OCR Text |
Show such emergencies By having stout, firm, iron stirrups placed right and left at very short intervals. By these you can easily reach the roof, she said. She kissed them both and poured out wine and made them drink, and then lett them to eat and THE LIONS WHELP A Story of Cromwell's Time BY AMELIA E. BARR. . Author of Th Bow of Oranf Ribbon, Th Maid of Maidarv (Cop right, 1901, by Dodd, Mead & CHAPTER V. (Continued.) and the time and the place had met and there was no doubting it. His words burned this assurance into the hearts of all who heard him, and when he struck his sword hilt to emphasize them, they answered with the same movement, unconscious and simultaneous. In some remarkable way this tremendous national crisis had become known in every corner of the land. And the very vagueness and mystery of the conviction intensified its importance, for generally the information came as the wind blows, no ,one knew whence. At Swaffham and de Wick this fateful feeling was aggravated by keen personal interests. To Mrs. Swaffham and Jane the coming battle might mean widowhood and orphanage. To de Wick it might mean the extinction of the family, root and branch, the loss to the lonely earl and his daughter of the one love on which their future could build any hope. On the third afternoon, there came rumors of a great Parliamentary rumors that Charles Stuart had been slain in battle, suppositions and sumises innumerable and contradictory. Jane went as quickly as possible to de Wick, for if indeed there had been a Royalist defeat, Stephen de Wick might have reached home and The man . vic-.tor- life was hardly to be borne, unless some certainty relieved the tension cutting like a tight thong the heart .and brain. The neglect and desolation of de Wick Park had in it something unusual; it was that strange air of sorrow, new and unaccepted, which insists on recognition. It hurried Janes steps; she felt sure she- was either .going to meet trouble or that trouble - " I, Thou and tho Othor On, Etc. Ltn" Company. AU rights reserved.! not of your profession. I can weep for the death of those who loved me. With these words Matilda turned sobbing away, and Jane, slowly at first and then hastily, took the road to Swaffham. For she remembered that the news which had reached de Wick was probably at Swaffham. So she made all possible haste, and as soon as she reached home she was aware of a change. Her mother came quickly towards her. Her look was flurried, but not unhappy, as she Have you the news, Jane? cried, Tis the greatest victory that hath ever been in England. Dr. Verity came an hour ago, so tired he could scarcely sit his horse. He has had a warm drink and sleeps, but he says no victory was ever like it. And my father and brothers? What of them? - Tonbert and Your father is Will have some slight sword cuts. We must be ready to go with Dr. Verity to London on Tuesday morning. Your father desires it. being Sabbath, we can do nothing towards our journey, but on Monday all must be finished. Jane worked rapidly. Her little box was soon packed, her room put in order, when there was a sharp, impatient knock at the door. Before she could in any way answer it, Matilda de Wick entered and threw herself on her knees at Janes side. You said you would help me, she you said you would, with cried; heart and hands! No?,', Jane, keep your word! What is it, Matilda? What is it you wish? It is Stephen; it is his friend Hugh Belward. They are searching de Wick for them now. I have brought them to you. .Jane, for Gods sake rest. In the parlor she found Dr. Verity eating a beefsteak pudding and talking to Jane, who sat with a white and anxious face trying to smile and answer him. Come and rest a little, Martha, he said. And what think you? Here come a riders awhile ago, seeking young de Wick. They said also that it was thought Charles Stuart might be with him, and they would have searched Swaffham high and low if I had not been here. I think we will begin our journey to London on Monday morning, Martha. I cannot. If I had as many hands as fingers, I could not. You may and keep watch and ward Monday, and it may be well to do so; for, to tell the truth, I trust neither men nor maids in the kitchen. For a Parliament they would hide the devil. When was this great battle of Worcester fought? Last Wednesday, on the third day of this month. Mother, remember how sad we were all that day. You said to me, Jane, there is death in the air; and the men could not work, and they vowed the beasts trembled and were not to guide or to hold. The third of September! said Mrs. Swaffham, that was Dunbar day. A great victory was Dunbar! Yes; and now there is peace." Peace comes too late for many a family. There are the de Wicks. I am sorry for them, and I could be sorrier if they had suffered for the right instead of the wrong. What