Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The Master of Chaos ?. ?>'? ? -i' 'rU*jp>.\ '' ? ? By Irving Bacheller ' Copyright HIS, by Irvine B&cbellar WNU 8?rvlc* \ CHAPTER VIII? Continued ?12? , To avoid a recurrence of the quar rel and the hero worshipers, who were now thronging In, Colin left the room and went to bis bed above-stairs. He had found new light on the delays in congress. A faction hostile to the % Commander In Chief was, evidently, trying to discourage him and force his resignation or create a popular de mand for it The young man had a prevision of a long and difficult strug gle ahead against two enemies ? a de termined foe and a divided people. He went to sleep afflicted with thoughts and regrets as dark as the gloom that covered him. The next morning at daylight he was on his way to New ^ London. ^ x Meanwhile, a bit of curious weaving on the fabric of our history was being done in Cambridge. That morning of Oolln's departure Lady Washington In her working grlsette waited for ?Nancy In the library. The young lady breezed in as Innocently as the soft south wind coming through the open windows and embraced the good woman. "My dear, I was worried/' said Mrs. "Washington. "An hour ago I heard of that robber on the west road. So I sent a fast rider to find you.*4 "Thanks. :? You are like a dear moth er to me." Mrs. Washington smiled. Her needles were working rapidly, as she said, "My child, I have never known a girl so much In need of a mother. While you are here I am going to look after you. \ou are a foolish child. Life Is not all confectionery. You must forget your beauty and put on plain clothes and go to work or go home. This Is no place for play." Nancy Bmiled. She was wont to smile at all the Icy precepts. She felt a sense of relief when Mrs. Washing ton arose and bade her go to her tasks. Joslah Stark, who had been one of the most skillful and trusted men In the secret service of Washington, was then in the hospital. He had received a slight wound In making his return to the army. Nancy Woodbrldge had won his heart. He had told her In ^ confidence that he was soon going to Canada ? an Imprudence caused wholly by her remarkable influence. That night when she went to her room she wrote this letter: "Dear Pat: I have delivered your letter to Colin Cabot and am hero with my brother. We have both en listed. He Is in the army and I am In the hospital. I am as unhappy as I can be and, dear friend, I must tell you why. I was at the beautiful din ner and dance at general headquarters to celebrate the Evacuation. Colin took me to dinner and then danced with me. I would not tell you of all the sweet things that he whispered In my ear, and, when we went out to look at the stars and cool off a little after our exertions, he held me and kissed my Hps and said that I was Irresistible.' Your idol is like all the other men, my dear. I think that you should try to be as happy as he Is. 1 wonder If any man Is worthy of you. What are girls like you and me to do? Shall we become man-haters and old maids? No, we will marry, but let us not be deceived by the notion that a man can be an nngel. "My dear, does this letter give you pain? I write It because I think It better that your heart should ache a little now than be broken later. " I am sending this to British army headquarters, In care of General Howe. It will be mniled somewhere In Canada. This Is from "Your devoted friend, "Nancy." A few days later the rugged young Joslah Stark set out for Fort Tlcon deroga.wlth Nancy's letter In one of his saddle bogs. The girl had praised and flattered him for no other reason than her need of his help. He had traded horses with young Israel Sapp, who had lome down from Skenes borough to the army on Colln's solici tation in the last autumn. He had ridden a tireless black gelding vhlch he had bought from Mrs. liowlby. Stark needed a tough horse used to mountain travel. The one he owned was worn. So he gave Sapp a horse (^,and a good sum of money for the , gelding. One day in northern Massachusetts, Stark dismounted to enter a store for food. As had been his custom, he left ? the horse standing In front of the ? ?Wrt, He had always stood without hitching. The animal having come to familiar country, Immediately set out on a lonely road for his old home. Stark went on afoot following his .bracks and hoping to overtake him. ?The horse had spent three years of (hta life In Mrs. Ilowlby'a stable. That night, awakened by his tramping and whinnying around the house, she arose, lighted her lantern and went ?ttt-ef-doors where she found the rider leas animal. She took* him to the stably removed the saddle and bags, tied htm In a stall and gave him food and water. In the darkness she failed to recognise the horse. She brought the bags Into the honse wondering what could have happened to the absent rider. In one of the bag* she found Nancy's letter. Think ing that It would give a clue to the identity of the horse's owner, she opened