The heiress of Cranham Hall / by Meredith junior [i.e. E. Estill]

LOOKIMV LIKE A HCTUKE IN HEK HAUIT AND LARGE ULACK TLUMED HAT, HESS APVEAKED THE KADIASTLV HAPPY WOMAN THAT SHE WAS,
( Tkt Heirtts of Cranham /fa/I, Froxtis.)

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
MEREDITH JUNIOR

BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO.

NEWYORK. AND BALTIMORE

135 BROADWAY

1722 N. CALVEKT

CoPVMGHT, I9IO,
BY BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO.

To the Memory of SIR JAMES OGLETHORPE, THE WASHINGTON OF GEORGIA, A man in whom Practical Christianity and Humane Foresight were so highly developed that he thought and acted, not "one hundred years before his time," but five hundred,
And to his faithful wife, ELIZABETH WRIGHT OGLETHORPE, whose charming personality made the last half of his life a glimpse of Elysium, this romance is dedicated in admiration of their characters
BY THE AUTHOR.

The Heiress of Cranham Hall
CHAPTER I. England: "Fair wert thou in the dreams of
elder time. . . . With the light on thy blue hills and waters cast, From purple skies neer deepening into night, yet
softFading along the mountain ... To Summers breezy sigh, and Young leaves trembling to the Winds light breath. . . . With Dreams and yearnings vain and dim remem
brance," for the travelers. On a warm July day, in the eighteenth cen tury, a stage coach, drawn by four horses, slowly made its way along the dusty road leading from Surrey into Essex, England. One of the occu pants was a stout old gentleman in knee breeches and coat of brown velvet, a member of Parlia ment from Haslemere. He had lunched very heartily at the last Inn, and the effects of the good ale were apparent in his sleepy attitude. Whenever the stage bumped on a sun-baked crust of earth, he was flung against his wife, who
5

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was also sleeping off the effects of her last meal of stewed fowl and bacon, bread and ale.
Two young people sat opposite their sleepy parents; one, a boy of fifteen, tall for his age, and a young lady of seventeen. Earlier in the day they had slept off their fatigue, and now, feeling refreshed, were looking about for some mischievous amusement. A bunch of roses, whose petals were unusually large, lay on the seat beside them. With one thought they broke off some of the petals, and watching when their parents seemed sleeping the soundest, twisted up the edges and struck them against their fore heads. To the two dozing, it sounded like two pistol shots. Instantly Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe sought his pistol, and put his head out of the window, expecting to see Dick Turpin, or some of his like, at the horses head, the driver in terror, and the footman lying dead; then to hear the screams of the children and his wife. The latter had been slower in awakening. She was dreaming that the careless Martha had let the crane fall and ruined the dinner.
What the M. P. did see was four tired horses pulling through a muddy piece of road, and the nodding postilion almost falling from his seat. He drew in his head, a second thought flashing through his mind that some mischief had been perpetrated by his daughter Anna. But that young lady was only toying with a bunch of flowers, and there was nothing that he could see that could have made the noise. He dis dained to ask either of his children, as the younger generation in that century were taught

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to respect their parents, and he did not wish them to think that he deemed them otherwise than re spectful.
"Mercy! what aw* the trouble, Theophilus?" his wife inquired. "You look as if you thought you bad been robbed. I am sorry I had to bring my jewel box, but tfie Wrights have so much company that I must put on my best. But Ill use my hands to fight, if necessary."
"Nothing, nothing," he answered. "I guess I was dreaming and thought I was in the House listening to Bolingbroke and Godolphin debating on the Schism Act, and one of the spires to the House fell in and broke up the debate," and he glanced at the two suspiciously. But these two young people seemed intent only on what he was saying about politics, both being very fond of hearing of what transpired in the House.
Anna had met Godolphin and admired him in spite of his ugliness, and her brother James hoped to matriculate at Oxford, and later to en ter Parliament; thus he was anxious to know all he could of his predecessors. These young peo ple had almost forgotten their mischievous prank, remembering it only to feel glad that it had given them something to listen to, instead of gazing at two fat sleepers.
"I did not know whether I was scolding Martha or listening to the Queen and the Duch ess of Marlborough. They are quarreling now all the time, and the Queen is so harassed by her love for her exiled brother and her devotion to her own religion that between the two she becomes very queer at times. Besides, I do not

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think she has ever recovered from the death of the little Prince."
"Humph 1" exclaimed her husband, "she eats too much, and sits still at Basset too long, thats the trouble. However, what the exiled king needs now," and he lowered his voice to a whis per, but heard by Anna, "is some one at St. Germains who will be in touch with affairs in London. But, although I believe in his right to the English throne, the Jacobites will get no help from me," and he struck his cane hard on the stage floor. "We must have a Protestant on the throne. May the Lord protect us.
"By the way, we must go to London before returning to Westbrook. We must go to Vauxhall and see the elephant at his new tricks. The fireworks have been much improved; they were discussing it at Gawburys last week."
"I thought you would be at least in St. James at The Cocoa Tree, or in St. Pauls at St. Childs," said Lady Oglethorpe in no undecided tone of disapproval at the thought that her hus band should have been at "Whites Coffee House."
"Well, Eleanor, Ill promise not to take you there, anyway, but will meet you at the tea gar den, and afterward we can go to Drury Lane to see the newest thing an Italian opera; or would you prefer to see Batterton in Romeo and Ju liet at the Haymarket? But youll need your mask and your earwigs," and he laughed heart ily. "Perhaps, though," he continued, "you would like the Marks better; they are clever

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL 9
there with the game of the fan. But dont drop yours too often, or I might get jealous."
"I prefer to go to Vauxhall by water," replied Lady Oglethorpe; "they quite outdo the royal levee, and the cascades are magnificent, and the singing and refreshment of the best. I hope we shall not be robbed when we go. Why cant you get a bill introduced into Parliament for the better protection of the public? Put sentinels within hearing distance of each other. Have more lights. Use the same kind of globes they have in the Gardens. I am sure they show up the dark places wonderfully. These robbers should be put in Newgate. Lady Argyle lost her jeweled fan, her money bag, and her pearl neck lace last week going from Bloomsbury to West minster."
"Mothers had better keep their young lords at home, then, and put them in their cradles; for I shall tell you a secret, my dear, as you are a discreet woman I wouldnt have married any other," he added, fearing his wife might think he lacked discernment; "the bailiff caught two the other night, and whom do you guess they were?" and he whispered in her ear the names of two well-known noblemens sons.
"Gracious, Theophilus, we met them at Lady Beauforts and Anna danced with them. Were they sent to the Fleet?"
"No, the jury were made drunk, and thus they did not know whether they were saying guilty* or not guilty. There are a lot of poor devils now at the Fleet and Marshalsea who should be out of these dens of filth and wickedness. They

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are wretched places, not fit for an animal. We need another great fire like that a half century ago."
"Father, get me permission to visit these pris ons ; perhaps I can help them."
"Wait, my boy, until you become an M. P., then you can be a philanthropist. I myself am too busy fighting non-conformists now to look after anything else."
During this conversation Anna was thinking how she could coax her parents to send her to the Court of St. Germain. She felt capable of any intrigue. She endeavored to change the con versation back to the exiled king, and began by interrogating her father on the divine right of kings.
It was during that exciting period of Queen Annes reign when the power of the Whigs and Tories fluctuated. They were united on the ques tion of a non-Catholic, but divided in their belief in the divine right of kings.
Here is seen a vast amount of ignorance founded on ecclesiasticism. Had these politicians studied mythology, which could have been taught them by the scholastic priests, they would have known that this idea of Divine Right was a re vised belief in the ancient gods. These gods and goddesses often mingled socially with the inhab itants of earth. "The sons of God" not only saw that the "daughters of men were fair," and mar ried them, but also the goddesses saw that the earthly men were handsome, and so took them for husbands. Thus some of the earthly race descended from the heavenly race, and had the

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divine right to rule on earth even as their divine ancestors ruled in heaven. Thus for a mortal to rule in the place of a god-born man was an affront to the ruling powers above. Virgil wrote the "^neid" to prove the heavenly descent of Augustus.
But the Englishmen, with few exceptions, were too full of ale and good eating, thus mak ing them averse to any deep thinking, to worry about the true origin of this idea which was causing so much bloodshed. The Whigs were determined to establish the supreme rule of the people through Parliament, and to limit the power of the monarch, which had now trans cended the limits of the Constitution.
At this time, also, the Jacobites were giving much trouble through the influence of Louis the fourteenth. The clergy, too, were advocating the doctrine of non-resistance to the divinely appointed sovereign more strongly than the doc trine of the Trinity.
The Queen had passed the bill for the property qualification of voters, and it gave much dissatis faction. The Act of Settlement had been also passed, by which the crown should descend through the daughter of James the first, should the present Queen leave no heirs. Thus the Whigs were divided with the Tories, who wanted the direct line of descent through James the sec ond, whether Catholic or not. This united the Jacobites to the church, which firmly believed in the divine right of kings, as much so as they did in apostolic succession. Queen Anne, being a Protestant, could not sanction the claim of her

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half-brother, James the third, who was a Cath
olic, to the throne. Between her devotion to her religion and her
sisterly love, for her last thoughts were of him, as dying she murmured, "Oh, my poor brother," her mind was so wrought up that she became a nervous wreck, and these dissensions ultimately
caused her death. Many of the most prominent men were Tories,
the Duke of Marlborough, Admiral Russell, the Lord Treasurer Godolphin being strongly op
posed to the Hanoverian descent. These had to be watched to see that they gave no help to the exiled Stuart.
"Mother," Anne began, "dont you think a trip to Paris would help me with my French?" add ing in a whisper, "and I could carry on the cor respondence for the benefit of our exiled sov ereign."
"Yes, yes. O my poor, suffering Queen Mary!" and Lady Oglethorpe began to weep. "She will be a mother to you even as she has been " here she broke off and looked intently at her h: band.
"Better wait, wife, until you can close the windows before telling anything. I say now that I decidedly object to Annes going on so dan gerous a mission; besides, it will do no good. But it is as useless for me to protest as it was 20 years ago," and the Major leaned on his stick and closed his eyes, and was soon lost in the past.
Lady Oglethorpe, once started on the subject of the ill-fated Mary of Modena, could not be

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 13
stopped altogether, and turning to Anne she re peated the old story of the exiled Queens flight.
"To think of that dear mother, my beloved friend, fleeing with her babe across the Thames that cold, rainy December night Hiding in the shadow of Lambert Palace. Then, disguised, ac companied by strangers, hurry to Paris. Rais ing her little son in the thought that, though the son of a king, he must relinquish his right to the throne," and tears again flowed freely.
"By the way," said the Major, roused from reverie by his wifes sobs, "Ive a communica tion from Godolphin," and he drew a letter from his pocket and threw it to Anne. "Wonderful expedient, this penny-post! How did we ever do without it last year and the years previous. The postman handed it to me just as we were chang ing horses at the Inn."
His daughter eagerly broke the seal and was soon deciphering the French. Handing it back, she exclaimed, "Just the idea. He says a woman is needed at St. Germains. He also writes that, under a pretense of carrying letters of a very private nature from Queen Anne to King Louis, he will leave on the fifteenth for Calais. Here is my opportunity; I shall go with him," and she clapped her hands with delight.
"Dont go, Anne," said her brother James, "although the exiled king was our lawful sov ereign, he has forfeited his right to govern by his unjust acts. The government has passed an act excluding him, and his children who are Catholics, from succession. Therefore you will be acting as a traitor to your country, as the

H THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALIi
sovereignty has passed away forever from the son of James I. to that of his daughter. It has as much the sanctity of Divine Right as the other, and you should support it. You seem to forget that our future king is also the greatigsr.a"ndson of James I, even as the exiled Prince
"Thank you, Brother James, for your long lecture, but our tutor gave my history lessons aa much attention as he did yours, and I need no reminder."
"But you are not a Catholic?" "No, but we are landowners, and unless we fight for our king, these yeomanry, together with the new-religionists and non-conformists, will soon be occupying our beautiful parks, turning them into farms or building upon them houses for tradespeople. Besides, I want to leave Eng land. I am tired of these vulgar people. The French are so polite and refined. Father says we are descended from a Norman beauty; that our great-grandfather, William of Oglethorpe, heir to West Riding, Yorkshire, was the son of one of these French beauties who came over with their parents at the time of the Conquest, and she named him William, after the Conqueror." "Not to retaliate," interrupted her brother, "but you have not related the rest of the family history. Lord Fairfax now owns the land of our forefathers, forfeited and given to him by Parliament. Besides, that same policy of gov ernment which you are determined to assist took away from our grandfather 20,000. Dont you wish you had that amount to help your cause?"

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL IS
"Never mind," Anne retorted, "one of our an cestors died in defence of Charles I, and I per haps inherit his love for oppressed royalty; and wasnt father turned out the army for opposing the Prince of Orange ? I am his own daughter," and she laughed gayly.
"I shall entreat father to give you at once our home, West Brook Manor, where you might carry out the name of the village, Godalming, by devoting yourself to the poor and to preach ing."
"Stop quarreling, children," interrupted their mother; "your future, Anne, is settled, but James not yet."
The near approach to Cranham Hall put an end to all conversation. In the distance could be seen the beautiful iron gates wrought after the pattern of those at Hampton Court. The dog-toothed-topped walls, built in the time of Queen Elizabeth, were now reached, and the gate .being opened by a liveried footman, they soon found themselves at the door, being wel comed by Sir and Lady Nathan Wright, while a little brown-head girl stood near with her nurse.
"David," said Lady Wright to the servant, "take the boxes upstairs at once. I know, Lady Oglethorpe, that you and Mistress Anne must want to rest awhile in your rooms after such a warm, dusty drive."
All started up the stairs except James. Catch ing sight of the little girl, he lifted her in his
arms and kissed her. Unresisting she allowed

16 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
this, but did not put her arms around his neck as he told her.
"Excuse a soldiers caress, Sir Nathan," he laughingly said, "she must be my sweetheart. I have none. May I claim her when I become a general ?"
Sir Wright smiled, but his wife replied, "When you go to Parliament, James, we shall have a wedding."
James colored, but bravely facing the battery of eyes now leveled at him over the banisters, re plied, "Perhaps I shall have both to offer her, as I leave shortly to join Prince Eugene."
Placing Bess by the side of her mother, he ran up the steps two at a time, and made such haste that he was ready before the others.
Lady Wright had looked at him with admiring eyes. His military air pleased her as soldiers always bewitch women. She noticed his broad shoulders, his broad forehead, his aquiline nose and well-shaped mouth, and fine gray eyes. His reddish blonde hair was not hidden on that day with a wig. His fair skin, tanned a little, showed there a color in spite of this tan. Yes, she would gladly have him for a son.
CHAPTER II.
Several years had passed since "Bess," as the heiress of Cranham Hall was called, had been kissed by a young soldier, and it was but a mem ory to her.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL It
A hawthorn hedge separated the "Hall" from the rectory grounds and the churchyard, and through this Bess strolled, followed by her nurse. She was to be the guest of Rev. Ranleighs pupil, Alfred Kell, future Earl of Kelvedon. He advanced to meet her, although only a youth of fourteen, with all the grace and ceremony of a beau of the 18 C. who had spent years at Court.
Against the old wall a latticed summerhouse had been built. To this he led her, while her nurse seated herself on a bench, where later the waiting-maid joined her. Rose vines clambered over the summerhouse, creeping between the wide lattice and festooning the interior, the Cloth of Gold mingling with the red blossoms of the Madame Metrol. A carpet of green vel vet hid the floor of the little house, on which was set a small table. An embroidered white teacloth covered this, setting off to advantage a tiny Dresden tea-set over which Bess now presided.
Young as he was, her host enjoyed this lovely picture and its setting. Bess wore her hair parted, one thick curl of reddish-brown fall ing each side of her pink-and-white cheeks. She wore a short white dress, made in the style of that period, with short waist and puffed, short sleeves. He watched the lovely arms raised to pour the tea, and the dainty hand that passed it to him, the rose-entwined walls forming a lovely background. The air was filled with the per fume of sweet flowers.
The little Earl looked like a miniature courtier in his white silk knee-breeches, white silk waist-

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coat embroidered in gold, with coat, hose, and shoes to match. His thick golden curls resem bled a wig, being long and tied back with black satin ribbon.
His features showed a mental temperament, literary and artistic, the brain being largely de veloped and the lower features delicate. He would never be found choosing his companions from the fops, or "Bloods," of the 18 C. He had brilliant hazel eyes that seemed without depth. His face betrayed little emotion. "Mon Ange," his nurse called him.
As Bess leaned over to hand him his second cup of tea, a knot of blue ribbon, which con fined her curls, fell to the floor. In an instant the future Earl of Kelvedon had picked it up and tied it around his knee. Then taking a diamond star from his lace cravat, he pinned it on the ribbon, exclaiming, "Now am I a Knight of the Star and Garter. You are Queen Elizabeth and I the Earl of Essex."
At this jest, Bess little cupid-bow mouth, her most beautiful feature, shaped itself into a pout, but she said nothing. As a lifetime playfellow, she knew it was useless to object to anything he said or did, although he did not often do any thing contrary to her own wishes. But at this moment she had the feelings of the real Queen Bess who on a certain occasion touched none too lightly the cheek of the noted Earl of Essex. To plead or argue with him would be useless. Her weapon lay in silence, and a determination not to be put in the same situation again.
Having finished his tea, Kelvedon extended

THE HEIBESS OF CRANHAM HALL 19
his foot, so that Bess could see the ribbon on his knee, saying, "I think that is something fine."
To which Bess replied, looking archly at him, "My lord seems to admire his own anatomy?"
"Oh, I referred to the blue ribbon," he an swered quickly, his fair face rivaling the pink rosebud on his coat.
Bess arose and entered the rectory to greet the old minister and his wife. They were people of the highest education and refinement, he ut terly unlike the majority of the clergy of his day, stories of whose coarseness and want of learning are matters of history. He had been the young Earls tutor from his childhood, and loved him as his own son.
"Kell," as he was sometimes called, joined her as she came out and walked with her toward the Hall, the nurse following. They were just entering the ground, and were beneath the low branches of the old elms, when Kell turned and called to the nurse, "Martha, our housekeeper is calling you." Glad for an excuse to gossip again, she turned back.
"Ive a secret to whisper to you, Bess," and bending his lips to her cheek, he kissed her, then turned and walked rapidly away toward the rectory. Bess stopped not to look back at him, but rushed on, almost stumbling against the housemaid.
"What is the matter with your face? It is so red; hurry and bathe it. There are some guests in the drawing-room, and your mother was just sending me to call you."
Not waiting for her nurse, who later came

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grumbling that "that boy hears more than is said," Bess ran to her room. Finding that wa ter only heightened her color, she went to her mothers room and, using her white powder, soon had a face like white marble.
CHAPTER III.
"She was a Phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight A countenance in which did meet Sweet records and promises sweet. A Creature not too bright or good For human natures daily food, For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.
"The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect woman, nobly planned To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of angelic light."
Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe had long since passed away. James had received his commis sion from the Duke of Marlborough.
The clock of the eighteenth. century had chimed its first quarter and was hastening to complete the half circle.
The manor at West Brook was beautifully decorated with vines and flowers. On the tables

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 21
in the upper rooms were spread the presents many household articles, fine rugs from Asia, rare china from France, jewels also.
It was the day of the wedding of Frances (Fannie) Oglethorpe to the Marquis of Belgrade. James had returned to England just on the eve of his sisters marriage, and only a few were aware of his unexpected appearance. U The bridal party had just returned from the village church, and, on entering the drawingroom, Captain Oglethorpe saw, a few feet away from him, the back of the head of a young lady. It was in color a reddish-brown, but it was its expression that made it beautiful. Would her face reveal the same? He must have an intro duction. Going toward his mother for that pur pose, he met Sir and Lady Wright. Grasping his hand cordially, the former drew him toward this very interesting person, the back of whose beau tiful head he had been admiring. "This is Eliza beth, our daughter, Capt. Oglethorpe, our little Bess," said her father. "Perhaps you remember her?"
"Most happily I do," he replied, "and, al though a soldier just returned from the wars, I shall not be permitted to greet her as on our first meeting, much to my regret," and he looked covetously at the beautiful face turned toward him. There was no recognition in her look, and she was much embarrassed at the laugh her fa ther could not repress and the evident pleasing familiarity of a previous meeting displayed by the Captain.
Extending her hand to him, over which he

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bent and touched to his lips, she appealed from one to the other to enlighten her, which they laughingly refused to do.
Leading her from the room, they descended to the lawn, where the refreshments were being served; and afterward strolled into the large park in the rear of the extensive garden.
Seating themselves upon a piece of an old wall overlooking the valley, they watched the River Wey wending toward the Thames through the meadow land stretched at their feet. At their left were beautiful hills, with their sloping fields of grain; on their right the pretty village of Godalming.
The old manor had been built in the reign of Charles the Second, on the west bank of a bab bling brook whose limpid music could be heard, and at least to one of them it sang the ever new, old song of love.
Bess idled with her fan, but was not making with it those signs of flirtation fashionable at that period, and which its devotees took several months to learn thoroughly.
She felt the spell of the scene on this beautiful June day, her artistic eye taking in all the details of the distant village, its church spires gleaming in the afternoon sun; the grazing sheep in the meadow, the waving grain in the fields, the cool depths of the Park, with its rose-grown garden, and the old turreted house.
But more especially did she feel the charm of this new-old acquaintance. What did it mean ?
James was telling her of the perils encountered with the Turks, but only that part of the cam-

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paign where men had displayed bravery, refrain ing from any of the brutal details of war. He enlarged on the friendship and esteem of Prince Eugene, Duke of Savoy, his own promotion as the Princes secretary, and later as his aide-de camp. But his subconscious self was more occu pied with the charming personality of his com panion. She had fulfilled the promise of her childhood, possessing all the sweet innocence of a child united to a cultured, dignified woman hood. He felt that she would be his first and only love. Without her companionship all in terest in any home or civil life would be worth less. What happiness would be his if she felt the same 1 But she gave no sign and he feared to be too impulsive, although that was his dis position. If he only dared to tell her now how much his love of life depended upon her I Though a brave soldier, used to storming a for tified castle, he feared to attack the citadel of a young womans heart. He was deliberating on his future course of conduct toward her when he perceived approaching them a physician rec ognizable by his costume of black velvet and knee breeches, his scarlet cloak flung over his arm, his cases, and his long gold-headed stick like a beadles. He was accompanied by a young man, the playmate of Bess girlhood, Lord Kelvedon.
While the doctor was setting down his cases, placing his cloak on the back of his chair pre paratory to his enjoyment of the feast, the Earl gracefully knelt at Bess feet in mock humility, putting her extended hand to his lips. She felt

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the same subtle power of his presence that had influenced her in their youthful days. On his rising, she introduced him to Capt. Oglethorpe, who greeted him coolly.
But the Captain had no time to say anything, as his position as host obliged him to show some attention to this famous Dr. Heinrick. He was spared the sight of the Earls attentions to Bess, as they had gone to walk in the Park.
"Only a few miles from the busy world, but how quiet and soothing. I am afraid, however, it leads to laziness. Lets sit here," and he spread for her his cloak on the edge of the brook, re clining himself not far from her. "I want to spend my days reading and dreaming. I hate the contact with the busy world and its com mon people; its constant friction and worry. I have heard of a sect in our India possessions whose food is only a little rice, and the climate requires little expense for clothing. But best of all is the freedom from temptation and leisure for silent contemplation."
"Do you think that is good philosophy to run away from temptation? To stay in the world and fight against it makes the character stronger. However, I can understand your feelings and sympathize with them. I myself, am so sick of this perpetual round of gayety; the teas, the masquerades, the theaters, the games, the dress. I wish our church had a nunnery. Is there one in India for the women of the sect of which you speak?"
"Little is known of their women, as they are closely guarded. But Dr. George Hendrick has

THE HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALL 25
just returned from India, and intends delivering a lecture on their mystic habits. It will be given in a very secluded place, but if you will write me when you are in London Ill call for you," and he handed her his address.
While speaking he had moved a little nearer Elizabeth, so that she could read in the deep gray eyes a wish to be something nobler than what the period expected of a man. They were bril liant, thoughtful eyes that looked into hers, hav ing nothing in them of that objective, sensual insolence which gleamed from the eyes of many men who gazed upon her lovely face.
He seemed to speak to her soul, or to that part of her mind which the Bishop in his sermons sometimes reached, but of its use and power she knew nothing. If a woman could read and write in that century it was deemed sufficient. It was almost a crime for them to be learned. If they were so fortunate they must hide the fact from the fashionable world, where only cards, dancing, and games were indulged in. There was only one solace: they could become a notable housekeeper without exciting ridicule.
His magnetic eyes awakened in her thoughts of a spiritual nature a desire to probe the depths of the Unseen that had never occurred to her before. She felt drawn to him by invisible cords.
What was it? She withdrew her gaze; then, turning to him
again, said, "I have read a little in Marcus Aurelius, and attended the Society for the Reformation of Manners, and wanted mother to let me help in the church school; but we are

SS THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
so often at Cranham Hall that I have no oppor tunity to do much in London. But I seldom talk on these subjects; one gets laughed at when they try to think out the reason of life, especially if one is a woman. Tell me what to read. I study my Bible, but one is not allowed to even seriously discuss that."
"Read Aristotle and Plato," he exclaimed; "I suspect your father has them in his library. In them you will find Divine Philosophy," and his eyes looked deeper and more brilliant as they met hers. It was something like happiness to him to find some one who could sympathize with his thought; and although only partly conscious of it, he enjoyed her presence because she repre sented to him his ideal of a woman.
He had studied deeply the German thought,
and looking at her expressive face, on which her Celtic ancestry could be traced, he felt sure that she was too emotional ever to be very happy unless she could be brought to realize that she had within herself a soul capable of govern ing her every thought or, rather, a Will, of which she had heard so much and understood so little. Otherwise, she would always suffer from objective influences.
Bess interrupted his thoughts by saying, "It is time we returned to the guests;" and, assisting her to rise, they returned to the lawn.
At one of the tables Bess saw, to her surprise, Anne Oglethorpe. What had brought her back to England? Not her sisters wedding. She was gayly conversing with Dr. Heinrick about Paris, but as the Earl approached commanded

THE HEIREvSS OF CRANHAM HALE 87
him to sit on the other side of her, and was soon discussing with him Voltaires latest witticism. Bess was left to entertain the doctor, but her thoughts would stray toward the others. The Earl was conversing more animatedly than was his habit, and Bess mistook his interest in a philosophical discussion for that in a woman and felt very unhappy. It was increased when they began to talk in French. Interesting as the doc tors conversation would have been on another occasion, she scarcely heard it. When the doctor and the Earl left to bid the bridal party adieu, Anne tried to amuse Bess with the details of Paris fashions; but Godolphin coming up to the table shortly afterward, she left with that diplo mat and was seen no more that evening.
Capt. Oglethorpe, who had been watching from a distance, now came hurriedly forward, and, seating himself beside Bess, ordered the waiter to bring them refreshments.
A glass dish of currants were on the table, and picking up the fullest bunch, he said, "Take this."
"How beautiful," she exclaimed, holding them up so that the light made them look like a cluster of rubies. "They are too lovely to eat; I shall wear them," and she fastened them to her bodice. Certainly, the Captain thought, they could not have met a better fate, as lovely and tempting they nestled amidst the soft lace.
Although no coquette like those of her day, Bess knew the signs of love, and doubted not the true feelings of her companion. But she was not sure of herself. In his presence she was not

28 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALIi
troubled by any philosophical thought, but felt the fullest contentment.
"I am thinking of returning to the Nether lands; must I?" and he reached across the table to touch Bess hand; but with the perverseness of her sex, she moved it to raise her glass to her lips.
"I suppose it will be a long time before you return to England," she repied, trying not to show too much interest in his movements. Men had said more than that to her before and had meant nothing by it.
Disappointment, not unmixed with a little an ger, took possession of her interrogator, and see ing some gallant with mincing step and dangling handkerchief approaching Bess, he bowed to her formally and went into the house. He spoke to her no more that night, but she saw him paying marked attention to Lady Alice D., one of the gayest married coquettes of London society.
Bess, accompanied by Lord Setton, sought her mother, and waiting a few minutes to watch the bridal couple start off for London, they entered their own coach to return home.
Midnight found Oglethorpe still awake, rest less, and disappointed, and accusing himself of too hasty an appeal to Bess. He arose, and ap proaching the window, looked over the lawn, now bathed in moonlight. Hearing voices, he leaned out and saw two figures beneath a tree. One figure, over which was thrown a long cloak, was that of a man; the other that of a woman, in which he recognized his sister Anne. He struck a light, at which sound the whispering ceased,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL S9
and both figures moved toward the front door and disappeared within the house.
Oglethorpes first impulse was to go down and inquire; but knowing the stubbornness of his sis ters disposition, once she had started on a certain career, he curbed his impatience and lay down to try and forget in sleep his great unhappiness.
At breakfast, seeing no waitress at table, and earlier having called in vain for the butler, Oglethorpe inquired of his mother the cause.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "the servants are com plaining of ghosts, and Martha and John said also that the neighbors, in passing at twilight, had seen the cloaked figure of a man walking in the park. They insist that we have no men guests. Such superstitious people!"
Oglethorpe glanced at his sister, but she was looking as fresh and unconcerned as if no mid night tryst had been kept.
Later in the day, wishing to clean up some firearms which he had put in the basement, he started toward the cellar door just as his sister was coming from there. "There is nothing of yours down there, James," she said, linking her arm in his and trying to draw him away. "All your property has been removed to the small upper hall room. You will find them there. It is a good day for you to get at them. Can I assist you?"
What had come over Anne ? She was not usu ally so desirous of assisting him, and why had she moved his goods from the cellar?
"When do you return to Paris?" he asked, ignoring her proffered assistance.

SO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"I am not certain of the date, but you need not hurry. There is another boat on the 25th. Wait for that; we have seen so little of you."
"I may or may not," he replied, and went up stairs.
Rowing on the river that afternoon, he no ticed what appeared to be a tunnel opening through the bank. Some bushes, scattered around, must have hidden it previously. Peering in, he saw that it was high enough for a man to walk if he stooped. It had been dug out above where the river sometimes rose. Where did it lead to? He would return to the house, and, with the aid of a servant, explore it. It could lead to nothing more dangerous than he had encountered in the war. Meeting Anne at the boat landing, he told her what he had dis covered and what he intended doing.
"You shall not tell any of the servants," she replied angrily. "Return with me and we can cover it up."
"And if I should refuse? What then? You forget that I own West Brook and therefore am master here. We must have no secrets. I assist you only on one condition, that you reveal to me the secret that you and my mother jointly hold. Come, decide quickly."
Anne flushed angrily. She knew that he would do as he had said. No persuasion could change him. She had never tried to conciliate him; now it was too late. But she had one more chance.
"Why, James, how silly you are," she said, forcing a laugh; "why, that is only some old passageway built as a biding place for some of

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HAM 31
the adherents of the exiled Charles. You re member this house was built at that time. I suppose the rains have swollen the Whey and washed away the debris."
"That is a lie and you know it," Oglethorpe exclaimed angrily. "It has been newly opened, even if the passageway is old. No, I must have the truth or there will be a scandal. It is hot of my making."
Frightened by his vehemence, she replied, trembling, "Help me to hide the opening, but promise not to close it up, and I shall reveal everything."
Putting some timber that lay on the landing in the boat, they boarded it and were soon at the opening. Anne made an exclamation at see ing its exposure, and assisted her brother in put ting a board against the opening and placing some bushes before it.
"Dont ask me any questions now. I shall ex plain later, and then you will be glad that you complied with my request."
Now that the present danger was passed, she quickly regained her high spirits, refusing to discuss the matter further and saying that she had given him her promise to reveal the secret and would keep her word.
"When?" he asked. "To-night," she replied. After the late three-oclock dinner, which the country folk had copied from the Londoners, Oglethorpe decided he would cross the river and watch unperceived what might happen at the tunnel opening. Being a soldier, he was used to strategy. Hastily putting on an old uniform de-

S2 THB HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
void of trimming, one in which none in Eng land had seen him wear, and ascertaining that the servants were at dinner, and his mother and Anne asleep, he slipped quietly from the house, entered the boat, and crossed over. He dragged the boat into the bushes, where it was out of sight from those passing on the river. Climbing into a tree, he hid himself among the branches and tried to fix his attention occasionally on a book he had brought with him; but his thoughts refused to follow the words. Not knowing what to anticipate in the revelation Anne would make, and feeling the indifference of Bess, he could not interest himself in the authors thoughts. He waited three hours, and was getting numb from his cramped position. Twilight was coming on and yet there had been no sign from the tunnel. Perhaps now that Anne had promised to tell him all there would be no developments in this direc tion and he might as well return to.the house. He was rising from his strained position, giving at the same time a glance toward the tunnel, when he thought he saw the bushes which he had helped Anne stick in the ground before the open ing move. Was it the wind? No, in another minute they had been pushed away, the plank re moved, and a narrow boat was shoved out by hands that looked like a womans. Then a figure wearing a long, loose cloak with hood over its head, fashionable at that period, appeared; but its movements were not those of a woman, but the hood hid its face. He recognized the darkbrown cloak as one his mother had worn.
, The boat was lowered into the river, entered

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL S3
hastily, and the occupant rowed quickly toward the Thames.
Oglethorpes first thought was to follow it. But perhaps it was only Anne taking her exer cise on the river in this peculiar way. Besides, he had no weapon, if it were an enemy; neither could he follow it to London in his present garb. No, he must depend upon Anne for an explana tion.
By the time he had entered his boat, the other little craft had hoisted a sail and was taking ad vantage of a breeze that had just sprung up. A turn in the river soon hid it from view.
The first person he met on entering the hall was Anne. She looked surprised and annoyed. "Why, I supposed you were sleeping off last nights fatigue, as I tried your door several hours ago and could not get in."
"Where is our mother?" he asked, interrupt ing her, hoping it might be she, as he knew her venturesome spirit3 and that she would hesitate at no danger to accomplish any purpose upon which she had set her mind.
"Preparing supper. Are you not hungry after your trip on the river? Did you see any one
boating this afternoon ?" Her tone was careless, but she searched his
face anxiously. "Yes; I thought it was you. The person had
on a cloak that you or mother wears sometimes. Have you given it to one of the servants?"
"Oh, yes. Where did you see it?"
"If you do not know, then some one else holds

SI THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
your secret," and he passed on into the dining room.
After supper he was sitting on the lawn, smok ing, when Anne joined him.
Before she had time to speak, he said abruptly, "I do not expect you to tell me of your liaison. I saw him go, but beware lest he return. You have heard of people being walled up. Mind he does not share the same fate. Then, indeed, will this house be haunted. It holds mysteries now; the sequel will be something more than a mys tery."
Annes face flushed hotly at this threat, which incensed her more than his accusation. She was about to tell him all, but he had given her a respite and she would take advantage of it. Her revenge would come later.
Reentering the house, she summoned the foot man, telling him to get the coach ready at once; that she must be in London by the next morning. She insisted that her mother accompany her, al though that lady pleaded her gout and wished the housekeeper to take her place.
CHAPTER IV.
Left alone, Oglethorpe thought of riding over to Cranham Hall, but, consulting his watch, he saw it was too late. In the cloud of smoke which wreathed itself from his pipe before his sight, he saw her face. Must he never behold it again! Perhaps she cared nothing for him. A

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL S3
soldiers life would prove his only balm. He felt that he could not settle down to a country life, and the idle, frivolous people of London did not suit his taste. Bess only could content him with the first and purify the latter.
The coach containing Lady Oglethorpe and Anne followed the river road for several hours. The four horses could scarcely pull it through the ill-kept highway. Anne continually kept a lookout for any sail on the river. At last she was rewarded. Stopping the coach, she crossed the short stretch of bushes separating the road from the river bank, not without some fears that she should see a British uniform emerge from behind some tree. Waving her handkerchief, she attracted the attention of the boatman. The sail was lowered and the boat rowed to the shore and securely tied. Standing on the bank, and spreading out the cloak she wore so as to hide this man for it was a man she handed him a suit of clothes, the livery of a footman. These he slipped over his own suit. When he had taken off his wig his disguise was complete. Fol lowing her to the coach, he took his seat at the back, talking to Anne through the little window in the coach. At daybreak they stopped at an Inn, where they left their own horses and hired a fresh pair. The sleepy porter gave them cold meat, bread, and ale, wondering the while why such fine ladies should be traveling so hurriedly alone to London.
Arriving in London about noon, they engaged a waterman to convey them on the Thames to Broken wharf, where they landed at the private

S6 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALE
steps to the mansion of the Duke, of Mowbray, a stanch Catholic.
The Chevelier St. George (the Pretender), for such was the fugitive, stood by the footman in the hall, while Anne entered the drawing-room to consult with the Duchess. Returning, Anne said to her supposed attendant, "Jacques, the Duchess needs you to arrange some furniture in our apartments; after that you may visit your relatives, as I promised you."
Following her ladyship up the grand stairway, the Chevelier was ushered into a suite of rooms, one fitted up as a drawing-room. In this the Duchess remained, while he entered the other to change his suit. When he reentered the room, she saw a tall, handsome man, with long, curled wig, wearing a plain, black coat, knee breeches, hose, and shoes. A fine lace handkerchief was knotted around his throat. His countenance was amiable, his mouth well shaped, his complexion good, and his bearing that of a king. The Duch ess was more than pleased. "I shall send the Countess to you," for such was the title bestowed upon Anne by the exiled king for her loyalty "Countess of Ireland."
On descending, the Duchess sent her footman out on an errand, and when he returned he sup posed that the visitors servant had gone out.
Meanwhile, Anne was closeted with the Chev elier. She had pinned a white rose on his coat and also wore one herself, remarking, "We can wear these when we are alone.
"Oh, my dearest, how it grieves me to see you thus, and to think that you must leave at once.