will the young lady Matilda do after her fathers death? Her aunt. Lady Jevery, has been written for, more than a week ago. She may be at de Wick even now. I think Matilda will make her home with the Jeverys. Then she goes to London. I know their great house near Drury Lane, it has very fine gardens indeed. And now,' Jane, dear, little Jane, listen to me. You are going to the great city, to Whitehall palace, to Hampton court, to the splendor and state of a great nation. You will be surrounded by military pomp and civil glory and social pride and vanity. Dear little girl, keep yourself unspotted from the world! May God help me, sir. And let not the tale of love beguile you. Go often to the assembling of the saints and catch the morning Jew ami celestial" rant Of their prayers and praise. Jane smiled gratefully, and her eyes were dim with teats as she laid her hands- in Doctor Veritys to clasp her promise. Yet when she reached her room and sat quiet in its solitude, no one will blame her because many thoughts of love and hope blended themselves with the piteous ones she sent to de Wick, and to the two weary fugitives under Swafihaiq roof, Tke House fivei JeJck half-a-doze- n half-crow- This is the house that Jack built. This is the maiden called greenhorn, that helped the cook of ample form, to cook the food, that fed the maid, that worried the wife, that lived in the house that Jack built. n This is the wife that lived in the house that Jack built. This is the man, all tattered and torn, that carried coal for the young greenhorn, This is the maid, that worried the wife, that lived in the house that Jack built. Jane, Jane! Why dont you was following after her. She entered the hall and saw a man in his stockinged feet softly descending the stairs. She knew his name and his occupation and her heart stood still with fear. Is that you, Jane Swaffham? cried Come Matilda, running down stairs. and here, come here, come here! seizing her by the arm, she compelled Jane to ascend at her side. Jane made no resistance to such impetuous, imperative passion, and she was hurried up the steps and along the corridor until Matilda suddenly stopped and threw open the door of a , darkened room. she Go in. Mistress Swaffham, cried, and look your last on one of Cromwells victims. And Jane shook herself free, and stood a moment regarding the placid face of the dead priest. said Jane, Oh, God be merciful! and Matilda answered, Yes, for men know nothing of mercy. Come, there is more yet. Then she opened the door next to the death chamber, and Jane saw lying on a great canopied bed the dying earl. His last breaths.were coming in painful sobs, but he opened his eyes and looked mournfully at Jane for a Then the physician few moments. sifting by his side motioned authoritatively to the two girls to leave the room. He is dying. You see 'that. He may live till morning no longer, said Matilda; he is only waiting to see Stephen, and Stephen will never come. V'What Can I do for you, dear? Oh,' what can I- do? , I will have nothing from you, not even pity. I never wish to see your face again. And how poor Stephen loved you! And yon you have not a te&r for his fate.' I thank, God I WB - VI. On the Tide Top. The great day of triumph was over. Cromwell had entered London at the head of his victorious army, and the let them in? city was safe and jubilant. Standing save them; not for my sake, not for at her mothers side, Jane had witpitys sake, but for Gods sake save nessed from a window in the crowded them! They are now outside this Strand the glorious pageant of Libdoor. Jane, Jane! Why dont you let erty. them in? Oh, for God's dear sake! And in the midst of this joyful turHow can. I do what you ask me, bulence she had caught sight of her Matilda? Think of what you ask father and brothers and lover; her I know; I ask life for two poor fathers face glad, like the face souls ready to perish. Jane, there is of a man whosternly had fought a good fight no time to talk. Let them through to assured victory; his sons imitating the door. his bearing, as well as youth could I will call mother, she said; let age; and the young lord not far them in until I bring her here. Then copy from them, proud and radiant and she opened uie door, and Matilda the Comcarrying aloft the colors-o- f brought the wayworn, bloodstained, monwealth. fainting fugitives within the sanctuAs yet they had not met, nor had ary. Mrs. Swaffham was not long in an- Cluny any certain knowledge of the Swaffhams location. Mrs. Swaffham swering Matildas petition. Surely, had learned that Cluny Neville was she said poor lads, surely, my pitito her husobjectionable personally fully, I will find hiding for you. band and sons, and, as she could not God Himself thank you, madame, sobbed Matilda. Father said you see clearly what road to take, she very wisely stood