Dorminghurst,
October 30, 178—“My dear Mr. Barclugh:
“I regret that my words can not properly convey my sentiments in support of your noble acts in giving justice to our struggling Colonies. My father feels grateful to you for what you have done.
“As to the part that you took in the drama of war, our Segwuna says that you were a messenger sent by the Great Spirit to learn the truth about our people and to convey it across the sea.
“My feelings for you have always been of the tenderest nature and I know that I could love and honor you as your noble spirit deserves.
“There is only one consideration that I can ask before I pledge you my honor and my life:
“My people left England to escape the perfidy of aristocratical distinctions in society. If you were plain Roderick Barclugh and could come and live our simple life in America, my heart would rejoice to be your bride. But for me to return to England, a titled person, I would be sacrificing the principles of three generations of my forefathers and I should always feel guilty of treachery to my dearest family ties. Thus it would be a mistake to try to make me happy and we had better bide apart although it would break my heart.
“But if you could come to America and we should be wedded simply as Roderick Barclugh and Mollie Greydon my heart would rejoice and I am sure God would prosper us in our journey through life.
“With my tenderest affection and esteem,
“As ever yours,
“Mollie Greydon.“Sir Roderick Barclugh, Bart,
“Devon House,
“Devonshire, England.”
In the course of two months, Sir Roderick Barclugh received the answer that Mollie penned, and when he read its contents, he kissed the paper that held the precious words, and as soon as the war closed, after Cornwallis’s surrender, he immediately took steps to transfer his baronetcy to his next of kin and made all arrangements to wed Mollie Greydon in the following spring.
He did not forget to do justice to Mrs. Arnold and her children before he left England or resigned his title.
He secured a pension for Mrs. Arnold of three hundred pounds sterling yearly and one hundred pounds yearly for each of Arnold’s children. He felt the responsibility for Arnold’s rash deed to a very great degree.
In the balmy days of June following, the old mansion of Dorminghurst was gay with the prospects of the wedding of its jewel.
The old hemlocks seemed greener than ever and the lover’s walk and the old mill had its attractions for Mollie and Roderick in the prenuptial days.
The wedding was celebrated in high pomp (for the Greydons had practically gone back to the established church) by the Reverend Mr. White, the Chaplain of Congress.
The war was over and the people were united. The drama of the strife was past. Peace and its pursuits held sway.
Roderick Barclugh and his bride emigrated over the Alleghanies and took up lands in the blue-grass region of Kentucky, where they lived in happiness and contentment, rearing a large family.
Their love for fine horses brought the line of thoroughbreds that distinguishes the soil of the State of “the dark and bloody ground.”