went uu Jamil, "and 'tis a clever enough forgery to trick even I'oor Hlcbard for the time being. Aid in returu for territorial ri>tupollu tion?now If 'twere on I}' laiuis XV! "IWould lie like tlie old skinflint. Me thinks 'twill lie a wet blanket to allay tlilii fever fe u 1 leclarution. 'Twill sulllee to tide over till these patriot addle pate* eolue to their senses." Anne's mind was in a elamor. a hide ous, unmeaning clamor of surprises, from which a single fart stood out with the clearness of a black silhouette etcli i-d 011 white pa|H-r ? Armaud. not es ca|ied, but released?released? going be fore the congress with a lying message, a message of discouragement ? going I now. this very hour, and the plot was Jarrat's. It was for a single heart beat as if the sun wore darkened, as if all Joy were blotted from the universe. Then, peer ! lug out, she saw ills eyes, anil the bit ter scene at Gladden Hall rose to her like a vision. She saw him dragged | away, and with the vision she felt strong. triumphant?the terrible. Joyful 1 rebellion of her own belief in bim that would not don lit. "I could not have devised it better myself." Jarrut was speaking again. "There is not a soul in congress who could recognize you 11s the Louis Ar maud seized at Williamsburg. Luckily, Henry is In the Virginia convention. The devil holds o.inls with US." "And this," said Armaiul, as if to himself, "lias been the devil's deal." "Aye! Hut 'tis time for us to start. Pllnrne will he there by now." He con sulted his v itch. "Ten minutes to ride thither. I have horses at the door. I shall go with you as one of your suit. Luckily, I shall not be known. I must not miss the delight of recounting this interesting event in detail in Virginia. Can you guess," with a malign smile, "to whom in especial, monseigneur?" a reu nusn leaped into Armaria* cheek, and Ills teeth clinched convul sively. It was as if a great wave of passion lashed the man and left him tense and white. His tone, however, re mained as low as ever. "You bound!" he said. "You prowl ing wolf of the dark, who know no truth, no trust, no faith; who. being vile, think all else vile the same! Thank Ood that to that one?to her my honor was always unstained! She believe you? Nil! Never! I go alone to the congress! You go no farther with me!" A facial contortion drew Jarrat's lips from his teeth. lie stood in a leaning posture, his knuckles tint upon the ta ble between them, a thriving suspicion In liis look. A tit of shuddering seised me as she saw this look change swift y to conviction?certainty in which age and shame and hate were black. "I go 110 farther?" he repeated. "What say you? Oh, fool, fool that I was to trust you! You have tricked me! You never intended to do it! You will not go?aye, you would go, but wherefore?" His voice had sunk to a metallic dull ness, and he eyed the other, breathing hard. Now his tone leaped again: "I know! The French king had his own mind! He sent your master a message to con vey, a message of comfort. Ah, your face says, 'Aye!' Twas in the packet you gave to Mistress Tlllotson at Glad den Hall! Curse that bondwoman! You have got it! Now that you are false to us, 'tis that message?that mes sage that you would give the congress! And 'twas I brought you from the Jail ?1!" The last words were a sort of horrible rasping whisper, and as he spoke he came slowly around the table, his fin gers clawing Ks edge. "But you shall not! Y'ou double trai tor! You shall not go! I know you?I alone! I will prevent it!" "You shall never leave this room," said Armand. Crouched low, holding the shalloon edges, Anne saw It all, the breath fro /- \ Anne snw bottii Uhulcn clany out 7.on iu her throat ? saw both hlndi-s clang out witli a single movement, saw .larrat hurl himself forward, beard the steel meet. Mixed Joy and horror la-Id her. She understood. He had cherished his master's purpose all along, pursued by treachery, meeting cunning with cunning, constrained to deception. It was the true message of the Krench 1 king that she clasped at that moment , under her clonk. To curry this he had won his way from the bands of his en- ? tides and fooled .larrnt to his pur|>ose. J And now without the packet his voice Would give the message to the congress. I She had brought it Just in time. All tl-ls came to her at once In a sue- | cession of pictures vivid as patches of night landscape seen by violet ngbtniui and at an instant when horrur over roll.ll her joy. The street, the taproom, were so near Would none eoine to stop them? Sh feared to declare herself, for a start, i tremor of the hand, might mean deatl to her lover. She saw the quick end. (lowerless t utter a cry. Armund stiffened sudden ly, his left hand fallen low. His blad< (Missed like a needle iu sailcloth througl the other's body, and Jarrat slipped ii a huddle to the iloor and lay still. Anne tried to scream, but her throu only gave forth a whisper. Not til Artuaud had sheathed his wet swon and the door had closed upon him dit she hud strength to part the curtains. She look.il upon the prostrate man it a terror. She must summon help ant then take the packet to Armand. Sh. realized suddenly that Jarrat was no dead; that his eyes were upon her that he was struggling to a sittim posture. "You saw?you heard!" be gasped "Y'ou!" "Yes," she breathed. "Y'ou brought him the packet! Mj God! To think 1 never suspected! Ant! he has gone?gone"? "To his honor." He stared at her, a slow, ghastlj smile coming to wreuthe his Hps. "Hon or? Say you so? Wait!" He made an attempt to unbutton bis waistcoat. "The paper in this pocket!" he groaned. "Take it and read. Quick Quick! Nay, call no one! Men bleeti not to death so soon!" She unfolded the scroll with, shaking fingers and read: I, I.ouis Armand, released from durance in Halifax, under special instruction from his majesty's government touching the Continental congress, do agree that, In the event that I do not carry out this mission, as ordered, I hold my life forfeit and pledge my honor within one month this hereafter to deliver myself to Lord Chetwynde, whose custody I now leave. ARMAND. She caught her breath. "Do pledge my honor to deliver myself"?"to hold my life forfeit." He had chosen to give his life to entry the true message. His life! How dear that was to her! He must not do It! Oh, if God would only help her to think! He must not do it! She heard Jarrnt's breathing through It all and felt his eyes, filming, upon her. a neavy Knocking came at the door, and Joseph Galloway entered, his stick in his hand. He made an exclamation as he saw and threw up his hands. "Galloway!" said the wounded man, his breath rattling with a convulsion as the other bent over him. "He is false to us. Armand?be is false! He ?did this. He is gone to the congress. Vou must stop him!" "Yes, yes. I will call a leech. 