THE HEIRESS OF CBANHAM HALE 37
The post has just brought me a note from Fan nie, saying that she and the Marquis will sail on the Dauphin to-morrow night. You will have to take that boat also. Make yourself known to them. How different things would be had Queen Anne ten years ago treated you as a brother should have been S"
"Dont despair, my Countess; should our plans miscarry here, they intend, in France, that I shall go to Scotland. Perhaps I may yet visit the homes of my ancestors," and tears fell from his eyes as he spoke.
Anne related to him her stormy interview with Oglethorpe.
"Why not tell him the truth ?" said the Cbevelier.
"You do not know James," she replied. "He does not believe in the Divine Right of Kings; but, more than that, he leans toward a monarchy such as Holland has, perhaps even freer. He thinks only those who show ability and good morals should rule. His place is in America, where he might be able to carry out his peculiar ideas. He and Berckley were so intimate. I wish now he had sailed to Rhode Island with him. But there are other reasons why I could not tell him, which I shall never divulge to you unless you fail to become king."
Disguised as their servant, the Chevelier St. George accompanied the Marquis de Belgrade and his wife to Paris. Strange that James Ogle thorpe was also a passenger on that vessel!
To explain the "Countess of Irelands" remark to the Chevelier, "had Queen Anne treated you

38 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
as a brother," we shall have to go back to the time before the present reign.
Queen Anne had suffered several attacks, each worse than the last. Only her strong will en abled her to attend Parliament.
"The Pretender," as his stepsister, the Queen, had scandalously designated the Chevelier, James III, the then exiled Prince, had come to London from St. Germain against the wishes of his father, James II, the deposed King of Eng land.
In a house in Cleveland Square, near St. James Place, the Chevelier was hidden. Anne was with him. They had news that the Queen was very ill, and her half-brother had dispatched a letter to Kensington Palace.
"The Queen must have received your letter by this time," Anne was saying. "If she only knew you were here in London she would see you, I am sure."
Just then Lady Oglethorpe entered, and as soon as she could control her breath, said, "The Queen is in a very precarious condition, and fainted on reading your letter. She had barely time to light a candle and burn the letter before the attendant and physician entered. As it was, she burned a fine lace handkerchief which she was compelled to put over the candle to hide the burning paper, saying that it accidentally fell into the flame.
"Lady Masham gave me all the encourage ment possible. She is coarse and ugly, but she has great executive ability. Thank heavens that arrogant Lady Marlborough had her dismissal

THE HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALL 39
some time ago! As it is, your cause is in good hands. It was Lady Masham who obtained for me the interview.
"I met the Earl of Oxford, but he would give me no opinion as to the possibility of your suc cession, except that he thought your cause would be hurt should the Queen die now. Lady Masham is the one who influenced the Queen to dismiss the Earl. Oh! why cannot our plans for you to see the Queen succeed."
"Did you beg Lady Masham to send a special messenger should the Queen recover sufficiently to see me?" inquired the Chevelier.
"Yes, if it is possible for you to see her when she comes out of this stupor, it will be done."
"A few nights ago," said Anne, "Bolingbroke invited the Whigs to a conference at his own
house. "They refused to support him unless you were
made to leave Lorraine. If we could have man aged that, it would have been our gain. The Prime Minister is not only daring, but he is eminently skillful, both in civil and military af fairs. Your cause would be safe in his hands."
"If the Queen would only recover! Bishop Atterbury wrote me that he would be ready at any time to head a procession to escort me to Westminster. Shrewsbury has done me good service by prorogueing the parliament in Ireland. He has thus destroyed all hopes of a Protestant succession there. We are safe in Scotland, I think; but more of that later."
"Yes," Anne answered the Chevelier. "If the dispatches from Dr. Sbadwell are encouraging,

40 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
what may we not hope may transpire in a few days! If only Berwick could have persuaded your adherents here to invite you over at the Queens request, and presented you to Parlia ment as her successor! Lord Hamilton said that whoever was first in London when the Queen dies would be crowned. You are here and the Elector is not. That they think that even if you do not make a great king, it will be better than civil war."
"Fate does seem against me," the Chevelier replied. "It is said that the Electress Sophia died suddenly from the effect of the Queens letter. May no such catastrophe fall upon the Queen from the effects of my letter to-day!
"It does seem as if the Queen has some thought of me, because she did this: she wanted none of the Hanoverian line to live in London. It is our loss that Chancellor Harcourt should have applied for a writ to give Prince George a seat in Parliament, and thus so incense the Queen that she wrote that fatal letter to his mother," and the Chevelier sighed.
At midnight Anne crept down stairs and ad mitted Godolphin, for whom she had been watching.
"What news of the Queen?" she whispered. "She is still in a stupor. At the last assembly of the Council, she remained until two in the morning. It was too much for a sick woman, although Dr. Shadwell says she was in no dan ger when he left her at five in the morning, but sleeping quietly. He did not see her again until

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE !|J
he was called hurriedly this afternoon. Some shock has caused the gout to fly to her head."
At this Anne gasped out, "I fear all is lost." "I fear the same. I have just left Bolingbroke. He says the Queen did not recognize him when he went to the Palace at ten to-night to know her wishes. She assents to anything, but it is too late to let the Chevelier see her, as there is no time to make conditions. The Guards to the Tower have been doubled. Four regiments have arrived from the country. The seaports are protected and no shipping is allowed to leave port. How you will help the Chevelier to escape to Paris I cannot imagine." "I have a plan," said Anne; "but Lady Masham may yet have the opportunity to beg the Queen to see her brother. How can she resist his letter!" Godolphin departed at two a. m., but up to that time no news had come from Kensington Palace.
Anne retired, but slept little. Her mind was harrassed by her inability to devise some way by which the Chevelier could be gotten out of London. A reward would be offered for his arrest. They already suspected that he was hid away somewhere in London.
Annes mind wandered over the political events in England for the past fourteen years. The great influence held by the Duchess of Marlborough over the Queen. Her nearness to her as mistress of the robes and manager of the privy purse. She held the golden keys, which.

42 THE HEIRESS OF CRAJfHAM HAM.
when compelled to give up at the Queens com.mand, she flung disdainfully on the floor at the Dukes feet.
The distraction of the poor Queen, of which her mother had told her also, believing as she did that she had as much Divine Right to the throne as her half-brother James. He was a Catholic also, and she was strongly attached to the Established Church, although having a hor ror of Dissenters.
Godolphin, the Lord Treasurer, was wary, but unobstrusive. The Tories were in the ascendent, and Marlborough had to, acquiesce to a war. Gibraltar had been captured. Louis the Four teenth had recognized the Pretender. Harley had been retired from office, after being impli cated unjustly in sending dispatches to France. Anne winced at this thought, though alone, for well she knew the bearer.
The times were indeed troublesome. Many desired that the Chevelier St. George should suc ceed to his fathers throne as James Third, but not a few still believed that he was a suppositious child. Through the effects of the Whigs a re gency bill had been passed that in case the Elector Prince George was not in London at the time of the Queens death, the government should pass into the hands of the Archbishop of Can terbury and the Lords Chancellor, Treasurer, and other high officials. What would be the outcome could only be conjectured.
But tired Nature triumphed, and the Queen, who had cured so many by her touch, could not cure herself.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 43
Anne was awakened by the tolling of the bells, and knew that all was over.
Some days later Anne and the Chevelier watched at midnight the procession wending its way to Westminster. By torchlight the Queen was interred.
Torn with conflicting emotions, the Chevelier did not know what to do. Should he show him self to the people and trust them?
But the Whigs had secretly sent for the Elector Prince, and he quietly became George First
Disguised as a Scotch sailor, the Chevelier re turned to Paris, and going at once to his mother at St. Germain, related, weeping, all the experi ence of the past few weeks.
Sobbing, she flung her arms around him, say ing, "My poor boy, this is .the end. There was just one hope that the Queen might have named you as her successor, but that is passed. You will never come to your birthright."
Seeing her anguish, he ceased weeping, and, trying to smile, exclaimed: "Cheer up, ma mere, I have many adherents in Scotland and Ireland. I shall go there in a few weeks. Many in Eng land hate the idea of a foreigner for their ruler. The -English have a natural dread and distrust of foreigners, and for that reason, when they find that the people in Scotland have taken up my cause, they will flock to my standard."
"May the Blessed Virgin assist you," said his mother, crossing herself. "Your father lost his three kingdoms for his church. The Bishop urged him to be more cautious, to have his mass

44 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
private, but openly to seem to want the welfare of his country. But the king was inflexible. He was determined to make the whole country em brace the true religion if it were just possible."
"If he had only consented to my being edu cated in England, as King William wished, then I should now be King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. All this trouble would not have been, and I should not be a hunted fugitive. That is the cause of my failure."
"There is such a hatred against this German Lutheran Prince and such a leaning toward the legitimate line, that had there been any prepara tions made the result might have been different. I fear my letter to the Queen hastened her death."
The Queen had crossed the room, and kneel ing before an altar, over which was a small statue of the Virgin, called her beads. Her prayers ended, she still knelt, her head on the altar. Her thoughts went back to that stormy December night when, with her babe pressed to her bosom, she waited in the shadow of Lam bert Palace for the coach to take her to Gravesend. Back to the Palace her thoughts turned, where she had left her husband. At his com mand she had awakened at midnight, and was ordered at once to start with the two governesses. That she must leave Whitehall by the water gate, not in his company, but in that of a stranger, Count de Langner. How the king almost broke down in bidding adieu to his son. Then the se cret journey to Calais. Then her thoughts flew to the royal reception at St. Germain en Lage,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 43
their life as one of royalty, treated with high honors as King and Queen. The long years of unrest, the death of the exiled King. After that came the proclamation of Louis XIV at Ver sailles that he acknowledged the young Prince as James III of England, Scotland^ and Ireland, and also confirmed by the Pope. Now all was over. There was no reason to try again.
She was aroused hy a knock at the door, which the Chevelier answered. It was a servant, who brought a letter addressed to the Chevelier St. George, but the inner envelope was inscribed,
"To His Majesty King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. "Sire:
"So many events have transpired, and so many more are about to happen, that it is hard to know where to begin. But we, your loyal subjects, have but one wish, that you had been here when the Queen died, as you would have now been King.
"As soon as the death of the Queen was an nounced, your health was drunk at all the Inns frequented by your adherents. Bells were rung. In Oxford the students attacked all Whig dis senters. Riots have occurred everywhere. The White Rose is worn conspicuously. The Prot estants are being burned in many places, and the Lancaster Volunteers have been called out. This is the time for you to make an effort. You will find that Scotland and Ireland are in arms for your support.

46 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"I shall be at Versailles shortly after you re ceive this.
"Your Majesty, believe me "Ever your faithful subject, "H., DUKE OF ORMAND."
The Chevalier handed his mother the letter, and though his eyes were suffused with tears, he said bravely, "I shall begin my preparations for invading Scotland at once," and kissing her, he left the room.
Thus began that long struggle for the rein statement on the throne of the direct line of Stuarts, which harrassed the kingdom until the death of the "Young Pretender."
CHAPTER V. We return now to the reign of George the First, with Oglethorpe left alone at West Brook. Anne and her mother had not returned on the third day, but the post brought Oglethorpe a letter, saying that they had decided to remain in London for a week and to close the house if he wished to leave. At the end of the week Oglethorpe gathered up all his clothing and ammunition that he wanted to take with him to the Continent, and prepared to leave for Gravesend the next day. It was at the beginning of the long English summer twilight, and after strolling through the Park, he walked to the river bank where he and

THE HEIRESS OF CRAJTHAM HALL 47 Bess had been sitting a few days before. A haze was over Godahning, the Wey rippled as the evening breeze swept over it, and he mused when it would again carry him to the Thames, as he intended going to London by coach. A redbird trilled from a near-by tree. How calm every thing was I With Bess as his companion, he would have been content to remain in this lovely spot forever.
Just then he espied a large boat slowly mak ing its way toward the landing. He had hoped that it contained the fugitive, but no one in the boat resembled the figure he had seen emerge from the tunnel.
In it were three soldiers and a constable. Leap ing to the landing, one of the soldiers inquired:
"Are you Capt. Oglethorpe?" "Yes. Will you go to the house, where you can state your business?" "That is easily done," the man replied sneeringly. "I arrest you in the name of King George for a traitor." "Traitor?" Oglethorpe exclaimed. "How?" "You are known to have harbored the Pre tender. He is now within these walls. We have been sent to take you to the Tower, but first we shall search the house. Lead the way." Burning with anger and indignation at this unjust charge, there was nothing left for him to do but to comply with this demand. Going to the house, he conducted them through every room. The soldiers, assisted by the bailiff, searched every closet, looked under every bed, behind curtains, under steps. At last they asked

48 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
if there were a cellar, and Oglethorpe, not with out some fears, led the way. But nothing was found there but an old bed, a chair, and table, such as servants use.
"His Majesty, James the Third, has departed without leaving a trace," said one of the soldiers mockingly.
Oglethorpe was allowed to go to his room to gather up some articles of clothing and get some papers. Then summoning the housekeeper, he bade her take care of the house until his mothers return.
Entering the boat, the soldiers were compelled to use the oars for some time, the breeze having died away.
They did not travel all night. They went ashore and slept at a farmhouse near the rivers bank. Early next morning a start was made, and they soon entered the Thames, arriving in Lon don about noon. Rowing toward the Tower, they entered through the Traitors Gate. They were conducted to the Council Chamber, where sev eral men were sitting. To these Oglethorpe re lated the facts of his arrest and the search. The soldiers told their story also.
While this conference was going on, Godolphin, of all men Oglethorpe expected not to see, entered.
"Why, how is this ?" he exclaimed, extending his hand to Oglethorpe. "What are you doing here?"
"Accused of treason, my lord, harboring the Pretender."
"Why, sirs, I have just received a letter from

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL 49
St Germain, which says the Chevelier St. George is at the Palace. He cannot be in two places at once," said the Lord Treasurer.
"Produce the letter," said the head of the com mittee.
Godolphin drew out a letter from an inner pocket, saying, "It is from a lady, and you will oblige me by reading aloud only that part which concerns the prisoner."
Glancing over it, the lawyer read aloud the second page: "By the way, my lord, no doubt you have the curiosity to know how the Chevelier is bearing his part as exiled King. I have just seen him; he is most amiable in disposition and very handsome."
"That is sufficient," said Lord A. "Godolphin, your coming was most opportune. From this letter and the soldiers account, there is no rea son to detain Capt. Oglethorpe. You are at lib erty to go," he said, turning to the prisoner. Oglethorpe bowed his thanks, and was conducted to the Gate by the soldiers. Here Godolphin helped him into his own boat. Events had fol lowed each other so rapidly that Oglethorpe thought he must be in a dream. It certainly was a most terrible disaster. And how had it hap pened that Godolphin knew that he was at the Tower? Where was his sister Anne? What had become of the Chevelier? for now he felt certain that it was he whom he had seen emerging from the tunnel. But the waterman had rowed quickly, and they were soon landing at the steps in Essex Street. Here, taking chairs, they were borne to Whites Coffee House.

SO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM BALL
Godolphin ordered a fine roast of beef, wine, and bread. He had not spoken since he left the Tower, but Oglethorpe had not noticed it, being occupied with thoughts and feelings that never could be forgotten.
"By the way, Captain, if any one should ask you why you were at the Tower, say you went to see the lions. How fortunate that they keep those animals there;" and he laughed at his own joke.
Oglethorpe was in no mood for jesting, but he did justice to the food before him, having eaten little since he left West Brook. His thoughts were of Bess. This episode would put an end to all friendship even with her. As a suspected Jacobite, he could never ask her to marry him.
Thanking Godolphin, who tried to get him to try his luck at the gaming table before leaving, saying that business of great importance de manded his immediate attention, he entered a chair, directing the carriers to take him to Cov entry Street. Here dismissing them, he walked to the Leicester House, where in the last letter from Prince Eugene he had told him he could be found if needed.
It seemed Providential to Oglethorpe that of all men who could help him in this crisis, this soldier should have come to London at this time. Fortunately, the Prince was at home and greeted Oglethorpe warmly, who immediately told his de sire to leave London at once. He was eager to fight some one since he could not battle with his enemies at home.
"You may leave to-night. The Dolphin sails
--J

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from Gravesend at 10 p. m. I can give you a letter which will allow you to go on board at once;" and taking up a quill, Prince Eugene wrote rapidly for a few minutes and handed a letter to Oglethorpe unsealed. Then bidding him an affectionate farewell and a promise that he would soon join him in the Netherlands, the Prince himself saw Oglethorpe to the door. That night our hero was crossing the Channel.
CHAPTER VI.
George the Second had now become King. Oglethorpe had returned to England, and had been elected a member of Parliament from Hablemere, Surrey. He did not reside at West Brook; it seemed to him a graveyard where were buried all his hopes. His mother had died, and Anne resided at Paris, writing occasionally to him.
Oglethorpe began his political career at a very critical period. The Jacobites, encouraged by the excitement and dissatisfaction caused by the great losses through the "South Sea Bauble," again turned their thoughts to the restoration of the Stuarts. For conspiracy in this, the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Owery, Dr. Atterbury, and Christopher Layer were sent to the Tower, the latter being executed. The trial for inflicting pains and penalties on the Bishop of Atterbury gave Oglethorpe his first opportunity in Parlia ment. He moved that instead of banishing the

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Bishop, he be deprived of his office and benefits. Although a high Tory, Oglethorpe was an ardent Protestant and had no wish that a Catholic should ascend the throne.
He contended that, if kept at home in Eng land, Atterbury could be watched, but if ban ished, he might go to Rome and do much mis chief there, as he had a knowledge of the situation in London and in correspondence could give much trouble.
On reading the account of this speech the next day in "The Penny Post," Bess for the first time learned of Oglethorpes return, as she had just come from a long visit in the Highlands.
She did not agree with the editor that the speaker, though earnest and intelligent, was not eloquent. Why should not truth be eloquence enough? Why should the government banish the Bishop? She had seen the picture posters portraying the Bishop suffering in prison, and had heard the prayers in church asking God to release him. But the power of the High Church had passed away, and no one outside their own fold regretted its removal. On account of this, the Whig party were able to banish, without op position, this most brilliant tribune, orator, and pamphleteer, and special representative of the High Church.
Oglethorpe continued to speak and advocate reforms in commerce and in the burdens laid upon unfortunates. In 1727, he spoke against the Indemnity Act. He could not reconcile his conscience to the fact that any one, by simply saying that they were absent, or had to take

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 33
sacrament, should be allowed to hold office, when the law expressly said that no Dissenters could hold office. He argued that there should be no such test. It was well known that unscrupulous persons would lie, while many really competent in other respects to hold office would not avail themselves of such excuses. They thought Chris tianity should show itself in deeds, not in forms and ceremonies.
Oglethorpes attention was also attracted to the atrocities practiced against Protestants in France and other countries, as also the persecu tion of the Jews.
The evils oi gin-drinking, begun in 1727, caused many deaths. What was worse, this liquor lulled to sleep the judgment and the higher faculties of the brain which rule the mind, and robbery and murder twin brothers of Avarice and Fear followed.
These evils were not confined to the "common herd." Sons of nobles and bishops diabolically treated both old and young. It became epidemic, from which the generations are just now recov ering. From this drunken stupor men are just awakening. A deadly opiate had been imbibed, an innocent portion of the world must suffer from those crazed with drink.
It was hard to make the peers, the House of Commons, or the judges think of any reform. Liquor either makes its votaries perfectly satis fied with the world as it is]they have all they want, let the others get the same or it makes them melancholy and misanthropic, filled with

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the thought that it is a wicked, bad world, any way, and people only get what they deserve.
Oglethorpe took neither of these views, but believed that those who had all that the world, could give should assist those who had not pos sessed the inheritance and environments of the fortunate ones. But the spirit of reform seemed dead, so nearly does "Sleep resemble its twin brother Death." Sentiment was laughed at. No interest in philanthropy could be raised. Little attention was paid to literature. Oglethorpe was not a hundred but several hundred years ahead of his time, as the people, especially Georgia, can see.
He not only saw the evils of his time, but to a great extent, their remedy. In all his deal ings he never had any mercenary intent.
Wherever he saw genius and talent struggling, he opened his purse to assist.
While walking through St. Pauls churchyard, he stopped in one of the stationers shops to leave an order for Mr. Robert Cartell, an architect, to remodel his town residence. The clerk informed him that Mr. Cartell had not been there lately. Surprised, Oglethorpe hastened to his house, where his weeping wife informed him that her husband had been imprisoned in the Fleet for not paying some bills due the last month.
Oglethorpe went immediately to the prison, but was informed by the warden, Bambridge, a most repulsive-looking man, his features swollen with drink, that Cartell had left just a short time be fore. Important Parliament business kept Ogle thorpe from going to Cartells house for some

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 55
days. He supposed, however, that he had raised the money and been let out.
When he did go to the architects house, he found it empty. The neighbors informed him that the Cartells had moved, with only a few pieces of furniture, the day before. Hurrying to the prison, by dint of threats and by paying for admittance, he learned that Cartell, unable to pay for his expenses in the prison, had been sent to the ward where sick paupers were placed. Smallpox was prevalent there, and having con tracted it, with no isolation or nursing, it proved fatal.
Distressed and indignant, Oglethorpe began a search for his friends widow. In a wretched garret, in Beck Street, he found the mother with her three little ones. One little window lighted the room. Some straw and an old shawl was their only couch. A small table, on which was a broken cup and plate, a chair, and a box of clothing, was all the furniture. Paying the small rent due, and procuring a coach, he started them on a journey to West Brook with a note to the housekeeper.
He went with them part of the way, stopping at Hock Tavern to have a substantial meal put in a basket for their immediate consumption, not forgetting a warm cup of tea, which the waiter brought to the coach for Mrs. Cartell. As soon as the coach started again he saw that they ate the lunch at once, for their appearance indicated that it had been many hours since they had par taken of food. One of his own servants sat be side the driver, with instructions from Ogle-

56 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
thorpe to see that Mrs. Cartell arrived safely at the manor.
A few days later he obtained a permit from Parliament to inspect the prison. A turnkey ad mitted him, and another turnkey led him through an inner gate and up a flight of stairs. Oglethorpe saw that beneath these stairs and along the damp, dirty gallery apertures like vaults ap peared. In these human beings were compelled to sleep. Above, they passed an ill-smelling coffee house, into which no ray of sunlight had ever entered to purify the vessels, allowing that they were ever empty of the vile concoctions. He next entered a room crowded with prisoners a kind of living room for the inmates. Two windows of this opened on the street and two into the court below, but these were dingy with dirt, and those on the street shut in, so that there was little ventilation.
Old men and young men, some drunk, some with hopeless faces; young children, with fright ened faces, clinging to the skirts of their par ents; mothers and wives, some weeping, others endeavoring to cheer the sufferers. Crossing the room, the turnkey unlocked a door which opened on a passage leading to a house opposite. Look ing through a window of this house, for he was not allowed to enter, he was informed that it was the hospital, and that there were now sev eral cases in it. The sick were lying on dirty bedclothes, some simply on the filthy floor with their clothes on. Oglethorpe could not help this thought: What became of these clothes? Sold, no doubt, by the avaricious Batnbridge to poor

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL fff
persons outside, thus spreading the dread dis
ease. "Could not better accommodations been given
him?" Oglethorpe inquired, having in his thoughts the suffering his friend must have passed through in that loathsome place.
"Yes, but he had no money, after he had given up all his clothes and even his hat. His wife brought a little money at first from the sale of their furniture, she said, but, my! money dont go far in this Bambridge Inn. We charge a shilling a bed, and a shilling to enter the par lor, " and the turnkey grinned horribly.
Horror-stricken at the cruelty and inhumanity he saw and heard on all sides while inspecting this den, Oglethorpe determined to have it re formed and punish those in authority. He could help the living to escape the fate of his friend, now lying in Kensal Green.
He had been accompanied by Dr. Dowler, and, entering the coach, Oglethorpe gave vent to his thoughts on the inhuman treatment he had wit nessed at the prison.
"Did you observe that they had not removed two bodies from the room that they lay in sight of those poor, sick fellows?"
"Yes. I hear that often happens; they remain there for days, thus making conditions worse. But what can you do? If a debtor could pay the fees they require for even poor lodging, they could get out of the prison. They demand a pound for things that one can get outside for a few shillings. As for taking out the dead, why, when they are removed, unless some relative can

fog THE HEIRESS OF CRANgAM HALE
pay a high price, they are flung down in the cellar, to decay and fill the atmosphere with pol lution."
"It is beyond belief," said Oglethorpe, "that in England, a Christian country, there should be such a state of affairs. It shall be the endeavor of my life to have this iniquity stopped. It is a blot on our nations name and an inhuman act. No man would treat his beast as these unfor tunates are treated. Some are there only for debts of food wherewith to keep their families from starving. By all that is stupid, how can the authorities expect the debts to be paid if men are shut up in prison and not allowed to work. Unless their friends pay, they have to stay. Many have no friends able to do this. There should be some provision made whereby they could work out their indebtedness. All punish ments should be so arranged that those who suffer from the misdeeds of the culprit would be recompensed by the work of the guilty. This could be done in all cases except murder, and even then, instead of killing the murderer, he should be made to work, and his earnings given to those whom he has deprived of a support. He would suffer more for his crime than if killed. His death does not deter others. Let him bear the brand of Cain. We would but be following the example of God, who did not revenge Him self by killing Abels murderer, but left him to bsaeyar,."My punishment is greater than I can
"Well, Sir Oglethorpe, if you speak as elo quently before Parliament on this subject as you

THE HEIRESS OP CRANHAM HALL 59
have just done to me, I have no doubt that you will gain permission to have some reforms made in these prisons."
So forcibly did Oglethorpe present this matter of prison reform before Parliament that they immediately appointed him chairman of the "Pri vate Visiting Committee."
Only a few weeks sufficed for Oglethorpe to inspect the Fleet and Marshalsea prisons and to prepare his speech and report on the same. He was not a man to delay action, especially where there was suffering.
After telling the House that later he would recommend to them a plan that would not only save these unfortunates from unjust punishment not adequate to their offense, and also save money to the government, he threw himself with all the ardor of a righteous cause into the heart of his speech.
"These abuses were begun nearly two hundred! years ago, and can we not improve in less time than that?" he inquired, smiling. "It flourished in Charles the Firsts time, when the victims of the famous Star Chamber suffered injustly. That was so atrocious that it was abolished by that sovereign. But although the Star Chamber is no longer with us, the cruelties practiced are the same. Man has not changed; only his methods. Jacob still keeps the best sheep for himself; Da vid yet forgets to pay Hiram for his timber, even though it is to be placed in the Temple of God.
"The head of this den is one of our own num ber, as the Warden is an officer of Parliament. Some of you may not know that Queen Eliza-

gQ THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
beth granted a patent to Sir Jeremy Whichcot and his heirs forever. Sir Jeremy was keeper of the Old Palace at Westminster, and as War den he was granted, with the Palace, all the shops and tenements near it. He rebuilt these prisons, and both they and the prisoners--their bodies and souls became freehold property. I might substitute the word 'custody* of the pris oners, but the fact of their absolute slavery would be the same. Later Huggins acquired this property and sold it to Bambridge, the man with whom we now have to deal. He receives 5,000 a year, and has the sale of offices below him, from which he obtains from 150 to 1,500 a year. If we add to this the fines from prisoners, articles appropriated to himself, goods of pris oners sold, before and after death, it would no doubt run up to 100,000.
"The Marshalsea is not governed by its ap pointee, but has been let to Deputy Darly, who in turn sold it to a butcher named Acton. If ever there was a demon on earth he has entered this man. If fees were all he exacted of the pris oners it would be bad; but when even these have been paid, he still detains the prisoner, that he may reap a harvest from his board, or presents sent him. Food brought to the prisoners is never given them. Money sent by charitable people never reaches them. He allows unscrupulous prisoners to leave the prison and beg some kindhearted person for money to pay their debts. This money is given to the Warden and the trick repeated.
"The lodging (?) consists of bunks, one above

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the other, and so filthy are these and their sur roundings that from one to ten die every day. Often the living are bound in chains to the dead."
There was no need of oratory or rhetoric to send these truths home and get at least partial relief.
Bambridge and Acton were deprived of their positions and brought to trial; but, except that they were put in prison, nothing else followed. They later were set free. They were only a product of their time, and only did, as men do now, the dirty work of their betters, who, al though they do not disdain to take this tainted money, yet have no wish to be known as con nected with such unhallowed traffic.
CHAPTER VII.
Bess read daily something of Oglethorpes work, and she teased herself to devise some plan to compel him to call upon her. She was not aware that she had done anything to offend him, yet she feared a rebuff; but she now realized that she loved him, and her tenderness and sympathy went out to him in his defence of the helpless. She grew thin and pale, refused to go into the senseless whirl of London society, as was then in fashion, nor would she go to Bath or Tunbridge.
Sitting one morning in the garden, the maid handed her some newspapers. The universal cry

fig THE HEIRES8 OF CRANHAM HALL
of indignation at the horrible and brutal treat ment accorded debtors still came from the press.
"What a travesty on our trial by jury," said one editor. "Even when these poor debtors are released they are rearrested by the warden for some petty revenge or to extort money. But the real culprit is a member of Parliament. These men, who hold high positions in the govern ment, in society, and at home, have sold their privileges to those lower in the scale, and con sider it no crime. No record of cruel graft can be found greater in civilized England. But the punishment will not be confined wholly to those of less degree. Already the diseased, filthy prison witnesses have brought into court the germs of fever; many have sickened and died among the lawyers and our nobility. The Earl of D. also is not expected to live, and Judge Mabright had to leave the bench yesterday. The superstitious regard this as a direct punishment of God.
"But an escape has been provided by our noted member of Parliament, Gen. Oglethorpe. He has petitioned the King to allow him to send these debtors, and others who may wish to go, to our Plantations in America between Carolina and Florida. He will name that portion Georgia, in honor of the King."
Picking up another paper, The London Go gette, she also read a severe attack on the Eng lish from a foreign letter. It said:
"Such has been the apathy or the drunken condition of the English people, both high and low, that little enthusiasm to punish the offenders in the prison scandals can be raised. There is

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no reason why this should be, except that those in high places were implicated, and to punish the tools would reveal the hand of the masterworkmen.' All that has been done is to appoint magistrates to adjust debts, which was the sole work of James Oglethorpe."
Leaving the papers scattered about, she has tened to the house, and, seating herself at her desk, she wrote a most friendly note to Ogle thorpe, begging him that if she could be of any help in his work of charity she would be glad of the opportunity. Having shown it to her mother, it was dispatched by one of the servants to his town residence.
Elated at hearing from her, Oglethorpe lost no time, but on the next evening presented him self at the Wrights town house in Grovesnor Square.
Entering the drawing-room, Bess was met by a tall, bronzed soldier, thinner than when last they met, but still a soldier in bearing, although his dark-brown velvet suit, his fine muslin front, black shoes, with jeweled buckles, proclaimed him a civilian.
Bess had given her maid special instructions in arraying her in a cream silk, dotted with pink rosebuds, opening over a satin skirt. Of these her visitor took no note, but he did observe the clustering curls caught up with a high comb, and unpowdered, and the outstretched hand and smiling face welcoming him once again.
Lady Wright met him with her usual cordial ity, and Sir Nathan, greeting him warmly, said,

fij THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"How glad I am that we have one man in Par liament not afraid to speak the truth."
"Thank you, but I cannot conjecture why some one else had not taken up this matter practically before. I have good news to relate. Lord Berckeley has consented to let the funds from the sale of lands in Bermuda be used in carry ing these poor debtors to America. Besides, I am receiving letters every day telling me that aid will be given privately whenever I am ready to receive it."
After a short time spent in discussing the af fairs of the country, Sir and Lady Wright left their guest for Bess to entertain. Oglethorpe would have lingered into the small hours, but he must attend a sitting of Parliament, and, prom ising Bess to come again to hear her plan for raising funds for the cause in which he was so deeply interested, he bade her good night, bend ing low and putting his lips to her proffered hand.
CHAPTER VIII.
Oglethorpe now busily occupied himself with his philanthropic plan of giving debtors and other unfortunates in business an opportunity to begin a new life under favorable conditions. His military experience in Germany and other coun tries, his knowledge of men of different nation alities aided him in his work. He thought also that his experience in warfare might also help

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 65
him in his fight against the Spaniards. Could they be worse than the Turks?
While collecting the money, getting the ships and emigrants ready, Oglethorpe often found his temper tried. His Celtic blood, inherited from the Walls and De la Roche of Ireland, showed itself in quick outbursts, but it was more often counteracted by the strict,- sober Scottish traits inherited from the Argylls. His previous record aided him in many ways.
His pamphlet, entitled "The Sailors Advo cate," in which he related the cruelty and abuses practiced upon them, obtained for him much help from that direction. His cause had also gained friends from his attack on the government in the affairs of the West Indies, where the merchants complained of the depredations of the Spaniards. The people were bitter against the government and the debates wer spirited, Oglethorpe dis playing much insight and a quaint humor not suspected. He was also busy endeavoring to get a patent on a machine for making silk. Though refnsed in this, he obtained for the inventor, Sir Tom Loobe, a grant of 1,400 and the privilege of making them.
Almost nightly there was a conference at his house in Cavendish Square. Sitting around a table, a map before him and his visitors, he pointed out the portion of North America on which he would settle his people. "Here," he said to Mr. Amates, who was to teach the silk industry to the settlers, placing his finger on a portion of the Atlantic coast, "Spain claims all
from Virginia through the Florida peninsula.

66 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
But seventy years ago King Charles gave the Earl of Clarendon the land between Virginia and the peninsula for a Plantation, and called that portion Carolina. Now we shall establish our selves on this part of Carolina next to the Span iards, thus becoming a protection to his majestys Plantation, but will give it the name of Geor gia, in honor of our King."
"I hope we shall not fail, as many have done in the past," said the Rev. Henry Herbert, who was to accompany the settlers.
"No, we shall have a good Shepherd with us, who will guide his sheep aright. Good thoughts showing through good acts will insure success," and Oglethorpe placed his hand affectionately upon the ministers shoulder.
"When we have taught our people to raise silk worms we shall use one of Sir Loobes ma chines," said Oglethorpe, turning now to Mr. Amates.
"I hope to do so, Captain." "This has been a hard years work," continued Oglethorpe; "public spirit is almost dead in Eng land. It is so difficult for them to understand anything out of their usual routine of action. Look at the long struggle Lady Mary Montagu had and is having with both doctors and people to have inoculation for smallpox. Why? Be cause with the doctors it would lessen their fees; with the people it is a superstitious dread lest they might be fighting against the Almighty. But more has the disastrous wars affected the people, and this generation is being misled by
those in high authority, who turn the depravity

THE HEIRE8S OF CRAXHAM HALL 67
of the time to their own account. Such a one is our Lord Treasurer Walpole.
"That the lowest instincts of mankind be not aroused by hot rebellious liquors/ I intend that no rum or gin shall be sold or given to the set tlers. It makes the human animal feel in such good spirits when it does not put him in a drunken sleep, and so oblivion that he cannot imagine why others do not feel the same; and it also lessens his moral sense to such a degree that he hesitates not to appropriate to himself anything he desires."
"Yes, I agree with you," said Sir Jerkyll; "this gin and rum drinking urges a man to all crimes. It is poison to his brain, rendering the mind incapable of determining right from wrong especially when it is naturally debased. He is not himself, but either a maniac or beast. I firmly believe that it rouses all that is diabolical in man or woman. Even when no crime is com mitted, it brings out all the petty meannesses in the user. It certainly engenders laziness in the next generation."
"Especially," replied Oglethorpe, "in a warm, almost tropical climate, where we shall settle, the effects will be worse than in England."
"I am afraid, my dear General, that you are a hundred, perhaps several hundred, years ahead of your time. It will be hard to convince these people, whose ancestors have been drinkers of liquor, that it is best for them to do without. Good home-made beer, however, which you say they shall have, should help them to do without heating liquors."

68 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
The conversation now turned on the anony mous essay that had appeared in the Penny Post, telling of the advantage a life on this Georgia Plantation would be to those unaccustomed to manual labor, as they would be able to help in many other ways.
Oglethorpe smiled at this and many other fa vorable comments, but did not bertay his author ship.
"I hear Sir Robert does not approve of your undertaking save as a benevolent project," said Sir Abercorn; "from a military point of view, he considers it dangerous."
"I can only say, with Cato, what a pity it is that one cannot die but once for ones coun try. Everything is being done to insure success. The money collected from philanthropic people throughout the country has been put with the 10,000 from the government in the Bank of England, and an account opened. Each trustee understands that he is to receive no salary, no fees, no grants of land."
Though wearied with the business of this great task, having spent all day in its behalf, he never theless left the house with his guests and at tended the sitting of Parliament,

THE HEIRESS OF CBANHAM HALL 69
CHAPTER IX. "There came a youth from Georgias sfiore a A military casque he wore With splendid feathers drest;
He brought them from the Cherokees; The feathers nodded in the breeze And made a gallant crest." Bess confided to her mother the secret of Her intention to give a masquerade ball at Cranham Hall for the benefit of Oglethorpes project. De tails of decorations, refreshments, and costumes were discussed, and she whispered to her mother her disguise. "Quite appropriate, my dear, but hardly a dis guise I apprehend." Bess awaited Oglethorpes visit in the drawingroom in Grovesnor Square, with its walls hung with old tapestry, its fine pictures and art col lections. The pink shades over the candles cast a pleasing shadow, and flowers added their beauty and fragrance to the room. Bess in formed Oglethorpe of her plans, to which he warmly assented and promised to see that all the tickets were sold. "Will you not give me a hint of what you in tend representing?" he asked. "No, certainly not," laughed Bess, "but you
L

10 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
may guess it. I have offered a prize for the one who makes the most correct guesses as to whom a masque covers. For the women it will be a gold-headed stick with diamond center; for the men a diamond ring."
"I want it not. Bess, you are the only prize I crave," and he attempted to take her hand.
"Not now; but," and she smiled, "if you will guess which costume conceals me, I may award you an individual prize. Remember, however, I am not promising anything definite," and she allowed him to retain her hand a minute.
Oglethorpe could scarce hide his impatience, but by a great effort he succeeded, and contented himself with bestowing a kiss upon the hand.
Meeting Lady Wright in the hall, when de parting, he said, "Please discipline Mistress Elizabeth, madame; she will not respond to a soldiers tactics, even though offered Gen. Cu pids arrows," and, bowing, he passed out into
the night. Bess was long in composing herself to sleep.
She tormented herself with the thought that per haps he would be too busy to come to the ball. At last she fell asleep, only to dream that her costume was that of a bird and that she could fly. That a huntsman constantly pursued her, but she could not distinguish his features. Every time he approached her she flew away, although she seemed to feel that he had no intention of harming her. The vision faded, and she was soon sleeping as only one who has at last lulled fear to rest can do.
Out at Cranham Hall preparations for the ball

THE HEIRESS OF CRAJJHAM HALL 11
were going on rapidly. A large platform had been erected under the trees in the garden. Booths and benches were placed on the lawn. Lights under colored glass shades were hung on trees and on lines.
The night of the ball came, a clear, star-lighted sky, the moon not rising until later. Every cos tume almost since the world began was repre sented, each nation contributing: the Turk, the Austrian, the Egyptian, the priest, and the doc tor. Blackamoors and Highlanders danced with beauties of Charles the Seconds court. Several ladies were criticising the costumes and trying to guess the wearers. "Why, there is Bess in that same flowered silk she wore at our tea. Think of it! Not any disguise except her masque and powdered hair. Just like her sim plicity," and the speaker smiled sneeringly.
"That person is too stout for Lady Elizabeth," replied Lady D.; "but I shall speak to her. I can recognize her voice."
Going up to the criticized figure, she spent a few minutes in conversation, then returned to the group. "Yes, it is the little simpleton, although her voice sounds like an older person. I suppose it is her masque that affects her speech. She has so many admirers and she pretends that she cares for none of them. She is a little minx; I know she cares for Earl Ken and the philan thropist."
"Earl Ken, of Kelvedon Hatch, is the favorite now," chimed in Lady Mary Dorchester, "she talks mental philosophy with him and affects the non-conformists church."

73 THB HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"Oh, no," Lady B. replied, "she cares noth ing for him; they have been friends from child hood. Her always, and not latest, is Sir Oglethorpe, who has been inspecting prisons, and who will take a number of paupers to America. Lady Duncan says she is glad that they will be a hun dred miles from Charlestown, as she intends go ing there to visit Lord and Lady Ashley. They have a most beautiful plantation there. Quite picturesque, they say."
"What other reason has Sir Oglethorpe for taking these wretches?"
"To starve, I suppose," said the Duchess of Kerr. "Poor things!"
"But do look, there is a Frenchman speaking to Bess. I know it by his manner. I wonder if it is the Pretender. Lets turn investigators," and, laughing, they all started toward Bess.
"Yes, do lets hunt him," and Lady Grace E. wrinkled her silken masque that hid her saucy face with a subdued giggle. "What a lark, girls, to dance with the great-great-grandson of the beautiful Queen of Scots."
"Not so fast, Grace," said the Duchess of Kerr; "dont be too sure that he even knows his own mother," and she smiled significantly.
A yeoman from the Tower was holding the chain to which a harmless lion was attached and guessing at the dancers. "Who is that decorated with feathers ?" he asked the Knight of St. John.
"Looks like an American Indian I once saw on exhibition. That hatchet, and bow and ar rows ; and the paint! Where did he get it!"
"Theres something coming that looks like his

'nf Crtuiham ////, Facing /Wjv-^.)