and read the letter which Hancy had written to her friend In Oft&Adft, She was naturally astonished by Its content*, for she remembered vividly the young man to whom it re lated and for whom she still enter talned a feeling of gratitude and ob ligation. She put the letter in another envelope, readdressed it and returned it to its place in the saddle-bag. CHAPTER IX The Army Moves and Colonel Cabot Feels the "War Tide." On the flfth of April Colin returned to the big house in Cambridge. Maj. Gen. Charles Lee was with Washing . ton, talking loudly as he was wont to do. A self-made military hero with a title from congress, Lee was a tousled, shabby-looking Englishman of high pretension and bad manners. He had lived for a time among the Mo hawks, one of whose maidens became his wife ? a matter now forgotten. He was tall and scrawny, with restless eyes and a huge aquiline nose. The resounding promises of this Eu ropean cast-off, made with a thumping fist, his Impassioned review of his own career In Portugal and Poland, his claim that It had won the friendship of Frederick tho Great, had naturally Impressed the Sim Bottses In congress. He dealt in their kind of talk. They knew that he must be a great man. They listened and crowned him with the highest honor in their gift and sent him to Washington. His rank gave him some excuse for talking loudly. He was sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. There were two people at general headquarters who distrusted this man. tffw IM Lee Wat a Tousled, Shabby-Looking Englishman of High Protonslon and Bad Manners. They were Martha Washington and Colin Cabot, who had found it diffi cult to conceal-thelr aversion. While Colin was waiting for the major general to finish hla oration, the Lady Washington came and beckoned to him. He followed her to the library. She had an indignant look. "That horrid man! He ought to be catching rats or currying horses," the Lady began as they sat down. "The General and I have almost quarreled about him. My lord and master smiles and says: *Oh, he Is an honest, well meaning man and, let us hope, a good soldier. He has a fickle and violent temper but we can bear with that.' Did you find good quarters for us on the way to New York?" "The best. The roads will be heavy and bad, but you will be comfortable at night." "You are to ride with me and Cap tain Farnsworth with a troop of your cavalry to escort us. The General must head the line. Wo shall have a rider In the escort for that fine mare of yours. Nancy will, I hope, stay at home, whither she and her brother have gone with furloughs." She began her knitting with a sober and determined look, adding: "She Is a rich man's daughter and thorough ly spoiled. A rag doll would be of more use In the hospital. She Is an Idler dreaming of love and confec tionery." She gave her yarn n violent pull. "Often I have thought of that rob ber on the road," he said with a smile. She looked Into the young man's eyes and laughed, saying: "The rob ber was arrested. I reckon you know why." -No.M "Stop. Don't lie to me," she an swered with a smile. "Now go on to your work." Colin made his report to the Chief, who considerately said ? "You are weary with hard riding. You shall have the dny for rest." The young man found his friend Amos Farnsworth sitting In front of his lodge with his men cleaning arms. They shook hands. With the drooping look of a sick dog Amos called Colin aside. "AlasP he exclaimed. "1 eln't a feelln* awful healthy." Ills voice trembled a little. "What's the trouble?" "Satan has floored me. He Is In my bone an* marrer. " I'm mired In sin which my hope Is In the everlastln' arms." Amos wsa always frank as to his spiritual condition, but curiously he would neve* quite admit his physical Ilia. To say that he was not feeling "awful healthy" waa going far for him. Colin smiled, saying: "In this case 1 think that medicine would he better than prayer. I'll send you the address of a good physician." The guns were hauled to the ships. Tents and storea weva packed and loaded ?n heavy wagons. Guns and bayonets were polished. The bugles nmrch AndJ.U,e arm* began Its march. Ahead, the hills shone with * Wea?OD8 glistening in the sun 25L Everywhere In the line the top ,.of ?ud' the splash of black wa of , ?f waK?ners. 'he sound tires slamming over rocks 1 It Zn? \ *,low Journey with thawed Qht8' TUe r?ad8' rougb at best thawed by rain, were uere and there cam* ? mUd' R,dlng a coach b* vorsnH contest of endurance. Con versation was limited to exclamations. as the day wore on the young man ln the goocl woman of Vir g nia a^ unsuspected capacity for self expression. He wrote to a friend that tlnetlJ ? J* ?f NeW En?lantl w?s dis tinctly unfavorable. One incident of ihe Journey throws o I'eht on the human quality of the Commander In Chief. He was a splen at th?Uhe 8ittlDg on hls white charger wppn nn ^ ?f th8 tro?Ps- a3 they xvfth I !.s 8 through a large town, with hands playing in the line and the crowd cheering on either side of the !p yn; he, "aw a little girl run out In front of his horse and inarch along rhon)l8nmn!v,bnnner trnlllnK f?m her shoulder. 