'Tis not a mortal thrust, man. I will go to the hall. But how to do it? I'roofs"? "She"? gasped Jarrat in a final ef fort, pointing to Anne. "She''? and lapsed into ushen unconsciousness. (TO BE CONTINUED.) A Tried and True Friend. One Minute Cough Cure contains not an atom of any harmful drug, and it has been curing Coughs, Colds, Croup and Whooping Cough so long that it has proven itself to be a tried and true friend to the many who use it. Mrs. Gertrude E. Fenner, Marion, Ind., says: "Coughing and straining so weakened me that I run down in weight from 148 to 92 pounds. After trying a number of remedies to no avail. One Minute Cough Cure entire y cured me." Sold by J. R. Ledbet ter, Hood Bros., Benson Drug Co. North Carolina Banks. Raleigh, \pril 10th.?A state ment of the condition of North Carolina State, private end sav ings banks issued to-day by the Corporation Commission, shows $31,923,963 assets and liabili ties. deposits $21,886,808; also accrued interest due to deposi tors, $36,391, and trustdeposits aggregating $1,400,935 Aggre gate capital stick, $4,916,415, rorgei ?doui vour stomacn. It your digestion is bad the vital or gans of your body arc not fed and nourished as they should be. They grow weak and invite disease. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure digests what you eat, cures indigestion and all stomach troubles. You forget you have a stom ach from the very day you begin tak ing It. This is because it gets a rest? recuperates and gradually grows so strong and healthy that it troubles you no more. E. L. Babcock, Amherst, Minn., says: "1 have taken a great many remedies for indigestion but have found nothing equal to Kodol Dyspepsia Cure." Kodol digests what you eat, cures Indigestion. Dyspepsia. Sour Stomach, Belching, Hearthburn and all Stomach troubles. Its prepara tion is the result of many years of re search. Sold By J. R. Ledbfetter, Hood Bros., Benson Drug Co. Fasted Thirty-Eight Days. Nantasket, Mass., April 10th.? Mrs. Kliza Pickering,aged eighty eight years, is dead after fasting thirty-eight days. The attend ing: physician gives the cause of her death old aire, and sats there are no signs that the woman died as a result of her fast During the fast she also refrained from drinking water. TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY. Take LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE TABLETS. All druggists refund the money if It falls to cure. E. W. Grove's signature Is on each t>ox. 25c. . I Chewers Know I p the genuine Sun Cured Tobacco flavor by || I Reynolds9 i I Sun Cured I and have made it the largest seller by Is! refusing imitations advertised as sun cured $j Learn the Genuine Sun Cured Flavor?cut out this advertisement and send, together with ac. stamp, to R. J. ? Reynolds Tobacco Co.,Winston-Salem, N.C.,and they will mail free B J a 5c sample of this tobacco. Write your name and address plainly. | Hardware 01 Ml Hinds. I - I am fully prepared to supply every body who may come for Hardware Six Thousand Pounds of White's Nor folk Plow Casting. MAJESTIC RANGES" Washing Machines sold on thirty days trial. Call to see me when you need any kind of Hardware. Pure Biggs Prolific Seed Corn, $2 per bu. 50c per peck. CLAYTON HARDWARE COMPANY. r. W CARTER. Proprietor. Moved. +%, ^ V We have moved our stock of Pianos. Organs and Small Musical Itstruments into the building re cently vacated by The Smithfield Savings Bank. We are now show ing the most up-to-date line of Musical Instruments ever shown in the county. Give us a call. Thornton Music House, GEO. E. THORNTON, Manager. Special Excursion to Cuba VIA Atlantic Coast Lino Special rate of one fare plus $2 00 to Havana, Cuba and return, the rate from Kmithtield, N. C. $44.75, includes meals and berth on steamer. Tickets will be sold March 29th, for trains which will reach I'ort Tampa, F,la. the night of March 80th, connecting with P. & O. S. S. Co's. steamer leaving that night. Tickets will be good return ing on any steamer leaving Havana until April 13th in clusive, with final limit to reach destination April ltitb. On the return journey, stop-over will be allowed at any point in the State of Florida, south of Jacksonville, within final limit of ticket. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit "The Quben of the Antilles , at reasonable cost, which will afford an excellent chance to investigate the business situation of our sister republic. The party will be limited, so make your reservations promptly. For reservations, pamphlets or any other information, cail on your nearest ticket agent, or write, H. M. EMERSON, W. J CRAIG, Traffic Manager. Gen'l Pass. Agent. Wilmington, N. C. A. H. Boyett's Garden Seeds. I believe the assortment of Garden Seeds I am now offering has never been equaled in Smithfleld in price, variety and quality. I>on't. fail to see me before you buy. 1 guaranf re all the seed I sell. . A. H. BOYETT, Druggist, ^ SMITHFIELD, N. C.
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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April 14, 1905, edition 1
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