sibly influenced by his early training and education. Undeniably handsome, but rather meriting the distinction of fine looking, of distinguished appearance. Dark complexion with deeply set eyes; in color, varying with the emotions, from the hazel of unruffled calmness to the dark flashing of intense passion. With such a personality composed of highly endowed frame, acting as a background for a healthy, well trained mind, had produced that indescribable charm of manner with an absence of self-consciousness of either his physical or mental superiority, his manner being of that humble, gentle, insinuating kind that gave him his particular charm.

Colonel Johnson, through his journeying over the Colonies of New York and Connecticut while looking after the large and innumerable interest of his vast possessions, and in the capacity of an accredited officer of the government in all matters pertaining to the judicial, as well as Indian affairs, came in contact with many varieties of men and the different views on questions and policy of the Mother Country, that had been causing such strong current of opposition in the breasts of the Colonists. From the circumstance of his family having been in the past and present enriched by the Crown, he was naturally looked upon as an adherent to the laws enacted by Parliament. Latterly, he had come to view with alarm the persistent and unwise efforts to tax the Colonists and enact laws of great severity, when such efforts had, on their part, been disregarded and openly violated. In going about the country he

had often been an unwilling witness to harsh measures employed, followed by discontent and afterward by open rebellion to many of them. Without at first directing his thoughts in an analysis of his feelings on these matters, often taking it as a matter of course, for which there was no remedy, he began to unconsciously feel a sympathy for the Colonists, and also with it there came a doubt as to the wisdom of the government trying to force measures without the right to protest. He had come in contact with many of the ablest statesmen of the times and was often struck with their forceful and eloquent dissertations on those topics for the general good and had been made to feel the wisdom of their words. Knowing their wealth and position they could not be accused of sordid motive or personal gain in their efforts to achieve the ends for which they contended.

These thoughts passed through his mind as he journeyed onward, having shortly before had a conference with Governor Tryon in which the unmitigated tyranny and cruelty was unmistakably apparent, striking him as if rudely awakened by a shock as from a peaceful slumber, and he began to soliloquize thus:

"I cannot long remain an adherent of the Crown if this continues. It will be impossible for me from my position to remain neutral. If I side with the Colonists my family will be made to feel the displeasure of the King in some substantial manner, so as to coerce me back into an allegiance that I distrust and dislike. Why cannot they get

the truth over there? The blindest of all men are those who will not see. I will write to Dr. Franklin, he will be able to give me advice on the subject as well as to get the inner state of feelings from Lord Chatham, who will willingly outline a policy for us to pursue. What a fine old fellow he is! The wrath of the grasping monarch rests lightly upon his head if, in fact, it touches him at all. The King knows too well that the idol of the people is safe from his plottings."

Nearing his destination, which was the Ridgefield Tavern, he dismissed the subject from his mind. He was sure of a cordial welcome from landlord Bishop. A pair of eyes and face had haunted him for many weeks since his last sojourn at the Tavern, which try as he may he could not banish from his mind. They were always coming atwixt him and most everything he did with a persistency that was to say the least annoying. What was behind it all to set his heart suddenly throbbing when he thought of those eyes and when he asked himself the question "would I like to see them again?" set his whole frame tingling with a new sensation.

"Pshaw! it cannot be only a little extra ardor on my part for being deprived of the fair sex's society of late," dismissed it from his mind but it would come back at the slightest provocation or without any provocation at all.

"I verily believe I am becoming as sentimentally lovesick as a school boy that blushes and stammers at every girl that speaks to me. Heigh

ho! I will soon see her, I am sure the illusion will be dispelled. How we men are apt to clasp and hug a delusion-especially if we have been for a long time deprived of the real substance. Well, Warren, you are getting sentimental and foolish at last."

CHAPTER VI.

The Arrival of Warren at the Tavern
and Consequences

A

"Love rules the court, the camp, the grove,

And men below and saints above:

For love is heaven and heaven is love."

-Sir W. Scott.

CLATTER of hoofs! A horseman appeared, and pulling up before the Tavern and throwing the reins to a waiting darkey easily and lightly sprang from the saddle, with a couple of strides vigorously grasped the outstretched hands of Landlord Bishop, exclaiming:

"A good morning mine host, what good news since last we met?"

"Glad to see you Colonel," said Bishop, "Oh things about so-so," as he made his meaning more clear by dipping his hand upward and then reversing it.

"I take it then the Colonists are as often victorious as our opposing friends," said Colonel Johnson, and then asked, "Any fresh outbreak or cause for alarm from my superior, Governor Tryon?"

"Well, the Big Wolf seems to have the happy faculty for keeping our neighbors on the qui vive of expectancy," was the reply.

"Will his greed ever be satisfied or his cruelty appeased"? was the Colonel's inward comment.

That there was a tacit understanding and mutual sympathy between the landlord and his guest could be easily gained from the foregoing