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 73
sister. She also wears feathers. What a queer short dress and those beads!"
The American about this time must have spied his countrywoman, for he followed what in an instant became a flying figure almost.
His long limbs enabled him to overtake her, and she, without speaking, allowed him to lead her to another part of the garden, where, screened from the dancers by a. wigwam booth, they seated themselves on a bench.
"Bess, it is you; dont deny it. Have I not won the prize? Remove your masque."
The figure shook its head, while breaking in two a nosegay of red rosebud. Then handing one half to her implorer, she said in a simulated deep voice, "It is not yet the hour; after the un
masking, find the other half of this and she will be your prize."
"To make me sure that I am not dreaming, will the maiden securely fasten it to my lappet ?"
Snapping a bronze strand from her flowing hair, she bound the rosebuds securely together and fastened them with the jewel Oglethorpe handed her.
He would have detained her, but she slipped from within his encircling arm and swiftly dis appeared within the house.
In another instant a great bell struck the hour of twelve, and instantly the masques fell from hundreds of faces. The committee were soon busy counting the guesses which had previously been handed in.
Oglethorpe stood near the entrance to the
house, expecting Bess to descend in her Indian

?j THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
costume. But what was his surprise to espy her among the unmasked in the garden, wearing her usual evening dress of the period, and carelessly swinging a pink masque, which to all appear ances she had just taken off.
"How many correct guesses have you made, General?" she asked, extending her hand; "you certainly would strike terror to any heart con templating going among the Indians. "Your cos tume is fine, but I think I could have guessed who you were had I not been exempt from do ing so as hostess." Oglethorpe thought he de tected some reference to herself besides that of hostess, but he only thanked her, scanning her bodice to see if the coveted nosegay matched his. She wore no flowers.
Out of pique he would seek for the other half of the nosegay, but his heart was not in the quest
After the supper Oglethorpe strolled into the unfrequented part of the garden for a few min utes of quiet thought. Across the hawthorn sep arating the lawn he heard voices and Bess name mentioned.
"I told you that was Bess trying to masquerade in her every-day costume; there she is now, talk ing to a lady in black; that is her mother."
"I dont believe it. Perhaps she hurriedly ex changed it."
Oglethorpe waited to hear no more. He knew that it sometimes takes a woman to understand a woman, and the word "exchanged" had de cided him. Quietly leaving the hedge, he hurried

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 73
to Bess side and begged the privilege of the next minuet.
"Lets stroll toward the river," he said. They found a bench, where they sat for a few minutes watching the rippling water gleaming under the now risen moon.
"Bess," he murmured, falling on his knees be side her, "I am your prisoner, a savage, perhaps, as my costume indicates, but I want no release until you have given me the other half of this," and he pointed to the red buds on his costume. "Deny me not, sweetheart," he pleaded; "y u have it hid away near your heart; give it to me. I have won my prize fairly. I guessed at once who the Indian maiden was."
He rose and seated himself beside her. Bess* hand sought the laces at her throat, and drew from them the other half, which Oglethorpe quickly united with the flowers and hand that held them.
"My darling," he said, a few minutes after ward, then stopped to kiss her again; "my plans for leaving London sink low in comparison to this moment. How can I leave England now that it holds all I love best! I cannot ask you to go with me to a strange country, among un civilized people and also others who are hostile. The dangers of a soldiers wife are too great. But you will wait for me. As soon as I get everything arranged in Georgia I shall get the trustees to appoint some one else over them, and then I shall return. We shall spend our lives together,, alleviating as much as possible the

76 THE HEIRESS OP CRANHAM HALL i
sorrows of others. You cannot understand how hard it is for me to leave you!"
"Must you go? Cannot you get some one in your place?" and Bess eyes filled with tears.
"Nay, my beloved; all arrangements have been
made. I know that I shall return safe to you. Have I not been a soldier for over twenty years, and no harm has come to me I Come, let us ask your parents blessing, but tell them that I do not mean to make a real Indian maiden of you for a while yet."
They entered the house, where they found Sir Wright and his wife alone. Lady Wright placed her arms around Oglethorpes neck, assuring him that she could not have chosen a better son, had
Bess allowed her to do so. Sir Nathan could only shake his hand warmly while holding Bess with his disengaged arm.
A few days after the ball the papers an
nounced that it had been a great social and finan cial success, many of the costumes being de scribed.
The "Tatler" had an amusing account of it, giving the name of the prize winner for the best gentlemans costume Sir James Oglethorpe, representing an Indian chief. "His name itself
struck terror to the hearts of his hearer, Atta Kulla Kulla, which at a distance sounds like At her, kill her, kill her. The prize, a dia mond ring, generously given by the host, Sir Nathan Wright, is highly thought of by the General.
"The Indian maiden won the ladies prize, a
rope of pearls donated by General Oglethorpe.

THE HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALL 77
"When at the presentation her name was called, she had disappeared, and no trace of her could be found. It is thought perhaps to have been merely an apparition emanated from the wilds of America, designed as an emblem of en couragement to our future Governor of Georgia."
The "Gentlemans Magazine" facetiously re marked that it was a fitting prelude to his em barkation for America that Sir Oglethorpe should have donned an Indian costume and won the prize; that it was to be regretted that the Indian maiden had not been found and per suaded to accompany him. "It needs only to analyze his name to prophesy his success in that direction and also to prove that he will found a colony in America that will reflect honor to Eng land. Ogle means to look upon one with a sweet, persuasive expression whence his sure success with the lady. Thorpe means a village or town, thus presaging his great achievement in building a town in Georgia in spite of enemies and savages."
CHAPTER X.
Every detail of the voyage to America had been attended to by Oglethorpe. The ships were ready to sail from Gravesend. The men who were to seek a new home in the forest of Amer ica had been drilled by the Royal Guards, as there would be great need of military tactics.

78 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
The day before starting he went to Cranham Hall to bid farewell to those who were now very dear to him.
Opening a box, he said: "This is the seal of the Georgia Province. On this side, which is to be used for legislative acts, deeds and commis sions, you see two figures, representing the Sa vannah and Altamaha rivers, each holding an urn, from which streams of water flow. The land on which we shall start this plantation lies between these two rivers. The figure seated above is the good genius of the colony holding a spear in her right, and a cornucopia, representing plenty, in her left hand. Her cap, as you see, indicates liberty. You observe also the tree above which is the legend, Coloniu Georgia Aug. The other side shows what we hope to make one of the most paying industries silk worms in all stages of their labor and this our motto, Not for ourselves, but for others."
"It is a noble undertaking," said Bess. "May all your hopes be realized."
"I have some good news also from two of the vestrymen of Westminster. Mr. John Atkinson and William Lowndes offered to-day to have a collection taken up for the poor people of the province should I need it later."
The lovers now left the drawing-room, and, going into the garden, found themselves at their favorite seat on the slope of the lawn. Below lay the hills of Laindon. A slight haze was over the valley, through which the little village of Cranham could be dimly seen. The whole yista was impressed upon Sir James. He had
J

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 79
seen it often, but not under such paradoxical feelings of joy and sadness.
"Dearest, what happiness it would be for me to remain here, passing; my days in trying to in fluence Parliament to pass good laws and en force them, and then my home life! What could I compare it to? With such a companion as you, my books and a few friends, life would be as near perfection as it is possible for a man to know.
"But it will only be for a short year. Have I not the loveliest, truest woman in the world for my promised wife!" and, drawing her to him, he kissed her again and again, saying laugh ingly: "You know, dearest, I would take only one at a time, perhaps, if I were remaining in England, but, as day after day must pass ere I have another opportunity, I am storing them up for future pleasure; I shall think of them one at a time. They will not last out the voyage I am afraid."
Releasing herself, Bess said cheerfully: "Per haps we can communicate with each other spirit ually. Prof. Hendrick, in his last lecture, as sured us that by a solitary concentration one mind may communicate with the other."
"Dont meddle too much with that or you may be treated as a witch."
"I shall be careful, but select some hour that you can spare for undisturbed concentration, and think of me. I shall do the same at the hour you appoint We shall try to see if we can com municate with each other."
"Lets say ten for you, and Ill regulate toy

80 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
time accordingly, but it is useless to say that. I can think of you without being alone. My thoughts are with you always. This perhaps will recall me to your mind when surrounded by the talk and laughter of the gay world," and he placed around her neck a gold chain, from which was suspended his miniature. Bess would have pressed it to her lips, but the hand that held the miniature was gently raised aloft, and he intercepted what was intended for his picture. "You will have plenty of time for that, Bess; I am jealous of my shadow at least, I hope that it may prove so."
CHAPTER XL
OGLETHORPE SAILS FOR AMERICA.
"Now beneath the lofty vessels stern A shoal of dolphin they discern, Beaming from burnished scales refulgent rays, Now bound aloft, now downward glide."
It was a bleak day, but only a slight fog, on that memorable isth of November, 1732, when the boats with their burden of men and women pushed off from Gravesend and were rowed to the Anne.
Ca.pt. John Thomas looked over the 130 per sons to see if any help could be had from them in case the ship needed it. He shook his head, and kept silent
How unlike were these emigrants from those

THE HEIRESS OF CHAKHAM HALIi SI
who had sailed from Plymouth a hundred years ago for their conscience sake. These poor peo ple were leaving with the consent of a govern ment supposedly the most enlightened in the world who thus acknowledged that they were, unable (and nearly 200 later it is the same) to solve the problem of caring for those who by nature and their environments were unfitted to care for themselves.
After they had passed through the straits of Dover and left the channel, Oglethorpe and Mr. Herbert busied themselves in the interest of the passengers, and were ever mindful of their com fort. The men were furnished with tools and materials for work, and the women given needles and yarn, that they might be employed in some practical way. Some one always read to them.
Onward they sailed, sighting the white cliffs of France, the beautiful islands of Guernsey and Jersey, rich in beauty and historic interest. Then past the Scilly Islands and out on the broad ocean.
Oglethorpe stood at the ships rails, gazing on the immensity of space, nowhere so apparent as in midocean. The seagulls no longer fol lowed them, land had disappeared, "night had drawn a curtain and pinned it with a star." The huge waves rose, dazzling with phosphorescent light, then sank, leaving a dark abyss. They represented his thoughts. Would he ever re turn? Was it worth the sacrifice of home, a wife, his place in Parliament, the honor he might achieve in the literary world for his writings had been well received. His fortune also, which

"8t THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
would permit if he preferred, that he should travel or live at home in ease. He regretted hav ing left Bess. How many weary months must pass before he could hear from her!
Busied during the day, he snatched some hours of sleep to write her, hoping that he would pass some home-bound vessel from Carolina and send her a message from the sea.
How long before he would again see the white cliffs of Dover and hear once more the seagulls plaintive cry as they circled the bow, endeavor ing, it seemed, to lift the vessel on their wing and bear it swiftly to land.
But he must not indulge in these repinings; these sentimental thoughts must be stifled. Duty called him.
The next morning the Captain told Oglethorpe that he was needed on the other vessel, and, although dangerous, he crossed to it, neg lecting nothing that could relieve the hardships of the voyage.
When halfway across a vessel from Charles ton was sighted; a line was flung out, and with much difficulty the precious package was swung across. Besides the letters to Bess, there was one to Sir Hans Sloan, telling of the good con ditions of the voyagers, and also giving some incidents of the journey.
After two months on the sea, their first across the Atlantic of any one of the party except the Captain, they arrived at Charleston two weeks after the new year of 1733, being warmly wel comed by Gov. Johnson.
Accompanied by Mr. Bull of Charleston and

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 83
a pilot, they proceeded to Port Royal and Beau fort. Here Oglethorpe left them, while he pro ceeded up the Savannah River with Mr. Bull, in order to select a site for the Georgia planta tion.
With his usual integrity Oglethorpe proceeded at once to enter into negotiations for a peaceful transfer of land from the Indians to the English colony. Through the interpretation of Mrs. Matthews, the Indian wife of a Carolina trader, his desire was made known to the Mico of the Yamacraw tribe, Tomo Chi Chi.
In a letter written to Bess a few weeks after his arrival, Oglethorpe gives a short account of the Indians.
"YAMACRAW BLUFF, Feb. 20, 1733.
"If I had known, dear one, that we would have been met by such a kind, respectful tribe, I would have urged you to come, even to leaving your mother. You could have remained in Charles Town, where there are not only com forts, but luxuries, until I could have built a home here.
"There are two tribes near us, the Upper and Lower Creeks.
"They call God Sotolcate, He that Sitteth Above/ They do not worship idols. They are very anxious to be instructed in our religion, and in all things that will benefit them. You could have done much good work among the women.
"What a fine picture you could have drawn of

8j THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
our first meeting with the chiefs of this tribe!
There stood Tomo Chi Chi surrounded by fifty of his braves, each decorated with paint and feathers and wearing a buffalo skin. (I realize that I did not look much like a real Indian at the masquerade, nor have I seen one that looked like you.) Next stood Ouechachumpa with his fifty braves.
"Each chief gave me a buffalo skin and a bunch of eagle feathers, which latter signify peace and swiftness. They will make fine fans for you and your mother. I shall also send by the next vessel the buffalo skins, as they will make fine coverings in winter while traveling, or you can use them for rugs in your boudoir.
"In return, among other articles I gave the chiefs each a coat and hat decorated with gold lace. Now dont laugh, dearie; I do not expect these men of the forest to appear at the next powwow wearing these decorations; they are only English souvenirs."
In another letter he writes: "What do you think of the Governor of a Province sleeping in a tent like a common sol dier. But we are rapidly laying out the town of Savannah, named after the river on whose banks it is being built. It is on a bluff some seventeen miles from the mouth of the river which empties into the ocean. The town is laid out in squares, every other one of which will be open, that the people may have plenty of air when it grows to be a crowded city. It is too late to plan for streets and parks after a city has begun to out grow its first settlers. We have cleared some of

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 85
the trees and bushes away from the river front, but several pines have been left, under which my tent is pitched. These pines art grand, towering high toward the sky. These, with oaks, maple, cottonwood and many other varieties, gave a most refreshing shade. The February air is de lightful, laden with the perfume of budding pine and myrtle and the yellow jesamine, which twines itself on bush and tree. At ones feet the blue and the white violet are showing their heads. Do you remember this poem?
V
"Where springtime the woodbine and the bramble rose
And where the sleepy cowslip sheltered grows. Where sunburnt hills their swarthy looks conceal And swelling haycocks thicken in the vale.
"This is what you will write me about Eng land. I hope soon to see here the swelling hay cocks, but just at this place there is no sunburnt hills, and consequently no vale, but the In dians report lofty mountains toward the north and west.
"There is no river that you have ever seen that resembles this, the Irondaga muddy water, but it has its source, the natives say, among clear spring and beautiful mountains. It is like many human beings, whose life begins in beauty and purity, but who love the earth, so much that they cling to it, absorbing all impurities. But you do not need this homily, and I shall hurry on to tell you what thoughts filled my mind while gazing on this beautiful forest. When I have shown the

88 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Spaniards that they have no right to this part of America and must keep off and I intend doing so at all risks I shall build you a pretty cot tage of oak logs, sealed within by boards of pine traced, in most lovely patterns of veins and knots, by Natures own hand. Above, the tall pines will give forth music like sounds of the restless waves, and around will be gardens of strange fruit and parks filled with deer and birds. A hundred times a day I touch your min iature, which lies upon my heart. If only I pos sessed the magic power to transform it into the original! Alas, I am not even the great grand son of Belus, so that my entreaties to Venus would be useless."
The next year he wrote to Sir Hans Sloane:
"March, 1734.
"The Salzburgers have just arrived. They are delighted with this land the wooded banks of the river reflected in the river even if not so clear as the streams they left. They were par ticularly struck with the picturesqueness of the scene, the Indians in their unique costume in their canoes darting out from some hidden tribu tary from beneath garlands of scarlet trumpet flower or yellow jessamine.
"The elders Mr. Unsperger and Commissary Mr. Van Reck, as also the pastors Bolzan and Gronan, supped with me. Dr. and Mrs. Von Gergen also left Rottenham intending to seek the happiness of exercising their own privilege in

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 87
worshiping God as their conscience dictated, but when the boat arrived at Dover, they disem barked at the earnest request of Mrs. Von Gergens sister.
"Although weary the Salzburgers wished to settle at the new home at once. With two horses to carry the heavy loads, and some of the men carry the lighter, the women some of them walking and others on horseback with the young est children, we trudged through an Indian path, until we came to a creek which they named Ebernezer and will also call their settlement by that name.
"No better settlers could have come to us than the Hebrews who came last summer.
"Dr. Minez has started a drug store, having received the best medicines from Germany. It will not interfere with his practice. Abraham Minas has opened a store on the "bay" and will ship any commodity to Europe which can be found here.
"Dr. Moses Sheftall and Mr. Mordacai Sheftall have busied themselves to find a place of worship and have rented a house in Market square, not far from my tent, until they can do better.
"Many of the others who understand carpen tering are building homes for themselves and others, but will later become farmers. The baby born just after their arrival and named Philip (Minas) is growing rapidly. At Charles Town they received a warm welcome from their own people, headed by David Olivera and Nathan Cardozo.

88 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALIT
"I have made all arrangements to take back to England with me in March, Tomo Chi Chi, his wife and nephew, with several chiefs. It will show these natives what a country we have from which to draw resources, and thus they will re spect us more. Whatever tends to avoid war should always be tried."
CHAPTER XII.
ST. GERMAIN.
ANNE OGLETHORPE TO GEN. OGLETHOHPE.
"Dear James:
"I have heard that you intend going to Amer ica, and not knowing where else your fancy may lead you, I write this (in secrecy) in case it should be your fortune to meet the Chevelier de St. George.
"I enclose with it another letter, which also must be considered a secret.
"No doubt, my dear, you are acquainted with the following to some extent, but it has to be written in order to understand what followed.
" Through his bigotry and his usurpation of the rights of the people, King James II had made himself obnoxious to the Protestants. His sec ond wife, Mary Beatrice of Modena, was a Cath olic. Both his health and hers were of the worst. Ugly rumors were afloat. No one who

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 89
had Englands liberty at heart wanted a Cath olic successor. There were the Queens step daughters, both having married Protestants, Mary Princess of Orange, and Anne Princess of Denmark.
"In June, 1688, the news came of the birth of a son to the King.
"The Whigs at once declared it a supposi titious child. That it should have occurred at Whitehall instead of St. James Palace done to avoid publicity. That the child had been brought at nine in the morning while the ladies in wait ing were absent at church. The following is an extract from a Whig paper:
" < prom jj;S unknown mothers arms, up the secret staircase it was taken to a door opening into the Queens apartment. While the attention of those present was diverted for an instant, it was slipped behind the curtains, and afterwards presented as the heir to the English throne. O fsoeldc.ret" stair! what crimes couldst thou not un
" Thus grew the cry Pretender! But you also must know that the King denied the charge, swore to his sons natural and legal right to the throne, and no one but a politician eager for the spoils of office could disbelieve the Kings oath.
"But, James, the trouble came later. Our mother was a most devoted friend of the Queens. Though not a Catholic, you remember she believed in the direct line of the Stuarts in heriting the throne. We had a little brother whom my mother named James in honor of the King, born in June, 1688, more than a year be-

90 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
fore your birth. Some want to say it was ybu. But you were born in London, and baptised two days after in St. Martins-in-the-Fields. The register there reads: James, son of Eleanor and Theophilus Oglethorpe, born Dec. 22d, 1689, bap tized Dec. 24th, 1689.
"But to return to my story:
"One morning at West Brook, we saw one of the Kings couriers, who stand always at the Palace gates of Whitehall, come galloping to our gate. He brought a summons to my mother from the Queen, and said also: Be sure to bring the infant.
"The baby was a handsome, healthy child, and you resemble him.
"My mother returned in two weeks, bringing1 the body of what she said was her little James, but so emaciated as not to be recognized as the same infant who had been carried away. It was buried in the churchyard at Godalming.
"No one questioned my mother at first about the sudden illness of my little brother, as she was so distressed, besides for several months she remained in London visiting the Queen daily.
"On her return she brought a Mistress Shaftoe with her to do our sewing. Not knowing that she was behind a curtain in the room look ing over Mammas dresses, my father asked Mamma about our little brother. She said:
"I found the Queen in great distress, the child was ill. If it should die the cause of the Stuarts would be lost. Would I not aid her? We would not allow any one to see the children, saving that it might develop into some conta-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE SI
gious disease. In a few days we gave out that the Prince was improving, and as I found the London air was making my little James ill, I would return to West Brook. The real Prince died that night, and I took him to West Brook, where the next day we held a funeral service and sent it to the village of Godalming for burial in the churchyard. I did not attend, you remem ber. I really was too ill and frightened at what I had done. My own healthy baby I gave to the Queen to save the country from war and bloodshed.
"As my mother finished, Mrs. Shaftoe stepped from behind the curtain. She possessed a cun ning countenance, but words could not describe her looks, now that she knew she had us in her power. She must have been deliberating on her plans while listening, for instantly she said: Un less I have 1000 I shall go at once to Queen Mary or to a member of Parliament.
"Queen Mary already knew it, I have no doubt, as the Princess Anne, our late Queen, hated her stepmother, and had written her sister that it was the Oglethorpes child. But they did not tell her that, but said that they had such a sum in Paris, but could not receive it in Lon don ; that if she would promise never to divulge it or return to England, we would pay her half that sum.
"When I grew up she started the story again. We went with her to Paris and while there tried to persuade her to enter a convent. This she refused to do and demanded another 500, which was refused her as we knew she would continue

98 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
to demand money the rest of her life. In re venge she returned to London and got some one to print her story. It never gained much cre dence. If it were so the Tories did not want to prove it, and as for the Whigs everything was going their way and all they had to do was to pass the story along.
"You have by this guessed why I confide this secret to you. You may at any time encounter the Chevelier, and I do not want you to harm him for the above reason. It is many years since this story became current, but it is liable to be re-told at any time. The Chevelier is now planning an invasion of Scotland.
"I have no doubt that our partiality to the Stuarts cause has injured your prospects in Par liament and perhaps elsewhere, and will later lay you open to much suspicion as to your loyalty to the house of Hanover, but you will have to fight it out."
The General did not reply to this letter. During all these months the Chevelier had been preparing for his invasion of Scotland. Bolingbroke, who had gone to Paris, told him that the Earl of Mar had declared himself in his favor and had been placed at the head of the Highland clans. That at the Earls castle at Breamar, in Aberdeenshire, the Chevelier had been proclaimed James the Eighth of Scotland and Third of England and Ireland, in the pres ence of Lords Nithdale, Seaforth, the Campbells of Glendaville and many others. Bolingbroke also handed him a letter from the Countess of Ireland, which said: "Your

THE HEIRESS OF CRAJgTTAM HALL 9S
cause in Scotland is progressing gloriously. The Countess of Mar made a most beautiful flag of blue silk with the coat of arms of Scotland on one side and a golden thistle on the reverse. Also at Castle Garden you were proclaimed King. Ten thousand men are wearing the white cockade."
Disguised as a sailor the Chevelier embarked on the coast of Brittainy, sailing through the Channel to the North Sea. When Gravesend came in view, a small boat pushed off from a landing and came alongside the vessel. One of the occupants handed the Captain a letter, which, after reading, he allowed them to cl:mb aboard. One of them was the Duke of Ormond, and making himself known to the Chevelier he im parted the news just received of the disaster to the French ships that had gone by way of the Irish Sea. A storm had scattered them so that only a few reached the Scottish coast, and they were too late to render assistance. The hopes raised by Annes letter were also shattered. The Earl of Mar proved to be no general. He could easily have swept down on the Duke of Argyll and taken Edinborough Castle, but his procras tination made him lose this opportunity. The Whigs were unprepared and had gathered few soldiers. Discouraged at the loss of the battle at Dumblain, many clans had returned to their homes.
The Duke also informed him that in London many had been sent to the Tower; that he him self had left France from the Normandy coast and on his arrival at Devon no one had met

ty
3j THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
him; that even at Bath, that gay resort, the Jacobites had been watched and arrested.
Undaunted, the Chevelier determined to con tinue his journey to Scotland, hoping that his presence would revive their courage. The vessel stopped at Petershead, but before they set out for Newbourg they disguised themselves in Highland costumes, which the Duke had brought.
On their arrival at Aberdeen the Chevelier revealed his identity to the Earl and his nobles, and he was proclaimed King. He made a regal entry into Dundee, winning the hearts of all by his handsome face and affable manners and dis playing the majesty of a King in all he did. He remained several days at the Castle of the Stu arts at Gamtully. From there he wrote to the Countess of Ireland: "This is a beautiful coun try with its hills, its lakes and rivers, and the picturesque costume of the natives adds beauty to the landscape. How I could enjoy it under different circumstances. What memories crowd my mind in visiting these homes of my ancestor! I spent the night at Scoon, at Bannockbum, the birthplace of my great-grandmother twice removed, the beautiful Queen of Scots. How she adored her lovely country, where with her beloved son she wandered through glens, over marshes and by quiet lakes. It seems only just that I should ascend the throne. There are some not yet reconciled to the Union of the two coun tries, and I am confident that I could at least be King of Scotland.
"I am disappointed at the small number of sol diers, but shall await those from France. I trust

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HAM. 9S that my next letter will tell you that we have captured Edinborough. I doubt if it is better fortified than Sterling Castle, from whose lofty heights so many battle fields of success and de feat can be seen."
But his hopes were not fulfilled. The people had so often been disappointed in their attempts that their enthusiasm had waned. Harassed and tired, with no settled home, his nervous system showed signs of a breakdown. He grew thin, had little to say, and that little was badly ex pressed. His soldiers were disappointed in his looks and loss of ambition. He was compelled to leave Montrose during the winter. The Duke of Argyll was in pursuit and he was obliged to retreat.
On the anniversary of the beheading of Charles the First, an ill-omen, he was obliged to cross the frozen Tay and enter Dundee.
CHAPTER XIII. While these events were transpiring in Scot land, political and financial affairs of great mo ment were agitating London. News had come of the death of Louis the Fourteenth. There was fear that the Bank of England would have to suspend, and the people also were stirred by the news of the Pretenders partial success in Scot land. Many Jacobites had been arrested and sent to the Tower and their execution ordered.

S6 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
Among these were the Earls of Derwentwater and Nithsdale.
Anne Oglethorpe was visiting her mother at West Brook, but the quiet life of the country was distasteful to her and she had decided to go to London while waiting to return to Paris.
"Mother, I cannot understand how you can endure this life," she said, "cooking, preparing cordials, tramping through muddy lanes to visit the sick; you who are accustomed to the excite ment of Court life. I cannot endure it. I must have the theater and the gaming table. I am anxious too about the Chevelier."
"Why not go with me to Epsom Wells, and then to Tunbridge; you will find much to amuse you there."
"No, I shall go to London, but here is Mark bringing in the post. Thank Heaven, we have one diversion."
"It is from Lady Nithsdale and she begs me to come at once to her assistance. The Earl will be executed next week. I must leave within an hour. Do have the coach ready, while I pack my box."
Arriving at Cavendish Square Anne hastened to the apartment of the distressed wife.
"O! Anne, I fear the worst. I have tried every way to have the Earl pardoned. I way laid the King while he was passing through the hall of the palace, and knelt to him, clinging to his coat as he attempted to pass me, but he uttered no word, and I, still kneeling, was dragged for some distance. But I have one

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL fft
resort. I shall attempt to have him leave the prison if you will help me.
"To-morrow, just before dusk, you, Lady Dunstan and I will go to the Tower, where, by bribes of money, we shall beg the guards to let us bid him good-by for the last time. You must carry beneath your long cloak a second dress, so as not to be recognized when leaving. I shall carry a long cloak with hood and a skirt for his
Lordship." The next afternoon the three women, by giv
ing some sovereigns and also slipping a bottle of rum into the hand of each guard, entered the prison and proceeded to the cell of the prisoner.
Lady Nithsdale entered his cell alone, and alternately in whispers to him, and loud talking to a supposed third person, entreated her hus band to disguise himself and try to effect an escape. This talking was to deceive the people in the room through which they would pass. When going in Lady Nithsdale had held her handkerchief up to her face as if weeping, and now the Earl did the same to hide his mustauche, for there was no way to shave it off. The long cloak with the hood closely drawn over his head concealed his features, so that as he wore the same kind of clothes as his wife, the disguise was complete. When he passed the guards they only supposed it was the same weeping wife.
Lady Nithsdale now slipped on the costume Anne had brought her, keeping up an imaginary conversation with Lord Nithsdale. "I hope Lady Dunstan will return soon. I must remain here a little longer"

98 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Just at dusk she left the cell, telling the guard near the door that he need not carry a candle to his Lordship, as he preferred to spend his last night in darkness and prayer. The guard had been changed since she had entered the cell. Slipping a sovereign and a bottle of rum in his hand, she was certain her request would be obeyed. She had no trouble in passing the guards at the gate, as they did not recognize her.
Previously the guards had seen what they sup posed to be the same three women pass out who had so generously treated them.
Once outside the Tower they walked rapidly to the waiting coach on Tower Hill. They drove at once to Gravesend and Anne and Lady Dunstan alighted first, leaving Lord Nithsdale within the coach to change his disguise for that of an Italian noble.
While Anne engaged the driver in conversa
tion and gifts of rum and money, Lord Niths dale slipped from the coach and hastened with Lady Dunstan to the vessel. Once on board he was safe, and bidding him good-by Lady Dun stan joined Anne for their return to London.
Nothing could express the joy of Lady Niths dale when they returned to her home and she spoke of his voyage already begun, and the thought that she would see him again in a few months gave her added happiness.
Many months later Anne wrote: "Now, that funds are getting low, the Chevelier has given up his fight for the throne. He is fast losing his good looks. He has just returned to the palace with his wife Gementina, daugh-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE 39
ter of the Prince of Poland. His friends advised him to marry, thinking that it would restrain him in the riotous life he had begun to live since his return from that unsuccessful uprising in Scotland.
"Their marriage was quite romantic. When she was a little girl she heard of his troubles and pitied him as an exile. She used to play that she was Queen of England.
"The Chevalier blames the Westerly winds and Bolingbroke for all his failures. His dismissal of Lord B. did not help his affairs, as the real cause is his own licentiousness. His marriage has had no influence in checking it, and his wife intends leaving him. He spends most of his time in a certain little cottage among the trees of the Bois de Boulogne, where they flatter him with the thought that he looks like his uncle, Charles the Second. This little spot is where all the stories of his designs upon the throne of England emanate, although Bolingbroke was accused of carrying tales to the Whigs. He gets drunk and while in that condition boasts of his plans for invasions, revealing every detail to these women. Madame Trombeau, who is his favor ite, is in regular correspondence with the great est Whigs in London. She informed them con cerning his last expedition that failed, he having drawn, in one of his drunken fits, a sketch of the Tower and Bank, thus betraying his inten tions.
"Fannie is playing her part as Marquise ad mirably ; she should have married a prince."

100 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHA.M HALt
CHAPTER XIV.
After Oglethorpe left for America Bess was frequently seen with the Earl. While not sym pathetic in words, he possessed that Celtic tem perament which is designated psychic. His men tal response to her was sensibly quick and always in harmony. She was never irritated by his words or presence. They reminded her of a beautiful India weave of exquisite coloring and soothing warmth.
His continued search into the unknown, in its highest form, was to her as if they were climb ing a high mountain, leaving behind the mists of the valley, and at its summit they would realize their dreams. With his storied mind opened to her listening ear, it seemed as if she was led as Virgil had led Dante. Sometime, "She saw her shadow only," "Turned aside with fear of being left, beholding only herself the ground obscured." Had she forgotten that Dante ascends to the third Heaven, Venus, "the radiant planet that to love invites ?"
One evening found them in Piccadilly on their way to a lecture by Dr. Hendrick. He was to speak on "Psychic Medical Philosophy." Pass ing into Sackville Street, they soon arrived at the Royal Academy, the old Burlington House.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 101
The speaker was a delicate man with the es thetic faculties highly developed. He began by holding1 up a skull and bones, saying:
"Up to recent years these were considered a symbol of death, but now it means life the tab ernacle of the mind and the source of vital en ergy. It is set above the body to govern it, nay it is a crown of which the body should be proud. If the body would only obey its voice, our tongue, our hand, our feet, would never cause us so many hours of regret; for each part has its impetus on the brain. This mind is where the soul originates; for the soul is the ripe fruit of all our best faculties, theologians to the con trary.
"An old philosopher once said that The su preme good consists in the calm contemplation of the secrets of Nature, but that is poor advice. What we must do is to study Nature, and hav ing wrested the secret from the Dame of man kind, put them to practical use for the allevia tion of her childrens miseries.
"All psychic phenomena have their origin in ones own mind, and have a physical basis, al though this would be called materialistic, and would appear to shut out all spirituality; but what do we mean by spirit? Is it not commonly understood to mean the unseen, and may not the unseen prove to be matter which our present eye is yet not developed enough, even with the aid of microscope and telescope, to discern? Our brain, in the progress of the race, has not reached its highest development. The eye is the first organ created in an organism, and when the brain,

102 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
which is the physical tool of the mind or intel lect, has its full growth, has attained to perfec tion as the body of man has, then and then only will we see and know spiritual truths."
"Happily," said the speaker, "the statute of James the First, allowing witches to be put to death, has been abolished by our gracious sov ereign, George the Second.
"To show that it was the power of the mind over the body and also the influence of one mind over another, I shall relate this story: A poor creature who was gathering berries and roots for food at St. Edmundsburg, being fatigued, sat down behind a broad oak near the road. She was startled by a hare darting past her and entering a hollow in the tree. She jumped up just as the hunters came up, and seeing her and not the hare, one of them cried out: A witch! a witch! Here we have been chasing a hare, and twas really Mother Durry leading us. They dragged her by the hair before a magistrate, say ing that the Devil was assisting her in deceiving the people. Frightened, she acknowledged many acts of which they wrongfully accused her. They tried drowning, and when that did not suc ceed executed her. just here the people showed that they believed the Devil had more power than God. A thoughtful reflecting judge took up this idea and tumbled the tables on the Devil by saying that he himself was inciting the populace to search out witches and have them executed for his own amusement. This was a new aspect of the question, but one which even their narTOW minds might admit, so that the crime of

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL IPS
witchcraft and its punishment were both abol ished at least it is not now countenanced."
The lecturer held his audiences attention for an hour, and when Bess and the Earl were again in the street the latter said: "What strides sci ence has made in less than a hundred years! Since the time, when from a private association formed by Dr. Wilkins, at Oxford, it has become the Royal Society. Its published transactions are enlightening- the English and dispelling the cruel superstitions of centuries. So little has been done for the mind, and its workings are so fittle understood."
"Yes, I am convinced that had the functions of the brain been understood in the past, many terrible tortures inflicted for witchcraft could have been averted."
"Dont you think the Bible has something to answer for in this particular? It says: Suffer not a witch to live."
"Yes, or its interpreter. But if the vagaries of the mind had been understood and its effects on the body or the reverse the devil or an gel would have been located in ones own mind. Do you remember when we were children that old Mrs. Oakley at Bedford was tied and ducked, then weighed against the Bible; as she weighed more than the Bible she was acquitted ?"
"Yes, but stupid judges! Suppose the Bible had been ornamented with heavy brass clasps and trimmings, and the poor old creature had been compelled to cover her emaciated frame only with one dry garment instead of being weighed in heavy woolen garments dripping with

104 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
water! What a travesty on justice. But our courts yet show no better ideas of right. Greed and preferment blind their minds."
They entered their chairs, the Earl directing the carriers to take them to Devereux Court, where at the Grecian Coffee House they had a cup of chocolate.
Returning one afternoon from one of these lectures, on picking up the "London Gazette" Bess read that Oglethorpe was returning on His Majestys ship "Aldborough," accompanied by a party of Indians.
CHAPTER XV.
"AH summer long the happy Eve Of this fair spot her flowers may bind.
Nor eer with ruffled fancy grieve From the next glance she cast to find
That love for little things by Fate Is rendered vain as love for great."
A lovely day in May saw Bess roaming over the garden at Cranham Hall like some beautiful butterfly fluttering from flower to flower inhaling its perfume to see if it were sweet and perfect enough for her purpose.
Only those in love can appreciate the feeling that makes the loving one think nothing is too good, no labor too severe for the one beloved. To Bess the roses never budded so beautifully and every flower seemed to know what was ex-

THH HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL IPS
pected of it. From among the Hawthorne hedge the red-bird flew, and lighting on an elm, trilled forth his song. If she could only be Philomela . and fly as a nightingale some time to Georgia! Had not Oglethorpe written her that it surpassed in sweet singing her brilliant songster?
"Perhaps," she mused, "I shall return with him and I shall take some of these flower seeds and plants. Some bricks too, for the General says most of the homes are of tabby. If it takes an extra ship Ill have them. I must have a wall just like this at old Cranham, with the vines clambering over it and the peach stretching its branches to the sun."
Full of the thought of her future home, and warmed by her exercise, Bess had pushed back her large hat, its blue lining forming a cool background to her flushed face.
How she wished that Oglethrope might have such lovely weather, for England did net always welcome strangers with sunshine. Although her muslin apron was filled with pink and red blos soms, she entered the hothouse to gather more.
In spite of the old gardeners protestations that it would mean their death to remove them so early, she replied: "Now, Lander, no scolding; take this pot in and this. Oh, yes, and these lovely ferns, and this palm from the West Indies. Take them to decorate the house at once, for I may want them at any time."
The gardener said no more; he only nodded as he now knew the reason.
There was then no "wireless" to herald the ships coming, but Bess had sent a trusted ser-

106 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
vant to London the night before, and he was to return immediately after seeing Oglethorpe and placing a note from her in his hand.
That he would not return, that he might now be beneath the sea, or lying in America mur dered by Spaniard or Indian, never entered her mind. He must return to her. How could any thing happen to one so noble, so philanthropic, so loving!
"The drawing-room resembles a garden in June. Besides the plants and flowers I see you have made the forest contribute leaves and vines. They drape the windows artistically. It looks like a wedding, Bess," her mother continued smilingly, "but I cannot spare my only daugh ter yet; the Governor must wait."
"Indeed, Mamma, we shall take you with us; we must not be separated. I am very anxious to see these Indians. The Governor intends to take them to West Brook."
Late in the afternoon Bess, ever on the watch, spied the servant down the road. She could not wait for him, but flew through the iron gate and reached for the note he was drawing from his coat pocket. The words were few, but it meant much to the recipient.
"I shall see you to-night. OGLETHORPE." The messenger explained that he went on board "The Aldborough," and saw Oglethorpe surrounded by a number of people. He was especially engaged with some red-skinned people with feathers in their heads and blankets wrapped around them. They were jabbering something to Oglethorpe. But when the General saw him

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 107
pushing through the crowd, the note held aloft, he immediately turned aside and read it.
"How does he look, Foote? Is he well?" and she asked a dozen questions.
"Indeed, Mistress, he is stout and brown, and I dont see that he has lost any of his tallness. He looked worried, but he looked all right when he read your note, and wrote his answer at once."
Bess ran into the house, and after reading the note to her mother, tucked it in her bodice.
It was eight oclock, but the English twilight yet lingered on the lawn, and dismounting at the garden gate Oglethorpe gave the reins to his groom and hastened toward what he feared might be only the vision he had seen so often in his absence.
"How handsome he was," Bess thought as soon as she could see his face in perspective; a little older, perhaps, but that was to be expected after so much mental work and worry.
The high clock on the stair landing had struck the hour of twelve before they separated. Lady Wright had interrupted them once by calling them to supper at nine, and then left them in the flower-bedecked drawing room.
It was too late for him to return to London,
and knowing that it would be so, Lady Wright had given him the guest room for the night.
Telling Bess that he would be gone before even the birds were awake, as he had so many urgent demands on his time, he bade her good-night with the fervor of one who has long wished to be with the one beloved.
Bess slept late the next morning and ate little

108 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
of the breakfast her maid brought to her bed side.
After being dressed she descended to the drawing room, but it was full of phantoms, and though she should have felt happy she felt in stead depressed.
"It is only because you sat up late last night and also have been on a nervous strain ever since you heard the General had left America. Go ride over to Lady Cookes and take lunch with her. I shall come for you later. A canter will do you good. Put on your habit while I tell Foote to harness your horse."
Bess and her mother had received a special permit, through Oglethorpes thoughtfulness, to be present at Kensington Palace when the In dians were to be presented to their Majesties.
Scarcely had they taken their places in the audience chamber when, headed by Sir Clement Cottrell, these visitors from America were pre sented by the Lord Chamberlain to the King and Queen. There stood the grand old chief in full Indian dress and war paint, his wife, and adopted son Toonahawi. Near him Hellispilli, his war captain; five captains of the Creeks, and Umpichi, a chief of the Palachicolas, and several at tendants.
Through the interpreter, whom Oglethorpe had also brought over, Tomochi Chi expressed his delight at the country and people, asking that the king have the Indians instructed in the English language and the Christian religion. Then spread ing a handsome buffalo skin at the Kings feet, kneeling, handed him a bunch of eagle feathers.