still, waiting for would. Yes, dearie, and Will shall saddle some light and guidance. And it seemed unnecessary to trouble Janes a horse and take you home. until thgre was a positive reaheart No, no, no! It would then be known I had come here in the dark. son for doing so; yet her depression No one must know. I can find my and evident disappointment fretted her mother. way and I must now go. What Is the matter with you, "Tell your father that they who would hurt the ypung'men must hurt Jane? she asked Irritably one mornme first. ing; you look as if you had losl ' ' It will be the greatest, the last everything in the world Instead of be comfort he can have in this world. ing as your father thinks, right on tha Then she kissed her brother, and with road to .many a good day. I wouldnt a glance of farewell pity at his com- throw such a damp over things if 1 panion, went quickly and quietly were you. You seem to have forgotten Cluny, away. . Go downstairs, Jane, said Mrs. mother. He seems to have forgotten us; he Swaffham, and if Dr. Verity is waiting, order supper to be served. I will might have called, I think.' Does he know where we are? bestow our friends in the oak room, He could have found out. And, on the west side of the house. . To this room she took them, and Jane, it is not- - maidenly to take any then brought water and wine And young man so .seriously as you take bread and meat, and some of her sons Lord Neville until your ..father and clothing, showing them, also, that the brothers are satisfied. wide chimney had been prepared for (To be continued.) v ( that worried the wife, that lived in house that the Jack built. This is the man, and all shaved shorn, that tended the furnace every morn, to help the man all tattered and torn, that carried coal for the young greenhorn, This is the cook of ample form, that cooked the food, that fed the maid, that the helped cook of ample form, that cooked the food, that fed the maid, that worried the wife, that lived in the house that' worried the wife, that lived in the house that Jack built. - CHAPTER that helped the cook of ample form, that cooked the food, that fed the maid, that Jack built. And this is Jack, all wan and worn, he works all day from early morn, and vaguely wonders if he ..Was born, to help the man all shaved and shorn, that fixes the furnace every morn, to help the man all tattered and torn, that carries coal for the young greenhorn, that helps the cook of ample form, that cooks the food, feeds that the maid, that worries the wife, that lives in the house that Jack built. C THE CRAZE FOR TATTOOING. English Women Carry the Fad to Great Extremes. Alfred South of Cockspur street has during his career operated on upward of 15,000 persons, including about 900 English women, the designs in a great number of cases being of a most peculiar description. Perhaps the most striking of all are of two celebrated representations Crucifixion and The paintings, One woman has deEcce Home. picted on her skin a picture representing a flight of birds. Portraits of husbands and lovers are popular with women, and there are several instances in which women have been tattooed with their husbands regimental crest. Monograms, initials and family quarterings abound. Languages, too, have their due share of attention. Many women have written on their arms words belonging to various tongues Assyrian, Chinese, Arabic. Religious subjects are very popular. There are some instances where ladies have had the inscriptions on their wedding rings tattooed on their fingers' beneath the ring. . Etchings of bracelets in yellow encircle the arms of many. Ladies wno like to kebp pace with .the times may .. be adorned with illustrations of motor . cars. London Mail. - , , larice W. Rilej' in New York Times. THE SAILORS NOVEL IDEA. He Wanted at Least Some Part of a Wedding. Max Adler, as Charles Heber Clark, the humorous writer, likes to be called, once told at a dinner of the Manufacturers club of Philadelphia a story apropos of the tariff. Mr. Clark has strong views on the tariff. In his speech he condemned the advocates of measures opposed to his views as follows: "Those people remind me of who took his sweetheart to church and asked the minister to marry them. The minister would have married them readily enough, only the man was half drunk, and even the woman, it was evident, had been drinking. des,-they admitted they had only known each other two days. Oh, I xant marry you, the minister said. Then, to give an inoffensive reason for his refusal, he asked; Have you got a guinea ? No, indeed, said the sailor, nor nothing like it. Then to marry you is out of tho question, - for you havent enough money to pay me, said the other. The sailor took out a quarter and squeezed it, with a wink, into the ministers hand. Just marry us as far as thatll go, boss, he said.. Besi- |