1 he child amused him and he ordered a halt, while a man, ?bJJ ng, hIs r??Quest, put her on the ,lle, " /ront of the General. Sfce T t0 the tavern where the staff had their dinner and the mon roke ranks for rest and refreshment. A trooper rode back with the child to nnd her parents. The army arrived in New York on the fourteenth of April. Much of the baggage and all sick and footsore men iloneThn 8 hPI)ed by b?ftt from P?lnt? h Pfln ro b- 6 r?ad- T,le f0rCe had been weakened by detachments sent to Canada. The stores were low and there was great need of tents and clothing. Two thousand of the m n in line were without arms. woo''0 flrSt ^Ct ?f GenerQl Washington n?, " requisition on New York, Con ecticut and New Jersey for thirteen thousand five hundred militia. They came pouring in by the thousand^ strong, patriotic men of little training and no experience in the bloody give and take of battle. fe Strong detachments under Generals a fortm ITu Su,Hvan were Posted on river ^ r . Brooklyn f?m East river to Gowan s cove behind a range of wooded hills, a line of defense was ^ from New Rocheile to East Westchester, in these positions the training of raw recruits began rnVS!,6 /b0Ve ,tS bU8iness section ful L Tn 7? ih6n a plnce of fruit ful fieldb and gardens with many white -r ,?n elther 8,de of the rough Za lT*n?rth- Colin notes in his diary that he entered a billiard room one evening and saw two colonels playing in their socks, one of whom wflus often saying "d? n my eyes!" th^fninC,Tlnf h08t had g,ven to the of wild rust?cIty.'?Wn ?? Colonel Cabot's regiment was en camped near "The Tea Water Pump above the City hall. Put to the task o securing lead, they overturned the statue of King George III on the Rattery, in which they fpund a large quantity of the desired metal. They took more from the roofs of many pro fane friends of the king, New York being a hotbed of loyalism. Shouting ?Zr;h:r !n,every ^ busy with the training. There was little ,'S ta8k' Col,n waa engaged with squads of militia when he was ?n^?nfed t0 reP?rt t0 General Wash ington for special duty. There had been secret advice of a loyalist plot to kidnap the Commander in Chief For a time the sturdy young man was put to work at general headquarters then at 180 Pearl street. A stroncr guard of picked men was soon on duty in and around the place. Captain Farnsworth and some of his bei" roopers surrounded the Chief when he traveled. thlnl!?* h1"10?7' WQS the POStUr? Of things ?n and around York Island be fore the British arrived. The day after Colin began his work at headquarters many of the best peo ple on the island came to drink tea a! Ihi ?GraI. Dnc1 Mrfl- Washington. At this function the young man met nnm?Wf\0f ladIes ?nd gentlemen whose names he could not remomher. The from thl n? reCft,ved a PO?te letter from the Rarqness de Rledesel? moth er of a general In the Hritish army J ? !h? fnBh,onfthle section of Pearl street, Inviting him to supper at eight o clock on a near date. He showed this to the Commander m Chkf, who sjild: MI wonder a little at this. Her son R an officer In the Hritish army. She ?J oft tbe women In this Tryonlsed city. She Is rich re spoc ed and Influential. Khe has eaten the kings salt, I think that I would accept the Invitation. They know that you are close to me and what their purpose may bo we can only imagine She may have something to say that will Interest us." The night of the supper Mrs. Wash ington mlssc* he young man who was wont to .. to their room at eight o clock for bee?, cheese, toasted bread and cold meat. vlUUonafin*raI tOM Mn W,f? ?f tho ,n "Good land!" she exclaimed. hope that you advised him not to go." ^No. I advised him to go." n m?n ' Mnrk mjr WOr<1' It'S a plot of some kind." P??.' man wa" on,y nm,,sed by thy suspicion of his wife, who was often warning him of Imagined dan "I happen to know that the baroness ^ Wasrh,0nfgto^ I? iV .citable circumstance." And I think that I can see the cun ning hand of Nancy in all this," said Mrs. Washington as she left the room. At that house Colin In his best uni form had already rung the bell at the front door of the Rledesel mansion and been admitted by the smart Eng lish butler in livery. The Baroness de Rledesel ? a hand some woman about fifty years of age, richly gowned, sat waiting for him in a parlor. She received the young man graciously, saying: "You are kind to come to our little supper party. There will be three of us and one whom I think you will be surprised and pleased to meet again." "You ure generous," said Colin with a smile. "You honor me with an in vitation to your home and you add to It the delight of a mystery." "Forgive me if I hold you in sus pense a moment. I am sure that It is one whom you will be glad to see." A vision of Pat came to htm. Ilad she somehow got to Now York? "My curiosity Is so piqued that more