Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-26


There was a short bustle-a heavy door
creaked upon its hinges, and Mabfe's
heart swelled within her, and her limbs
trembled, as she saw Mark HURLEY.
bound, led before the king. But a Sec
ond look partly re assured her. His
cheek was pale but there was in the
irmness of his step, and the proud glance
of his eye. the mighty strength of con-
scious innocence. Opposite to Ii m STOOD
Captain Wyckhamme-his eye bloodshot
and his hand trembling, and many who
carefully scanned the countenance of the
two, turned to each other and whispered
that the accuser looked more guilty than
the accused.
Captain Wyckhamme," said Henry
" this man was found asleep upon his
post" 80.
81 deeply grieve to say it, my lieg6,'
answered Captain Wyckhamme, bowling
low, " but such is the fact. ON my co.
ing my rounds last night, shortly after,
midnight, | surprised him in a most sound
sleep. and for this | vouch, so help me
God |"
prisoner, what sayest thou to the
charger" demanded Henry.
"That it is a foul lie, and that e who
makes it knows it is a lie" exclaimed;
Marked Huntley, with irmess.
How, varletl" calculated tn, King
!" wouldst thou put thy word against the.
oath of a gentleman, and thine officer 2"
Yes" said the prisoner, marry, that
would | | say he speaks falsely, and I
have proof"
proof" replied the king q Gods
life, we will hear p of; but it must
be strong to bear down the word Of an
Eapproved loyal. gentleman like Captain
Wyckbamme. What is this proof Of thine,,'
sirrah ?" /,
This. SO please your majesty said
Mark Huntley. "Last night / Kept the
middle watch on the Eastern tower. The
air was still and calm, except that, now
and then, a gentle breath came from the
direction of London. AS I mused. +
thought l heard a low, faint, clang as of
a bell. l listened, and heard it again
and again-the light breeze bore it stiiE
fresher upon my mine cart was tho
great bell of Saint Paul's striking mid
night and, as | am a true man, the clock
rung thirteen Chimes"
A woman's screams, loud and thrilling, ).
through the hall, and Mabel, bursting
from the yeomen by whom she was SUP
rounded, sprung forward, and throwing
herself at Henry's feet, shrieked rather
than spoke !:
cit is true-it is true-these hands did,
it-these hands rung the thirteenth chime
He is innocent-justice. my liege. 1 de:
mand justice!"
Goods life, sweetheart, this is a curl.
Gus NATTER" replied Henry but rise,,-
thou shalt have justice-the king promi.'
SEES it."
ut was a plot-a base plot for his
death, and my dishonor," exclaimed Ma
bel but God hath overthrow it,
Look at his a~ccuser, Sire, he changes
color, he trembles-he is-he is the gull
ty one, not Mark"
Henry rose and bent his keen eye upon
Captain Wyckhamme. But how earnest
thou to ring the thirteenth chime, wo.
man 2" he asked.
Il will tell thee" said Mabel, eagerly
| was lured at midnight into the cathe-
dral violence was offered to me even at
the shrine of the Virgin /; | fed into the
belfry, and there caused the thirteenth
chime to sound, for the purpose of r; ting
an alarm. l did it to save mysclf-lo
it hath saved my lover"
Who pursued thee hither 2" asked the
king.
"A priest, and he is here"
Henry looked quickly around his eye
fell upon the sombre figure of the monk,
and he exclaimed, Let the priest stand
forward"
The robed figure advanced, and theB
remained motionless.
Throw back thy eowl" said the king.
The priest moved not, but an oficious
yeoman twitched it aside, and discovered
the features of Father Francis.
at is he ?" exclaimed Mabel.
Henry looked from the churchman to-
his captain of the guards. The face of
the former was of a dreadful pallid hue
and his lips convulsiveIy compressed, but.
he manifested no further emotion. 1t
was different with Wyckhamme. Physi.
cal courage, he had plenty o., but of NOR.
al bravery he had none. The king look.
ed 6xedly at him his limbs trembled-
he caught hold of the oaken table for
support, and gasped as if Tor BREATH
There was an awful pause.
Mercy ! mercy p faltered Wyckham-
me. & will confess /"
Traitor and coward! p shouted Faith.
er Francis, " we are lostf'
"Seize that priest" said the king, with
a voice like a trumpet.
Father Francis made a quick motion Of
one of his hands towards his face, and
then dashing aside, with a ~convulsive #
fort, the brawny arms laid upon him, he
exclaimed -
Away, | am beyond your reach"
His pale lip curled into a smile Of tri
umph-then his face became livid, ant
changed its expression-the eye glazed
CONCLUDED on sErsoN0 pAfxr.>