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 109
"I present these to your Majesty," he said, "in the name of our people; the feathers of the eagle, which is the swiftest of birds and flieth around our nation. These are the emblems of peace and have been carried from town to town to witness it. It is a pledge of peace on our part to be kept by you."
King George replied: "Mico, to whom your people look as mine to me, I accept these as a sacred pledge and shall do all in my power to assist your people."
"Look, Mother, with what dignity, yet graciousness, he bows to Queen Caroline. He shames our young men. There! he has kissed the Princess hand."
CHAPTER XVI.
"Where Lincolns Inn, wide space is veiled around
Cross not with venturous step; Here oft is found the lurking thief. Still keep the public streets where oily rays Shot from the crystal lamp overspreads the ways. Yet there are who with friendly light Will teach thy reeling steps to tread all right. For sixpence home conduct thee. But! Who has not trembled at the Mohawks
name? Safe from whos blows or new-invented
wounds?"
Lady Wright had opened her home in London,

110 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
as they intended remaining for some months in the city, and also because it would be nearer for the General when he had time to visit them.
"Mamma, I shall visit Lady Bristol this morn ing," Bess said some weeks afterwards. "I hear that there is a possibility of some of her fam
ily going to America, perhaps to Georgia." At eleven-thirty, Bess chair was announced
and she was carried to the door of Lady Bristol
in Grosvenor Square. Lady Dorothy was in her boudoir sipping
chocolate while her maid dressed her hair. A little ebony piece of humanity, dressed in Ori ental costume, brought Bess a cup of chocolate on a silver salver and then disappeared as quietly as he had entered. She had not finished before Earl Kell entered, fellowed by Lord Sutton, whose mincing step, bending knee, his cocked hat under his arm, with lace handkerchief and snuff box, always impressed her as one acting a part. She instinctively shrank from him as he bent over her hand. His manner contrasted illy with the manly step and bearing and the sincere touch of the hand of the Earl which always appealed to Bess.
"When do you leave for America?" Bess in
quired of Lady Dorothy. At this question Lord Sutton put up his mono-
cule and looked at the questioner, then at the hostess. Perhaps it was well that at the moment the maid was rouging her ladyships cheeks, oth erwise it might have been thought a blush occa sioned by his lordships close scrutiny.
"Who told you I was going?" she replied with

THB HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 111
downcast eyes. "It is only my brother." Then suddenly raising her eyes, and gazing defiantly at Lord Sutton as if challenging his stare, she added: "Perhaps his lordship may accompany him."
Lord Sutton rose from his chair, hastily set his cup of chocolate down, fluttered his handker chief, drew out his gold snuff box, offering it to the Earl. It being declined, he himself took a pinch, then sat down again, this brief exercise apparently relieving his mind of its emotional intensity.
Then with a forced laugh he said: "Not I, your ladyship; I do not think the Indians will suffer for want of scalps, as I hear a large num ber of Dissenters intend leaving for His Maj
estys plantations." "It is much to be regretted that some knaves
could not be transported with them," said Lord Kell.
"Dont quarrel, my friends," interposed Lady Dorothy, touching with her white fan the arm of Lord Sutton, who sat near her! "take this and I shall give my blue fan to the Earl, and you may both fan me. Whoever tires first may leave, and his rival may remain with me as a reward for his endurance."
Bess, who had risen during this speech, pre pared to leave and was interrupted in her adieu by the Earl, replying: "Under the circumstances, you may consider me a coward for not accepting the challenge; but I am no match for such a marksman as Cupid is, who, I perceive, is my antagonist. I shall retire from the field I trust

118 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
honorably, your ladyship," and bending low over her hand he touched it with his lips, and followed Bess from the room.
"What does it all mean?" inquired Bess as they passed through the hall and waited for their chairs to be carried out.
"Go with me to the theater, where we can talk, and I shall tell you."
"Yes, I suppose there will be enough talking and walking around during the play to drown our conversation," laughingly replied Bess.
Seated in the Haymarket, the Earl said: "It has been known for some time among the watch men that Lord Sutton was a member of The Bloods. One of his gloves was picked up and matched to the one he left in his chair the next day. But as long as it did not get to the ears of his social set it matters not to him. Now it is openly known that at the balls and in the boudoir of their ladyships he is a fine gentleman, but when in want of money he is not only a gambler, but under cover of darkness a common thief, the robber of ladies jewels and the purse of men. He steals at night from the very people with whom he has spent the day. He was among the number mentioned in the Gazette as maiming for life an old watchman. At Vauxhall he set fire to a ladys cloak."
"What has this to do with America?" "Why this: His mother intends shipping him to Georgia, where there are none to rob, at least at present. "She will furnish him enough money to buy some hundreds of acres by which runs a beauti-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HAT.L US
ful river abounding in fish. This and hunting, together with overseeing the work done in im provements, will furnish, she hopes, enough occu pation to prevent him from wanting to return to his old life. She will also give him a fine library, but little use will he make of it."
"Still I do not understand Dorothys look of confusion when you mention her going."
"He insists that she go with him, which idea is not pleasing to her. A life in the forest among savages is not the kind of excitement she craves, even with one she professes to love. The idle life she leads in London, enlivened by masque, theater, and scandal, appeals to her most."
"I surmise that there are other reasons," said Bess, smiling in spite of herself, "and I do not agree with you that she is in love with him"
"Have some strawberries," he said, making no reply to her insinuation. "Better eat some," and he bought two plates from the waitress, who was handing them around to the audience.
"Thank you. Yes, they look like they have come from Bettys fruit shop. I know I shall be late to dinner, as it is now nearly three."
Just as they were leaving their seats, Bess spied Oglethorpe, with his party of Indians, on the other side of the theater, but the crowd was so great and locomotion so difficult that she could make no headway in leaving the theater. By the time she and the Earl reached the street he and his companions had entered the coach and been .driven away.
Bess heart quickened its beating. Had he seen her? What would he think of her at the

1U THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
theater with another when he had just returned from so hazardous an undertaking? She partly consoled herself with the thought that she had only allowed herself to be alone with the Earl in order to help Oglethorpe. She had heard something important which would perhaps help to keep a most undesirable settler from going to Georgia. Oglethorpe would not be jealous, she argued to herself, when he had heard what she had to tell.
Arriving at her door, the Earl assisted her up the steps, declining to come in, saying that he intended to walk to his lodgings and must start at once.
His face wore a peculiar smile in recollection of what Bess had hinted, and when he paid the Irish chairman, that worthy thanked him with less rudeness than he usually expressed toward his employers.
That night Oglethorpe spent a few minutes, which he could scarcely spare, in writing to Bess.
"Dearest, it is hard to be so near you, just a few feet of land and not leagues and fathoms of water, and yet not be able to be in your beloved piesenCe.
"I saw you at the theater, but was prevented from speaking to you by the sudden illness of one of the Indians. I was obliged to take the coach with him and hurry to his lodging. Per haps it may prove to be smallpox.
"At the levee you looked most alluring, but I was compelled to wait upon the Queen of my

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 115
country instead of the Queen of my heart. I shall see you some time this week. I have been made director of the Royal African Co., and this new position has taken up my already over crowded hours.
"May Heaven guard you and permit me once again to see you.
"Believe me to be ever "Your loving and faith"fJu.l O."
Oglethorpe gave this to his trusted manser vant Eraser at ten that night. It was raining, the streets muddy and the stepping stones afford ing little assistance in crossing them. Suddenly a chair jostled him, he was roughly handled, his pockets searched, and the letter and his purse seized by a man who, with his hat down over his eyes, his long cloak wrapped around him, was in complete disguise.
"Damn you," he muttered. "My trouble for nothing. Merely a lackey with a few pence, car rying a love letter, judging by the paper and the seal. Heigho! but it may make amusing read ing. Ill keep it and the purse." Giving the servant a kick, which sent him sprawling in the mud, striking his head against the stepping stone, his assailant disappeared in the darkness. Here the servant was found in the morning, and hav ing nothing to identify him was taken to the prison.
In the meantime the robber, arriving in Great Russell Square, examined by the light of the oil lamp the contents of the letter and purse. The

116 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
purse had little, but transferring even that to his own pocket he flung away the purse.
"So ho, what have we here! But Ive called a street, when I only meant an exclamation," he murmured. "A note from Sir Knight to his lady love, Bess. Well, my disdainful beauty, youll never see it. I have a grudge against this particular Sir Knight, as I hear he intends exam ining rigidly into the private life of each pas senger whom he takes on his next voyage. My lady mother wants to ship me with him. I scarcely think shell want me put under his mi
croscopic vision. Id like to be the means of thwarting him in this love affair. Who knows but the loss of this little note may prove to be his undoing? Smaller losses than this have often turned a womans love to hate. Well see."
Again reading the note, which was a difficult task for him, his education not having been cul tivated along that line, he lighted a tinder and watched it burn. Just as the last spark died out, a band of "Macoronies" were heard singing, and joining these, they spent the early hours of the morning locking up old watchmen in their boxes, smashing the greasy lamps over pedestrians, and running their swords through inoffensive per sons. Then when morning dawned, he hailed a sleepy cabman, and telling him his real name demanded to be taken home at once.
Not receiving a reply, Oglethorpe was greatly disturbed by the thought that perhaps she had changed her mind; that the prospect of an exile, even with one she loved, did not appear as attractive since she had seen the Indians and he

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 117
had described the situation. The romantic ideas she had first entertained of the new country per haps were dispelled by the reality.
His predictions were verified as to the Indians illness. Smallpox developed, and to the great grief of his companions, the chief passed away in a strange land. Having been with the Indians so often, Oglethorpe was now afraid to visit Bess because he might carry the germs of con tagion with him. He even feared to write, and thus Fate widened the chasm opening between them.
Bess read this in the "Post": "Fear of infection kept many away from the sad but novel burial of the Indian chief at St. Johns, Westminster, yesterday, only the Mico, Tomo Chi Chi, three of the chiefs, the church warden and gravedigger being present. Such a contrast to the towering architecture, the dress of the people, the noise of a great city, was this burial of a foreign yet friendly chief of a royal family of America, the brother of the Queen. "Wrapped in two blankets and encased between two boards, the body was lowered into the grave while the Indian ceremonial was going on. His clothes, with bread and silver money which he would need on his last long journey from earth, was flung into the grave, and then the earth closed over a companion whose loss would be mourned in all sincerity. "General Oglethorpe intends entertaining them at the country home at West Brook, Surrey, where they can mourn their dead in the quiet of the country, though not amid their own forests."

118 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
A short time after the "Gentlemans Maga zine" said this:
"The Kings coaches, drawn by six horses, con taining our American guests, have been busy conveying them to Windsor, Hampton Court, Greenwich Hospital and the Tower. Tomo Chi Chi is much impressed with the strength, riches and greatness of our city compared with their poverty and ignorance. He is very observant and his remarks show wisdom and judgment. The trustees desire the help of these Indians in our new plantations, and with that end in view are trying to entertain them in every way.
"Last week the Archbishop, though very weak, received them, telling them that he was glad there would be an opportunity to teach them the truths of Christianity. Afterwards they drove to Eton.
"The Indians are now again at the Georgia office. Tomo Chi Chis portrait is being painted by Verlst, and will be hung in the office of the trustees.
"From all parts of England come praises of the chief mover in this great undertaking, Gen. Oglethorpe. His virtues are told everywhere. At the grand entertainment given him by the trustees, he was praised and thanked by a unani mous vote."
Bess partly recovered her usual cheerful spir its, as she guessed that it was the fear of con tagion that kept him away, and then, also, how occupied he must be with his benevolent work!
The next month "The London Magazine" con-

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL US
tained an article which caused Bess much inward grief:
"The guests of the nation, who have been with us three months, will leave for Georgia some time next month. With his usual high sense of justice, Mico thinks that his entertainers have spent enough money on them, although only 20 a week is allowed.
"But the government and trustees have not been their only entertainers. Lady Dutrey, at Putney, gave them a dinner, at which many en joyed a unique conversation with our guests through their interpreter. The Duke of Grafton and the Duchess were host and hostess at a lawn party given in their honor at their country house. With many expressions of wonder at the result of art instructing Nature in the arrangement of tree and vine, Tomo Chi Chi remarked that in America, but particularly in the forests of Geor gia, the graceful arrangement of tree, shrub and vine could not be improved upon.
"Prince William, who was present, gave Toonahawi a watch, which this Indian Prince acknowledged with much grace, adding that at no time would he ever forget the hospitality of the English.
"Tomo Chi Chi has tried to impress upon the government the great necessity of correct weights and measures to be given the Indians that they might know exactly what they were getting and not be cheated, as hitherto, by the traders.
"Governor Oglethorpe is busily engaged exam ining those intending to go to Georgia, as to their fitness, physically and morally."

ItO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL Although his time was occupied with business
from early morning till after midnight, his thoughts were often occupied with his love.
At last everything was in readiness; the 250 people, consisting of men, their families and ser vants, gathered from the Highlands by Lieuten ant McKay; the Moravians, and the immigrants and independent settlers were all on board.
Rev. John McCleod, who had come from In verness, Scotland, as pastor to the Highlanders; Charles Wesley as secretary to Oglethorpe, and John Wesley as missionary to Savannah, and the Indians. were aboard. Up to the last moment Oglethorpe hoped for a note from Bess. Just as the last boat was pushing off a messenger brought him a letter. Eagerly opening it, it only told him that Mr. Johnson, son of the Governor of Carolina, could not go to America, as he was ill with fever. And with a heavy heart, but un swerving purpose, he set out on his second voy age to Georgia.
CHAPTER XVII.
"How to adjust the Mantuas sweeping train? What fancy can the petticoat surround, With the capacious hoop of whalebone bound? Presumptuous Muse! Should you the wardrobes magazine rehearse, And glossy manteaus rustle, rich brocaded
suits unfold,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 121
Where rising flowers grow stiff with frosted gold.
The Muse would in a maze of fashions lose her way."
"Why, Bess," exclaimed Lady Betty Norcotte, entering the formers boudoir one morning, "I scarcely expected to see you here. I thought you were summering on the Georgia coast under blue skies, but the Governor has sailed and you remain.
"Excuse me," she went on to say, not waiting for Bess to reply. "I wish to arrange my head dress," and going to the French dressing table, she removed the stiff pleated lace with its lap pets hanging to the shoulders, her immense hoop taking up nearly all the space in the little room.
"How do you like the red color of this petti coat?" she continued, drawing up her black silk skirt much furbelowed and displaying a figured underskirt. A very much contracted blue waist finished this costume, no part of which pleased Bess taste in dress.
However, she gave her hostess no time to comment, but replacing her long muslin apron, which she had also removed, she directed her conversation back to her first inquiry.
"I really am not surprised that you did not return with the Governor. What a beau he is I While riding toward West Brook some months ago but that reminds me that you should see my new riding habit. It is just like a mans; has a coat with broad cuffs, is cut away, a cravat

jfgg THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
exactly like papas, and a cocked hat. Of course I wear a skirt, but a short one, and boots."
"What were you intending to tell me about your ride toward West Brook?" Bess inquired, as her guest stopped to take a long breath, which occasionally she was obliged to on account of the little air she could give her lungs contracted by her tightly-laced bodice.
"Oh! yes. While passing the Manor, I saw several children running out from a nearby cot tage as if to meet some one. Looking back I perceived Gen. Oglethorpe entering the grounds. He dismounted, and after greeting the children took the hand of a woman who came to the cot tage door and lead her to a little rose-covered arbor, which hid them from view."
"Did he recognize you?" Bess forced herself to ask.
"No, my groom told me it was the General. I do not know him. But dont mind my talk. Just a little romance, perhaps," and giving one more look to her towering headdress, reflected in the mirror, the gossip kissed Bess and de parted.
Here, then, was the obstacle that had pre vented his writing to her or coming, Bess thought. Perhaps he had taken them with him! All her pride rose at the thought of this usurpa tion. Should she go over to West Brook and see for herself ? But what excuse could she give this woman for visiting her should she find her there? Or worse, gone! Her heart was op pressed with the weight of tightened nerve cords. She felt ill and weak, as when one tries to walk

i""^ THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HA~LL*^~1Z~S for the first time after a long spell of fever. But she must rouse herself; no one must know of this blow to her heart and mind, not even her mother. If he had ceased to love her, surely she could learn to do the same.
CHAPTER XVIII.
"After a long voyage, when only the mighty sea has greeted the eye, how restful to see the green turf of some distant isle rising from its depths!"
Such were the thoughts of John Wesley as he stood on the deck of the "Symond" and watched the silver spray dash on the white beach at Tybee.
It was the month of February, 1736, nearly four months since they had left London. They had not really left England until December, ow ing to the storms off the English coast.
The "London Merchant" and "His Majestys Ship," containing the Highlanders and other set tlers, followed closely after the "Symond," which carried the Moravians.
Capt. Joseph Cornish and the pilot, taken on at Port Royal, now steered the vessels to the back of the island, where a quiet river would allow them to land. They were not to proceed to Savannah at once, but Oglethorpe left imme diately in order to send the weary travelers fresh provisions from the town. He, as usual, was mindful of the comforts as well as the needs of

ItH THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
those about him, and on the next day a boat load of fresh vegetables bread fruit, fowl, and venison were sent to the voyagers, who for months had subsisted on what the ship could sup ply, and the feast was one to be remembered.
Many Indians had gone to Tybee with Oglethorpe, among them Tomo Chi Chi and his wife Scenankay, and these two immediately sought Wesley.
"I am glad you are come," said the old Mico. "When I was in England, I desired that some one would speak the good word to me. I shall go up to the Wise men and tell them you are here, and I hope they will listen to you. But we would not be Christians as the Black Robe make them. They baptize first and then prom ise to teach us afterwards, but never do. We would be taught Christianity first."
"Do you know what you were made for?" asked Wesley, hoping in this way to ascertain what knowledge the old Indian had of God.
"He that is above knows what He made us for; we know nothing; we are in the dark," rev erently answered the old chief.
Just then Scenankay presented two jars to Wesley, saying, "Come and teach our children; the honey represents the peaceful feelings we have toward you, and the milk the needs of our children."
Wesley thanked her, and promised to renew the conversation when they reached Savannah.
"What reason have you to give for not having the light-house built?" Oglethorpe inquired of
Mr. Blithesome, the carpenter, to whom he had

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL IK
given this work to be done before he left for England. "I am greatly disappointed."
"It is no fault of mine, your Excellency. The men worked for a week, but when they received pay on Saturday, they took a boat and went over to Turtle Island, just across the river in South Carolina. Here the traders from Charles Town soon had all their wages in exchange for rum, which lasted them for weeks. This is repeated from month to month. They do not feel the want of food and clothes as long as they are drunk."
"All the same," replied Oglethorpe, "our coast cannot be in want of a light to guide the ships just because some men want to please themselves by losing their senses. Ill see to-morrow that you have proper help, and I expect the work to be done at once," and the Governor went imme diately among the company to hire those who
would be likely to keep their word. The women and children had not gone to
Darien with their relatives, and they, with the Savannah people and some Indians, were en joying their first oyster roast in the sands of Tybee. Charles Wesley joined Oglethorpe as the latter was returning from the lighthouse site, and together they walked away from the festive
crowd. It had been a beautiful day, and the February
sun still lingered in the sky. "How the Londoners would enjoy this sun
shine and glorious air, and these woods festooned with moss and brilliant flowers!" Just at that moment a mocking bird trilled out his song, and

38S THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Wesley stopped to listen. "God speaks in every thing, even in the song of birds. How inspiring hath he made Nature!"
They had strolled across the island to the beach, and seating themselves on the huge mast of some wrecked vessel, Oglethorpe said: "What does your Brother John propose doing, Charles? Not having known either of you until recently, I cannot imagine what method he will use for the religious training of the people, especially for the Indians."
"I suppose it will be somewhat along the lines of that we started in London. John has always felt as if he were called to preach the word of God to the masses. While employed in the Rivingston bookstore, in St. Pauls Churchyard, he had an opportunity to read up the religious ideas of the leaders in the past We thought it would improve ourselves, as well as help others, if we would form a class for the study of practical re ligion, and also of the classics. With the first end in view, we visited the prisons, carrying books and food when permitted by the authori ties, and also found work for the idle. To those condemned to die we gave whatever spiritual comfort possible. We read of your philanthropy in regard to the prisons, and agree with you that if there are hells on earth surely they are lo cated in the Fleet and Marshalsea. Such filth, such suffering; such treatment to the cold, hun gry, wretched inmates cannot be imagined. But you know more about that than we do. To re turn to the mission work: my father wrote you from Epworth that he thought the work in Geor-

THB HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 1J7
gia would just suit us, especially John. Here we would have freedom to carry out all plans for good work in reforming man. But here conies John himself and the Mico. Can you in terpret the chiefs language?"
"A little; enough to translate briefly what he says."
The old man seated himself on a projection of the wreck, opposite Oglethorpe, and at the side of John Wesley. From time to time Ogle thorpe translated the conversation and Tomochi-chi replied.
Answering Charles Wesley*s conversation, which he had briefly told the Indian, Oglethorpe said: "Yours was a practical religion, the only kind that is of any value in the workaday world. For those removed from temptation by tempera ment or environments, a strictly spiritual religion may suffice, but for the every-day world, unless each acts toward the other in a helpful way as regards morals and manners, their religion is worthless."
"Yes," replied Tomo Chi Chi, "no use baptize Indian unless* he stop tell lies, steal, get drunk. No good; want his heart changed, so that he do right." Turning to John Wesley, he continuted: "Some say one thing, some another. Me cannot understand. We want no made Christians; they would only be hypocrites and liars. You will have to work hard to convert our people, be cause the men in Savannah and from South Carolina dont set them a good example. Your Christians go to church and say prayers, yet they
cheat my people by false weights, and sell them

1ZS THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
rum which make them commit murder. Me no see where Christian is better than poor savage 1"
Wesley felt at once that he should have had some clear explanation of the principles of Chris tianity, but he had none. Besides, his mind was confused by the new ideas gleaned during the voyage from the Moravians, which conflicted with his practical belief in efficacy of good works. He could only reply, "Only God can give you Wisdom to do right; I can do nothing. If the red man will learn the Good Book he will know as much as the white man. But neither you nor he can learn unless you are taught by Him."
Oglethorpe thought this speech of Wesleys very foolish and contradictory. Neither was there any comfort in it for an old man who for 97 years had done right according to the light given to him from within, and who had been waiting for Christian enlightenment and help. It argued ill for the colony if that was the only message he had for the Indian.
"Do you pray to God?" asked Wesley. "Me never pray for anything particular," re plied the old chief, "because God knows what is best for us, and it seems as if we are directing Him. He does whatever is right, and we should be contented with whatever happens." Could Wesley expect a more sublime faith! "White man know much," the chief continued sarcastically; "he build house as if he would live forever, yet in a little while he be dead like In dian." The bow-shaped moon was slowly setting in the west, casting silvery beams on the distant

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 129
"white caps." The tide had receded, and they returned silently, taking the route by way of the hard beach.
During Oglethorpes absence at Savannah the suttlers from South Carolina had tried to sell casks of rum to the new arrivals, and on this be ing1 refused, had revenged themselves by spread ing a report that if they went south the Span iards would murder them. To this McHugh, one of the Highlanders, replied, "If the Span iards leave their houses and forts to come out and fight us they will never return to them, and we shall have houses without the trouble of building them."
But not so with some of the Moravians, whose religion forbade them to fight. They begged Oglethorpe to allow them to join the Saltzburgers at Ebernezer. This they were allowed to do. Many of them, however, remained in Savan nah, and with a few Saltzburgers, formed them selves into the Lutheran society later.
Some of the Highlanders, under command of Lieutenant McKay, with a number of Indians to assist them, had already set out for the Darien district, where they were to found the New Inverness, on the Altamaha river. Ogle thorpe found the remainder of the settlers still at Tybee, the masters of the Symond and Lon don Merchant having refused to enter unknown seas.
Ever resourceful, Oglethorpe purchased the ship Midnight and its cargo, which was then ly ing in the river, filled with stores for the colony
to buy if they wished. He bargained that the

ISO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Captain should deliver the cargo to a station on the Altamaha which was designated as Darien. In a scout boat were Capt. Hermsdorf, the mis sionary, Mr. Ingram, and a number of Indians. Those left at Tybee were put under the care of Mr. Francis Moore.
The day before setting out Oglethorpe had told the men to consult with their families as to whether they still wished to go to Darien.
After two hours deliberation, Mr. Bailie re plied for the company: "General, we left our old homes, knowing the dangers of settling in a country surrounded by enemies, and the work necessary in a wild, uncultivated land. But we see how those who came before us have pros pered, and we also have proofs of the friendli ness of the Indians. More than all, we realize how capable, how altogether worthy you are to hold the position you do. Ever mindful of the needs and wants of your people, full of resources, nothing escapes you. When to this is added that it is your intention to spend most of your time at the new fort at Frederica, and will be near
us, we can desire nothing more. We are ready to start and share all dangers."
Oglethorpe thanked them for their confidence in him, and the preparations went on.
In order to be sure that all would come to the same rendezvous at the same time, and thus keep together, Oglethorpe put the boat that con tained the good home-brewed beer in the front of the others, telling them that unless they were there at the right time they would get no re
freshments.

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AH eyes now turned toward the embarking Highlanders, whose gorgeous costumes attracted the attention of the Indians. Dazzled by the colors of the kilt, they offered a doe skin in ex change, and two eagle feathers for the ornament on the Scottish cap. The daughters of chiefs also thought what fine skirts they could make of the plaids, and the cap and feather would serve as a headdress. Minnechee, a pretty Indian girl, crept up closely to a fair-haired laddie to study his dress. Struck with the light from her soft black eyes, and with the lusterful black hair, he drew from his pouch a cap much finer than that he wore, and threw it to the maid just as the boat was moving away. Quickly taking a large wreath of yellow jesamine from her head, she tossed it toward him, and clapped her hands as she saw him deftly catch it on his arm. A shout went up from the spectators, and realizing for the first time that perhaps she had done an im modest thing, she slid down the side of the ship into her canoe, throwing a blanket over herself, thus concealing herself from view. But when the ships were out at sea she nimbly climbed a tree, watching them until they disappeared from sight.
Mr. Hermsdorf could scarcely find language in which to express his delight at the beautiful scenery. The trees and vines hung over the wa ters edge, imparting their hue to the quiet streams between the islands and the mainland. "Lovely, lovely," he would exclaim. Past the white beach of Wilmington island; the marsh, with its cattle grazing at low tide; past Skid-

ISg THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
away, the Vernon, the Ogeechee, rowing night and day, the Indians assisting. Their fatigue was lightened by the refreshments, of which, toward the end of the journey, Oglethorpe de prived himself that they might not suffer.
On the second day they arrived at St. Simons, and were met by Capt. McPhersoh and Capt. Mclntosh, who had come from Darien, having gone there by land with thirty picked men and a number of Indians.
"Get these cannon in position at once," Ogle thorpe ordered, "as we may be attacked suddenly by the treacherous Spaniards."
A fort was marked off and preparations begun for its erection. While gathering shell from which to build this "tabby" fort of St. Simons, the men spied the Midnight, and shouted, "A sail! A sail!"
Oglethorpe and Captain Mclntosh boarded it, and, sailing up the Altamaha for sixteen miles, they landed at New Inverness, where "Fort Delegel," named from the commander of the "Kings Independent Company" at Port Royal, had already been started.
Among the Highlanders, none were more proud than Capt. McKay to see the boat ap proaching, and to show that they were ready for even a foe, he had his soldiers drawn up in martial array, with broadswords, targets, and firearms.
The servants, whom the Highlanders had brought with them, assisted the crew in unload ing the sloop, and it was soon emptied of its
cargo.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 1SS
Addressing Capt. Gascoigne, the General said, "Captain, as a reward for your fearlessness in being the first to enter this port, I present you with this prize; this sloop is yours."
This unexpected gift drew incoherent thanks from its new owner, and caused a shout of ap proval to go forth from the assembled soldiers and Indians.
"We are delighted that your quarters will only be fifteen miles from us, General," said Mr. Dunbar, "and Capt. McKay reports the road from Savannah to this point as progressing rap idly, half of the seventy miles being in fine con dition. When Mr. Brian builds his road from Charles Town to Savannah, we can have regular stagecoaches to the sea."
"Nothing improbable in that," replied Oglethorpe; "only I wish we had some other power than the animal; but I am not an inventor."
Later the stage from New Orleans passed Darien on its way to Savannah. It passed the old Mclntosh Court House, Gov. Troups prop erty, Midway Church, Bryan Court House (near Ways Station). With fresh horses it crossed Kings Bridge, over the Ogeechee, and then over a plank road 15 miles to Savannah.
"General," said Rev. McLeod, approaching Oglethorpe, "if you have sufficiently inspected the defences of man against man, come and see those of man against Satan," and, linking his arm in his, he led him to the little chapel in the wood, which was among the first houses erected. It was a small wooden structure, with a table
and rough benches.

134 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"My purpose is to call the people together once every day in this little chapel, and three times on Sunday, and instruct them in their duty to God and man. I shall leave war and politics to those better versed in such affairs than I am."
"I am glad to hear you speak thus, Mr. McLeod, and it will prove a most judicious de cision."
It was now dark, and after a hearty meal, some of which consisted of fresh game brought by the Indians, the colonist prepared to retire.
"You are one of us in dress as well as deed," said Capt. Mclntosh, alluding to Oglethorpes Highland costume, which he had adopted in com pliment to them.
"Yes, and the Indians are so much in love with it, that they also will do all in their power for those who wear it."
"But that is no reason I should sleep in here," and he glanced into the handsome tent to which Capt. McKay had lead him. He had hung it with his choicest trappings. There were holland sheets, plaid curtains, woolen blankets, a tub and many other conveniences. "Many thanks, but I prefer my plaid and the soft turf. One must not house oneself in this climate under our condi tions."
Beneath a moss-draped oak, wrapped in his plaid, the Governor of the Province lay down to rest like any common soldier. Emulating his example, Capt. McKay and the other gentlemen of the party sought the same near his side.
The next day he returned to St. Simons, where the remainder of the week was spent in building

THH HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALL 1S3 the fort, digging an mtrenchment and turfing the ramparts. This finished the immediate work, as during his absence the settlers had erected the first homes at Frederica stakes driven in the ground three feet apart against which dirt was flung, and a thatched roof of palmetto leaves for a covering.
The Indians did their share by bringing in fresh venison, turkey and birds, which with bread and beer from the stores gave them all a feast, over which they made merry.
CHAPTER XIX. "We must start our little societies in every set tlement at once, John," said Charles Wesley to his brother on the second Sunday in Savannah, "and we shall go this afternoon to Skidaway and have communion at 3 p. m. Mr. Canvile has lent us his horses and will show us the way. There are about ten families there besides the garrison at the fort, which may send some of the marines from Capt. Jones detachment." Accordingly, taking only a few minutes for lunch after the morning service they set out on their journey, through forests of pine and oak, the early spring air redolent with myrtle and the yellow jesamine. The flowers of the cotton wood hung in violet clusters from the tall trees, appearing like a cloud. Birds and squirrels fled at their approach. As they neared the island, huge oaks draped in

138 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
long gray moss, dotted with its brown flowers, formed avenues through which they passed.
Arriving at the home of Mr. De Lacy they were refreshed with freshly caught oysters roasted by an open fire on the river bank. Then seating themselves on an old boat Mr. De Lacy said: "What good, Mr. Wesley, is the Chris tian religion doing, when such a tale as I shall relate to you is absolutely true?"
"Say not so," Wesley replied; "God does His work in mysterious ways. What we think evil now may abound to our good. Tell me the story."
"Captain Wright brought a man to me," began Mr. De Lacy, "and I bought him, paying as much as his passage was worth. The next day this man, named David Jones, told me his history. He was a saddler by trade and meeting the Cap tain at Bristol, the latter proposed that he go with him to Georgia, that the business of saddler flourished there, and he would furnish him with tools and a shop, for which he could repay him at his own convenience.
"On reaching Savannah instead of the shop and tools, he was told that, as the ship would return to England in a few days, he must have his passage money at once. As he was unable to pay this he was sold. I, of course, knew noth ing of the circumstances, as I bought just as the others do and the law seems to allow.
"He was a delicate looking man, but there was no work except to go into forest with the ser vants.
"He had an intellectual face, and when resting

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 137
from his work, would sit under the oaks near the river bank and apparently watch the water.
"One day I sent him to my large plantation some four miles from here, but he did not return Saturday night with the other servants, sending word that he would go hunting. When they returned to their work Monday morning, they found him on the shore with part of his head blown off, his gun at his side. In his pocket was a small paper book containing some poetry. Here it is and you may keep it."
Mr. Wesley took the little worn book and read:
"Death could not a more sad retinue find Sickness and death before and darkness all be
hind."
"It seems to me," resumed Mr. De Lacy, "that seventeen centuries of Christianity ought to have made it possible for such a good man faithful, truthful, sober, to escape from suicide. Justice should demand that such should be the fate of the wretch who sold him. The law allows a man to be sold into bondage for debt, but this Captain wilfully lied, and deceived a stranger in a strange land. David Jones was not a common law breaker, but, as these verses show, an intelligent, thoughtful man, but unused to the hardships of life. I shall hand in my protest against this to Mr. Ingram and have the matter investigated in London."
"I shall help you," said Mr. Wesley, "but you must not blame God for this, it is the Devils

1S8 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
work. This archfiend is very zealous and con stantly on the alert to find a fit dwelling place from which to cause the loss of a soul."
"But you dont really believe David Jones soul is lost?"
"He left this world without being reconciled to Gods will through Christ; but no one knows what his dying thoughts may have been but God."
"It is just for this reason that we are having these Wednesday night prayer meetings. Who knows what suffering soul may be turned from its dark forebodings like this poor suicide had, and saved from death.
"In the meantime we shall establish a school where the children will be taught to read and write and cast accounts, and also have the Cate chism explained to them. On Saturday I shall meet those who intend to commune and talk with them."
"That is just the point I make," interrupted Mr. De Lacy; "how is it that in London, where, for centuries, churches with spires pointing to ward heaven, music and chanting hymns to their Creator, whom they say loves and cares for them and whom they must love and obey, there should be so much oppression, so much acute mis ery and suffering with no way out of it but death? Why does not the Creator rescue His children, the unfortunate ones who cannot recon cile their conscience to do the wrong they see others do and prosper thereby? If goodness does not excite Gods pity and protection, and

THE HEIRESS OP CRANHAM HALL 139
cruelty does not cause Him to punish the wicked, what is the use of trying to do right ?"
"We shall be rewarded hereafter," Wesley re plied. "Besides, we must depend upon faith in the blood of Christ; good deeds alone will not save us."
"Suppose you go with me to David Jones* room and see what we can find that may lead to some discovery of his identity."
They went to the barn, where, climbing a lad der, which lead to a large window, they entered a loft.
"He begged me to let him floor this loft, as he did not care to sleep with the servants, pre ferring to be alone in it rather than live in better quarters with others."
A rudely-made bed covered with pinestraw, over which was flung a horse blanket, a bench, and an old brass-nailed trunk was all the loft contained. Going to the trunk they found a note on the top. It read:
"The finder will please send the letters in the trunk to the address below. I implore you to read at least a few of them that you may know the reason for my taking my life."
"David Vaughn, Viscount Grantland. "Send letters to
"Lord John Grantland, "Grosvenor Square, London."
P. C. "I want my old father to know that his first
born son is really dead (you can send him de tails), and I want my vain young stepmother

140 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
to realize that she no longer need lie to him, but her son may truly he said to be my fathers heir."
Mr. Wesley read out a few lines from several letters. One addressed to "Mr. David Jones" said:
"My dearest absent one, why do you won der at your fathers disinheriting you? Have you not married me, the orphan of Robert Cartell? After my mother died, homes were found for the two children, and I am in a vicars fam ily at Upminster sewing for them. In a few months I shall be strong and well again.
"I am sorry you started to learn the saddlers trade. It is that which makes you sick the odor of leather and grease."
Then there was a clipping from the "London Daily Post," copied from a letter:
"Mrs. David Jones, although that is not sup posed to be her right name, died yesterday, leav ing a little girl. It is thought her husband is in London. To save her from a paupers grave the kind hearted rector at Upminster allowed her to be buried in the churchyard there."
Drawing from his cloth pocketbook a large sheet of paper, a pencil, and some wax, Mr. Wes ley wrote a short account of the suicides life after leaving England, and the manner of his death, and directing them, prepared to leave. A few days later they were in Mr. Ingrams hands, and he promised to deliver them in person to Lord Grantland.

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CHAPTER XX.
On his return to Savannah, Oglethorpe felt no little surprise and much gratification in not ing the difference on the "Bluff" between his first and second visit. A town of two hundred dwellings, some one and some two stories high, now occupied the place of the forest, which, unlike the "Birnam wood" in Macbeth, had moved back, not "come," two miles. Each house, on a lot sixty by ninety feet, was built in the center to prevent the spread of fire. Oglethorpe had planned this, being thoughtly in every detail for the welfare of his people.
Beyond the dwellings were the "Commons," to be used as parks and pleasure grounds when later the settlers should need them. These "Com mons" lay between the town and the farms given also to each settler. Here the first vegetables were just breaking the ground and some early fruit trees were budding.
Accompanied by Mr. Eyles he rode out to the plantations of five hundred acres each, granted to the independent settlers, on the shores of the beautiful Wilmington river. Near these were the twenty acres given to each servant. All these were being gradually cleared.
Besides these signs of prosperity and content ment, for only those who had idled away their

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time, found fault with everything, and blamed everyone except themselves, Oglethorpe was most pleased with the success of the Public Gar den east of the town on a gentle slope. With Dr. Houstoun as guide he was instructed by him in their names and uses, the doctor having been sent to the West Indies by Sir Hans Sloan to bring whatever tropical plants would suit the cli mate of Savannah.
"Here you see, General, I have planted them scientifically. This thick wood on the north pro tects them from the winter winds, besides pre serving the forest in its natural beauty. The varied shades of green of the ash, bay, hickory, pine, magnolia, sassafras and other trees form a beautiful background for the smaller ones."
"It certainly is a lovely picture," Oglethorpe said. Against this natural north wall, the white, and the pink blossoms of apple, peach, pear, plum, and quince mingled their fragrant odors. In the southeast of the garden were the olives, figs, grapevines, pomegranates, and many other fruits. In the sunniest spot of all were planted the tropical plants, coffee, palms and cotton.
The roads and walks were beautifully laid out, some bordered with the mulberry tree for tne later use of the private nurseries for the silk worm, and others lined with orange trees.
"Just such a garden shall I have for my dar ling, with a fine house in the center, and these undulating grounds will be changed into English meadows," thought Oglethorpe; but he only ejaculated, "Fine, fine!"
From the Garden they strolled toward the

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALE jT#
Bluff, where also the scene was greatly changed. Instead of a few Indian canoes or a traders boat from South Carolina on the river, he now saw several small crafts, "The James," one of the
trustees vessels, a ship crowded with passengers just arrived from Bristol, England, and some ships with merchandise ready to leave.
A graded road had been built from the top of the bluff to the waters edge, so that it was easy of access.
On the opposite island cattle grazed, and the settlers were supplied from these by the gen erosity of the trustees.
But if this pleased him, no less did the view toward the west meet his approval. Looking through his field glasses he saw between the tan gled vines and shrubs that bordered the river the little villages of Purysburg and Westbrook; also the tall house on the plantation of Sir Barthurst. To the southeast the river flowed past several forts manned with cannon, through estu aries until it reached the passage where lay the English shipping. Still further to the south east were the settlements at Highgate and Hamstead (at Thunderbolt) and the fort to protect these French and German gardeners from the sudden attacks of the Spaniards, more to be dreaded than the Indians. Near there was the lovely home on the Vernon river, built amid the five acres given Mr. William Stephens by Oglethorpe, and named "Bewlie," after the Manor of the Duke of Montague. It was here that less than a half century later DEstaing disembarked.
On his way to Bewlie the next day, where Mr.

