The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-08

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Frank reluctantly went on hearing
this, and left his bitter enemy there to
his own evil Vaccinations, and staring
at the letter which lay on the window
sill before him.
iii. THE INTERCEPTED MESSENGER.
Frank spurred fast, like a faithful
courier as he was, along lanes almost
rooted In with hazel boughs, over gray.
solitary donws, where the plover whis-
tied, through solitary villages, on, on,
fast, fast toward Bath.
Suddenly, at a turning of the road
only three miles from Warminster,
two horsemen. their steel caps low over
their eyes, stopped the way. He shout
ed TO them, but they did not move
Two more came canteriug up from a
side lane. one waving a sword, the
other blowing a trumpet violently as
signals for some laggers in the distance.
his sword, and prepared for a rush at
an opening he saw to the left.
Friend or foe,' cried the leader oil
the horsemen, you had better surren-
der. For the king or parliament?'
For the king said Frank, disdain-
ing concealment.
80 are we.'
Then Frank rode up 10 them laugh
ing and greeting, though before that
his face had worn an expression OF
pain. But the moment he did so, two
men laid their hands on his bride,
while third. snatching his sword from
his side, put pistol to his head.
You go with u.s. they said; and il
all we hear of thee is true, the bullets
are already run that will let loyalty
into your traitorous CARCASS. We had
orders from the castle to stop you at
this spot. But what's this? There's
blood on your collar and on your sword
belt. Have you had blows, then, by
the way?'
Il met puritan rogue said Frank,
sullenly, 'and had to get his horse from
him, for mine had foundered. Some
rascal at the castle had loOsened his
shoes before I started. But for that, I'd
have gone over the downs around by
Fairview mill, and you'd never have
caught me this side of Bath. But what
have l done that this shame is put
upon me? l have been true to the king
and my lord. Let me go on my Grand
You go back with u.s. said the
trooper, and render an account for this
davis work.
his arms bound behind him,-he knew
not why.-was taken back to the castle
by his rough captors, who, shouting
cavalier songs, and curslng all traitors,
vouchsafed no further answer to his
questions.
When they led Frank back into the
courtyard of the castle, it was full of
preparations for hawking party. The
falconers were there with their birds,
the dogs were baying, the horses
neighing. Lady Blanche had just
mounted. and the horns were sounding
the signal of departure. The malign
steward held her white barb by the
bride. The procession halted when
the troopers appeared with their pri-
soner.
Return me the letter gave you for
my lord Lady Blanche said. with icy
GOODNESS.
Frank drew it from his breast; there
was blood on it.
The steward nodded to the lady to
open it. She did so, frowned, and read
aloud:
'MY DEAR LoRD-Return quick, the
road is safe, Rossiter's troops are ro-
called to Devices. Return, then, at
once, to your own loving wife.
'Traitor!' said the lady, tearing the
letter to thousand pieces, and turning
on Frank with horror and contempt;
that letter, then, you forged in my
handwriting. Gentlemen, he shall suf-
fer for this, though he were our own
blood.'
Frank writes but rude hand said
Nelly, rushing forward and clutchiug
the knees of Lady Blanche. Father
Vernon knows he is no clerk for such
work as this. Some villain has taken
and changed the letter.
She looked at the steward with pierc.
ing eyes, but he only sighed and shook
his head.
Speak, Frank; say you are innocent.
Tell ALL said Nelly.
Il cannot say more. Nellie, than that
1 am innocent" said Frank. Il had n
tussle with puritan scout on the
downs, and he gave me slash on the
shoulder. l have not bled much, but
am very faint. I'll say no more now.
The man had dispatches. l have them
here. They are going 10 attack the cas-
tie. This paper will show, my lady,
that they are marching on us now
Frank drew the paper from his breast
1t had also blood upon it-and faint
ed.
Il do think the lad Is true, after ALL
said Lady Blanche, when she read the
intercepted dispatch; 'tet hi0l he taken
care OF. Yet even this letter to R0sSiter
from Cromwell, speaks of Intelligence
obtained from spy of Importance at
Wardour castle. TTa lad must be kept
in prison until this letter is accounted
tor
w. THE SIEGE.
The puritans laid close and cruel
siege to Wardour. They cut down the
woods, killed the deer, cleared the fish
ponds, and erected Il battery on the
nearest hill to destroy the old fortress.
Rut the garrison was staunch and true,
and the enemy made but little progress
the first few weeks. Lady Blanche was
unceasinR in her eXertions to defend
her husbands castle. She and her wo-
men (brave Nellie among them) came
daily around the battlements, to cheer
the defenders and rouse them to fresh
exerrions. In the hospital, among the
wounded, the women were untiring
with their gentle. words and comforting
care, The castle, defended by the brave
lady. was a hard nut to crack, and there
was talk, at last, of Cromwell himself
coming TO lead the assault. And all
this time that willy, subtle villain, the
steward, kept up appearances, fired on
occasional muskets, served out himself
the powder and the stores, and was as
loud in his denunciations of the puri-
tans as the rest.
Twice Nelly was allowed to visit the
prison and see Frank. True.hearted
woman that she was, she never lost
faith in her lover; she never, for mo-
ment, doubted his loyalty and honor.
She had never even allowed one cruel
suspicion to pass the threshold of her
mind, where love ever watched to bar
out such intruders. In vain the steward
played his part and sneered at Frank.
She, true heart, never wavered.
On the second visit Frank was nearly
we'll: a little weak, but the color re-
turning fast to his cheek. When there
Is Il superabuudance of life, blows like
that which Frank received soon heal,
and are soon forgotten. After the ordi-
nary routine of lovers talk, kisses and
proIestatious, Frank grew grave. He