delay would be cruel," he said. "What a blessing Is youth!" the baroness exclaimed as she drew a vel vet portiere behind which Nancy Woodbrldge had been concealed. "Beauty Is the greatest blessing of youth," Colin answered as he looked at her. Nancy stood smiling, In a sown of blue silk cunningly fashioned to dis play her charms. A heavy chain of old wrought gold hung upon lier neck. There wns enchantment In the look of her. He could not help feel ing It. The gallant young colonel was In the midst of a curious comedy In which his part was made for him. At first amazed, he knew not quite what to do. Nancy tripped toward him saying : "You dear old thing ! I do not wonder that you aro paralyzed." She came offering her red lips to him. lie embraced and kissed her. Standing close against him and look ing fnto his eyes, she put the loop of gold around his neck and laughed mer rily as she bowed. "Let me look at this wonderful chain," he said as ho ungyved himself. "It Is most becoming. I could almost believe that your beautiful hair was woven into It." Lady Howe, wife of the Rrltlsh ad miral, entered the room and Colin was presented to her. Nancy led the young man to a re mote corner of the room and whis pered : "Do not mind my affectionate familiarity. She hates rebels and I have had to lie like a trooper to get her to invite you here. It was neces l sary. You will see why. Later I will tell you my story." The butler announced that supper was served. The young colonel gave his arm to the hostess and sat between her and Nancy at the small table in a dining room fashioned for generous hospitality. Old Madeira was poured. The Madame Rledesel lifted her glass to Colin, saying : "I hope to see you often at ray table. My niece will spend the summer with me." "Your niece!" "Dear child ! Nancy's mother is my sister." "I did not know it and I hasten to congratulate both of you." He drank the tonst but after that was discreet with the wine for fear of losing his mental balance. "Nancy had not told me," said Colin. "She Is never Inclined to boast." "I suppose that you have no time for trivial details when you are to gether," the baroness remarked. "I do not wonder that you attract each other." The talk consisted largely of "the Infinite flatteries that follow youth" and of the dissipations of the fash ionable folk on York Island. No word of war or politics was spoken. The conversational steps were as cautious ns those of one walking a tightrope. The ladles drank freely and chlded the young man for his temperance. "Dear boy, this wine has been lying many years in my cellar," said the baroness. "Arc you a cold-watet Puritan?" "Don't misjudge me because I live near the town pump," Colin an swered. " 'Water for horses,' Is a saying In my regiment. The truth 1b, I get so much stimulation In the com pany of beautiful women that I have little need of wine." "Well done!" the baroness ex claimed. "I was going to offer you milk but now I could not do It." The ladles were In a cheerful mood when the supper ended. The butler brought tobacco and a small, slender, long-stemmed pipe for the baroness. He put down a golden snuff-box for the Lady Howe. "You young ones may now leave us. I have no( the heart to detain you," said the baroness. "Nancy will bo ablo to And an Elysium to your lik ing. We old women must be content with the mild dissipation of cognac and tobacco." The young couple arose, Colin bravely playing his part with these gallant words: "Madamo, with the light of youth In your eyes and faces, you misplace yourselves." There was s note of mystery In all this only partly penetrated by the Hhrewd Intelligence of the young man. He left the room with no lack of con fidence In himself. He was mysll- , fled at Nancy here among the friends of the king. What was her story 1 They sat down together on a sofa In a remote room. He looked - first at the crystal candelabra, the carved oak, the tapestry, the hangings, the Illumined fcricture of a nude woman on the wall before them. There was nothing like this grandeur In the houses of Boston. He looked at thn shapely form and beautiful head and neck and shoulders at his side. Bnt he held Pat in hlsx mind. "Have you kept my little token? she asked, <. (TO HI!) QOMTINURD.) Versatile and Gay Spring Fashions By CHERIE NICHOLAS In tills instance the Dow ers on the mndlshly shaped chapeau are vel vet, so also is the stitched belt and the Inevitable big how at the neck. Of IF EVI2K fashions wore t uned to make up a perfect spring style pu rade, the modes of thw present moment qualify Mo perfection In that respect Perhaps '? Is their high color, for clothes are wonderfully gay and bright this season, or maybe It Is the quan tities of crisp white organdie which tlutter about the new costumes In way frills and bows ami such ? whatever It Is, the spring styles are simply fas cinating. What's more they are that versa tile they offer every opportunity to dress to type. Everything's In fash Ion, from quaint talTeta