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Stephens had invited him to a fish dinner, which, besides fish, would consist of crabs and shrimp, Oglethorpe stopped near Thunderbolt to look after some sheep which he had received from Charleston and had ordered to be kept shut within a large pen until they should have been accustomed to their surroundings. The pen was empty, and he rode on to Mr. OBryans cottage, some distance away, where he saw a few sheep bundled together in a small pen.
"Well! well! Dennis, and why are the sheep here," Oglethorpe exclaimed.
"Sure, your Excellency, but thim be the swine in shapes wool that the Lord allowed the demons to enter."
"Hardly, Dennis," laughed the Governor, "un less some of them could swim."
"My good wife, praise be to the Virgin! belaves in ivery word in the Bible, all about the little lambs that know their shepherds voice and follow him. In the old country, ye know, we let thim graze on the hillside, and they come back in the evinin. Mrs. OBryan, sez she, Let the poor things out, sure theyll not run into the woods.
" No, sez I, his Honor, sez he, Kape em in. But shed niver sed yes, when the good priest asked if shed obey, and sure she let em out."
"Did they run to the woods ?" e"mS."hure, your Honor, like the devil was after
"Thin Mrs. OBryan called, Lamie, lamie, lamie, but they put their noses down to the
ground and begun cropping the grass. Thin she

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called the gurl and tried to drive thim in the pen. But ivery time theyd come to the gate, theyd run past it. Thin the hired man came and they chased them round and round the pen. One old sheep would sometimes inter, followed by a few, and bless ye, before they could shut the gate out theyd come. With roses in her cheeks and fire in her eyes, Mrs. OBryan called to me, Come, Dennie, help git these beasts in. Together we at last got some of thim in, but many made for the forest. We tied the caught ones and brought thim here. We did no wurk the rest of the day; and now ye must not men tion the gentle little lambs to Mrs. OBryan; she wont hear of it. Ive told her its the climate that changed them, but she only says shell now take greater pleasure in roasting a lamb."
Oglethorpe laughed heartily at the incident, only telling Mr. OBryan to inclose a large tract of land where the remaining sheep might graze. Meeting Mrs. OBryan at the gate, he remarked, smiling, that he hoped she had enough wool for winter use from the unexpected shearing festival.
CHAPTER XXI.
Partly by persuasion, but most of all by threats, Lady Sutton had managed to get her son off on the next boat sailing for Charles Town, he having refused to go on the same voyage with Oglethorpe.
Arriving in Carolina be presented himself to

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the Governor, who in turn introduced him into the best society of the town. But Lord Button was tired of the round of gayety found in soci ety, and he only stayed there long enough to get certain information. Taking passage on a sloop laden with rice for St. Augustine, he soon made the authorities understand that he was there as their ally. From there he went to Savannah.
In the fall of 1736 three men met in Johnson square, and after noting the time on the sun dial, leisurely walked to the Bluff opposite to what is now Hutchinsbns island.
Looking at the cattle grazing there, Dr. Talfeur remarked, "There should be some blooded stock over there for racing, so that we could have some amusement. These religionists are going to ruin this colony with their sermons against all forms of amusements. Man needs some recreation, and there are no theaters, no anything except prayer meeting and church. There was a ball given at Mr. Andersons beau tiful home but two miles up the river, but the lectures against it will kill its pleasant memories."
"We neednt wait for blooded stock," replied Mr. Williamson, who had been Mr. Wesleys rival. "Plenty of material here for the sport. Egad! wont it disturb his divinity to have his congregation go to a horse race, and have their minds meditating on the best horse instead of being engaged in prayer. Bring your brown mare for a trial this afternoon, and I shall bring my sorrel. Well race from the Public Garden to Johnson square and back."
"Capital, capital," laughed the doctor, "and

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well have fun with the parson as well as the horse."
"Youll have to meet somewhere," said Mr. Causten, "to make up the bets. Here comes Tom Jenkins. He lives at the extreme end of St. Julian street. Well meet there after telling him our plans, and form a club."
Mr. Jenkins was duly informed and consented for them to make his home their headquarters.
"What shall you call it?" he inquired.
"Lets see," said Mr. Williamson. "I have it; call it The Isondaga Club. You all can remem ber that as you know it is the Indian name of the river. But pray dont let your heads get as muddy as it is or our plans will be choked."
At this joke they all laughed and promised a cask of rum to drink to it at their first meeting.
"Well, well meet to-night at half-past seven; that fellow Oglethorpe has not yet made a law against a few friends meeting occasionally, ha, ha, ha!" and linking his arm in that of Mr. Causten, the doctor walked with him to the com missary.
Thus a conspiracy was formed which delayed the success of the little colony, stirred up strife, and sowed the seeds for an abundant harvest of sedition in the near future.
The horse race was a success. Men left the fields and women their housework to witness it. Many who had no ready money mortgaged their crops to pay their bets. On Sunday knots of neighbors gathered around the planters from a distance to tell them of the race. The horses that run were poor looking creatures, but as it

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originated in spite of the material mattered not to the conspirators.
The Jenkins residence was a fine two-story house, and in one of the upper rooms ten men met on the following Wednesday evening. The meeting was opened by each drinking a glass of rum, smuggled in from Charles Town.
Dr. Talferon was made president, Mr. Williamson secretary, and Mr. Jenkins master of the horses.
"Gentlemen, I thank you for the honor of making me your president, and to show that this club means business we shall get to work at once. You already know that our rights as free Eng lishmen are being trampled upon. We are ex pected to live religiously, as do esthetics. We must have no rum by which to raise our spirits in this desolate land. No servants must we have unless we import them and pay high wages. We must do the work in the field, under a hot sun which only an African can stand, and our sons and daughters must wreck their frail health by work fit only for slaves to do. I, as a physician, condemn this practice. Let me now hear from some of the other members."
Rising, Mr. Williamson replied, "I agree with the doctor. We have complained to the Gov ernor, but he will not remove these strict laws. If we cannot get rid of the laws, we must rid ourselves of the Governor; if \fs cant change him, well exchange him."
"Mr. Jenkins," as that gentleman arose. "I move," said that gentleman, "that a committee of three be appointed to attend to the last men-

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tioned fact. It is rather dangerous to discuss it even among friends. Well leave it to their dis cretion and their own mode of work," and with a sinister smile, he sat down. At that moment a strong breeze blowing through the open window extinguished the candle. When it was relighted, three of the members, not officers, wore a patch of black cloth on their coats.
Rising, one of these asked, "Is there any one at Frederica who would assist this committee?"
"Yes," answered Mr. Blunnen, a German, who had been expelled from the Moravian community for bad conduct. "There is Lawley; he is very angry at the Governors catching him in a lie which reflected on Charles Wesley. I think he is ripe for it."
"Any one in St. Augustine or Havana ?" asked another of this committee.
"There is a Spaniard at Cowford (Jackson ville) named Pedro Dunneo. His wife used to live at Skidaway. She came over from Ireland as a servant to Mrs. Jones. For some reason the Governor would not allow her the twenty acres promised to servants. This, with her hatred for the teachings of the Wesleys, will be sufficient to bind her to us. Well give her a hundred acres if we succeed."
"Ill take charge of these and the St. Augustine work. Perhaps Ill take Lawley with me," said Archie Grant, who was the third committee man. "Before I go, the committee can meet me at the deserted Spanish fort, just at the end of the isl and, a mile from Mr. Noble Jones home. I have made the interior quite habitable, leaving the

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exterior in its present bad state. That is only apparently so, however, as the interior is strongly fortified and supplied with guns, ammunition and provisions."
It will be remembered that Sir Archibald Grants grudge against Oglethorpe dated from his speech in Parliament in reference to the fraudulent transaction in which his father was convicted in the appeal of "The Charitable Cor poration of London." All his property had been
taken away, and he was not allowed to leave the country. His son, however, was given permis sion to go through the influence of his mother. He was sent to America in hopes of retrieving the family fortune. He had started a mercantile business in Charleston, moved in the best society on account of his title. Lately he had bought an acre of ground surrounding the old fort at Skidaway.
His face wreathed in smiles, the President now arose, saying, "I think we all understand
each other, but we must each constitute himself a committee to assist in getting rum (here each glass was raised) and slaves into the colony, and to do all in our power to make the law-abiding people discontented with their lot, even if it is a five-hundred-acre one."
"Capt. Cooke," as a stolid-faced Englishman arose. "Gentlemen, with your permission, I shall continue my work in London, already begun, in having the Governor disgraced in the eyes of the trustees and have him recalled. The Spaniards have already petitioned King George to have him
removed."

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After more rum had been drunk to the success of all the undertakings, these dastardly con spirators against the life and honor of one of the greatest of men in modern history, bade each other good-night, and went to their homes.
The next day Sir Archibald started for Charles Town. Here, with Lord Will Campbell, he vis ited several shops that sold ammunition. It was stored for the day at a restaurant on South Bay, kept by Diego Salvano, who also furnished beds for travelers. A sloop on its way to Florida car ried not only Sir Grant, but the ammunition.
TO SIR JERKYLL.
"Frederica, Ga., Feb. i, 1736. "Sir Joseph Jerkyll.
"Dear Sir: "We are still harassed by the Spaniard, our people here holding the sword in one hand while they plow with the other. If only Savannah was as industrious as Frederica! "Mr. Boardley has arrived with the horses. I think 5 was sufficient for bringing them over. "I suppose you have received the Carolina Gazette containing the last Spanish encounter, although I must tell you not to believe all you read in it. "The Saltzburgers are still persevering in the silk culture, but the people in Savannah do lit tle at it. "Do not send any more workmen by way of Charles Town but directly to Tybee. The rea son is they make them drunk and keep them from coming here.

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"Send no more charity people as we cannot support them. We are in great need of money. I shall be willing to assist the trustees by pay ing the expenses of the colony for the ensuing year. Payments are in arrears now. I send you some bills which had to be made, but some of them, incurred by Mr. Causten, for which I see no reason. He says the people were compelled to have what he bought. I intend looking closely into his affairs and if not correct shall give Mr. Habersham his place, unless Mr. Jones will take charge of the books.
"I must mention the constructor Sumner, who is one of the best workmen I know. It is he who built the Light Home at Tybee in ten months.
"Rev. McLeod has been busy lately uniting happy hearts, some of our Highland soldiers hav ing decided that a cottage is better than the barracks and so have persuaded the bonnie Scotch lassie to desert her Mistress and take care of her own home. We are glad of it, as it will insure their remaining here against the raids of the Spaniards.
"At Frederica we have built a substantial three-story building of sawn timber, 20 by 60 feet. The two lower stories will be for books and provisions, the upper will be fitted up as a chapel.
"I am, "Sir, "With great respect "Your humble servant,
"JAMES OGLETHORPE."

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"The trustees have been called upon to assist for a short time Philip Courtney, who had a fine shop, but on account of the continued illness of his wife Anne and himself, he has had to close it.
"Tell Sir Vernon that his son is doing well and I am proud of him."
CHAPTER XXII.
On Abcrcorn street, named after the Earl of Abercorn, in a new two-story home, sat Wesley one spring morning. The rooms were large, twenty-four by sixteen. It was built of sawed timber with feather-edged boards and shingled roof, and was plastered and painted. This was considered a fine home in Savannah in 1737.
Up the steps came a young man, across the long piazza to its corner, where sat the young missionary, reading "The Meditations." The visitor seemed much troubled and Mr. Wesley inquired if his soul was in danger. "No," he stammered, "Phoebe West and Paul Gordon went over to Charles Town to be married be cause they do not have to publish the banns there as you insist on doing."
"It is your heart then, not your soul, that troubles you; but I am only following the Eng lish law," interrupted Wesley, "and it is for the protection of the woman. You are too young to have read perhaps all the atrocities that are prac ticed by the Fleet street parsons, though per-

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haps you may have heard something about them."
"Yes, sir, we want to obey both the law of God and man. You know they have been pun ished already. The little house they built on Drayton street was burned down yesterday, and it is the judgment of the Lord for their disobedi ence. Jane Parker and I want to be married at once, as her father died yesterday and she has no home. We could get married to-day and go to housekeeping were it not for the banns."
Mr. Wesley thought for a few minutes, then said, "Mr. Canon, I shall consult the Oracle of God." Opening the Bible which lay on the bench near him, he closed his eyes and prayed for a few minutes, then read aloud, " 'Judge not lest ye be judged. You get your license from Recorder Jones and I shall marry you and Miss Parker this morning. Next week I shall go over to Charles Town and consult with Mr. Garden, the Bishops commissary, and have these irregu lar marriages stopped."
"The Recorder is at his plantation at Wormsloc; Bailiff Symes told Mr. Gordon so last night. I have itl" he exclaimed after a moments thought. Well borrow Mr. Coles large wagon and Miss Janes family and we two can ride to Skidaway and be married at Wormsloe. Mrs. Jones will be glad to have us, I know. Well have a May day festival like old England."
This he did, and the day ended happily because justice had guided the hand of the law.
The following Sunday Wesley spent in Charles
Town. He found Mr. Garden of the same opin-

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ion as himself in regard to any marriage with out license or banns, and was promised all assist ance possible.
Mr. Wesley preached at St. Pauls church to a large congregation on practical religion, con tending that a man must not lie, cheat his neigh bor, nor drink, nor make others drink in order to take advantage of him. That men professing religion did this. That what were called venial sins were not such, but were as unforgivable as murder or theft.
"Well, Mr. Wesley," remarked Mr. Ashley, "your stand for religion is well taken; but if this be Christianity, a Christian must have more courage than Alexander the Great."
"Although I believe in this as the only true religion I never speak of it," said the LieutenantGovernor, who was driving Wesley to his home on a hill where he had a plantation of rice and corn,, and an orchard of fine fruit.
"I used to do so, but people are offended if one even hints that they might be more religious if they were more moral in the small affairs of every day life. I speak of the members of the church and not those outside.
"You have a fine church here, holds 4,000, I am told, built of brick and plastered also, and it appears to be better constructed than you say the congregation is. Sad, sad, and God dwelleth in the temple not made with hands. But what can we do but hope and pray?" and Wes ley sighed.

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CHAPTER XXIII. Oglethorpe had been much perplexed by the discord in the settlement at Savannah. He had been in Darien and the vicinity for some time, called there by the complaints of the Indians. Several South Carolina planters had placed their cattle on St. Catherines Island and sent negroes there ostensibly to tend these cattle, but in real ity to hire them to any Georgian who wished to run the risk of being found disobeying the laws of slavery in that province. The Indians, in their treaty with Oglethorpe, had reserved this island for their own hunting ground, and wanted these negroes and cattle removed. To this the Georgians themselves objected, as they wanted both negroes and rum to be sold to the settlers, and never let an opportunity pass to endeavor to rid themselves of Oglethorpe, who was the originator of this wise precaution. After nearly two hundred years of these two evils, Georgia has had to adopt piratical meas ures against these two evils as aids to a better condition of morals after all, showing with what a clear mind, a far-seeing and far-reaching prob lem Oglethorpe had already settled. To what greater progress and high intellectu ality she might have attained, had Georgia kept to these wise provisions of her founder!

THE HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALE Ifff
The Governor was sitting in his little cottage at Frederica, the only land he ever claimed as a home in Georgia, dictating to Charles Wesley a letter to be sent to the owners of the negroes and cattle in South Carolina, telling them to remove them at once, and failing to do so the
law would be enforced. He also sent a letter telling Captain McGrath, a man of forceful char acter, to take his rangers to Cumberland island and arrest the trespassers.
His thoughts now turned to the other wishes of Tomo Chi Chi, who was anxious to show him the boundaries which separated Florida from Georgia, and the land which the Creeks had granted Great Britain. The old chief, with a number of Indians, had come from Savannah the day previous.
The clatter of horses hoofs interrupted his thoughts, and looking through the window he saw a young Highlander dismounting. Beckon ing him to come in, Oglethorpe went out on the piazza to meet him. Doffing his cap, he saluted the Governor, saying, "Your Excellency, my name is McHugh, Donald McHugh; my father follows the Duke of Argyll."
"Oh, I remember you well," interrupted Ogle thorpe, extending his hand. "You are the one that was honored with a wreath of yellow jessa mines. Has she also crowned you King of her heart?" he added, smiling.
At this sally the fair face of the Scotchman flushed, while a most serious expression over spread his face.
"That is just the reason that I have come to

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your Excellency. I do not know the laws ol Georgia or those of the Indians in regard to the contraction of a marriage between the white peo ple and these Indians. Have you time to listen, to my story? I shall be brief as possible."
"Certainly," answered Oglethorpe, "I always have time to listen to the joys and sorrows of my people; that is why I am here. But before you begin you must refresh yourself," and call ing to his servant, he had him bring out a small table and set upon it freshly boiled crabs, bread and home-brewed beer. While doing full justice to these refreshments, he informed Oglethorpe that the road from Savannah to Darien was in fine condition.
"I have ascertained," began the young soldier, "that Minne Chi Chi lost her parents in a raid the Spaniards made on the colony at Charles Town some twelve years ago. She was adopted by Mrs. Michael Logan, but after attaining wom anhood, she pined for her native woods and ways of living, and came to Yamacraw to live with her mothers tribe, the Uchees; Umphichi is her uncle. She knows enough English to speak and read simple words. Her uncles family went with him when he was helping to make the road to Darien, and I was assigned as overseer. We met frequently, but not in the sight of others. This is what I want your Excellency to do for me: Put in writing your consent to our marriage, and we shall get Mr. McCleod to perform the ceremony next Sunday. Her fam ily does not care to trust her to a white man, and, of course, my family is much opposed to it.

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having other plans for me, but with your con sent, we think we can manage it."
"You shall have it at once," and entering the room he soon returned with an official paper containing his consent and signed by him.
"Thank you, Governor; my heartful thanks are all I have to offer you, but should you need me, you will find me ready to follow you in any dangerous undertaking."
"Even after this is consummated," laughed Oglethorpe, touching the document he had just given him.
"Yes, your Excellency, my country first." Shaking his hand heartily, he watched him mount and ride oif. For a few minutes the Governor gazed at the fast-disappearing rider, his thoughts quickly spanning the distance to England and resting in the "Hall" at Cranham. Would that he could have obtained as easily his hearts desire! But good deeds, unselfishness, work in the right direction, and thoughtful prep aration are inadequate to avert the malevolent designs of some, and the ignorant neglect of others. But the stern needs of the present duties must not be obscured by the lovely vision conjured up by the visit of the romantic Highlander, and with a deep sigh he re-entered the room and was soon again dictating to his secretary. Tomo Chi Chi desired Oglethorpe to visit the boundary at once. "I do not want to leave these new settlers at St. Simon so soon," said Oglethorpe.

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"Then we hunt buffalo till you ready," replied the Mico.
Oglethorpe translated this to mean, "We shall annoy the Spaniards, draw them away from their forts and have our revenge for their killing wan tonly our men."
Major Richard and Mr. Dempsey had gone to Florida to carry some letters to the Spanish gov ernor at St. Augustine, containing negotiations from England. The time given them to return had elapsed, and fearing treachery, Oglethorpe decided he would accede to the old chiefs wishes and at the same time send to inquire about the detention of these men.
With forty Indians and accompanied by Tomo Chi Chi, Mr. Tanner and Major Horton, Oglethorpe set out for Jeckyll Island through the sound. Before leaving Frederica, he had hurried the work of defence and put Capt. Hennsdorf in command.
It was a cool night on March 18, 1736, and fires were kindled to give both light and warmth on the beach. Leaving the island early in the morning, another days journey brought them to "Wissoo," meaning Sassafras.
Standing on the beach Toranahowi, the chiefs nephew, drew from his shirt his watch, and hold ing it by its chain, said, "His royal highness gave me while in London this instrument, which tells us how time passes, but I shall give him this island, which no watch can time its going, and name it Cumberland, in honor of the young Duke whose kindness we shall never forget."
On the western border of this island Ogle-

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 161
thorpe marked out a site for a fort to be named
after Scotlands patron, Saint Andrew.
"Capt. McKay, I shall leave some of the Highlanders and Indians, and under your super vision they can build the fort before our return."
Oglethorpe again embarked, sailing through narrow passages by shoal and marshes until they came to a most beautiful island, which he named "Amelia," in honor of the English princess. Passing another island, which he named St. George, they soon reached a rocky height covered with cedar and bay.
This they ascended, and pointing to the St. Johns river, now open to their view, Tomo Chi Chi said, "On this side we hunt, on the other the Spaniards, and this is the boundary."
The Governor had dispatched Mr. Horton to the Spanish Governor to learn why Mr. Dempsey and Major Richards had not been allowed to return. They had noticed a hut across the river, but Mr. Horton signaled back that it had been used by the Spaniards as a fort but was now deserted.
Fatigued but undaunted, Oglethorpe wrapped himself in his cloak and laid down near the wat ers edge. But he could not sleep, and rising he walked around to see that all was safe.
It was a beautiful starlight night, and the moon, just rising, cast a most exquisite tracery of branch and vine. The misty night air bad brought out the odor of the wild apple blossoms, and its spicy essence mingled with the pine and myrtle. Before him stretched the white beach,
which the rising tide lazily lapped. He bad just

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turned to gather a fine bunch of waxen flowers from a palmetto tree, when hark! was that an oar splashing in the water? A canoe came in sight and from it sprang Umpichy, his face painted and his head adorned with feathers. An swering the sentrys challenge, he ran to Oglethorpe, saying, "Enemies near, they have fires, big fires, so their number must be great. Tomo Chi Chi cant leave, he must kill them"; and the three Indians who had come with Umpichy, on hearing this, in a rage, foamed at the thought that they might be denied the honor of reveng ing themselves on their foes.
Oglethorpe quickly summoned his men, and after rowing steadily for four miles, found Tomo Chi Chi and his followers around a small fire behind some bushes, so that they might not be seen by the enemy.
"We must kill them to-night," the Mico in sisted, "or they will kill us in the morning."
After some persuasion, Oglethorpe prevailed on them to wait. In the morning, much to the Indians discomfiture, a boat bearing a flag of truce arrived, in which were their supposed ene mies. Major Richards and Mr. Dempsey just returned, after many mishaps, from the confer ence with the Spanish Governor.
The next day they returned to St. Georges island, where they constructed a fort. Here they found Mr. Horton, who informed Oglethorpe that the Governor of Florida would send two officers for a friendly conference.
"I know what that means," said the General, "and shall make preparations accordingly. Hor-

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ton, I shall give you orders to Capt. Gascoigne to entertain these Spanish officers on board the Hawk, so that they may not see our weak points at St. Simons. Ensign Eyles, send this by our swiftest Indian runners to Savannah. It is to have Capt. Eliot sent to Charles Town to hurry the boat and soldiers promised me, and come direct to St. Simons," and quickly writing a note, it was soon flying across the island, then in a canoe, and again on land carried by the bronze Mercury, who rivaled the fabled god in swiftness.
Oglethorpe felt that this was the beginning of Spanish treachery. On May the second he had seen lights across the St. Johns, but he allowed no exposure of the soldiers, and by unceasing watchfulness he frustrated their design. For three days he worked with his own hands strengthening the fortifications at St. George. This finished, he left for Jeckyll island, and while going there passed the launch containing Don Pedro de Lamberto, Colonel of the Horse; Don Manuel DArcy, secretary to the Governor, Mr. Dempsey, Mr. Horton, Major Richards and Capt. McKay. Signalling to Capt. McKay not to salute him, and to keep the Spaniards from landing by telling them that the island was full of hostile Indians and they must stay aboard the "Hawk," Oglethorpe hastened on.
On Jeckyll island Tomo Chi Chi and his fol lowers were awaiting Oglethorpes return, and assisted in the preparations. Four large tents were erected. Two were lined with handsome chintz, and the other two were Marchionese deco-

IG.'t THE HEIRESS OF CRANTIAM HALL
rated with silk and lace, as the Spaniards were known to be as fond of display as the proverbial woman.
The handsomest soldiers of the Highland clans came from Darien to enliven the scene with their bright plaids. The only horses in the settlement, seven in number, were mounted with the finest looking men in the colony. On board the "Hawk" the visitors viewed the scene with sur prise, which was increased when Capt. Gascoigne conveyed them in small boats to the shore. They were conducted to the tents, where they were dazzled by the luxuries they saw, not sup posing such things would be found in the wild woods.
To impress them still further. Oglethorpe en tertained thjin with a dinner the next day on board the "Hawk." The health of the King of England and King of Spain were drunk amid the firing of gunus from Pert Delegal, St. An drews, Darien and Frederica. These Oglethorpe had arranged so as to make them believe that he possessed a large number of cannon.
Knowing that he must make as great a dis play as possible, sailors with cutlasses guarded the cabin door through which the Spanish offi cers passed. The Highlanders lined each side of the deck. These, together with the mounted sol diers on land and the Indians standing at the edge of the forest in sight of the boat, detracted somewhat from the Spaniards apparent pleasure of the feast. Occasionally rowing back and forth
was the periagua of 35 tons, with sails ready

THE HANUSUMET SU1.UIEKS OK THE HlUHLANU CLANS CH.ME TO ENUVCN THB SCENE.
At1 iltirtsso/Cyaattain ////, Facirtf Pagt jtoj.)

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to unfurl. Having no deck, the men kept a look out from forecastle and cabin.
"No wonder," Dom Pedro remarked in a whis per to the Spanish secretary, "that Don Ignatius hastened home last week."
To add to their consternation, a large number of Indians, painted and in war array, came on board and demanded a hearing.
"What is your complaint?" asked Dom Pedro. "In times of peace," answered Hylleshilla, a chief, "you have killed our people, who were only hunting on their own land. The Florida Indians helped you and you must put Pehoia to death. This horrible massacre cannot be told." "The Governor was absent and knew nothing of this," replied Dom Pedro, "but we promise you satisfaction." "All right, if you keep to your promise," re plied the Indian, "but if not we shall have our revenge." Turning to Oglethorpe Don Manuel said, "His Excellency the Governor of Florida desires to know by what right you now occupy St. Si mons." "By the authority of King George of Eng land, to whom it was given by the original pos sessor, the Indians. By the peace of Utrecht all lands belonging to the allies of Great Britain belong to the King of England." "How do you know the extent of that claim?" "The island was never occupied by any par ticular country. It had been a rendezvous for pirates and a shelter for Indians, and the Creek Indians have always hunted there. It would be

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very convenient if we each could have a regular garrison there in sight of one another."
Dom Pedros mustache almost met his eye lashes as he replied, "Your Excellency, I would prefer the Spanish Garrison near Charles Town."
"Rather too many steps for our Indian allies to take," Oglethorpe replied pleasantly.
With their usual duplicity the Spanish officers declared their perfect willingness to live on friendly terms with the settlers, and that they had only killed some of the Indians because they first attacked the Spaniards. That the Governor himself would have conferred with Oglethorpe, only that important business had called him to Havana.
"Allow the giving to your garrison of a roast ox on the morrow," said Dom Pedro, "and to your Excellency these packages of snuff, and boxes of chocolate," and he handed Oglethorpe six boxes set with jewels, containing the finest of confection. Fit only for a ladys boudoir, thought Oglethorpe, as for a moment his eyes rested on the beautiful gift and its effeminacy. It should be sent to Bess, he decided. The pack ages of snuff he gave to his officers.
Thanking him, Oglethorpe said, "I have or dered sent to your vessels fresh butter, wine, beer, fresh meat, and poultry, which I trust you will enjoy on your voyage back to St. Augus tine."
With many compliments, the health of both royal families was drunk, and the Spaniards took their departure, but Oglethorpe knew that it was not adieu but am revoir.

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Oglethorpe had much difficulty in restraining the Indians from following them and killing them, but finally, through Tomo Chi Chi, they were persuaded to wait. Indians were dis patched to tell the Creek hunters not to attack the Spaniards until a conference could be held and justice done them. But they could keep a strict watch and not allow any Spaniards on the mainland, and could send warriors from Yamacraw.
So rejoiced were the Indians over the safety of Oglethorpe and the power he possessed over the Spaniards, that comforted with the thought of a later encounter with the enemy they ex pressed their feelings in a war dance, and the next day returned to Savannah. Oglethorpe went back to Frederica and from there wrote an account of the war dance to Sir Jerkyll:
"Frederica, St. Simons, Apr. 28, 1736. "My Dear Sir Jerkyll:
"A few days ago I witnessed an Indian war dance, and supposing it would interest you, I send the following account:
"The Indians form a ring, within which sit four men who beat little drums made of kettles covered with skin. Around these four they dance, decorated with undressed skins of beasts, and various trinkets around their waists, feath ers in their hair, and faces painted. One hand held a rattle, the other eagle feathers made up like the Caducens of Mercury. Then they shook as they made high bounds and assumed postures that made them look like Satyrs. A chief would

168 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE sing a song of his own deeds and show how he had vanquished his enemies; the others would give a great shout, showing that they knew it to be true, and then they joined in the chorus.
"After seeing one of these war dances one prefers to be on friendly terms, if possible, with the natives."
CHAPTER XXIV.
Oglethorpe wrote to Sir Hans Sloan in ref erence to the colony, saying, among other things: "I have been troubled very much with the missionary work here, not only among the Indians, but among the settlers. The Wesleys are too inexperienced in human nature to be mis sionaries. Although John will not abate one par ticle of his authority as a minister, yet teaches the people to resist the authority of the magis trates and openly denounces it in Court. He thus excites the passions of the people, and the magistrates fear for their lives. Some of them, speak of leaving.
"On the other hand, I know that the people are not complying with the laws as regards rum and negroes.
"Intoxicated with rum, they refuse to work and are indifferent to all improvements. They want the negroes, as it costs but little to keep them, and they themselves can be idle, having time to stupefy themselves with liquor or discuss the hardships of a colonist with their neighbor.

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Gossip predominates, and scandals are too fre quent for such a small community.
"Nothing can be said against the piety and zeal of these brothers, but they think, especially John, that they are in possession of all the facts of religion, and although far from thinking themselves perfect, these ideas give them an air of self-sufficiency and arrogance.
"Tomo Chi Chi and many other Indians attend church, but Wesley has never made any attempt to learn their language, and his own is so mys tical that no interpreter can translate it, nor do his English hearers comprehend him.
"What between the treachery of the Spaniards and their Indian allies, and the indifference of Carolina, my mind is greatly troubled. Add to these the jealousies of our own people, and I fear the conspiracies also, you will not be sur prised to hear that I think perhaps I am not the man to have undertaken such a charge. How ever, my health is good, and if they do not kill me, I intend to see this colony free from the Spaniards and on its way to future prosperity."
For the trustees he dictated a letter to Charles Wesley:
"Frederica, May i, 1736.
"Gentlemen:
"The colony of Highlanders who settled at Darien are doing well, and New Inverness is growing. Also those, and the Moravians who came in spite of the tales told them, to whom I gave the land on St Simons.

110 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"I have named the principal place Frederic-a, where I shall have my headquarters.
"The town is laid out with a circumference of one and a half miles. The streets are named after my officers. The Campus is north of the town, and the Parade on the east. On the south I have left the forest so as to screen the town from the Spanish enemy. On the west side, where the river runs through to Jerkyll, is land. I have dug a deep intrenchment, which admits the tide but protects the town. The tents of pal metto leaves for the settlers are being replaced with houses of brick or tabby. Our fort is strongly built of palmetto logs and tabby. The town is on a high bluff on the west side of the Altamaha river, which reaches the ocean through Jerkyll sound. Crossing the island toward the east, we view the Atlantic. We are not yet strong enough to protect this sea coast.
"Further to the south on Cumberland, I have built a fort, St. Andrews; also one at St. George. In company with the Indians I crossed the St. Johns, but found nothing but an old hut.
"What we need is more soldiers and boats. Carolina promises help, but it comes late and even then thinks it has been needlessly sent.
"I have explained to the people at Frederica the reason the Spaniards visited us a few days ago. They complained that the Creeks had de feated their men and begged us to restrain them. But I did not tell them that the Spaniards are purchasing arms in Charles Town, and intend, with the help of the Florida Yemasees, being
joined no doubt by Spanish sympathizers among

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 17*
the French, the Carolinians, and the negroes, to drive the English out of Georgia.
"As soon as I have finished the fortifications here and fitted out the boats to the best of our resources, I shall attend to some important mat ters in Savannah, and then leave for England to lay before the government the needs of the colony.
"Here at St. Simons must be fought the bat tles to decide to whom America shall belong to the Latins or the English.
"Your humble and "Obedient servant, "JAMES OGLETHORPE."
On October 3, 1739, the Magistrates in their robes of office assembled at the Court House in Savannah, Oglethorpe presiding, and solemnly declared war against the Spaniards. From the fort cannons boomed, and the guns of the free holders were heard.
Oglethorpe had called together all the men in the town and found that they numbered 200. Not wishing to dismiss them at once he set them to work to clean up the Commons, which was overgrown with weeds and bushes and was a menace to health.
It was found that no faith could be placed in the word of the Spaniards, and that the negro insurrection had been induced by them.
Having seen that the people were in readi ness should they be attacked in Savannah, Ogle thorpe returned to Frederica, accompanied by Mr. Noble Jones and thirty rangers.

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He now made all preparations to shut up the Spaniards in Florida. Although foiled in their attempt to capture America through the failure of the negro uprising in Carolina, they were still active.
CHAPTER XXV.
"What is this I hear, Charles," said Oglethorpe a few days after his return to Frederica. "You caused the doctor to be imprisoned for shooting on Sunday, and, in consequence, Mrs. Cuthberts infant died for want of his services."
"I did not order his arrest," said Wesley. "Capt. Hennsdorf, being a foreigner, misunder stood me, and I did not know it until too late."
"The result is the same. You are the cause of this mutiny among the colonists, which has arisen while I was away."
"It is the work of Mrs. Blunderburg," replied Wesley. "Having relatives on the Continent, she is supplied with all the beautiful clothes and fine furniture she wants. She entertains the offi cers at her home and her social success has aroused the hatred of the other women in the colony. Scandal is rife, as you yourself will find to your cost. I have endeavored to reconcile these people, and hence their enmity."
"And so you have been trying to allay the jealousies of women, a harder task than talcing a city. You are hated for it and all want to bp

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rid of you for meddling." Saying this, Oglethorpe left in an angry mood.
Charles Wesley had brought nothing with him but his clothes and a few books, and had used any article of Oglethorpes that he needed. On asking the housekeeper for the Governors writ ing case, she replied, "I cannot, sir; he does not want it taken from his writing table."
"But I am his secretary and no such rules apply to me."
"Yes, they do, sir; he called you by name." Charles felt the disgrace of this, but he had noticed that for several days past the people had been insolent toward him, having discovered that he was out of favor with Oglethorpe. "I cannot longer stay beneath this roof," he murmured, and looking around the town he found a deserted palmetto hut. It had no floor, and going to one of the townsmen he asked for some boards on which he could lie down. These were denied him. Having nothing to do he lay on the damp ground, which brought on fever. His troubles had already caused him to lose his appetite, which left him in a weak condition, an easy prey to sickness. On leaving Oglethorpes cottage, Wesley had torn a leaf from his own pocket bible and sent a note to his brother John in Savannah, saying that he intended starving rather than beg. The next week found John at the sideof his brother Charles. His fever was high, and he refused to take food. "I intend to die," he mur mured.

J7j THE HEIRESS OF CBAXHAM HALL
John dissuaded him from such thoughts and remained several weeks, nursing him. He had a private talk with Oglethorpe about the scandal which Charles had ignorantly started, and his mind was filled with the injustice of the Gov ernors treatment of his brother.
While at Frederica, John Wesley labored to bring the people to an understanding of their duty to God. "But," he told Oglethorpe, "their mistaken duty to man conflicts with such an idea, and they have worked as diligently to pre vent my succeeding as if I were prea:hing the religion of Confucious instead of Christ Why, the Jews are nearer the mind of Christ than these so-called Christians. There are a few here who believe in doing right, but they are afraid to come out and say so, for fear they will dis please their neighbors and thereby lose business.
"I spoke to Mr. Bailey about starting a Bible Study class -and that I would assist them by let ter, and also come down once a month and preach to them. But he said it was of no use; that he never spoke to any one on religious mat ters, because they cared nothing about it. All they wanted was freedom to do as they felt, whether it was for or against the community. Oh! that the Lord would send down the Holy Spirit into their midst as at Pentecost."
Having seen that his brother was fast regain ing his strength and had supplies to last him some days, John set out on his return to Savan nah, stopping at Skidaway as he went Here he started a small society which were to meet every Wednesday and Friday, and go to service in Sa-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE 175
vannah on Sunday. He baptized several con verts in the Vernon river, and at night celebrated the Lords Supper.
In the meantime Ogiethorpe had received through Mr. Dempsey a communication from the Spanish Governor at St. Augustine, saying- that the Indians had attacked the Spaniards at Picolata, and he supposed it had been done under the advice of the English. From this message and also from the purchase of ammunition in Charles Town, Ogiethorpe surmised that an at tack would soon be made on the little colony. This accusation would be the reason set forth.
He determined to find out what they intended doing and what was their strength. He first sent for the Independent company of soldiers from Charles Town that had been promised him, and to Savannah for the sloop of war "Hawk." Fearing that it would not arrive in time he fitted out a large periagua with twenty oars and two swivel guns. This, with a marine boat, he placed on the St. Johns river to prevent the hostile Creeks from attacking them. Scout boats cruised between the estuaries to prevent the Spaniards from approaching.
At the east end of St. Simons he had placed the company under command of Ensign Delegal. Having sent out Indian scouts, he himself pre pared to go to St. Augustine at midnight. Just before he left Charles Wesley begged to see him. Ogiethorpe readily granted his request, saying kindly as he grasped his hand, "Mr. Wesley, I have tried to convince your brother John that
bis suspicions of me are unfounded, but be still

lie THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
thinks I am an irreligious, immoral man. It does not matter. The only reason why I am saying this to you is because I do not expect to return front this expedition alive. Several things have oc curred to make me think so. In the first place, in getting ready to-night, my servant brought me my fathers mourning sword instead of my sword of war. Then, also, Capt. Gascoigne, to whom I gave so much, has deserted the service and gone to his plantation. Besides, South Carolina has not kept her promise to help, and I have enemies everywhere. Even our English and Indian allies have been lured away by the Spaniards. Life is nothing to me, however. What once made it sweet to live is ho longer mine, but I cannot explain that. Take this diamond ring as a me mento of me."
"Sir," replied Wesley, "I shall never have use for such a worldly trinket. I also am innocent of the crimes imputed to me and shall now con fess to you as one going to his death."
After an hours close conversation Oglethorpe embraced Wesley, saying, "All my former con fidence and kindly feeling toward you have re turned. I now understand all."
"You are then satisfied as to my loyalty to you, and now I care not also how soon I may enter the Heavenly Kingdom. I pray, sir, that God may protect you and bring you back safe to us, if it be his will."
They again embraced and kissed each other. Charles accompanied him to the scout boat and watched it until it was lost in the early morning mist of the river.

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Creeping through the creeks, past Jerkyll isl and, Cumberland, on to St. Georges Fort, the boats at last arrived near the Spanish lines, but there were no signs that the enemy intended an attack. Surprise gave way to indignation when his scouts brought in two Catholic prisoners, one the ringleader in a band of spies, named Shan non, and another a Spaniard. These had pre tended that they had been taken prisoners by the Spaniards and had escaped. Fearing that they had conveyed the news of Oglethorpes in tended attack, as they had been seen in Charles Town, the officers wanted them shot, but Oglethorpe only had them whipped and turned out the regiment into which they had at first been enlisted.
Col. Palmer and Col. Vanderdussen, from South Carolina, arrived, and reported Her Maj estys ships near, commanded by Commodore Pease. When the time for attack came the com modore was prevented by a tornado from joining the attack. Several Indians were taken prisoner, and the Governor of St. Augustine sent word that he intended burning them.
Several Spanish officers in a boat had been taken by the English.
"Tell his Excellency," Oglethorpe said, "that I also have prisoners, officers of his, and for every Indian burned, an officer will be shot."
The Spaniards could illy spare their officers as they had to be sent from Spain, and thus the Indians were spared, and exchanged.
Spies and assassins were in the camp of Ogle thorpe. A cannon near where he was standing

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burst and he was knocked down. The soldiers mutinied and three times he was shot at during his rounds at night, the powder scorching his face.
"Well, Lieutenant, what news?" asked the Commander-in-Chief of His Majestys forces in Georgia and Carolina, which commission the King had given Oglethorpe.
"Nothing but bad news, Colonel," answered Lieut.-Col. Cochrane; "many of the soldiers from Carolina are ill, and Col. Bull has deserted us with his army."
"Call Capt. McKay," was all Oglethorpe an swered.
Mustering all the soldiers, Indians, and boats available, Col. Oglethorpe tried to tempt the Spaniards from their fort, but they, not knowing the desertion of the Carolina soldiers and ships, feared to venture. Thus, although he did not succeed in taking St. Augustine, Oglethorpe re treated with "flying colors."
On his return Oglethorpe encountered a storm and landed on Jerkyll island. Here they found footprints and the remains of a fire.
News had reached Frederica that Oglethorpe had been killed, and when the inhabitants and Indians saw him return alive their joy knew no bounds. Charles Wesley, on meeting Oglethorpe alone, said, "Colonel, no one rejoices more than I to see you again. Here is the ring, and I thank God that he has preserved you."
"The thought that I had been unkind to you was very bitter to me," said Oglethorpe, embrac ing him, "and your request to return to England

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 173
is granted. There I hope you will find a good wife, as I am told marriage is the happier state."
The next day Charles Wesley left for Savan nah, and after spending several days with his brother John, left for Charles Town, taking the first vessel sailing1 for England, glad to be out of a country so beset with perils.
CHAPTER XXVI.
How beautiful the forest! the air filled with the scent of pine and myrtle. Rabbits and squir rels ran across the path. Birds whistled and chirped from every tree. A covey of partridges startled the air. Oglethorpe and John Wesley had crossed a little stream over which a fallen pine had been placed (it ran through Forsyth Park, where now is only a depression), when they encountered Tomo Chi Chi. He carried a basket filled with fragrant sassafras, together with other flowers, and some roots of plants.
"Sit here," he said, pointing to some stumps of trees, "and tell me about the One above. We Indians never talk to any one about religion except to those who are reverent."
Oglethorpe translated as best he could the questions and answers. But with his natural elo quence and his gestures, the old chief often made himself understood, which was more than Wes ley could do.
"What name have you for God?" Wesley asked.

