"Your delicacy does you great credit, sir," spoke Clifford holding out his hand. "I have been wrong in my estimation of you."
"And I appreciate your offer of a.s.sistance, Captain Williams." Drayton shook his hand warmly, sincere admiration in his eyes. ""Twas handsomely done."
"And now," exclaimed Clifford almost gaily, "as our little affairs are settled, I must bring you in to dinner. The colonel"s wife hath commissioned me to do so."
"I am not up to it yet, captain. I shall find a bed somewhere, and sleep a while longer. Odds life! how seedy lack of sleep doth make a man! Present my compliments to the ladies, will you?" Drayton sank back on the gra.s.s as he spoke.
"With pleasure, sir," answered the other.
Punctiliously they saluted, and Clifford strode back to the house.
John Drayton laughed softly.
"Now that," he said, apostrophizing the tree, "that is what might be called an amende honorable. Whew! wouldn"t I like to see Harriet"s face when he tells her!"
Some hours later, having slept off fatigue, washed, and freshened himself from top to toe, Drayton approached the colonel"s quarters. On the piazza sat David Owen, with Peggy on one side of him, and Clifford on the other. His arm was about his daughter; his other hand rested on the younger man"s knee. It was a pretty picture; full of affection and quiet happiness. John Drayton stopped short at sight of it. His face whitened, and a look of consternation flashed into his eyes. Crushing his beaver over his eyes he wheeled, then strode away. The three had been so absorbed that they had not seen him, but Harriet came upon the piazza in time to catch his expression.
"Peggy," she called.
"Yes?" Peggy went to her quickly alarmed by the insistence of her tone.
"Go to that captain of yours at once. He is troubled."
"John troubled, Harriet? Why----"
""Tis naught but what you can remedy, you little goose," cried Harriet shaking her. "Don"t you dare come back into the house until you have corrected his misapprehension. I won"t have John Drayton made unhappy to-day!"
"But----"
"Oh, go!" She caught Peggy suddenly and kissed her. "Go!"
And wondering much Peggy sped down the path after Drayton. He heard her light footsteps, and waited for her.
"Why, how tired thee looks, John," she exclaimed startled by his appearance. "I thought thee had a good sleep. Thee has worn thyself out by thy exertions. And all for us. Yet thee hath given us no chance to thank thee."
"I was glad to do it, Peggy. Clifford is--Yes; he"s a fine fellow," he said as though he were obliged to acknowledge the fact. "He is well worth saving. I was glad to do it. Yet--yet I am thankful that I did not know----"
"Know what?" she asked as he came to a pause.
He did not answer, and the girl looked at him in perplexity. Presently she spoke:
"I think I never saw thee with thy hat on straight before, John. I like it not."
"I did not know." He touched it indifferently. "I always find it so when I am discouraged, or hopeless."
"But why should thee be discouraged or hopeless now?" she queried amazed.
"How shall I bear it when you are in England, Peggy?" he cried suddenly, and turned from her.
Peggy saw a great light. When she spoke it was with sweet authority:
"Put thy hat as thee always wears it, John. Then let me tell thee about Clifford and Sally."
"About whom?" Drayton swung about with precipitation.
"About Sally and my cousin, Clifford. I want to tell thee how a message from her cheered his dark hours; I want to tell thee how she helped Harriet; and I want to tell thee, most of all, John, what I am hoping will happen if Clifford is sent to Philadelphia. Dear Sally!"
"Dear Sally!" he echoed fervently, settling his hat in its accustomed place with the jaunty gesture that she loved. "Dear, dear Sally," he added with growing enthusiasm as he met her laughing eyes. "I shall like to hear about Sally. Tell me, Peggy."
It was three months later. Congress had recognized the altered sentiments of the country regarding the case of retaliation, and Clifford was set unconditionally at liberty. England had advised that hostilities be suspended, so that--while the two armies retained their respective positions, one in New York, the other in the Highlands--it was only as a precautionary measure. The prospects for peace were at last a.s.suming reality. There were yet many months to come before the terms would be agreed upon, and the treaty signed; but American Independence was not only achieved, but recognized at last by England.
It was a bright October day. Peggy sat with her mother in the sitting-room of the dwelling in Chestnut Street. The air was just chill enough to warrant a fire, and the two were deep in conversation before its pleasant warmth. The door opened hastily, and Harriet, looking marvelously beautiful in a new riding habit, stood on the threshold.
"I am going for a ride with Robert, madam my cousin," she said, and the rich color flooded her cheeks as she p.r.o.nounced the young man"s name. "We may be a little late. You will not mind?"
"Nay, Harriet." Mrs. Owen smiled at her fondly. "I hope that thy ride will be a pleasant one."
"Mother," spoke Peggy as Harriet closed the door, "how this terrible contagion of domesticity, as General Washington puts it, hath seized everybody! Here Betty hath married her Frenchman and gone to France; Clifford is to come for Sally before he sails for England; and now there is Robert and Harriet. What does thee think of them?"
"I am much pleased," answered the lady. "It will be the making of Harriet. Robert is of a strong, true nature which will command her respect. He hath invested her with every n.o.ble quality, believing her to be as lovely in character as she is beautiful in person. Harriet likes to be so considered. Peggy, rather than fall below his ideal she will become all that his fancy paints her."
"I am so glad that we are not to lose her, mother. Harriet hath become very dear to me."
"And mother is glad that thou art not to go across the seas, Peggy. At one time I feared that perchance Clifford----"
"And so did John," laughed Peggy.
Other Stories in this Series are:
PEGGY OWEN PEGGY OWEN, PATRIOT PEGGY OWEN AT YORKTOWN