, 1859-09-02
THE THIRTEENTH CHIME.
A Legend Of Old London.


day, that two men sat in oaTnest conversation in
the oak.panelled parlor Of small house abutting
upon St Paul's Churchyard. The one was . sol
der, the other priest. The former was habited
as an officer Of the yeomen Of the guard--his
morton, surmounted by plume Of feathers, lay
before him on the table, and his rich scarlet and
gold uniform shone gay and glistening In the sun
shine. lie was young man, but vice and un-
bridled passion were stamped, like Cams mark,
upon his face. His eyes were bloodshot; his
mouth coarse and sensual, and his whole bearing
fierce and staggering. His priestly companion
had thrown back his cowl, probably for coOlness,
and disclosed features, the expression Of which,
like that Of the captain Of the guardswas evil, but
which, unlike his, was partly redeemed by an ap-
pearanee Of lofty intellectually. The priests
forehead was high and massive, and his eye deep
set and bright As he glanced at bis companion,
his thin, pale lip curled involuntarily, and the
scorn of his smile was withering. But the
soldier perceived it not, as he carelesSly set
aside the silver stoup from which he had been
imbibing plentiful draughts Of sack, and re-
marked:
"And 50, Bully Friarl thou hast absolved all
my sins-truly their name was legion-but that
boots not now they are rubbed away like rust
from o sword blade"
Doubtless thou art pardoned. Have l not
oatu ~ NCbulhSN pltSS@ @AhN 80 so SPSAASl
hIs lips curled more palpably than ever.
That swaggerer, pinned by the cross bow
bolt at ThameY" said he Of the yemen Of the
guard, beginning anew the muster roll Of the
ansgressOns.
"Ihink not Of it." replied the priest
"And the murder done at the Bankside"
"ForgIven."
"And the despOiling Of the Abingdon mer-
cerH"
al have absolved."
"And the vow broken to Sir Hildebrand
Greyi"
at will not count against thee"
"And the carrying off the pretty Mistress
MarjoryY" -.,..... .''-..7.,'.-
"Hath been atoned for"
"And oaths, lies, imprecatious innumcrableS"
rcjoined the captain. "NOt so much that care
about such petty matters; but when one is at
confession, one may as well make clean breast
Of it" ... s
"In the name Of the church, absOlve thee.
Aud now Capt WyckhAmlne, thou must perform
Q service for me-" --a-i
"It is but reasonable. Thou art my helper in
matters spiritual-lam thine in matters earthly
We serve each other Father Francis!"
The worthy FTaKcis smiled. Iii possible that
he deemed the arrangement better one for HIM
self than for his military friend
Therefore say the word, continued Wyck-
hamme; "and lOl my bountifu forgiven Of trans
gressions, am thine for good or evil.
Father Francis bent his keen, black eye stead
ily upon his companion-gazing as If he would
peer into his soul AT length he spoke slowly,
and clamly-
"Thou hast yeoman in thy company Of guards
-One Mark Huntley."
"Marry, YES. A fine stalwart fellow; he
draws bow like Robin Hood; and l would IN
like to abide the brunt Of his partisan. What Of
himf"
The priest started up--his eye flashed--his
noStril diated. Catching Wyckhamme's arm
with his brown, snewy hand, and clutching it
convulsively, no said, hOarsely-
"Ruin himm
"Ruin himl" repeated the officer Of the guards,
somewhat surprised at this unexpected outburst
-" ruin himi Marry, man, bethink you, he Is
the flower Of my company" s
al say ruin him." cried the priest "ThOu
art his officer, and there are thousand ways
Plot, plot-so that he may rot in dungeon, or
swing from gallOws. He is q canker In my
heart" a ri isf I'd 2aa'
"But wherefore art thou set against thy yeo-
man, fatherp" asked Capt. Wyckhamme.
"He has crossed my path" said the priest,
moodily.
=. "Crosscd my patn-how = demanded tne SOL
dler..,s...; y -, -
Father Francis looked wisttuly at his question
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