180 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALt
The Mico shook his head and pointed toward the sky.
Oglethorpe explained to Wesley that the In dian considered the name of the Supreme Being too holy to be spoken. He also remarked that the Yamacraw tribe had no obscene words in their language. Except what they heard the English colonists use, none was in their conversa tion.
"I watch people you preach to; they dont lis ten, dont care, next day make Indians drunk so they can better cheat them. Indians dont know weights. Sell rum, make Indian sick. They no follow Christs teachings. Pooh!"
"But you yourself are prepared to become a Christian; why not be baptized now and join the church?" said Wesley.
"Me be Christian?" said the old Indian vehe mently, not needing Oglethorpe to help him speak. "Me no Christian. Christian at Savan nah lie and cheat. Christian at Frederica lie and cheat. Ump! Me no Christian," and pick ing up his basket, he started up Bull street. Wesley, who boarded at Mrs. Musgroves, near Tomo Chi Chis home, rose and hastened after the old man, but not again would the latter speak.
Left alone, Oglethorpe set out for Skidaway.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Living near the Moravians was a Scotchman, John Brodie, who started the settlement at Aber-

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 181
corn. He, with his family, attended their meet ings and the children went to the same school house, "Irene," so that when the Savannah set tlers began their persecution of the Moravians, he came in for his share. He was a lum ber inspector, but also farmed. He often went to Savannah, taking his family with him. When there, although Mrs. Brodie gave to all who asked her help, irrespective of church or nation ality, the people refused to recognize her so cially. Even if she did not believe in all the Moravians did, they argued, she really was not in sympathy with their theology. Her religious life had no weight with them.
Rebecca, the eldest daughter, had assisted in the school, but was dismissed. But no one would divulge why.
Since the frequent attacks of the Spaniards, the Savannah authorities had insisted that the Moravians come to their assistance; and finding that they could not compel them, as the trustees had promised that their religious scruples against war would be respected, they ostracized them in every particular. Life was intolerable. They would have to go to another part of America.
"And this," remarked Mr. Brodie to his part ner, "is called a free Christian country. Noth ing can be said against my morals, and nothing against the Moravians. All they refused to do was to bear arms. Some men must remain at home to protect the women and children, and who better than these industrious, God-fearing people. There is no danger that they would
not protect their homes, for that is a part of

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their religion. Because I think them in the right, I must move also. Georgia was settled because Oglethorpe wanted a place where people could work out their own salvation without hin drance. No freedom here. If one does not drink, gamble, go to the horse race, secretly as sist in having slaves, he is made to feel in the most diabolical manner possible that he is not wanted. There are here a class of people who intend to rule, on account of the money in it, by all hazards, fair or foul, whichever has the most power or gain."
"Yes," replied Mr. Kitchner, "rum and slaves are only a matter of time. It is practical now, in spite of the law. On Bull Street there is an office in an upper room where slaves can be procured to work on plantations on the pre tence that they are the servants of Carolina visit ors who lent them to their host while their masters are guests. It seems that the owners often leave their property behind them."
"Yes, and rum selling is an open secret. On the Bay, at Owens grocery, all that is necessary is to ask for Georgia beer. Socially, too," continued Mr. Brodie, "the outlook is bad for future generations. It was a great mistake to give white servants 20 acres of land, and thus make them independent, so that they need no longer serve others, but become farmers. This has helped slavery. There is no one to do the menial work. Worse than that, many of these are thieves and drunkards both men and women; often coarse and vulgar, and unedu cated. In a few years they will be well off if

THE HEIRESS OF CRAUHAM HATL 183
they will remain at work. Then their children will go to school and become more arrogant, because of a little learning, and disrespectful to their ignorant parents, besides having the thiev ing propensities, only veiled in business tactics."
"Possessing land and having an income, their daughters will be sought in marriage by some poor or perhaps titled gentleman," said Mr. Kitchner.
"Yes, and the grandchildren will be found with the manners and instincts of an ignorant do mestic, sometimes even showing in their faces their common descent. Wherefore does the Scriptures say, God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children upon the third and fourth generation," finished Mr. Brodie.
"Let me add one more word, and then Ive done," said Mr. Kitchner. "Our girls now have delicate faces, refined manners, great reserve, and low voices; but in the coming years, by intermarriage, this will be all changed for loud voices, boisterousness, rudeness, with an expres sion of countenance that is bred in the bone. I know, for I have studied the question in books and by observation, using the time that men generally employ in unholy living."
For several weeks the Moravians were busy packing up their household goods. Their crops were unharvested in the fields. The well-laid gardens had been abandoned, their homes de serted. Before leaving for Pennsylvania, they went with the Rev. Bolgius to Oglethorpe and returned their passage money, as they had for feited the right to it by leaving the colony.

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John Brodie also left his farm on the Savannah river, and journeyed to a settlement some hun dred miles above Charles Town, near where some Swedes had settled, and where nearly a half cen tury before some of the Puritans from Dor chester had made their homes.
The London Daily Post published this, saying that an English officer had furnished it, who had just returned to London on a mission to King George.
"The Indians in Georgia, no less than the settlers, were much grieved to hear of the death of Gen. Oglethorpe, which occurred after a trip to Coweta town some 500 miles from Savannah. This expedition was to confer with the Malachu chiefs, who, with the Chotaws and Chickasaws, could assist him against the French on the west.
"The General had been warned of the danger, but his well-known courage, magnanimity, and devotion to public duty, urged on by the fidelity of the Yamacraw tribe, made him undertake it without regard to consequences.
"He started out in a cutter, accompanied by Lieut. Dunbar, Ensign Lemon, Mr. Eyre, and servants, meeting the Indians and Indian traders at Ucheetown, 25 miles above Ebernezer. From there they commenced their perilous journey through swamps, fording broad rivers, through tangled woods, sleeping on his portmanteau for pillow or in the boughs of trees. They found

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food along the way, placed there by friendly In dians who had gone before.
"For 200 miles not a soul was seen nor a habitation met with. When near Coweta 40 In dians met them and conducted them to the chief, who received them with every demonstration of joy. Oglethorpe had won their hearts by his long journey, his accustoming himself to their habits, and his loyalty to them, having never de ceived them. On their side, they might have delivered him up for a large reward to the French at Mobile, or to the Spaniards at St. Augustine.
"He was successful in making a new treaty with the Indians for the King, and ratified it by drinking the Black Medicine, made of the young shoots of cassava, and smoking Hullowia/ the pipe of peace.
"After giving both the men and women pres ents, he left. When near Augusta he sent his companions home and stopped at the fort to hear the complaints of the Cherokees and Chickasaws, many of whom had died from poisoned rum and smallpox. Here he himself was smitten with fever, and fearing it might be smallpox, the medicine men took him out to their encampment on the hills, where they reported he had died. A thorough search has been made by his friends to find out where he was buried, but the In dians refuse to tell, saying that he was their Great Father, their Beloved Man, and wanted his spirit to stay with them."

186 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
CHAPTER XXVIII. "Bess, take your horse and meet the stage. The London Daily Post may have news from America of interest to you," said Lady Wright. "I think I shall, mamma." A dappled black pony waited for her at the doorsteps, and her mother watched the lovely figure ride off, her short skirt of green, with coat and white tie; the three-cornered hat, hardly keeping in place the abundant curls, was doffed and waved as she looked back, smiling gayly as she did so. Arriving at the public road, she had only a few minutes to wait before the mailcoach passed, handing her a package for the "Hall" without stopping the horses. Bess allowed the reins to hang loose on the gentle little pony as she opened the package con taining the Post. Immediately her eyes sought the news from America. It was nearly three months old, but still it was news. She stopped her horse while her dilated eyes read: "Oglethorpe a Martyr to His Work. His Dis appearance. Conflicting Reports. Either Killed in Florida or Poisoned in Georgia. Treachery Suspected." She read no further; crushing the paper in

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL J87
her saddle, she startled her horse by using the whip, and he, unused to such treatment, bounded forward, leaping as he went. This changed to a run, and, not being guided, he made for a short cut through the forest. Sweeping beneath some low-branching trees, Bess was pushed off, and fell unconscious to the ground, while, re lieved of his burden, her horse stopped quietly to graze.
The time for the postchaise had come and gone, and according to the hands of the old clock on the stairs, Bess had had ample time to return.
As the dinner hour drew near, Lady Wright went to an upper window, where a clear view of the public road could be had, hoping to see her daughter returning. Two horses were ap proaching ; the first held a man, whom she recog nized as Dr. Hendrick, supporting what proved to be the unconscious form of Bess. Her pony was following, wondering perhaps why no one guided him.
Summoning hastily the servants, she ran down the stairs and out on the road to meet them.
"Oh! What has happened to my darling. Bess, dearest, are you hurt ?"
"Only a slight scratch, I think," replied the doctor. "I found her lying in the woods, where I had gone to gather herbs. Some fresh water from a spring and a draught from my flask has revived her somewhat."
"It is an unheard-of accident for Bess to fall from her horse; but never mind, darling, as long

188 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
as you are not seriously hurt we wont deprive Ganymede of his grain to-night."
Up to this time Bess had made no sound nor opened her eyes. Now, looking at her mother, she said:
"It is not the ponys fault. I was overcome by some news in the Post, and in my hurry to reach you, I struck him with my whip. Poor fellow! Take me to my room; there you yourself can read the Post. I only know a part of the news."
But Bess did not arise from her bed the next morning, as the doctor expected she would. Ly ing on the damp ground, with a sprained back, for several hours had brought on fever. To this was added her poignant grief at the death of Oglethorpe. Months passed before she recov ered sufficiently to talk. Her mother tried to comfort her by saying that it was a false report, but the next boat from Charles Town brought almost the same account, copied from the Caro lina Gazette. The story of the Mourning sword was told and his words to Charles Wesley.
"My love! my love! And we parted in an ger," Bess moaned.
"No, not in anger, my daughter. There was misunderstanding; but the Governor is too benevolent, too large-hearted to hold any resent ment to any one, much less against the woman he so dearly loves. Do not distress yourself more deeply than you ought. You can safely feel that there was nothing in his thoughts to ward you except regrets that in some way a mis take had been made; but it attached no blame to
you. I myself think that some enemy had a

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM TTAT.T. 189
grudge against him, also. Add to this the Span ish hatred, and there is no doubt of a conspiracy in love as well as war."
"But, mamma, you dont know all," and in tears Bess related the gossip about Mrs. Cartell. "I should not have believed it, for it embittered my mind and made me see things in a different light from what they actually were."
Bess was settling down to a calm that bespoke annihilation to her mind. She ate little and spoke less. A trip to the Mediterranean, with stops at Germany and Switzerland, was under taken. No newspapers nor letters to be written or received were the doctors orders. As there was no one particularly that they cared to hear from, now Oglethorpe had passed away, they readily agreed to this. The bankers in Holland gladly received the money, and they drew on them for checks. Thus all communication with England was cut off.
Seeing the great need of assistance, Oglethorpa decided to return to England and personally re port to the King and trustees. Taking his place in Parliament, he spoke against oppression when ever the question of might or right arose. He was much disliked by Sir Robert Walpole, who wanted peace, and often incurred that gentle mans ridicule.
The government gave him the troops stationed at Gibraltar, but among these were many Span iards, also Irish soldiers of the lowest type,

190 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
which afterward proved of much danger to the colonists. Among the officers, also, there was much discontent.
Although busy with his great work, Oglethorpes thoughts often wandered to Cranham Hall. He could hear nothing of them. Their house in Grosvenor Square was closed. He wrote, addressing it "London," but received no reply. He determined to visit the old Hall; per haps she was there.
Long before he reached the "Hall," he scarcely expected to find her there, as the road had not been used. Through the lane with branches untrimmed, he passed. The iron gate was locked, and he was compelled to go by the cottages back of the orchard. At one of these the gardener, an old Scotchman, asked in his dialect what he wanted. Being very deaf, he was not explicit; but judging that Oglethorpe was a friend of the family, he permitted him to enter the grounds and to rest a while in the hallway.
Was this where once his darling lived? The unkempt garden, the untrimmed lawn, the empty house I It was like "Gotts Acre," of which the Germans spoke. The old Scotchman could tell him nothing of the owners, their whereabouts nor when they would be back. It appeared to Oglethorpe that the head man, taking advantage of his mistress absence, had put this old fellow in his place and with his family had gone off for a holiday.
Oglethorpe walked to the rivers bank, where "memory was the only friend that grief could call its own." With one last look at the dosed

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 191
windows, he mounted his horse and rode back to London.
CHAPTER XXIX.
John Wesley had established a prayer-meeting class in the early afternoons at the Court House, at the corner of Bay and Bull Streets. This time had been selected on account of the intense heat of the sun during that part of the day in Savannah, which prevented the men from work ing in the fields or at building.
"There is a fine breeze blowing through the house, and they can keep cool here and have their thoughts on God at the same time. As for the climate, I think it fine and healthy. The people fall ill here because they will drink fiery liquor. It is not suitable for this hot climate. It affects the liver and makes them irritable.
"They also eat too much meat. Liquor of all kinds give one an appetite, usually, and they eat more than they can digest."
To this Mr. Delamotte, with whom he was walking, readily assented.
The women of the congregation had lingered for a few minutes in the room, as this was about the only place they had to gossip. They now engaged in an animated conversation as to the conduct of some of the members. Did not Mrs. Carpenter, whom Wesley had appointed to look after the room reserved as a church by the war-

192 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
dens, spend too much time there, one said. At this there were nods and whispers.
On their way home men discussed the sermon. It caused discord in their minds; it was contrary to their usual way of thinking on religious sub jects.
"Mr. Wesley," said Mr. Hucks, one evening after prayers, "we do not understand your preaching. You first tell us that we must do good works: dont lie, give the Indians just rights, live honestly. Then again you say noth ing will save us but the blood of Christ. That we must feel that we have been accepted by God, otherwise nothing avails. How do you reconcile these two? Which is right?"
But Wesley only repeated: "Nothing can save but the blood of Christ. You must believe on him and have faith."
Going one evening to join in the prayers be fore leaving for London, Oglethorpe mingled his voice with others in the service and singing. He noticed that the people came in slowly. He sur mised that although some of the complaints against Wesley had a foundation in fact, much of it were lies. It was based on their disinclina tion to attend service, which was patterned after the established church of England Wesley be ing then a priest in that church and also be cause they did not intend living a good life, nor regulate their actions by his strict rules. In short, they like their descendents, and the greater part of the world, then as now had no thought of letting religion interfere with business or pleasure.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 19S
If Wesley had contented himself with re straints on their theology and morals, perhaps the people would have made a compromise be tween the two in time. But the end was not yet. Wesley believed that the Bible contained the whole law. Why then should man obey man? Obey the Bible. This meant, do not obey the magistrates, as they do not follow Gods laws. This he preached, much to the encourage ment of evil doers, who were glad to disregard the laws set up for the government of the col ony. Thus, in his mistaken zeal for religion, he stirred up the people against those in author ity until it extended to Oglethorpe.
There resided in a newly built two-story house on Bryan Street Miss Sophia Hopkins, with her uncle, Mr. Cranston, the storekeeper.
Meeting her one morning in Johnson Square, Mr. Wesley asked her if she wanted to express a letter she held in her hand.
"No. I have just received it from Paris, brought by a friend from Charles Town. It is in French, and I cannot translate it."
"Suppose you let me read it. Til close my ears, as the Irishman said."
"Oh, Mr. Wesley, yes; and will you give me lessons in French ? Please do!"
"Certainly; and Ill give you your first lesson at nine to-morrow."
Miss Hopkins had never shown much interest in religious matters, and Wesley was delighted to have her for a scholar, thinking that by a short talk at each lesson he might "bring her to Christ"

191 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL _
She had always been known for her love of dress, and now she went to church regularly, giving more attention to her attire, even to buy ing a most expensive scarf, then worn, as a cov ering for the head.
She had the most pleasing way of making him or her feel that each was the only one in the world that she cared for.
Unused to feminine arts, Wesley drifted into an affection for her. How could he help it when lips and eyes framed in pink complexion and curly locks repeated, "Je vous aime."
When Wesley said to her, "Aimez la religion, elle ne meurt jamais."
She replied, "Monsieur, nous sommes daccord sur ce point; parlez-moi a coeur ouvert." This he did, and with such success that the next Sunday the congregation were surprised to see the worldly Miss Hopkins partake of the com munion.
"Look here, Wesley," said Mr. Delamotte one morning, as Wesley met him going from Mr. Caustens, his French dictionary under his arm, "I am used to womans wiles, and I advise you to stop giving those lessons. She is not in ear nest and does not intend to accept you; she is merely amusing herself."
But the lessons continued until Mr. Vander Hopper, a Moravian neighbor, advised him not to marry at all. "It will interfere with your work; besides, you have no judgment where women are concerned. Ne voyez-vous pas quelle rit sous cape?"
This caused the young divine to make the

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 195
matter a prayerful study. As usual, he con sulted the "Oracle of God," the Bible, thus: After a long prayer for guidance, he opened it at random, and read, "He that is unmarried careth for the Lord." The rest of the night was spent in prayer.
He went to give his last lesson to the convert, who found him cold and formal. All her al lusions to the Bible, and even to the church which they were planning to build, failed to arouse his interest. She asked could he guess who would be the first couple to be married in the new church. To this he answered, also coldly, "Je m embarrasse fort peu de cela." To which she replied angrily, "A bonne heure."
But Miss Sophia did not wait for the chapel to be built, nor did Wesley perform the cere mony. Mr. MOeod, of Darien, was sent for, and her marriage to Mr. Williamson was cele brated with feasting and dancing, much to the disgust of the Moravian brethren.
Although Wesley outwardly had shown no sign of the great disappointment he felt at the sad termination of his earthly love, yet in the privacy of his own room, in a keyless cipher, he recorded in his.diary his inmost feelings for Miss Hopkins.
"May God bless her and make her life a happy one.
"Why did I not ask her to marry me, and save her from a life of wretchedness with a man of such an ignoble character 1 Why, oh, why! How can I pray God to bless such a union when I know it cannot turn out right?

19S THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HATJTj
"Oh, Lord, strengthen me in this hour of trial. Miss Sophies wedding takes place to day.
"Was it wrong to kiss her when I also kissed him ? It was as if I were kissing the dead, for I shall see her no more!"
"My love for her fills my whole heing. I cannot think, study, nor pray. I must unburden myself to some one."
"Saw and talked to Gen. Oglethorpe to-day. His sympathy and practical good sense helped me much."
"There are so many rumors started by my enemies in relation to this affair of Miss Sophies, and it is being used against the good government of the town. How little judgment the world has! How erroneous are its deduc tions! But I shall explain nothing. It would be throwing pearls before swine to unbosom my heart to them. They would only laugh; they cannot understand a pure love."
"Went to New Highgate and had coffee with the Von Durens, a most exemplary Dutch fam ily. They have the true kindness of religion. I was much comforted by their simple piety."
"I shall have to leave Savannah. I know scandal and injustice will follow me. Lord, I trust in thee; be thou my defence. Time alone will prove my innocence."
"Look, mother," exclaimed Lady Mary Bathhurst "Sophie has at last condescended to re-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALI. J97
turn to church; she has not been here for months, Mr. Wesley told me."
"Yes, and dressed in the finest, as usual. Gracious, she is actually going to the altar to take the sacrament."
The Bathhursts, who had come on the same ship with the Wes!eys, had bought a hundred acres about ten miles from Savannah, on the river front. They often came in their barge, on Sunday, to church, and always carried back a number of friends to spend the night. Lady Mary, her sister, and young brother kept the company always in good humor. They had brought a retinue of servants with them, and the large house was fitted up with English furniture.
"Im not in mood to take communion," con tinued Lady Bathhurst. "I gave Sanders such a scolding for killing my white turkey for din ner, when Tikiwawa had just sold me half a deer, that I still feel the effects. I suspect the exertion hurt me more than the words hurt her. I think Ill pack her back to London on the next boat."
"See, mother," whispered her daughter, "Mr. Wesley has passed the bread over her head and thus refused to let her take a piece. He has also passed the wine to the next suppliant."
To Mrs. Eyles, who said to her, "Tell your Uncle Causten, Sophia, that the upstart thinks, because he wears a cassock, he can dictate to the people." Mrs. Williamson made no reply, but with an angry countenance hastened from the church.

08 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HAT,K
The following Tuesday, while Wesley was at breakfast, a constable knocked at his door.
"I have an unpleasant duty to perform, Mr. Wesley," said Mr. Cannon, "but here is a war rant for your appearance before Recorder Jones at ten oclock this morning."
Wesley left his meal unfinished and prepared to go with him.
"Of what do you accuse Mr. Wesley," said the Recorder, addressing Mr. Williamson and Mr. Causten.
"Mr. Wesley has defamed the character of Mrs. Williamson by repelling her from the com munion table as unworthy to partake of the Lords supper," replied Mr. Williamson.
Addressing the Recorder, Wesley said, "You have no jurisdiction as regards the last charge; that belongs to the minister of God. As to the first, Mrs. Williamson did not prepare her soul for communion with Christ. She abstained from no amusement forbidden by me, but danced, played cards, attended the horse races. I am sorry to see these amusements countenanced by. our best townsmen. Besides, Mrs. Williamson has not attended church for several months, and has not told me she was sorry for her conduct. In no way did she make any preparation for receiving the bread and wine."
"Your authority in this matter is not recog nized, Mr. Wesley," replied Recorder Noble Jones, "and you are required to pay damages and give bail."
The jury, consisting of Parker, Young, Cole, Wright, West, Bowling, Milledge, Fox, Canon,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 1S9
Carwile, Magride, and Symes, did not take but a few minutes to bring in a verdict of 1,000 damages for Mr. Williamson. But the bail was omitted.
"Your word is sufficient, Mr. Wesley," said the magistrate.
To Oglethorpe, in London, Wesley wrote:

"Dear General: You have known for some

time that I have contemplated returning to Eng

land, but you have always objected, saying that

the colony needed a religious leader, and that

you know of no one at present to take my place.

It was agreed by the trustees that I was not

bound to any prescribed time.

*

"The Indians are not in a state to be con

verted, but continually talk of war. They have

informed me, on several occasions, that when

they have made peace they will listen to me.

"I have gone several times to Recorder Jones

about that miserable business, of which no doubt

you have had a full report, asking that my trial

on the second charge come off at once; but on

every occasion some excuse has been given. The

truth is, they have no just cause of action. I

; only did my duty. As a minister of God, I am

a prisoner at large, and do not consider myself

i bound by any laws of men who are entirely

[separated from Him.

"I am glad that I came to Georgia, for I have

! come in contact with the Moravians, of whom a

more God-fearing people never lived. I intend

visiting their settlement in Germany on my re

turn to London.

200 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL "I trust that you will readily understand the
situation, and that I am not running away, but simply am obliged to leave at this time, as I feel that there is work for me to do in England, and I therefore cannot wait on the laws delay. I shall call on you as soon as I arrive in London.
"Yours faithfully, "JOHN WESLEY."
This letter reached Oglethorpe only a few days before His Majesty arrived in London from Charleston, bearing the first missionary to Geor gia, never to return again.
CHAPTER XXX. On a cold December day, in 1739, Whitefield started from London to go to Bath; but meet ing the Wesleys, on their way to Kingswood to speak to the colliers, he joined them. Wesley preached on "Faith and Works." "God accepts us," he said, "here and hereafter by faith and conditional good works. But the real reason we are saved is for Christs sake for what His Son has done for us." A smuggler, who had been cursing and swear ing at Wesley, now came forward, saying that he would no longer follow that business, but would hereafter have the Lord for his God. Two thousand people were present, among them some too poor to own a garment. A blan ket wrapped around them and a cap on their

THE HEIRESS OF CRASH AM HALL 201
heads were all that covered the children. Blear-eyed old women, slovenly young ones, young and old men, drunk, listened to him.
Suddenly a young woman cries, "The devil has me! Save me, save me! Lord," and drops down in a fit. Others fell to the ground, com plaining of weakness and bodily pain. "A sword is piercing me," one screamed. "I am being choked, crushed with a stone," cried another.
"It is Satan that is tearing you," exclaimed Wesley; "he is trying to defeat the work of God and wants your lost soul."
Standing at the bottom of the hill, his con gregation sitting on the slope, Wesley told these colliers, who for savage ignorance and wicked ness of all kinds ranked with the worst type of humanity, that they must cast Satan out of their hearts and put God in his place. That they must stop drinking and take the money to feed and clothe their families. Drink made it easy for the Devil to possess them, but the spirit of Christ would help them to overcome Satan.
"Cease not to pray, brethren; God will cure you of your bodily ills if you pray to Him. Mr. Myrick was ill with fever from a cold which he caught riding in the rain. The doctors gave him up; he was unconscious and cold. They thought him dead. But we prayed over him, cry ing to God, and he recovered consciousness, spoke, and is alive and well to-day."
Whitefield was visibly affected, and feeling that his former attitude of distrust toward those who did not believe as he did, and that all souls were precious in the sight of God, he went up

J02 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
to John Wesley, acknowledging his conversion, and the fact that good work could be done out side the four walls of a church.
"We must build a school here at once for the children, and a small house for the schoolmaster and the poorest children who have no homes. Kingswood must be our care hereafter," said he.
"Yee, and I shall come whenever I can and look after it. We can have a church, also, as yo:: now acknowledge, Mr. Whitefield, that wherever there is a faithful congregation of believers as sembled to hear the true word of God preached, and the sacraments are duly administered, there is the church. We are not Dissenters, although many say we are such."
"Come, see my daughter," begged an old man, as Wesley and Whitefield finished.
Following him, he led them to a hut built of stones and poorly thatched. On the floor, with only some filthy straw and old rags for a bed, lay a young woman of nineteen. Her mother was trying to hold her down while a convulsion seized her. Her father knelt down to assist her, begging Wesley to pray for them.
Her pale face was distorted with anguish, hor ror, and despair. With terrific screams she cried out, "I am damned, lost forever. I am the devil. I will serve him. I must go to Hell. I cannot be saved."
"Let us sing, Arm of the Lord, awake, awake," said Wesley. Gradually the music soothed the strained nerves, and she became quiet, though the stony eyes did not weep,
".Where has she been?" asked Wesley.

THE HEIHESS OF CRANHAM HALL tOS
"She heard you at Bristol preach on the Devil tormenting lost souls, and that only a strong faith in Christs blood could save," answered her mother.
"Her distortions look certainly as if the dogs of Hell were gnawing her heart," remarked Wesley, as again the terrible convulsions came on, and Charles and Mr. Whitefield were com pelled to assist the parents in keeping her from injuring herself. Fixing her eyes on the ceiling, she screamed, "Come, good devil, take me. You said you would dash out my brains. Come quickly. Break, stony hearts, I am a warning to you."
Then as John Wesley prayed that God would cast out the devil, as once Christ did on earth, and would give peace to this penitent heart, the convulsion ceased, and she sank into a quiet sleep..
Whitefield returned to London with Charles, John remaining during the night to comfort the parents. The next morning the young woman had recovered sufficiently to join Mr. Wesley in singing a hymn of praise.
"I shall give you some leaflets and my hymn book," said Wesley, when leaving; "perhaps they will help you."
But the girl shook her head sadly, saying, "I cannot read."
Though weary and sick, Wesley, on returning to London, preached to the soldiers in Bidewell prison, who were to be executed the next day, and later met his brother in Drury Lane, where he was to preach.
On Christmas morning he preached on the

20j THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
noisy observance of this festival, urging the peo ple to make it only a religious one, and give alms to the poor instead of presents to the rich.
Before leaving London, Oglethorpe went to hear John Wesley preach at Fetterlane. The brothers had just returned from Bath and Tiverton, where they had surprised the frivolous ones by preaching that because they had joy and light their work was not ended; that peace and joy only came with the Holy Ghost.
In the room were sixty people, with the two brothers, holding a love feast. As the converts were workmen, it was held early in the morn ing 3 a. m. What was Oglethorpes surprise to see King George enter. Though much an noyed, they had presence of mind to sing the Te Deum. At its close the King went quietly out with his companions. He had not seen Ogle thorpe in the dimly lighted place.
"How are you succeeding ?' Oglethorpe asked them.
"Splendidly, by the grace of God," answered John; "but some of the people know no more of religion than the Creek Indians in America. They can repeat the Lords Prayer, the Cate chism, and Creed, but of the Gospel of Salva tion by faith they know nothing. However, I spoke to 20,000 people at Kensington, many of whom believed. If possible, stop at Cardiff on your way to America. I expect to be there next week."
"Sometimes we are stoned," said Charles; "but the disciples of Christ also were attacked. At Newport we found a most ill-mannered

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 205
crowd. They cussed, baited a bear beneath the table at which John spoke, and rang bells. The King has issued a proclamation against rioting, so perhaps we shall not always have this trouble. In Turners Hall we had an accident. The up per floor, where we were assembled, broke through, but fortunately rested upon some bar rels of tobacco on the next floor and the meet ing went on."
"We are also healing the sick and demented," said John. "A woman who was so distracted that she had to be tied to her bed was earnestly prayed for by us, and was instantly restored to her right mind. Again, a woman strongly torn by the Devil prayed with us that God would put Satan under his feet. Immediately she cried out, He is gone; he is gone! and her mind became sound. She is now strong in the Lord and filled with the spirit of love."
On his way back to the Georgia office in West minster, Oglethorpe met Mr. Ingram and told him where he had been so early in the morning.
"Did you know that Mr. Wesley is a wag?" he asked.
"No," Oglethorpe replied, "I have always
thought him too serious to entertain such a spirit."
"Judge for yourself. While at Briston, two men calling themselves prophets called upon him, saying that they had been sent by God with a message to him, which was that he would be born again.
" We shall remain in the house until this mira cle is done/ they said, unless you turn us out.

206 THE HEIRESS OF CRAKHAM HALL
" Certainly not, Wesley replied very seriously, and he showed them the assembly room down stairs where they might remain as long as they liked.
"It was intolerably cold in this room, and they had nothing to eat or drink. There they sat from early morning till late at night; then went quietly out, without disturbing any one, and Mr. Wesley has never heard from them since."
Oglethorpe clapped his hand on his knee and shook with laughter. "Well, well, I shall have to go and hear Brother Wesley again before I leave for America."
Not finding Mrs. Cartell at Westbrook, he in quired at the rectory, where he was told that she had died, and was buried in the churchyard at Godalming. Finding her grave, he had a plain stone placed at its head. He ascertained that the two younger children had been adopted by a Hollander and taken to Amsterdam.
After leaving Cranham Hall, he stopped at the rectory of Upminster to see the old incum bent of Cranham Hall church, who had given up his curacy to a young clergyman. Here he learned of the death of the eldest daughter, who had never divulged the secret of her marriage until the day she died. "Her little one now sleeps beside her," concluded the old rector.
The next week he started for America, the Hector and Blandford carrying many eminent families, besides cadets and supernumeraries. Each soldier was to receive extra pay and to take a wife with him. Besides these, there were 600 men, women, and children.

THE HEIRESS OF CRAffHAM HALL ZOt
James Habershara and Whitefield, in place of John Wesley, accompanied Oglethorpe.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Oglethorpe did not stop at Tybee, but went with the soldiers direct to St. Simons.
Returning to Savannah a day earlier than he was expected, no one knew of his presence.
The bell from the little chapel, just erected, was ringing as he rode up Bull Street. He en tered quietly, taking a seat by Mr. Stephens.
How soothing this spiritual service after his contention with treacherous enemies!
There were some fine voices in the choir, led by Herbert Bathhurst, who, with his sisters and some of Oglethorpes officers, furnished the music. As their voices rose in singing "Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul, and for get not all his benefits," Oglethorpe felt a sol emnity at his deliverance of the power of the treacherous Spaniards that he had never felt be fore. Would Bess care that he was safe? Ever and anon she filled his mind, crowding out at this moment the scene now before him, and in its place he saw the little wooden chapel at the side of the "Hall," the lepers opening dose to the pulpit where they used to lie in the years gone by, listening to the reading of the Scrip tures. Across the green sward where "heaved the turf," stepping over daisies and poppies, Bess came across the short expanse of lawn which

08 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
separated the church from the "Hall," daintily holding up her white dress, her uncovered head reflecting the tints of the sun.
He was recalled from his daydream by the minister reading his text, "Not all those who say unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but whoso doeth the will of my Fa ther in Heaven."
Then followed a short, practical sermon on what is meant by "Belief in Christ." The every day duty of man to man of being honest, truth ful, free from all impurities. This was "the will of the Father," that they should treat each other as they wish others to treat them the golden rule; only such could enter the Kingdom of God.
Walking through the Public Garden after service with Mr. Stephens and Rev. Whitefield, who had come in from the orphanage, Oglethorpe said, "Such a sermon delights my heart. This community is composed of too many di versified theological beliefs to have any one of them thrust upon one. What we need here is helpfulness from each to build up an industrious moral colony. We want harmony; jealousy and greed must be suppressed."
To this Whitefield replied, "He does not preach sound doctrine; he is in error."
"I doubt that," replied Mr. Stephens; "he has received double orders from the Bishop of Lon don, which he could not have obtained unless he had passed a strict examination in faith."
"His examination counts for nothing," Whitefield replied hotly. "Archbishop Tillotsons The Whole Duty of Man has sent thousands to hell,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 809
and the Rev. Norris is, like him, working for the Devil."
"Let me hear something of the orphans, Mr. Whitefield," Oglethorpe interrupted, knowing that a religious discussion would prove unprofit able.
"We are gradually clearing away the forest and thus increasing our farm. The house is fin ished. The 500 acres the trustees have given me I hope soon to have under cultivation also. Mr. Middleton, of Charleston, has sent me some fine cattle. The children are delighted with the shade of the spreading oaks, the easy way of catching shrimp, crabs, and oysters, and the fun of picking berries. Later theyll have plenty of nuts.
"You might spare us some of these young orange trees," he continued, pointing to some very fine ones they were passing.
"I shall bring them out to you this week," Oglethorpe replied.
To Sir Joseph Jerkyll. "SAVANNAH, Oct. 10, 1739.
"Dear Sir: One of our chief dependents, with out whom Georgia could not have been settled, has passed away Tomo Chi Chi, Mico of the Yamacraws On account of his feebleness, he was not able to acccompany me on my last ex pedition, but up to that time he had always been my companion, as he often said, Words were no return for favors.

tlO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
"The old Mico was over 97 years; but often they live to be 130, as an Indian named Brim did, keeping their senses to the end. Smallpox and rum are the only two enemies against which their health has to fight.
"Old Tomo Chi Chi had many thoughts in regard to life that would compare with our old Greek philosophers. He was a good man, lived a Christian life, though he never joined the church. By his admission of his ignorance, and confession of weakness in religious matters, he was instrumental in proving to John Wesley
that self-satisfied clergyman that we know little and God knows everything.
"The Rev. John Whitefield was with him a few hours before he passed away, but his nephew had to answer for him. He was sensible till the last, exhorting his people never to forget the favors of the English, and wanting only to live that he might still assist them against the Span iards. He begged to be buried among the Eng lish, with whom he had lived. He expressed great love for me, which I value at its true worth.
"I am glad Mr. Verilet painted his portrait with his nephew Toona-howi, as the latter bids fair to be like Mico. He attends me on all oc casions.
"This old chief, who no one ever knew to break his faith, do a criminal act, nor speak a doubtful word, who was without duplicity, was not prepared to die, according to Mr. Whitefields theory.
"On receiving the dying answers to his ques-

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL til
tions, When do you think youll die? and where do you expect to go? I know not the time, but I shall go to Heaven, the minister said the old chief was not fit for such a state of purity. Who then is prepared or fit to die if not the man who respects his manhood, honors friendship, loves his fellow man, and is inter ested in all that is elevating? No mere words couched in a creed will save him. There is no Christian in Savannah or elsewhere that could show a cleaner life than this so-called heathen.
"According to our promise, we prepared a grave in Percival Square. His body was brought by boat from his home, four miles away, and met at the waters edge by the magistrates and myself, followed by the townspeople and a large number of Indians. Col. Stephens, Col. Montaigut, Mr. Cartaret, Mr. Lemon, Mr. Maxwell, and I acted as pallbearers. During the burial minute guns were fired and also small arms by the Militia, and when the earth was raised above the grave, three volle}s were fired over what remained of Georgias best friend.
"No greater proof of his love and trust in the English could be given than his desire to be buried among them, as the Indians consider the graves of their ancestors more sacred than we ever do. As they build no houses for the future, have no writing, no monuments to tell of their deeds, they consider their graves their only monument, and for that reason great care is taken of them.
"Tomo Chi Chi was very generous. Mrs.
Musgrove (formerly Mrs. Matthens) desired

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the Micos land near Savannah, and, without any dissent, he gave it to her, moving some four miles farther west.
"I have ordered a granite stone, recounting his good deeds, to be erected over his grave, to show the gratitude of Georgia, which without the as sistance of the surrounding Indians, influenced by Tomo Chi Chis example, would have been merely a memory."
CHAPTER XXXII.
Sitting on the piazza at his cottage at Frederica, writing to London, an Indian runner came hurriedly up, saying, "Spaniards; come quick!"
Leaping on his horse, which always stood ready at the door, Oglethorpe rode rapidly to the southeastern part of the island. Here he was soon joined by the rangers.
Taking boats to Jerkyll Island, they found that through the treachery of some of the soldiers and officers brought from Gibraltar, they had effected a landing, but hearing the English approach, had hastily embarked, leaving their cannon. At Cumberland, Ensign Stewart had defended the fort with only sixty men.
The man-of-war and ships now started toward St. Augustine in pursuit of the enemy.
"This would not have happened," said Ogle thorpe, "if Col. Bull had not ordered Col. Scipio Durouth, with his four hundred men, back to Jamaica."

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL SIS
The Spanish fleet was now off the coast, and with the Falcon and Norfolk, and the troops un der Col. Heron, the English pursued them up to the walls of the fort. Many of the Spanish vessels entered the harbor and could not be drawn out to fight.
Oglethorpe had just entered a boat to cross to the other ship when a gun from a Spanish vessel was pointed toward the skiff. Lieut. McHugh, who was with him, had only time to push him down into the boat when he him self was struck by a shot. Other shots were fired, and, seeing no way of returning, Ogle thorpe rowed quickly toward St. Georges fort. When the smoke cleared away, nothing could be seen of Lieut. MHugh. Finding that the Spaniards could not be drawn out again, the vessels started to return. The truth was that many of the Spanish soldiers were sick from exposure to a tropical sun; besides, they had heard that the English expected help from Ja maica, not knowing that they had been sent bsck.
On account of the smoke, those in the Nor folk and Falcon did not know Oglethorpe had escaped, but supposed both he and the lieutenant were drowned.
When the ships stopped at St. Georges, they found Oglethorpe ill with fever and took him back to Frederica; but the news of his death had already started toward England and Spain.

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CHAPTER XXXIII.
"Oh! smile on me, my little lamb!
For I thy own dear mother am. My love for thee has been well tried: Ive sought thy father far and wide. I know the poisons of the shade; I know the earth-nuts fit for food. Then, pretty dear, be not afraid: Well find thy father in the wood. Now laugh and be gay, to the woods awayl And there, my baby, well live for aye."
Near the district of Darien, and not far from the creeks near St. Simons, was a tiny farm, inclosed by young pines on the north and west and by moss-draped oaks, bushes, and tangled vines on the south and east. Here, in a primi tive Eden, Lieut. MHugh had brought his pretty Indian bride. At night the music of the pines lulled them to rest, and in the day, when he was absent, the murmur of the brook which flowed into the Altamaha, and the soft splash of the waves on the seashore, kept her company. He had built two wigwams near each other, one for sleeping and the other, he playfully told her, was their "drawing-room." It was large, and he had a table, three chairs, and some shelves, on which were a few books and writing material. It was

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL tlS
hung with many colored plaids. Two small arbors served for kitchen and dining room. A fine vegetable garden was on one side, and a young orchard on the other. At a little distance was a field of maize. In a pen was a young pig, the latest addition to their stock. Tethered near it was a cow, which occasionally lowed to her young, frisking in a near-by enclosure.
Minnechichi was busy beneath the arbor dress ing a turkey. "He be here soon," she mur mured; "every day I get meat, vegetables, nice English bread I make, he likes it; but he does not come," and she stopped her work to wipe the fast-falling tears.
"I go to Great Father; hell tell me where my love is. Oh, Sotolcate! not yet with thee; not yet."
Going to the garden, she gathered some crim son peppers, plucking several bay leaves in lieu of spice as she came out. From the wood ashes she gathered a preparation used in the place of salt. Returning to her kitchen arbor, she mixed these with some hominy, with which she filled the turkey. Patiently she sat by the fire, turn ing the bird again and again, so that it might be done exactly to suit her lords taste, all the time her mind wandering everywhere, trying to think what might have happened. A cooing cry from a small hammock swung between two low branches caused her to hurriedly place the now cooked turkey on the table and run toward the sound. A miniature bronze piece of humanity, somewhat fairer than his mother, but with her features, held up its tiny hands at her approach.