and woolens whose colors are a riot, to types so severely .uannlsh as to make one gasp nt sight of them. 8penklng of taffeto, the newest thing out Is the rough matelnsse weave. It Is about as smart a looking material as one can possibly select for a "llrst" spring frock. It Is wonderfully >;ood looking for Jacket suits, too. A most advanced fashion styled of mntelasse taffeta Is pictured to thr left In this group. It Is In brown, black and red plaid, the colors showing up hand somely due to the bllstery pufYed sur fnce, which gains for It the name 01 matelnss" taffeta. The sleeves I Well they are to be expected now that fash Ion hns brought the Gibson girl to life again. The fnct that the hat this modish maiden wears is also of tofTetu, goes to show how this material Is scoring In every realm of the mode. How ever, do not forget tlmf a touch of velvet Is likewise an Important factor t? the making of fashions this spring. FLOWER GIRL Or CIIKKIK NK IIOI AN This dainty little frork in uri tin I usually pretty style for the flower Klrl who expects to piny nn Important role In ? spring wedding- It can easily he made at home at little expense of or gandie, nllk mounsellne, chiffon or flat crep^. The arrangement of the pleat ing Is very effective and quite along , entirely now lines. In Paris every thing that can be finely knife pleated la pleated, In the styling of fashions for grown-ups as well ns for children. VUtd Crf?p?t Crepes are the favorite evening falv rlc of the moment Splashing the palette of black, brown, red and white, which hss been seen all winter, are new and vivid tones such as 'cyclamen mauve, cyclamen pink, canary yellow and water green. course it Is uf velvet, for the story of fnshion would not he complete with out Its repented mention. Look to the right In the picture nnd you will get Bome Idea as to how bright-colored woolens are contrast Ing tlirir vivid tones In hi coh.r and tri color ways this season. Jusl listen to this citation of color? lively blue for the nobby hat of coarse shiny straw, with a (ire-red quill, which the picture fails to show. The Jacket and skirt are of n gray nnd white mixture with black and red strips on the sleeves nnd for the scarf trim. As to startling color contrasts, the audaci ous doings of fashion In this respect are making history for spring nnd summer 11)33. Then there Is this matter of wheth er one's spring suit Is to be or not to be furred. It's surprising how senti ment for fur Is keeping up Of course. It must be Just the right dainty sort which blends exquSitely with the del icate grays, beiges, tring colors and other pastel shades which are so fash ionable this spring. The pretty young miss pictured In the center of our Illustration hns solved the fur question most cleverly In that she wenrs with her youthfully styled two-piece of dove gray worsted a boa of lovely plntlnum fox. The bow tie of wide gray velvet ribbon adds a charming touch. Plense to note the nllover tucking on the sleeves, [f a gnrment is not shirred this season or finely knlfe-plented. then It la al most sure to be lavishly tucked, for designers nre doing nn Infinite ntnount of this sort of thing. ? 1933. Western Newspaper Union. HAIR STAYS SHORT, NEW HATS REVEAL Head glory will remain short In the glorious springtime If enrly nprlng hats tell anything about the question of lovely locks. They nre mnde to re venl perfectly waved shin hnlr nnd leave no room for nny chignon In the small crown or back. "Double-up" Is the very newest coif fure befng featured by the smartest hairdressers. It Is the continuation of the popular brushed nway-from the forehead style. The hair Is whisked directly bnck Into a swirl and finds its way bnck ngnin around the ears, or only one of them, terminating there In any one of the many curl fashions. "Double-up" really gets Its nnme from the fact that It is as sinnrt for the morning as well as the evening ? a coiffure for the mondalne as well a* for the sportswoman. Cotton* and Linens to Have Big Summer Vogue All the signs, according to couture activities, point to another big sum mer for cottons and linens. At pres ent both cottons and linens that are being shown nre puzzling fashion peo ple, because they so often look like woolens. The natural line color suits worn with darker blouses nre a smart ex pression of this mode. Other detnils that nre registering are the narrower dnytlme skirts nnd waistlines that nre slightly lowered. Necklines nre still showing high tendencies, but nn open, squnre cut Is used In a couple of dnytlme dresses and Jnckets. VeiU Are Becoming More Flippant Than Formerly Veils are more flippant than ever. They nre found on tailored or forms! hats, accented for color, pattern, or manner of wearing. They mny be any length from eye to shoulder. The most piquant novelty Is the Tnlbot style, the veil tying under the chin. Narrow belting ribbon In tailored effects of two nnd three colors Is re marked In recent collections of mllll-| nery Importations.