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Kneeling, she kissed him, saying, "Father come
soon; be good, little one." Back to the other arbor she now went, cov
ering the rough table with a piece of white cotton she herself had woven, placing in the border many different-colored threads in the form
of a Grecian border. Besides the peppers and salt preparation, she
placed a gourd of oil made from nuts. A bowl of honey in place of sugar; several small melons, peaches, and grapes were placed at one end. At the other end were potatoes, beans, and pump
kin, boiled shelled corn, a piece of venison, and the turkey.
The beer she would draw when he came. Singing an Indian song of love, she surveyed
her work, and going to the edge of the wood, looked up and down the road.
Was it a horses hoof! Faint was the sound, but it grew louder, and a soldier, tired and un kempt, came in sight. Alas, not her beloved, though perhaps he had news. But he only scowled when she spoke to him; and, frightened, she hastened to the hammock. Seeing her con torted face, the baby pucked up its little mouth in sympathy. Catching him up in her arms, she said, "Dont cry, pretty one; well laugh; father will come soon," and tossed him until he, too, laughed with her.
Two days passed in the same way. She tried to eat, but her sobs prevented her from doing so. On the third night, while the little one slept in his hammock, she dozed while lying on the ground beside him. Just as the full moon rose

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 217
above the pines, she heard the peculiar call of an Indian. To her trained ear it was a friendly one, and, running to the edge of the clearing, she looked out and saw Toalli, one of the allies of the English.
"What news from Frederica ?" she asked. "None yet; the Great Father gone and MHugh dead." "How?" she could only gasp. "The Spaniards thought to kill the General, and MHugh, seeing it, knocked the General down, and, receiving the shot, fell into the sea and never rose. Dont know where the General is. Hes gone." "He died to save the Great Father; that is well," she sobbed; but, realizing in an instant her own desolation, she ran shrieking to the ham mock, took up the sleeping child, and swung backward and forward, her cries giving way to moans. Just before dawn she fell to one side of the hammock, sleeping until the first rays of the sun, gleaming through the leaves, fell upon her face. Stretching out her hands toward the east, she cried, "No more wilt thou shine upon him; no more, no more!" The baby was fretting in his hammock, and, embracing him, she placed him on the pretty rug MHugh had brought from Scotland, and. then prepared his hominy and milk. After feeding him and tying him safely in the hammock, she left the clearing and entered the forest. She had not gone far when she saw

SIS THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
Toalli, punching a stick, on the end of which was a piece of venison, under a log.
"Plenty of snakes. Arrows for enemy?" "Umph," grunted the Indian, "want one?" "Yes, your surest. My man dead. Spaniard dead." "Me take five to St. Augustine and five for you. You go back to your people." "No, no. Me go meet him; happy, happy." And picking up the arrow that he had tipped with the poisoned meat, she hastened to her home. The baby was cooing, trying to catch the sun beams that played hide and seek through the breeze-shaken boughs, laughing as they eluded his little outstretched hands. But his mother heeded him not. She was busy trying to attach a string to an arrow fixed to a stretched bow, but it failed. "Must be like Spanish dagger," she murmured. "Arrow must be dagger." Out in the river she pushed her canoe that night and drifted toward the sea. Darkness was around; no eye saw it but Sotolcate. At mid night the rising tide flung the canoe and its oc cupant upon the sandy beach. The moon re vealed an arrow where should have nestled her baby boy.
Toalli did not reach St. Augustine at once, for, meeting Oglethorpe at St. Andrews fort, where he had escaped, he insisted on returning with the General, telling him of Minnechichis threat.
On reaching the clearing just off the public

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL S19
road, they entered it, going first to the hammock to quiet the crying child. It was so tightly tied that it had not fallen out, but it was crying with hunger. Toalli soon had milked the cow and given the child its food, then attended to the feeding of it and its calf. Both seemed so hun gry that they at once judged the girl had been absent some time. Going to the river, they found the canoe gone. Hastily entering an other lying on the bank, they rowed down the river until they came to the beach.
"What is that?" exclaimed Oglethorpe. Hastening to the object, they found the mother bound tightly in her little craft, her face up turned to the sun. pigging a grave not far from the beach, To alli wrapped his blanket around the little canoe, and, with Oglethorpes help, they buried her, trusting that the waves would some day bring to her side her beloved from the depths. Returning, he gave Toalli permission to take all he wanted except the child. This he carried to Savannah, intending to have him sent to Lon don to be educated, and afterward returned to teach his people.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The London Post had the following account of the brave repulse of the Spaniards by the little garrison at Frederica.
"Lieutenant Sunderland has just arrived in

220 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
England from his majestys plantation in Geor gia, and gives us the following news:
"We are glad to contradict the reports of the death of Col. Oglethorpe, and well for His Majestys plantations that he is. His timely visit to Coweta gave him help in the insurrection that followed. The slaves in Carolina, incited by the Spaniards, who promised protection to all runaway slaves, burned and murdered many in Carolina. Some of the fugitives attacked the family of Sir Bathhurst, killing him and twenty white men on and near his plantation near Sa vannah. As there were 40,00x3 slaves and only 5,000 white people in Carolina, one can readily see the danger from them. The Governor of Georgia, by offers of reward and arrest of all fugitive slaves, alone prevented the whites from being exterminated.
"FREDERICA, GA., Jan. 2, 1741. "To the Earl of Wilmington, First Lord Treas
urer. "My Lord: This letter will be conveyed to you by Mr. Carteret in person, as it is useless for me to send by post to Charles Town, as many important communications have been in tercepted when sent by the Expess there. "We are in great need of shot and powder, none having been given us since the Duke of Argyll left the Ordnance. "The Spaniards tried to capture our vessels of provisions sent us, and to prevent this I took the

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL SS1
sloop Falcon and the schooner Norfolk, with the troops under Major Heron ,and went in pursuit of them.
"The notorious privateer, Capt. Desbrade, a Frenchman, commanding The Black Sloop, was cruising off the coast, waiting for a vessel we were expecting from Bristol. We sailed in pur suit, and although we did not capture her, we have given them a good scare.
"I have fortified Georgia, thus not only pro tecting it, but South Carolina.
"I sent Lieut. Primrose Maxwell to Charles Town to insist on Gov. Bull sending the vessels to my assistance, but he refused, saying that he only had a few and that we were not in dan ger from the Spaniards. The men are constantly deserting from the South Carolina regiments. The planters in South Carolina are so disgusted with the behavior of the town people in Caro lina that they are leaving. Some have moved to Savannah and some to Darien.
"If the trustees stop paying the bills I do not know where we shall get the money to pay ex penses, as I have already assisted to nearly my whole estate. The situation is serious, but I am not discouraged.
"We had a fight with the Spaniards near here, killing many of them and taking a number prisoners. These we sent to Charles Town, hav ing no safe place to confine them.
"Capt. Cooke has deserted and returned to England. I had to take his place as engineer for a while.
"The Spanish fleet consists of fifty vessels and

828 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
six thousand men. Accompanied by Capt. Dunbar, we attacked them. Not having sufficient vessels, we could not follow them out to sea, and when the English vessels did arrive, the Span iards had left. Beg His Majesty to send us aid, and thank him for past favors.
"For bravery, I have made Lieut. Col. Sunderland Brigadier Major, and given him Lieut. Cols. Mackay and Maxwell as his aides.
"I shall send Capt. Dunbar to London with the captured sloop Swiss, which had been sent from Spain to Havana. It contains many arti cles for the ladies there, and much valuable cargo.
"Hog stealing prevails to such an extent in Savannah that where a short time ago there were 300, only about 50 are there now.
"Since the insurrection, of which I have al ready written you, Mr. Williamson returned from Charles-Town, where he was an attorney at law, expecting to get the position which had been offered him. We have no use for a lawyer here; his talents would be wasted. Each man pleads his own cause, and there are no fees. His salary as Recorder is what attracted him.
"There is no doubt in my mind that W. and the Doctor had something to do with the mor tality of the Cherokee Indians at Augusta. A Carolina trader with smallpox was carried there by emissaries of these men, and it was soon com municated to the Indians. Under pretense of giving them medicine, poison in rum was admin istered. Those that escaped the smallpox died
of the poison to the number of 1,000. .We could

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL MS not spare these allies, but God has helped us to win even against such measures.
"Since Mr. Williamson and the Doctor have left us, Savannah is in a better state of mind. If we only had more soldiers, and could prevent the French from attacking us on the west, we would improve. Had it not been, however, for the Germans, who have constantly been emi grating1 here, the colony must have suffered se verely. They make fine farmers, and are very industrious and law-abiding."
The London Morning Post contained a letter, a copy from Mr. Hector Beaufain, of Charles Town, to the Earl of Egmont:
"CHARLES TOWN, Sept. 30, 1743. "To the Earl of Egmont.
"My Lord: Gen. Oglethorpe might well pray with the psalmist, Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with cruel hatred.
"If he were a Spaniard fighting against them, the settlers here, at least most of them, could hardly act worse toward him. He has delivered them from their enemies after much calumnation on their part, and persistently allowing the Caro lina traders to cheat and sell rum to the Indians, and to employ slaves.
"Frequently the men sent Oglethorpe were spies and traitors, for the Spanish soldiers and pilots were allowed to roam the town of Charles Town freely. Ships are delayed on the most

ggj THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
petty excuses. During one of the expeditions, the General having sent out Lieut. Maxwell to sea, in order to get the man-of-war Hamboring to help, the Captain (Hamer) refused to go, and, setting sail, returned here.
"Treachery in his own town of Savannah for they want him removed on account of his restrictions on rum and slaves together with the jealousy of Carolina, give aid to the Spaniards and hostile Indians at all times.
"But I must add that all the colonies in Amer ica are not insensible to the great debt they owe Gen. Oglethorpe, whose military tactics, gen erosity, integrity, and common sense have made him the savior of these two southern colonies, and prevented bloodshed and distress in the northern ones.
"Much to the disgust of some in this city, I send a copy of resolutions of thanks from Port Royal for Oglethorpes timely aid. She has fol lowed the example of the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, who have thanked him for sav ing them. Do you not now wonder how the mayor, Andrew Rutledge, can still allow vessels filled with provisions and ammunition to be sent to St. Augustine?
"Gen. Oglethorpe is only remaining here from a sense of duty and because the government wants him here. The very fact that the King of Spain demands his recall, and some of the col onists want him killed or removed, so that they can have license, not liberty, prove that the right
is here.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL tt5 "He himself has been anxious to return for several years. In 1740, applying for him, Mr. Turye asked for a- discretionary power in the General to return to England. I have no doubt that soon he will avail himself of it, but not until he settles the Spaniards and can leave the colony in such a state that they can, by diligently keep ing up the policy of fortifications and eternal vigilance, protect and govern themselves.
"Your Lordships "Most humble servant, "HECTOR BEAUFAIN."
CHAPTER XXXV.
Where the military road connected Fort St. Simons with Frederica, Oglethorpe had built his cottage of hewn oak logs, where he could com mand the view of the Sound. Fifty acres he claimed while there, part of it covered with state ly oaks and many beautiful trees. There was an orchard of figs, oranges, grapes, and many other fruits. Next to his plantation was the property of Mr. Thomas Spalding, on which he had built what would now be called a "clubhouse." This was also of strong oak timbers, and called "Bach elors Redoubt." Here these bachelor soldiers al lowed the married men to come and enjoy the liberty and pleasure it afforded. With fish of all species from the sound, and game brought in from time to time by the Indians, meat was plentiful. Near was the fine mansion of Col.

226 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Raymond Demere. The island had about 1,000 inhabitants, and although on constant guard against the Spaniards, was in a prosperous con dition.
The Spaniards had been locked up in St. Au gustine, their failure to wipe out the Georgia colony and also South Carolina being due to three reasons:
First: The white people were Protestants nat urally, attached to the English government.
Second: The people could not sell the land, as it was inherited from the crown.
Third: There was no rum for the people to drink freely, and thus inflame their minds and also give them bodily ailments. The Spanish Invasion of July 30, 1742, failed also, because in the end what is best will and must prevail against treachery, cruelty, and oppression. Spir ituality, even if not yet of the highest type to which it will eventually attain, rules over merely brute instincts of might.
Putting the frontier under command of Major Horton, and leaving many Indians as scouts to watch the Spaniards and give instant warning of their approach to the mainland, Oglethorpe also saw that St. Andrews at Cumberland and Fort Argyll on the Ocmulgee were fortified. He stopped also at the Skidaway Narrows to see if the Manchecolas Fort, commanded by Capt. Jones and his company of marines, was in order, while being entertained at the Captains beautiful residence of Wormsloe.
"Mr. Stephens," Oglethorpe said, during his stop at Bewlie, "as Deputy Governor, I hope you

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 227
will be able to keep the different factions at Sa vannah reconciled. It is hard to give satisfaction to every one where there are so many social and national differences. But as you have not all the military defences to look after which was the great burden I had to bear, you will have leisure to study out some cure for the dissatisfied ones."
Mr. Whitefield came in one day before Oglethorpe left, to carry him out to the Orphan House. It was doing good work, although Mr. Whitefield had, according to Oglethorpes judg ment, exceeded his authority when he had taken children already put in good homes, to the Or phan House.
The ten miles to the Orphanage had been near ly completed, when down the road a beautiful vista opened to their view. Avenues of oak, magnolia, and pine; and still farther the Orphan House, and the beautiful river beyond.
"Why did you take the children away, Mr. Whitefield?" asked Oglethorpe; "they were not in want."
"Well, they were orphans and we needed them out here to work."
"I am sorry, but I shall be compelled to return them to their friends, where they will have better advantages. This Home is only for those who have no one to provide for them, or those who are unfit to care for them," replied Oglethorpe.
Lady Huntingdon had given Mr. Whitefield money with which to help this noble work of chanty, and much improvement had been made.
Entering the little chapel, on his last Sunday Ift Savannah, Oglethorpe found a large congre-

S28 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
gation assembled. Mr. Whitefields fame in Lon don, both on account of his preaching and social success, had reached America, and the people of Georgia flocked to hear him, although his preaching, but not his conduct and manners, re sembled Wesleys. The quiet, practical religious teachings of Mr. Norris were forgotten, and theology according to the way Mr. Whitefield in terpreted it, took its place. Like Wesley, he still wore his vestments and followed in many ways the forms of the English Church.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
"Love is that madness which all lovers have, Yet tis pleasing and sweet so to rave. Paradise is in the enchanted ground."
For some months Bess and her mother re mained in the clean city of Amsterdam, with its rows of shade trees and its canals.
"How much better London would be," said Lady Wright, "if it were like this; and the peo ple, too, are so kind. They are earnest also, and try to incorporate their religion in their daily life,"
"It needs to copy some good place," Bess re plied. "Ive heard that the Holland women who came over to England first taught them what clean washing of clothes meant, and also taught them the art of starching. Many other ways of cleanliness might be learned."

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 229
Lady Wrights health seemed not of the best, and her daughter proposed that they go to Paris to consult a famous doctor.
He only shook his head, and advised cheerful company and no worry.
Suppressing her own grief, Bess spent her time in trying to see that her mother followed his advice; but she improved but little, and in a few months the end came. Bess returned to England, carrying the precious remains with her, and laid them beside her father in Cranham church.
The Hall, so full of sad memories, could not detain her, although she loved it dearly, and, yielding to the entreaties of the Earls sister, Lady Priscilla Dartmont, she promised to accom pany them to Germany in the summer.
In the stately old castle of Lord Dartmont, near the channel coast, a dinner was given to the Earl before leaving for the continent. In the banquet hall, which the King, Henry Eighth, had once honored with his presence, a number of the nobility and gentry were assembled. The dais which was built for the reception of the Tudor king yet remained. The roof was of dark oak, and between the same kind of wood-panels were superb copies of old masters. Above the dais was a magnificent window, representing "The Marriage at Cana." The walls were hung with tapestry depicting scenes in the time of the Tudors. Above the carved white marble mantel was a tapestry copied from the one at Hampton Court of "The Triumph of Fate."
The ladies had withdrawn to the drawing-

30 THE HEIRES8 OF CRANHAM HALL
room, and the toasts were being drunk. Rising, the Marquis de Franke gave the toast to women: "To womanhood, that which is as pure as the mountain air, as clear as the dewdrop, as sweet as the odor of the rose, as white and cold as Parian marble, she hath no price."
Each one, holding his golden goblet aloft, rose to his feet, some standing on chairs, others on tiptoe that they might be seen. They were about to drain their cups when, leaping to the edge of the table, the Earl cried: "She hath a price!" Instantly the hall became one of dra matic confusion. Those at the farther end of the table rushed toward him, pushing aside the quiet ones. Swords were drawn, and a dozen hands raised to pull him down. But as they looked at him, his quiet, fearless smile, which could disarm any one, made them hesitate.
The Earl waved his goblet, but did not touch his sword, and said, as the clamor ceased, "Nay, gentlemen, hear me first; then you will sheath your swords. Such women are not for barter, but their price is that of lawful wife."
At this the goblets were drained, swords sheathed, and two of the tallest, lifting him to their shoulders, thrice bore him round the ban quet hall.
Lady Elizabeth, with the Earl and his sister, Lady Priscilla, crossed the channel, taking the boat at Rotterdam to sail up the Rhine valley. But its beauties had no attractions for her; rather

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 231
would she have been among the pines in Georgia. In a little German village, in a valley of sur
passing beauty, they took lodging not far from the romantic castle occupied by Lady Mary W. Montagu.
She had been a friend of Lady Wrights, and in Bess she found a congenial companion. Lady Marys personal beauty and charm of manner was attraction enough, but to one weary of friv olous London, her depth of learning and sincere conversation was an added one.
"My dear," she said to Bess, while greeting her affectionately, "I am so glad to meet one like you. Learned women are in such disrepute in England, especially if they are young and hand some, that one can scarcely meet one that can talk intelligently even about the weather. That is why I have to content myself with men, even sometimes playing cards with the abbe of the village."
"But you are a model housewife, and a good wife and mother," replied Bess.
"Yes, that is all men think we were born for. When I think of the time I wasted learning to carve exactly right, so that I could preside cor rectly at my fathers table, my mother having died when I was quite young, it makes me sigh for the lost hours that could have been spent in improving my mind. A servant could have served equally as well, but I had to see that each guest received his share of the viands just at the right time and served in the exact way, other wise my father might have lost a vote in Par liament.

2S2 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"I suppose you wonder why I am here with out my husband, but we have not quarreled. He cannot leave his country, and I cannot stand London climate. Simple reasons, but they give rise to much gossip. The word gossip re minds me that a letter I received from Paris last week said that, Anne Oglethorpe was still keeping a corner in the conspiracy. You have met her, and also the General?"
"Oh, yes, frequently," replied Bess. "He was truly a great man, and is a great loss."
"Loss!" exclaimed Lady Mary; "that was a mistake; he recovered from that fever."
"Yes, but was killed later by the Spaniards." Bess could not explain any further, and, no ticing her agitation, Lady Mary left her while she entered the house to attend to some house hold duties.
"If Lady Montagu was only right!" Bess thought; but she had suffered too much to try to revive a lost hope. It could only prove a painful awakening.
"Let us try my oranges this morning," said Lady Mary, as the next day she and Bess climbed the hill, and together they plucked the yellow fruit, delicious in freshness and flavor.
"If some magician would only grow these without seeds and make the skin and pulp-holder digestible," said Lady Mary, as she wiped the generous juice from her hands.
"Some of these churchmen would forbid that, saying that it was against Gods creation, and so would be a sin," replied Bess.
"Man as a creator cannot be greater than the

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL S33
One Universal Creator; he would only be dis covering unknown, not forbidden, laws," replied her ladyship.
"Come with me to the river; Im going to catch some fish for our supper," said Lady Mary, placing a basket on her arm.
Down the side of the hill they went, by steps cut into the rock. At the foot they found an old man waiting, who assisted them with the boat. Looking back, Bess exclaimed, as she viewed the forest-decked hill, with the vine-cov ered castle peeping between the trees, "How much like a picture!"
"Yes, it is a grandly beautiful place, but I have only money enough to put a few rooms in repair. The remainder must continue in decay."
Down the shaded stream which helped to feed the Danube they glided until, coming to a cer tain spot, Lady Mary put out her lines.
While Bess sat and dreamed, Lady Mary con tinued to draw up her line with a fine catch, till finally exclaiming, "We have sufficient. Look here!"
They were indeed a fine sight, their silvery scales glistening in the sunlight; but Bess felt sorry for the speckled beauties.
On their return they found the Earl stretched on the grassy lawn reading.
"Play hostess, Lady Elizabeth, while I super intend our supper."
Bess seated herself on a bench and the Earl joined her.
"Shall I read you an extract from Berckeleys

234 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Alcipion? It is the truest statement of an Englishmans condition but might be extended to other nationalities that I have ever read. Not that its right; for if he realizes it he should correct it."
"I shall enjoy hearing it," Bess answered. "I know it is interesting, if you say so." And mak ing herself comfortable, with a large shawl for a cushion for her head and shoulders, and plac ing her feet on a rustic stool, she prepared to enjoy the musical tones of the Earls voice.
" Men of fashion and pleasure are made wretched by disappointments and appetites. Something there is in the English climate that is responsible for this. He has his own punish ments for idleness pays for his pleasures with intervals of spleen. There is a cast of thought that makes him an unsuccessful roue. He is at variance with himself. He is neither brute enough to enjoy his appetites nor man enough to govern them. He knows and feels that what he pursues is not for his good his reflections only showing him the misery which his habitual sloth and indolence will not allow him to rem edy. He grows tired of himself, abhors his own company, runs into all kinds of pleasure to respite the pain of his mind has no delight in reflecting on the past or prospect of what is to come. When his animal nature is worn to the stumps, wishes for death to come, but dreads it. Sick of living, without having tried or known the true life of man."
"The last words show how little the church has done to make life endurable. We should

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL S35
learn how to live good lives, then dying would be provided for. The world is out of time, but who will bring it into harmony? The priests have failed to bring it about. Peace on earth, good will to man, is still a dream," commented Bess.
"Science alone will do that, and, little as it may seem probable, religion will prove to be one of the sciences," said the Earl.
"Electricity is worrying the doctors, I see," continued the Earl. "It has been used in cases of indigestion and kindred troubles with success, and interfering with their business more than tar water and quacks."
"Yes; I saw an article on it in the Gentle mans Magazine, and enjoyed reading it. Also one concerning Newtons discovery. You must take me to the Royal Society to hear him when we return to London."
"Certainly," replied the Earl, "and we must hear, also, John Wesley. He has just returned from Germany, where he visited the Moravian settlement, and has obtained some new ideas for his dissenting religion."
Drawing his rustic chair nearer the bench where Bess reclined, the Earl had several min utes to gaze upon the lovely face before him, as Bess had leaned her head upon her hand and with downcast eyes had directed her thoughts to another part of the world.
She was aroused from this reverie by the Earl asking, "Did you hear Lady Montagu tell me that in marriage there was one .prize to ten thou
sand blanks?"

36 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL____
"No. But that does not seem to deter the multitude," and she laughed, much to the Earls delight.
Leaning toward her, he took her hand, say ing, "Tell me, if the multitude were here, I among them, from which you could draw, would I be a blank?"
"Do not speak another word, I beg you," ex claimed Bess, withdrawing her hand quickly. "We have been so happy in our friendship; do not disturb it. Dont refer to it again."
Just as she finished speaking, Lady Mary called them into the house to dinner.
"What a color you have, Lady Elizabeth. It certainly agrees with you here. You must up holster some of my picturesque old rooms and remain with me. You and Lady Priscilla come also," she said, turning to the Earl.
"Thank you, I shall be compelled to return to England this month, or very soon."
Under the young moons light the Earl and Bess returned to their lodgings; but it was a silent walk.
A few days later the Earl strolled over to the "Retreat" alone.
"I am delighted to see you," said her lady ship, extending both hands. "I am tired of cards; talk to me, and Ill keep quiet except when I really have some thought to express."
"I am afraid, then, youll do all the talking,

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 2*7
as I know you have many excellent thoughts ready now to be put forth."
"No compliments," laughed her ladyship; "talk to me of yourself, and, incidentally, of Lady Elizabeth. You both interest me."
"Then I shall begin with this year and turn the leaves of memory back. First, she would not say she considered me the prize you spoke ofb,lannko.r "confess that I am, or would prove, a
"Have patience," replied Lady Mary. "Just now she is in a worse state than that of widow hood ; she even has not the consolation of know ing what she may have escaped. She is worth waiting for. A more sensible, loving woman, aside from her beauty and education, I have never met."
"Yes; but you see Ive been waiting since my early youth. What is to become of me? Ive known her, (and stole a kiss, I must confess,) ever since we were children at Cranham Hall and Kelvedon Hatch.
"She did not suspect I intended kissing her, and I am sure she did not want it; but I dont regret it, even if she did not like it."
"And have been thirsting for more," inter rupted her ladyship, laughing heartily.
The Earl stroked his mustache thoughtfully for a few moments, then smilingly answered, "I took a mean advantage! but I think you fully understand my case."
"If you will forgive a little painful surgical operation, I must say that should the General return from America your case is hopeless; still,

238 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
I should not advise flight, nor tar water, nor electricity, nor any of the new ideas," she said, smiling.
"No, Ill dose myself with Dr. Hendricks, Dr. Hardlys and Bishop Berckeleys highest thoughts. Perhaps Ill buy the latters retreat in Rhode Island. It is on a craggy coast near the ocean."
"Dont get too near the Indians. Theyll cer tainly want that fine head of hair for a scalp."
"Well, my queen Elizabeth wont have it; but as I have need of what is beneath it, perhaps I should be careful," and taking his leave, he walked down the hill, humming a tune from an Italian opera.
Bess, with the Earl and his sister, soon after wards went to Vienna. Going to St. Stephens, Bess was attracted particularly by one voice in the choir. Although not very strong, it was birdlike in its clearness and sweetness, but from her position she could not see the singer.
"Let us sit nearer the altar, so that I can get a view of the singer," she said, the next time they went.
Looking in the direction from whence came the voice, which lead the solo, she expected to see a frail, golden-haired woman, looking like an angel in her white robes of office. Instead, she saw a small, dark-skinned boy leaning on one hand, seeming unaware of any ones presence, trilling his song from the "Messiah": "Come Unto Him."
"What great sweetness," whispered Bess to the Earl; "so unaffected and full of expression."

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL &S9
"That is the little violin player, Francis Jo seph Haydn. It is certainly musical in its high est sense. He no doubt has a future of success before him."
"I am coming every day to hear him as long as we remain here," Bess replied.
After leaving Vienna they went to Dresden, where Bess ordered a piano forte from Silberman. "One like that which Bach tried for Fred erick the Great," she said to the manufacturer. "I intend it for Cranham Hall," she explained to the Earl.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
On July 23, 1743, Oglethorpe embarked on the Success, to return to England. On nearing Tybee, two young Highlanders, whom he after ward learned had hid themselves on the boat at Savannah, approached him.
"Will, and you also, Lachlan, what are you doing here?" the General asked. "Come into my cabin, where I can talk to you."
"Oh, General, we want to return to Scotland and help the exiled king. Dont send us back," Lachlan begged.
"It is a hopeless cause," the General replied. "You can do no good. It is best for you to re main in Georgia and help her against her ene mies, and also assist in building up the country. I myself expect to be sent to fight against the Chevalier."

&40 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
Lowering a boat, the two young Scottish patriots were put off at Tybee, from whence they returned to Darien, to prove themselves later American patriots in the Revolution.
Oglethorpe busied himself during the voyage in looking over some letters and bills he had received from England just before starting.
Mr. Walpole had directed Mr. Verlit to tell Oglethorpe not to draw any more bills on the treasurer; but a new treasurer coming in, there were misunderstandings about this, and his notes had been returned dishonored by the trustees.
Taking up the London Penny Post, he read a letter from Charles Town, in which Captain Vanderhausen was highly praised for his bravery in the last Spanish invasion. Oglethorpe was not given credit for his important share, but everything defamatory to his character was said.
Another article contained an interview between the Home Guards and Capt. Cook, in which the latter related many stories of the Generals unfitness for the Governorship.
He busied himself with preparing reports to show his conduct during the ten years of serv ice, trusting that his friends in London would see him vindicated.
Oglethorpe had, by his strongly fortified forts, at least as well armed as his means allowed; by his strategies, his vigilance, and careful use of men and ammunition, his integrity in his treat ment of the Indians, whereby he had won their love and friendship, proved his ability to govern a new country. In spite of the scarcity of
money, the delay in receiving supplies and help,

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 2jf
he had surmounted all obstacles and shut up the Spaniards in Florida.
But his sovereign recalled him, ostensibly be cause all good soldiers were wanted, as another Jacobite uprising was expected; but the com plaints of the Georgia colony, the jealousy of South Carolina, and the treachery of Capt. Cook were the real causes.
However, Oglethorpe had petitioned the Duke of Newcastle, through Capt. Dunbar, to allow him to return, even if only for a short time, as his own affairs demanded his attention in Eng land.
Amid all the causes and reasons for his re turn, despite all the perplexities that awaited him, occasional smiles appeared on the Generals face, caused by the little thrills of pleasure at the thought of seeing Bess.
It was true that he had seen her name men tioned as engaged to the Earl of Kelvedon, also that she was traveling on the continent. Her beauty and grace attracted attention at all as semblies. With his reputation at stake and his fortune almost gone, he could not venture to ask her to marry him, but it would be sweet once again to look upon her face.
Arriving in London, accompanied by the chief Umpichi and his infant nephew, the little McHugh, who was to be thoroughly educated, Oglethorpe took them to his town house in Mayfair, one of the pieces of property he still owned.
How different this home-coming from what he once thought it would be!

gjg THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
The next day he attended the meeting of Par liament, where he heard Admiral Vernon thanked for taking Porto Bello; but for him there were no thanks, no rewards.
"General," said Mr. Virlet, joining him, "they have agreed to give you 3,123; but as that is not a fourth of the money you have expended on the colony, Ill get the Treasurer to lay the matter before the Duke of Newcastle."
The London Chronicle contained this article a few days later: "Mr. Pelham was in the House of Commons yesterday when the bill for the Slate of Gen. Oglethprpes approved ex penses for His Majestys services was moved, and 3,123 was awarded him."
Again: " The Inquiry into the charges of Capt. Cook and others as regards Gen. Oglethorpes carelessness in the management of the military affairs in Georgia was adjourned until certain witnesses required by Capt. Cook could arrive from America."
Bess had returned to London and learned through the papers of the falsity of the report of Oglethorpes death, and also his arrival in London; but as he neither wrote to her nor came to see her, she felt that it was the same to her as if he were dead. Often she sat down to write, only to rise again quickly at the thought that perhaps he had married some one in Georgia of whom she had not heard.
Walking through St. James park one mom-

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 2.J.T
ing, she met the Countess of Le Greve, nee Lady Dorothy Sutton, with her three children and
nurse. "Charmed to have met you, Lady Elizabeth.
Have you heard the news that Gen. Oglethorpe is on a visit to London with his Indian son and his father-in-law? Quite romantic, isnt it? I hear from Lord Sutton at Charleston that the General has a most beautiful home by the sea, and intends returning as soon as this little busi ness with the government is settled. But how pale you look! Do come with me to the tea gar den. I am going there alone. No? Well, good-by. Do try Dr. Berckeleys tar water. I hear it is excellent for the health."
Bess felt thankful now that she had not fol lowed her impulse to write. Perhaps this gossip might be true, after all.
The next day the Earl called on her. "Read this," he said. "Perhaps you would like to hear him. If so, we can go to-morrow," and he handed her the London Chronicle.
"The Methodist, which name alone is sufficient to prove their methods of no avail, has been preaching atheistic doctrines. He believes that we are not saved by good works nor righteous ness, but solely by the blood of Christ. No flesh is justified, and that sin is the only thing that unites us to God, as Christ is only moved to pity us and give his blood for us on account of our weak, sinful nature. This sermon was followed by one on Faith and Works, in which he said he had been misunderstood. He believed that

gjj THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
every one should show a living, purifying faith by their works.
"A correspondent sends us the following: " Man is by nature a sinner, a child of the devil, under Gods wrath in a state of damna tion. The Son of God took pity on him he made himself man sinned for us--bore the pun ishment of sins. There is no true Gospel in Mr. Wesleys preaching. He preaches popery. " Lady Elizabeth laid aside the paper, saying, "It partakes of Calvins belief; but Mr. Wesley evidently believes that unless a man lives a moral life, gives alms, goes to church, takes sacrament, he is not religious. At the same time, he wants to bring in Christ as the only saving power, and to do this he has to acknowledge that man is naturally sinful and cannot be saved from punishment except by the blood of a per fect being God made in the likeness of a man. I myself think there is a contradiction in his statements; for if Christ only can save, good works do not. Is that not logic?" and she smiled at her .companion. "Yes. And I read last week that the rector at St. Marys, Exeter, told Wesley that his ser mon on The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, was good and right, but that he must not preach it. It was dangerous, as it would lead people into enthusiasm or despair. But it was doctrine according to the English church. Wesley replied that the only difference between the so-called Methodists and the Church of, England was justification by sanctifi-

THE HEIRESS OF CRA3JHAM HALL 2.J5
cation first, and faith. Good works availed noth ing unless there was an inward change. That he might do everything that was right, and be harmless, and yet not be religious."
"I certainly agree with St Marys rector that it would send one into the depths of despair if they could not bring themselves to feel that their sins were forgiven and they were accepted of God. It would make a very sensitive person, or an ignorant one, lose his mind, or would make him ill."
"That is just what it is doing to some," re plied the Earl; "but we shall see what it is like on Friday. He has a watch night on Friday, be cause he says it will be full moon and the peo ple can see to go home at 12130. My sister and I shall call for you about 7:30."
On the stated night the coach containing the three friends slowly made its way toward Ken sington, the mob noisy and dangerous, often blocking the way. While two thousand people pushed and cursed, Wesley arrayed himself in cassock and gown and stood upon a coach to ad dress them. At first only those just around him could hear, but gradually the mob quieted down, and Wesley started the hymn, "In mercy, not in wrath, rebuke me."
"Brethren, it is said that no preaching should be done except in church. Also that we should not believe that we have the Holy Spirit; but be fore we leave here to-night we shall see the manifestations of the Holy Ghost. By nature we are all children of wrath. We are all cor rupt. Works cannot save us, only faith. Nat-

246 THE IIEIItESS OF CRANHAM HALL
ural man has no more faith than the Devil. Unless the Holy Ghost enters us we are lost."
At this many pushed through the crowd and left, but others burst into tears and clapped their hands. Most of them were women, and the men, crowding around them, began to create a distur bance. The constable tried to arrest them and was knocked down. But, rising, he promptly arrested two, and the others, promising to be have, were allowed to go.
The religious excitement was intense. Those who a few minutes before were in perfect health fell down in fits as Wesley preached of the wrath of God, the power of the Devil, or the blood of Christ.
"I feel the blood of Christ streaming over my arms," shrieked one.
"My spirit is heavy and darkness is around me," cried another. Many, without speaking, fell down as if struck by lightning.
"Brethren, do not despair; it is only Satan at work. God can do everything. A young man riding with me from Cheltenham fell from his horse and broke his neck. We put his head in place, prayed for him, and he is alive to-day. Mrs. Myrick was ill with chill and fever, but on receiving the Holy Spirit was cured at once.
"I am preaching under Gods skies because the authorities will no longer allow me to preach in the consecrated churches; yet I am preaching plain old Church of England doctrine, but they call it Methodistism. I am often weak, weary, sick, and lose my voice; but by the grace of God I hope to continue this work for years. From

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 3J7
my fathers tomb at Epworth, and from the hills of Wales, and on the Scottish moors; through hail storms; in halls shaken by the storms, through many tribulations, have I preached the gospel of Christ. Unlike my friend, Mr. Whitefield, I believe that God wills that every one should be saved, but I do not believe in personal predestination."
Although the rain had fallen for some time, the crowd had not moved. As Wesley raised his hands to give the benediction, tire dark clouds broke, and the moon shone in great bril liancy, being made even brighter by the black encirclement.
The members of the company presided over by Wesley accompanied him on his way to the "Foundry," where they would hold a love feast, it being Good Friday, until midnight.
On their way home the Earl said, "He is to speak next Sunday, which, you know, is Easter; shall we call for you?"
"Yes. I am curious to hear what he -will have to say on that anniversary," answered Bess.
Some months before this memorable meeting at Kensington, Wesley was on his way to St. Lukes Parish church to hold communion. The congregation were so very orderly that he com plimented them on it. There was no visiting from pew to pew, no whispering and bowing to friends during the service, which behavior at that time was quite common in the best society.
While giving out a hymn, a beadle came in, sent by the Vice-chancellor presumably to get Mr. Wesle/s notes. He seized Mr. Wesley by

ft{3 THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL
his cassock and started to take him out, but the people protesting, he took him back to the altar. The Pretender was expected, and it was thought that he had accompanied Wesley on his return from Scotland, in disguise.
That evening he went to Fetterlane to settle some disputes among the company. It was whether they should use the means of grace be fore or after conversions after they felt God had pardoned their sins.
"Brethren," said Mr. Adams, "it is damnation to do so; let yourself alone until faith has done her perfect work."
"I do not agree with you altogether," replied Wesley, "but think all good means should be used to bring about this feeling that our past sins are forgiven."
There were 25 menand 60 women present, but only the married ones were allowed to speak. After much discussion, some of them left, while others spent the night in the society rooms, where, at 3 a. m., Wesley went to pray with them.
After prayer, Wesley said: "Brethren, let us be united; let there be no repetition of the United Societys late trouble. You remember when I called the names of those who had not acted right, some confessed their faults and were given another trial. Some expelled them selves, scoffing at my brothers and my preach ing, and a hundred walked home singing and praising God. This last is all we desire. All of us have our share to bear. Mr. Gambold told me that he was ashamed of my company; but as

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 2j9
long as God is with me, mans opinion affects me not. I murmur not even at the robbery com mitted upon me in coming to London from Bristol.
"You remember when we first started our so ciety, that 64 were expelled for wife-beating, 24 for lightness of behavior and carelessness, 2 for retailing liquor, and I each for cursing, lying, quarreling, and evil speaking. Besides these, 76 left for various reasons; but our numbers were purified. It is true our money, which is only a penny a week subscription, is lessened; but I myself want no help, its only for the poor.
"We must purify our lives. I found a min ister drunk, sitting in the chimney corner of an Inn. What an example to his parishes! No wonder their sermons are innocent of meaning, or that they mumble so that they cannot be heard.
"Here is a letter which is from Mr. Whitfield, speaking against us; but I have not read it, and here in your presence I destroy it."
Lighting a tinder, he burned it before them. "A man writes me that it is wrong for me to write books, or to read anything but the Bible. But I have just read Dr. Franklins letters on electricity, and although we know that lightning
can kill, here we have demonstrated that it can give life, and does do it. What awakening scenes will the future generations see through its power we can only dream. Only doctors, who fear its rivalry in their practice, and the very ignorant, will oppose its use."
While at Bristol a justice arrested him be-

S50 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
cause a mob had surrounded the house, the king having issued a proclamation against rioting.
The mayor, arriving, had several arrested who were drunk, these afterward acknowledging that they had been hired to make a disturbance by
a Catholic priest.
"General," said Wesley one morning, meeting him at the Georgia office in Westminster, "I want help in entering the prisons. I have been preaching to the condemned in Bridewell prison and Newgate, but now I am forbidden because they say I am an atheist. One of our converts, Tom Smith, was made treasurer of the Kingswood building fund and ran away with the money. He has been tried and condemned to death. I wish to see him, but the ordinary re fuses, saving I am a Dissenter."
"I am glad you came to me," replied Oglethorpe. "Come to the office to-morrow; per haps we can have him transported. It is wrong to kill a man for robbery only. He should be put to work and his wages given to the person robbed."
So well did the General use his influence that Wesley was given permission to visit the young man, and later his sentence was computed to transportation to Australia.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL S51
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
"Thy friend who long has had admission to thy heart and there studied the virtues of thy gallant nature;
Thy constancy, thy courage, and thy truth have been my daily lessons;
I have learned them; Am bold as thou, can suffer and despise the
worst of fates, and share them with thee."
Meeting the Earl of Kelvedon Hatch at Wills Coffee House, Oglelhorpe grasped his hand cor dially and invited him to dine with him.
"General, I am sure that all your friends, I among the number, rejoice that you have re turned home unharmed."
"Thank you heartily," Oglethorpe replied. "I have had a most dangerous feat to perform; but the Spaniards at home are too busy fighting for their preservation there to give the necessary thought to a foreign province. If I had pos sessed the ships and ammunition, I could easily have captured the fort at St. Augustine. It only has four bastions, the rampart is 20 feet high, and the parapet 9 feet thick. The Indians often made excursions up to it. But it was hard to draw them out."
After the meal, both took out their pipes to

t5S THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
smoke, and while enjoying it, read the Penny Post, which the hawkers had just cried in the streets.
This caught Oglethorpes eye: "A year having elapsed since the death of Lady Wright, the estate has been settled, and Lady Elizabeth Wright is now sole heiress of Sir Nathan Wright. Many improvements will be made on the estate, among which will be the enlargement of the rectory, for which a writ of construction was given in 1734. Lady Eliza beth is now at Cranham, superintending the im provements there also." Repressing a smile at the thoughts that this notice called up, the General turned to the Earl, saying: "Have you seen Lady Wright lately?" "Yes. She is at Cranham Hall, but sees few visitors. My sister and I have had the pleasure of her company for a year while in Germany." Oglethorpe said no more, but, taking leave of the Earl, walked to St. James Park, there to collect his varying thoughts. Should he go to see her ? Yes, her bereavement required it. But he would make no attempt to renew their en gagement. His financial affairs forbade that, for she was an heiress and he a poor man. He would greet her and then say farewell. He did not expect to remain long in England, as the government intended sending him to Scotland. A few days after found Oglethorpe on his way to Cranham Hall. Dismounting, he. told his groom to take the horses to the stables by way
of the lane. Going up the side of the hill that

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL g5
sloped toward the lawn, he saw Besss wellknown figure enter the church just across the garden. She came out again, her softly clinging white dress trailing over the velvety grass as she gathered leaves and vines. After she had reentered the church by the side door, Oglethorpe quietly made his way to the low windows and saw the face of the one so beloved. Although sad, it had lost none of its sweetness, and the faint coloring still showed itself beneath the fair skin as when a girl. Time had not changed her, save that the beautiful golden-brown locks were now silver; but this silvery sheen rather added than subtracted from her appearance, giving a picturesqueness to her face seldom seen except in nature.
She rearranged the altar, twining some vines and leaves on the cross above it At the end of the church a small portion of the space had been curtained off behind, where the choir boys hung their gowns and the rector assumed his gown and cassock. On seeing that everything was in order there, she retraced her steps toward the altar, glancing up to the tablets which comemorated the death of her parents. He knew that on the morrow fresh flowers would be placed beneath these beloved names.
At the side of the altar, upon the dais, was her harp, with which she assisted the choir. The embroidered scarlet cover, which Oglethorpe re membered seeing her mother at work upon, was pressed to her lips before she removed it.
Her hands swept the strings, and then played a "most beautiful hymn, "with preamble sweet,

54 THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL
of charming symphony," "I will lift up mine eye to the mountain from whence my help shall come."
Then drooping her head upon the harp, she closed her eyes.
During the singing Oglethorpe feared to breathe lest the vision should fade. Like Dante, he was being lead into Paradise by Beatrice after drinking the water of Lethe.
She raised her head, and with a smile again brought forth rapturous harmony, and with a voice full of sweet pathos sang Francis Sempills song of "Auld Lang Syne.":
" Should old acquaintance be forgot And never thought upon,
The flower of love extinguished And freely past and gone?
Is thy kind heart now grown sac cold In that loving breast of thine
That thou canst never once reflect On auld lang syne?* "
Oglethorpe could not wait for her to finish the song, but, quickly entering the church, passed up the aisle, the soft carpet not echoing his foot steps. He called "Bess." Instantly her eyes sought the direction from which the sound came, her face appearing as if she had heard a spirit call. Rising, she extended both her hands; but before she could descend the altar steps, he was at her side, and, clasping her in his arms, heart against heart in a passionate fold, Bess felt the infinite rest and shelter for which she had longed.

CLASHING HEK IN HIS ARMS, HUAXT AGAINST HUART, BESS FELT THE INFINITE REST AND SHELTER FOR WHICH SHE HAD LONGED.
The Heiress of Cranham Hall, Facing Page 254,)

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 55
Still holding her hand, he led her to one of the high chairs, and, kneeling at her side, his arm around her, her head pressed against his face, he breathed words only used by lovers.
"My darling, it seems an eternity since last I saw you."
Laughing, Bess disengaged one hand, and placing it on her head, said: "This looks like it has been a long time since last we met."
"It is beautiful," and putting his lips to the silvery burden resting on his shoulder, he kissed it, and then the lips which were about to demur.
Seating himself on the altar steps near her, the hours passed quickly as each told of past events.
At last Oglethorpe, rising, took her again in his arms, saying, "This will be our last meeting. I must now get back to work and perhaps may be sent to Scotland."
"Is that the only reason, or have you ceased to love me," said Bess.
"Does this seem so," he replied, kissing her and gazing into the dark-gray eyes with such intense feeling that her face flushed with emo tion.
"Nay, dearest, the flame of love of which you sang is not extinguished in my heart; but I have been accused of so many acts of careless ness, and my financial affairs are in such a low state, that I cannot ask you to link your life with mine."
"I have heard something about them, but to me you need not deny them. I know you are the soul of integrity, and honor, generous and kind. You never could have done what your

56 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
accusers say. In my eyes you are already ac quitted. As to money, the Hall will belong to whomever I belong," she said playfully, and she placed her hand on his face.
"I could never be dependent upon a woman, much as I love her," he replied, putting her clinging hand to his lips. "No, I must begin the world over again. I have experience, if noth ing else. Good-by, Beloved, you may assure yourself that no one will occupy the place you have always held in my heart."
"You must not, must not go 1" Bess exclaimed. "You cannot leave me alone. If you still care for me, I ask no more. I would be wretched without your presence. I am so lonely. I care for no one else. How can you leave me when I need your help so much. You can look after my property for me and manage my affairs. I shall be compelled to marry just to get a private secretary," she said, smiling; and, disengaging herself, she moved away.
Then, approaching him, she placed her hand on his shoulder, and laying her head on his arm, continued: "I cannot let you go now that we have met once more after such a useless, cruel separation," and placing her other hand on his breast, she raised her face to his. Within the depths of the uplifted eyes he saw, besides selfrenunciation, a love of which he had never dreamed, "a light that neer was on sea or land."
He bent his head to meet the lips raised to his; then, releasing her, he knelt on the altar steps, saying playfully, "My Queen, do with your loyal subject as it pleases your Majesty."

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL S57
Laughing, Bess bade him rise, and together they left the church, Bess locking the door.
"Sit under our favorite tree on the lawn while I go to hang these keys in their accustomed place. The originals of these have been in use for two hundred years."
"Come, Steffney," she called to the house keeper, "prepare the best dinner you have ever had, and take out my old silver and china."
"Is it a wedding, my lady ?' "Not quite so soon, Steffney, but you can begin to make your plans for one." "Heaven bless you, my lady. I want to see you happy once more." And under pretence of removing some china, she went to her room to weep for joy. Late in the August afternoon, horses were brought to the door, and, looking like a picture in her habit of white cloth and large black plumed hat, Bess appeared the radiantly happy woman that she was. Oglethorpe told her of the sad occurrence in the Cartell family, and Bess confessed the wrong she had done him in her thoughts. "Dont give it any place in your mind, dear one; I, too, was jealous of the Earl. Love will have its cruel trials, sweet though it be." The horses heads being now turned toward home, they wanted to break into a gallop, but a walk was all that Oglethorpe would permit, and it was hard to keep them just at the same gait which the interested ones desired. Sitting on the lawn, while the crescent moon, with Jupiter and Venus, formed a lovely triangle

258 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
in the western heavens, Bess said, "Do not trust any more to letters, but come yourself to see me.
I have had so many disappointments that I feel that I could not survive your loss."
"My dear one, you need not ask that. I in tend not only to come soon, but within less than, a month I intend to come and remain here," and he took the blushing face in his hand and kissed it
"The Minster clock has just struck nine, but I shall stop at the rectory in Upminster and tell Mr. Cooke that we need his services this Wednesday two weeks. He can publish the banns to-morrow."
"Oh! that is too soon," Bess exclaimed. "How can I get ready in so short a time?"
"Well, suppose I take a trip back to America while I wait?" he replied, laughing. "But seri ously, dearest, do not make many preparations. We need have no company. Yet I suspect, when the news spreads, the villagers will fill the space outside the church, at least.
"It there anything you want particularly, to begin with? If so, Ill send notes for you from Whitehall to Cheapside, and have it taken there the first thing in the morning."
While Bess went into the house to write the order, Oglethorpe watched the sky spangled with so many brilliant suns and stars, hardly realizing that his dream of happiness was soon to be true.
He was aroused from his reverie by Bess gently leaning over the bench and slipping the note in his pocket, saying, "Now, sir, if you for
get that I shall never trust you again in the

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL 259
mfuet.u"re to undertake any similar commission for The hands were held prisoner, the face
brought nearer to his, and her pretended scold ings stopped in a very effective manner.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
"The Vested Priest before the altar stands. Approach, come gladly Your troth to plight with the symbolic ring."
August had flown rapidly, at least to Lady Elizabeth, and the fifteenth of September was near. She had opened box after box, some of them heirlooms of lace and silk, others those which she had recently purchased in Paris.
At last she was satisfied with a creation of "rose" point duchess lace belonging to her mother, and ivory satin from Paris. "The long train extending from the shoulders was edged with exquisite pearl fringe. The skirt and bodice were embroidered with silver threads and seed pearls. The veil was of finest duchess lace. Her bouquet was of white rosebuds."
Such was the description given of the brides dress, the day after the wedding, by the London Daily News. It continued:
"The choir boys from St. Pauls preceded the bridal party into the church, singing Oh, Per fect Love, the brides train being held as she crossed the short strip of velvety lawn by two children, the boy in a miniature court suit and.

260 THE HEIRES8 OF CRANHAM HALL
the little girl like the bride, only without train and veil. Again the choir sang, And ye shall be one. After the marriage service the bride and groom, followed by their friends, gathered on the lawn, where tables were set for the wed ding breakfast.
"Outside the lawn, in the publiic road, the vil lagers had gathered to catch a glimpse of the beloved bride; and after the guests had been served, cakes, fruits, and ale were given them.
"Beneath the old trees the happy couple re ceived the congratulations of their friends.
"We had almost forgotten to say that the groom was in generals uniform, although that does presage that he will command the new gar rison.
"No happier nor more brilliant wedding has ever taken place in England, and the best wishes of the country are extended to these united ones.
"The unique decorations in the church at tracted much attention, the varied colored au tumn leaves being mingled with the brown pine burrs and long gray Southern moss sent by the Indians in America."
The last coach had drawn up before the gate, the guests entered, the coachman cracked his whip, and soon nothing was visible except the cloud of dust.
The sun was just setting, and rose-colored clouds were piled against the blue expanse. Against this the little ivy-covered church, with its festoons of yellow and red foliage, was set, the crescent moon, just emerging from behind

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL 61
the steeple, making the whole a beautiful sight. Oglethorpe had assisted Elizabeth to take off
the heavy veil, and, sitting on the rustic bench on the lawn, their hands clasped, they watched the changing clouds, listening to the singing of the mocking bird from the conservatory. Ogle thorpe repeated these lines:
"Now comes still evening on and twilight gray. Silence:
Beasts and bird to grassy couch and nest, all but the wakeful nightingale.
How glows the firmament with living sapphires. AH things now retire to rest, and the timely Dew of sleep, now falling with soft, slumberous Weight, incline our eyelids."
"SAVANNAH, GA., Sept. i, 1746. "Dear General: I know it will be pleasant to hear that the Creeks are still our staunch allies, refusing all bribes from French and Spaniards. They live in hopes that you will return. "Horton, though not equal to you, fills faith fully the position of military commander, and because he follows your instructions, we have peace, and many officers were able to return home. Still, I am glad that you have reported to the government our need of help, and that your letters are intercepted at Charles Town on that account. "No friend in England can rejoice more than I do to hear that Cook has been dismissed through Capt. Sunderlands testimony that he

262 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
was unfit for a commissioner, and that your good name has been cleared. Certainly we can indorse the sentiment, which is a fact, that South Carolina is indebted to Gen. Oglethorpe for her safety and repose, and Georgia for existence and
protection. "We regret that the precarious condition of
affairs in England, and your appointment as one of the officers to prevent the invasion of France, may prevent you from ever visiting Georgia
again. "That was a great scheme of Dr. Tailfers
and Mr. Williamsons, which, if it had been suc cessful, would have made them owners of Sa vannah and vicinity. At this distance of time we can laugh at it. Everybody, including the Indians, were to have all the drugs they wanted (not needed) from the doctor, and all the rum and braady from Mr. Williamson, without pay. A mortgage on their land would be taken, and all who could not pay up, which, of course, being filled with drugs that made them ill, and drink which made them idle, as it was poisoned, as in the case of the Indians at Augusta, they would be unable to work and would lose their property. They hoped by this to disgust the government and demand a change. For diabolical underhandedness and nefarious planning, not only in this instance, but in many others, these men and their associates cannot be equalled. I doubt, though, that this will do away with such crimes
I mean the mere act of these men going else where for such is the depravity of man that religion does not deter them, and they easily

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 263
evade the law. It seems incredible that a score of years ago, when the King granted the char ter for the colony, rum and slavery were for bidden as detrimental because it was hurtful and pernicious to mans body and attended with dan gerous maladies and distempers, and in time would ruin the country.
"Nor do they seem to remember that experi ence has shown that settling colonies with black slaves obstruct the increase of English and Christian inhabitants; that they could not be re lied upon in time of war. In insurrections and rebellions they would take the side of the rebels.
"If the town-crier every morning went through the streets calling out the laws and obligations, I do not think it would any more remind them than do their morning prayers.
"I noticed this in my desk, and thought I would send you a copy for old times sake:
" White blanket ....... I buck skin. Blue blanket .............. 5 buck skins. Gun .................. 10 buck skins. Pistol ................. 5 buck skins. White shirt ........... 2 buck skins. Knife ................ I doe skin. Hatchet ............... 3 doe skins. Axe ................. 2 doe skins.
One run-away Negro is worth one gun. "Perhaps it will amuse Lady Oglethorpe to see the difference in values. "Although Mi. H. is not able, on account of his mercantile business, to give the Orphans

ggj THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL

Home the attention he did when first associated

there with Mr. Whitefield, he still takes an in terest in it.
"His position as President of the colony and commissioner of silk culture, however, does not interfere with his great interest in the Sunday

school, of which he was the organizer. "Ever since the expiration of the service of

the white servants, many of them have gone to farming, and the people have hired slaves. I hear that Mr. H. has written the government to annul the law as regards slavery in Georgia. All the prominent people are in favor of it, and also of importing rum and brandy.

"What an immense amount of good your vigorous, ever-expanding mind might not have accomplished in religion, benevolence, philan-

throphy, and pure politics had it not been met at every turn by the monsters Greed and Ap petite. Within their cavernous jaws all advance ment is crushed. Their cry is, The Old Times are good enough. In reality they are not fol lowing even what was good in the past, but actu ally adding to what was evil.
"But we hope, in time, to surmount all diffi

culties.

"Your humble and "Obedient servant,

"HUGH SUNDERLAND."

THE HEIRESS OP CRANHAM HALL S6S
CHAPTER XL. Oglethorpe had just left St Brides church vestry room, where he had attended a meeting of the Hospital directors, when he saw, seated in a coach in Leicester Square, Dr. Berekeley, now Bishop of Cloyne. Stopping his own coach, he greeted the Bish op, who informed him that he was on his way to meet Dean Swift in Suffolk Street, with_whom the Earl of Leicester and he would dine in Pell Mell at the "Star and Garter." "All of you be my guests, then," said the Gen eral. "Lady Oglethorpe is spending the day at Cranham Hall, so that I am a bachelor, with freedom to dine where I choose." On arriving at the tavern, they were escorted to a private dining room, where they found the Earl of Kelvedon, Dr. Johnson, Richard Steele, and Anthony Collins awaiting them. After dinner, when they were enjoying their wine, coffee, and pipes, a discussion arose in reference to Dr. Hendricks ideas expressed in his "Psyche-Medical Philosophy." "I do not agree with the doctor that a spirit ual agency or soul governs the body; that there is a depression or plethora of the body, accord ing as the soul is over or undercharged," said

See THE HEIRESS OF CBANHAM HAUO
the Earl of Kelvedon; "if he means that it is an outside influence."
"He thought so," said Dean Swift, "because his mind was still dominated by inherited ideas of an outward devil. Of course, most of us believe in the influence of God, who is outside of us. These ideas, although not recognized, dominated his belief in the influence of mind or soul over matter."
"I prefer Dr. Raflutus theory. While he fol lows the old Greek and Roman truths of psychophysical ideas, he explains what they mean by 'pneitma,' the spiritual source of health, the spirit that controls disease. He believes that it is the vital principle--that power which gives us strength at times when our common resources seem to fail us. We draw on it and seem to have our life renewed. Different nations, dif ferent creeds, different classes of society, and different individuals draw on it in various ways, according to their habits or the higher develop ment of the mind."
"You mean by that," said the Earl of Essex, "that if a man is a Hindoo and wants to accom plish some particular feat, he will go into soli tude, and, concentrating his mind, will draw from this power the strength necessary. If a Christian, he will pray to God for strength. If an idolater, he will spend hours before his idol. If a man of science, he will refuse all food, all company, and in solitude draw upon this power, to enable him to prove his theory."
"Yes, and from that you can deduce the fact that it must be an inward, and not an outward,

THE HEIRESS OF CHANHAM HAM. S67
power. More than that, it is physical and not spiritual (that is, if the latter only is meant, so far as we use the word spiritual to describe something unseen and little understood)," re plied the Earl of Kelvedon.
"I do not agree with you," said Dr. Johnson, who apparently had taken no interest in the dis cussion. "God rules over all, and he has given us a soul, a separate thing from our poor, erring bodies. What is the use of salvation if we have no God-given souls?"
"We shall leave theology entirely out of the discussion, although I shall say finally that, if God made the world and each one of us, then mind, and soul, and body should equally be worth saving, as they each were made by Him. Bishop Berkeley, please explain to us your ideas of the mind. I think we would all understand it better than reading your treatise, although I surmise, like myself, all present have read your Human Knowledge."
"Yes, it will give me pleasure to do so, as I know that I have been much misunderstood. How could I believe that nothing was real when I had to take a ship to reach America. Not only that, but to avoid all noise, which is made by material things, I sought a quiet place on the sea coast. No, when I wrote that, spirits were the only substantial and powerful realities/ I meant that our mind or soul really did the work of recognition. That outside things merely gave us impressions. For you will all allow that many things pass before our eyes, strike our ears, and enter our nostrils; but if the mind is otherwise

S68 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
occupied, if our attention (which is a part of the mind) is not called to it, we know nothing of them. Yet I believe that there is a conscious Will and Intellect outside ourselves, which we call God/ and the scientists call the Creator."
"Your opinion is also mine," said the Earl of Kelvedon. "There can be no knowledge except there is mind, but we do not mean by that that there is no material world."
"An inexhaustible discussion might ensue from the question, Where is the soul of the idiot or lunatic ?" said Mr. Collins, "but we wont dis cuss that now. I want to remark that mind and soul are the only real distinctions between indi viduals. We are all patterned after the same body; bad people have as fine a body as good people, but mind does not always inhabit a per fect body, nor the reverse.
"I do not believe that spirit in man is a sep arate thing from his physical being. It is the culmination of all the faculties of his mind in the right proportion, if he is a truly all around good man, and the over-cultivation of all the evil faculties of his mind if he is a bad man. There are grades between the two, which is the reason we cannot understand why a man is so learned and yet so wicked, and ignorant yet
good." "You are right," said the General. "The soul
is the offspring of the mind, whether it be good or bad. The mind tells the body what to do, though we are so accustomed to its doing so that we are not conscious of it. For instance, we ought to move, but find that unless we will

THE HEIRESS OF CRA1VHAM HALL *69
it strongly, our feet will not obey if we are com fortably seated. The mind is responsible for all the sins of the body. Control the mind, and the appetites will obey."
"How would you explain, then, that the body controls the mind, as you know it does, one of the best illustrations being that when the blood is heated by fever our mind is impaired?" said the Earl of Essex.
"That is just what our friend, the Earl, started to explain," replied the General. "It is this: The mind being a part of the body shares its infirmi ties in a degree according to the severity of the malady or the parts of the body affected. It varies from a pin scratch, which perhaps gives your mind only a moments pain, to losing your whole head by a strike of the axe, which ends all thinking or mind at once."
"That is why they kill heretics," said the Dean; "they use their mind; they never employ physical means."
"We should never employ the word soul in distinction to the mind or intellect; it is the same. It is the vital principle for good or evil with which we were born. It can be improved or be put to the worst use imaginable. The coming years will bring to mankind perfection of mind or soul, just as we see it done in the physical growth of a being from infancy to manhood."
"I wish we had brought that man who says he can write in characters as fast as we can speak, but I went ahead of him myself," laughed the Doctor; "we might have sent this discussion to
theCritical Review,"

ytO THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"Let me add," said the General, "that brute force has settled all matters of dispute hitherto, but mind is now growing, and in the future will alone decide the question."
CHAPTER XLI.
On his way to the Inner Temple on some business connected with the colony, Oglethorpe met Dr. Johnson on his way to "Number I."
"That was a fine essay of yours, Doctor, in the London Magazine on drinking."
"Thank you, sir; I used to drink, occasionally do so now, but, falling sick, I gave it up as a regular beverage. I do not feel any difference in eating or drinking, as some people do, but can fast from Sunday to Tuesday."
"That is what I tried to instil in the minds of my colony in Georgia."
"Oh, I hate America," replied the doctor sur lily, and, striking his cane heavily on the ground, he quickened his walk.
They now entered the temple garden, and, as the doctor was writing an edition of Shake speare, Oglethorpe would have spoken to him of its association; that it was there that the red and the white rose were first worn by the op ponents in the War of the Roses. But the doc tor was in a reverie, and it was only when he reached his own door that Gen. Oglethorpe inter rupted him.
".Come to tea this afternoon at Lord March*

THE HEIRESS OF CRAXHAM HALL fffl
monts on Curzon Street He begged me to extend you the invitation."
"Sir, I shall be happy to go there. Pray give him my thanks."
In the drawing-room of the fine house of Lord Marshmont, the tea table, with its silver tea urn and exquisite fine china, was presided over by Mrs. Hannah More.
Seating himself by Lord Kelvedon, Goldsmith qsauiedr:1 ?""How did you like She Stoops to Con
"It made me at least laugh," replied the Earl. "Then I am satisfied," replied Dr. Goldsmith. "I suppose," said Mrs. More, handing a cup of tea to Mrs. Lennox, "if Mr. Shillingfleet had worn green stockings instead of blue, these lit erary meetings where we women are allowed to attend and listen to the erudite criticisms of learned men would have been nicknamed the Green Stocking Club." "When you consider the color, perhaps it would have been better had he done so. This Barrack master of Kensington has written a treatise on harmony. Have you seen it?" "No, but I am much interested in his Natural History." "Oh, doctor," as Dr. Johnson joined them, "how is Hodge? He is the handsomest cat I have ever seen. He is so sensible. He knows you love him, otherwise he never would take the liberty of climbing to your shoulder. Dont you think he has a soul ?" said Lady Montague, who had also joined the group around the tea table.
"No, madam, I do not," answered the doctor

g?g THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
testily, and, rising, he took a book, and, going to the window, began reading it.
"As the doctor appears to need more light on the subject, perhaps we had better suggest to the host that the candles be lighted," said Lady Oglethorpe, who had come up just in time to hear the last remarks, and she smilingly glanced up at the crystal chandeliers with their silver holders.
"What a pity that Mrs. Johnson did not com mand him to marry again," said the lovely Mrs. Garrett; "as Violette the Dancer, Id like to make him dance," and in order to get away with some of her exuberant spirits she sat at the piano-forte and played "Rule Britannia." Of this the doctor took no notice, but the next day she received a note from him brought by his negro servant Frank, asking her to join a party who were going to hear Handels Esther, and that Sir Joshua and Miss Reynolds would call for her in their coach.
They, with General and Lady Oglethorpe, dined first with Mrs. Garrett at her rooms in the Adelphi on the Thames terrace, and Miss Burney being present, Lady Oglethorpe invited her to a seat in her coach.
There was a notable gathering at Oglethorpes town house, Gen. Paoli being the guest of honor.
Gen. Oglethorpe, whose mind seemed full of the spirit of freedom, admired the man who had tried to free his country.
The Corsican General could understand only a few words of English, but many there spoke French, which made him feel at his ease.

___ THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE S7S
The Chronicle said of this:
"Lady Elizabeth Oglethorpe, in a lilac silk with bodice and train of violet velvet, presided at the table with her usual grace and dignity. Her abundant silvery locks were rolled back from her forehead and hung in several large curls at the back, a diamond comb holding them in place. She watched to see that each guest was well served as diligently as if her fortune de pended upon it."
The conversation turning on acting, Mr. Garrick said, "I wish I could always take the part of an honest, high-minded man."
"Then we women would never know of what a real bad man is capable. You play the part so well," replied Mrs. Carter.
"That is really a fine compliment to my act ing," Garrick replied, "for I really do not feel that way."
"Do you agree, doctor, with one who says that printing has hurt learning by spreading worth less knowledge?" asked Lady Dartmont.
"No, I think the instruction of what is good, that is disseminated by printing, will outweigh the useless."
"Heres to our hosts belief that slavery is injurious to a nation," continued the doctor, raising his glass of water, "and this beverage also indicates that I am in favor of his other favorite rule."
"I think you are wrong," said Mr. Langdon; "it is customary, and the Bible allows it."

274 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
"Under no circumstances is it right," replied Oglethorpe. "In the colonies it was and will prove disastrous, although it may now seem nec essary. It only prolongs the struggle to dis cover what can take the place of human and brute endurance, and rum and brandy causes the delusion that slavery is the only remedy."
The wine glasses which had been raised at Dr. Johnsons toast, were now drained as the host sat down.
Turning to Lady Oglethorpe, Dr. Johnson said: "I was thinking, madam, of writing a took on cookery, as you are aware I have a most delicate taste in that direction and know just how it should be chemically prepared, but if I do, it will not be necessary that you sub scribe to it, as you have already mastered the art."
Lady Elizabeth bowed her thanks, smilingly answering: "Then reward me, doctor, by allow ing us to hold the next meeting of the Blue Stocking Club at your house."
"If this increase on womans liberty goes on," remarked Mrs. Knowles, "we will be equal to men, which idea is not pleasing to some of them. Perhaps we may yet be members of the Lit erary Club."
"It is to be regretted," said Sir Joshua Rey nolds, "that so few vocations are opened to women. If they have the ability they should be allowed to work at something besides house keeping."
"Perhaps we might venture to entreat Lord Chatham to use his influence for us in helping to

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALL 875
keep the city dean, as we have such a reputation as good housewives," said Lady Elizabeth.
"It is a great mystery that women have not been allowed to do it, even if they were not al lowed to say how it should be done," remarked Miss Reynolds.
"It is a mystery like the Trinity," said the Rev. Mr. Palmer of Cambridge.
"It is not a mystery there, Mr. Palmer," re plied Lady Elizabeth, "for it is singular."
Gen. Oglethorpe smiled inquiringly at his wife, but that lady, rising, led the way into the draw ing-room, followed by the other, leaving the men to their wine.
Later in the afternoon the company was in creased by several members of the House of Lords and by celebrities of the day with their wives.
Sitting around the tea table, or standing in groups, they discussed the topics on politics, the new books, operas, until long after the candles were lighted.
Before the guests departed, Oglethorpe showed them many curious articles brought from Amer ica. Among them a large buffalo skin, on the inner side of which the Creeks chief had written hieroglyphics, denoting love and good will. Buck and doe skins also, cups made from a white clay. In the conservatory were several mocking birds, so tame that they alighted on Oglethorpes hand.

76 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
CHAPTER XLII.
Lady Oglethorpe had just stepped from her coach, and was about to enter Messrs. Tunnings in Devereux Court for a cup of tea, when she espied the Countess of Cork, nee Miss Monckton.
"How is Lady Galway?" Lady Elizabeth in quired.
"Quite well enough for us to have a pretty piece of "blue" to-morrow. Mother never lets her health interfere with my pleasure. Be sure you come."
"Certainly, and I hear Mrs. Siddons is to re cite Catherines defence in Henry the Eighth."
"Yes, and we are to be delighted also with some learned discussions from the men."
Together they entered the tea room, and, tak ing a table which commanded a good view of the room, they chatted about the company as they enjoyed muffins and tea.
On returning home, Lady Elizabeth saw the chairs of the Earl of Kelvedon and also Lady Montagu in the hall, and, entering the drawingroom, persuaded them to remain to supper.
Gen. Oglethorpe came home a short time afterwards, having been to a meeting of the trus tees in the vestry room of St. Margarets.
"Did you meet any one who had seen the bal loon go up at Oxford?" asked Lady Oglethorpe.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 877
"No, but Dr. Johnson is of the opinion that, unless some means of steering it is found, it will never prove of any value," replied the General.
"We women are getting into Parliament by patient waiting," said Lady Montagu, looking up from a letter she had just received, brought from the post office by the Earl.
Seeing Bess incredible smile, she laughed; then, glancing again at the letter, said, "It is the revival of the old story in 1738, when Lord Har vey made a speech on Spanish depredation, and the whole gallery in the House of Lords was to be occupied by the House of Commons during the debate. Several ladies determined that they would occupy their accustomed place, and, going there at nine in the morning, found the doors locked.
" We shall remain here, ladies," said Lady Huntingdon.
" Decidedly we shall, replied the Duchess of Queensbury; even if we go without food. Take off your slippers, ladies, and use the heels on the door. Well take it by turns. The Duchess of Lancaster, Lady Huntingdon, Lady Westmoreland, and I will begin. When we get tired, Lady Edwin, Lady Hamilton, Mrs. Pendervis, Mrs. Sanderson will take it up. I am afraid well go without lunch and tea to-day ?"
"They batted and talked so loud that the lords could scarcely hear. At five oclock the door still remained closed. No doubt the men thought they were giving an object lesson in obedience. Then the two duchesses ordered silence for the space of half an hour. Hearing no sound for

278 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALE
such a long interval of silence (in women), the Chancellor ordered the doors opened. He did not realize that the Trojan horse had been metamorphosed into a band of women. In they rushed along with the members from the House of Commons. Here they stood until eleven at night, showing their approval by applause, laugh ter and smiles, and their disapproval by sneers, laughter and winks.
"Whom do you think won the victory ?" asked the Earl in his quiet, half-mocking tone.
"Dont ask impossible questions," retorted Lady Mary. "Time only can answer that. It has a psychic value alone now."
"It certainly had a slippery value," replied the Earl; "the bootmaker no doubt was the gainer."
"And the taverns the losers," said Lady Mon tagu, "but it is not a cause for puns, I can as sure you. We were as much interested in that debate as the men, as it would deprive us of many articles we get from Spain. Men should know how to distinguish between a pirate and a
merchant ship." "Then you think us a very dull lot, only fit to
be governed and amused." "Not exactly, but men seldom seem to learn
by experience of themselves or others; they have conceit enough to suppose that it never would have happened in their case, but in argument with men a woman goes by the worse/ what ever be her cause."
"Remember Samsons reply: For want of words no doubt or lack of breath," he replied.

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALIi 879
Lady Mary disdained to reply, and the Earl continued:
"There are some French stanzas which has this classic story: Love was so much enamored of his mother that he could not sleep. Hope was chosen as his foster-mother, but being de ceived by Enjoyment in the guise of Innocence, she relinquished her charge to her care for one hour while she slept. Enjoyment fed Love on sweetmeats until he was delirious, and he, sink ing to sleep, has never awakened." It was in reply to some remarks on the apparent decadence of true love, started by the Earl of Essex.
"It seems as if the zephyrs from beautys fan have sometimes awakened him," said Oglethorpe. "You remember the material out of which the classic tale says that it was made ?"
"No, I at least do not. Relate it," answered Mrs. More.
"Venus finding no one was falling in love, journeyed to the cave where the little loves were making arrows. She instructed them to split the arrows in two and cut off the points. The fonder she used as sticks for the fans, and the latter as pins to hold them together. These were covered with fine silk muslin, on which were painted the picture scenes which you now have, they having been suggested by Minerva. With these fans Love is sometimes awakened from his sleep produced by the sweets of Enjoyment; thus life has not lost all of its charms."
"It seems, then, General, that we must con stantly use the fan in order to keep love awake, and that is the reason you see them fluttering

280 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
so at the opera and levees. Dont you think our hands will ache with such constant use?" asked
Lady Cook. "Your ladyship need only use your eyes," gal
lantly replied the General, at which compliment the lively as well as lovely young lady placed her feathered fan to her face, allowing only her eyes to be seen.
"All pure love is not dead, however," resumed the Earl. "Why, on account of it, I thought at one time of becoming a Yogi, a follower of Brahma, simply because I could not get my hearts desire. All the fans ever invented by the Goddess of Love, nor the withdrawal of all sweetmeats could not keep Cupid awake, for the simple reason that he never awoke for me at any stage. I am now content to let him sleep on."
"If we do not cease all this chatter, we cer tainly will awaken the little mischief maker. Do let his nurse stuff him with all the soothing sleeping potions she possesses and keep the little scamp quiet while we discuss more important subjects," said Lady Montagu.
"Did you hear the Rev. Francis Hutcheson of Glasgow at the academy?" she continued, turn ing to General Oglethorpe.
"Yes, and agree with him that all virtues are modes of benevolence, and that the moral sense in man is supreme. He thinks also that the Calvanistic idea lowers man. He would be classed among the New Lights. You remem ber Rundel was one of these, and was kept from the bishopric of Gloucester in 1738 by Bishop Gibson, because he was said to be a deist. He

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL S81
was like Hoadly, who preached against apostolic succession. He did not think any mere dogma essential to salvation; moral virtues and sincere convictions only necessary. Judgment should not be prevented by hope or fear. He thought that people should not be insulted or defamed because they wished to study the scriptures un der new conditions and find out the truth, and no worthless wretch with little learning and less sense should be allowed to deter them. Ortho doxy covers a multitude of sins, but a cloud of virtues must not hide the minutest particle of so-called deism."
Gen. Palo remarked in French, "Dont worry yourself about the truth of a doctrine. Let the other one worry."
"Yes, but Dr. Rundel did not believe that. He thought men were better than Calvin believed. Human nature should be raised to Gods ideal, not brought down to mans idea. He believed that every good act was a virtue whether the doer took sacrament or not, or disbelieved in the Trinity, and that to think one way and act an other was a lie."
"Yes," said Sir Joshua, joining in the discus sion, "the Critical Review had an article in which it said that it need not be a point of honor to speak the exact truth to madman and chil dren, thus they described the masses. They said also that not to place much stress on the Thirty-nine Articles ; that the church and prayer
book were founded at a time when the ecclesi astics were divided between Puritan and Cath olic in order to obtain peace. It was a compro-

282 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
mresist.e. " Believe as much as you can, leave the
"An English trait to smooth the rough places," said Gen. Parlo.
"But our higher divines did not leave it in that state," said the Earl of Kelvedon, speaking in French. "They fought for liberty, toleration, theological teaching, practical Christianity free from superstition, fanaticism, and mysticism. The church itself also cultivated the decencies of life, and tried to make men good and happy."
"I think we are enjoying the good results of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Society for the Reformation of Man ners, started at the end of the last century," said Lady Oglethorpe. "Religious persecution has abated its fury, and our church manners are also better; we do not now visit from pew to pew, nor bow and smile to each late comer."
"That is where the Wesleys are doing good work among the masses," said Mrs. Knowles. "They go among people who never saw a church. They speak to the hearts, not heads, of their con gregation. They have also started small socie ties where not only the Bible is taught, but good manners also. They find work for the unem ployed, give food to the poor and visit the pris ons, where the condemned want consolation. They are trying literally to obey Christ."
"We English are giving more attention also to the education of women. Education should know no sex. Mind only should be considered. In Italy and other countries, even in Turkey, where you know I spent some time when Mr.

THE HEIRESS OF CHATHAM HALE 285
Montagu was ambassador there, they are proud of their women with minds. They attend to their own business. Only England holds brainy women in contempt," said Lady Montagu.
"I agree with you," said the Earl; "even in the conduct of the nations affairs, women should have a voice. If they know how to attend the sick, keep accounts, keep their homes clean and free from sickness, why should they not be com petent to look after the nations children, who die from smallpox and other diseases, because men either are too busy with war or too ignorant of the subject to attend to the nations house I think women should manage that part of the work."
Lady Montagu and the other ladies clapped their hands and waved their handkerchiefs as the Earl finished.
An ancient book records the words that during a session of some kind, "there was silence in Heaven for the space of an hour," said Lady Cooke, who was always ready for a joke, "and I suppose if that were true, the women must have gone out to lunch."
"Your ladyship is mistaken," replied Mr. Collins; "there is no mention of there being any women in that vision of heaven; neither were they thought worthy to be tried as Job was. Satan was never sent to tempt them."
"Then, pray what is his name?" she asked, laughing. But no one answered.
Turning to Oglethorpe, Mr. Collins said, "General, what satisfaction can there be for you in having been the instrument of settling a part

28$ THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
of America? You were insulted, incriminated, impoverished, and nearly lost your life, when you might have remained at home, honored and at ease."
"Because we must build for the future. The past must be added to and improved. Hardly any one realizes that his life and acts have any influence on the future, but they do even the humblest, or the criminal. Men scarcely expect any remembrance or influence after they have passed away, except they have a monument or become a benefactor. I have tried to build for the future, and even though it take several hun dred years, the people will at last acknowledge that I was right. All our acts, I may add, should be done with the thought that we are !:he an cestors of the future."
EPILOGUE.
CHAPTER XLIII.
For many years Oglethorpe had been enjoy ing the peace and comfort that Cranham Hall af forded, and also the literary advantage of learned company, music, science, and all that contributes to the cultivation of the mind in London. His town house was the center for the numerous au thors, composers, musicians, and actors, both men and women, that were eminent in the second half of the i8th century.
With the help of the good judgment and wise

THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL 28S
management of his wife, he had retrieved his fortune. He was out of politics, and no more would he be called on to defend the Stuart cause, the Pretenders last attempt having failed at the fatal battle of Cullodon.
England had won the French colonial pos sessions in America, due to the military genius of Lord Chatham, who then guided the affairs of state. Also in India the French had been de feated. True, wars arose from time to time with foreign powers for various reasons, but the Hanoverians were safely fixed on the throne, and there was no danger of a civil war, nor was there any probability that England would, ever again be guilty of regicide. The people had now time to give their thoughts to literature, arts, and science.
England had produced no great musicians, yet she could appreciate those from other countries, and Bach, Handel, Haydn and the little Mozart were patronized, and could find no fault with their audience.
Religious persecution was on the wane, be cause science with its torch was showing that superstition was merely the shadows of a dis ordered, uneducated mind.
The idea that women should be given a clas sical education and should have some interest in life besides their household, was also gaining ground among men. Manners also had im proved, as the country was in a less unsettled state, and the people had time to reflect upon their behavior.
Having leisure, Oglethorpe and Lady "Bess"

286 THE HEIRESS OF CRANHAM HALL
spent their time in study, in attending lectures, concerts, and theaters, and in the enjoyment of their home and friends, assisting the struggling wherever they found them.
The General had passed his quarters of a cen tury, and abstemious, active, in full vigor of his senses, he entered on the last quarter of his own centenary. Being the senior officer of Sir Will iam Howe, he was offered the command of the English forces in America at the beginning of the Revolution. He declined unless the govern ment would let him assure them that justice would be done.
Knowing their reasons for settling in America, and their great endurance under all hardships, Oglethorpe predicted that they would never be subdued.
Four years seem a small part of a century, yet he never reached his centennial, a malignant fever ending his life in his ninety-ninth year.
The old register of Queen Elizabeths time, 1559, still used by the rector of Cranham Church, records his burial beneath the church on July 13, 1785-
THE END.

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