The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-05-21

at is a plot to save the King" he said
"Savc the King!' echoed his visitor, with
a low laugh of bitter hatred "Though he
had twenty.heads, ! would not rest till the
last one had fallen. | fought at Nascby.
stroye with might and main to stand face to
face with him, that we might cross swords
aud fight till one or both were slain, for [
have sworn no hand but mine shall shed his
bloodn
"Im sorry for your oath, p replied Bran
don; "you might have kept it times enough
without waiting until now"
81 tell you have watched and waited
| O
"Bah p interrupted the man; a,blow in
the dark would have served your purpose,
and the country would have been saved
much cost and trouble; no one would have
asked who struck the blow"
"Man! | would be his exccutioner not
his assassin ~ exclaimed his visitor, fercely.
"Iou gontlcfolk draw nice distinctions"
sneered Richard Brandon.
"Time flies, rejoined his visitor; "there
are no moments to waste in qubling or use
less argument. make you an offer which
will fill your purse and spare you an unpleas-
ant task; 1t can be no pleasure to behead
the King"
but it would bean uncommonly unpleas-
ant thing for me to put my head in his
place"
"Iourun no risk, replied the other: 'fn
case Of any discovery or failure my head is
in peril, not yours; but discovery is impos-
sible Your person is unknown to the pris-
on uthorties-unknown to the people out
| side-unLnown even to Cromwell; in addi-
ton to which you are to be cloaked and
masked Who could tell what form or face
is hidden by such disguise? 1t is but few
minutes work, then the execution is over,
the eXecutioner disappears; no man will
care to look upon his face or clasp him by
the hand; they will shrink from him as
though he were pestilcnco stalking through
the land. Decide quickly. There is the
moncy,'-he flung bag of chnking coin
upon the table as he spoke-"count it. Give
me your credentials and disguise, and never
fear but all will go well'
GLOW know l that?" said Brandon, irres-
olutc and sorely tempted Il was chosen
for my skill: you are no professional, and
may be but bunglcr at the work, am
onlya butcher, slayer of innocent beasts
and | would not be the torturer of Il king.
His visitor glanced keenly round the
room; there was large billet of wood lying
in the corner. lie took it up and placed it
on the table.
"Giyc me an axe" he said, "and draw a
chalk line where shall strike"
Without a word Richard Brandon rose up,
took piece Of chalk, and drew line across
the wood. This done he produced an axe,
scrutinized it carefully, passed his finger
over its keen, sharp edge, and smiled sat
| isfcd.
at should be rare tool for such fine
work. he said He balanced it for a mo-
ment in his hand, then lifting his arm and
deyiating not hairs breadth either TO the
right or to the left! As the wood fell on
either sidc.with heavy thud both started,
drew i long breath, and looked on each 9TH
er'a faces, The professional slayer felt he
was in the presence Of a master hand.
The clock at Westminster Abbey was
striking one as the mysterious stranger left
the house, bearing with him the disguise,
the credentials and the hcadman's axe,
Time turned his hour glass and days and
years fled past The Kings enemies had
passed away, and generations of their chill
dren after them. More than one crowned
King had laid his sceptre down at the door
of mighty King Death.
The folies and the courtly vices of the
Stuarts were fast fading into matters of his
tory; and his Majesty King George II, oc-
cupied the English throne. The noble fam
lily of Stair had lost many of its valuable
possessions during the political cXcitements
of past times. At the present, the chief
representatives of the house of Stair had
fallen into disluvor with the King, and con-
templated Withdrawing himself from the
Court. lie came of proud and naughty
race, and could not brook the idea of Il
formal dismissal, which might any hour be-
fall him. He knew too well the character
of his sovereign.
As he was walking along the Oxford road
making Il mental arrangement Of his affairs,
before retiring to his estate, in Scotland,
which he intended to do forthwith, a man
stepped suddenly in front ofhim, and placed
a letter in his hand, In some surprise at
this mode of proceeding, he opened it and
read as ollows:-"My Lord-yom bravery
is well known; but will you have the cour-
ace to go tomorrow night to the entrance OF
Somerset House, where you will find one
who ,ir you dare follow him) will conduct
you to Il part Of the town not much fire.
uucntcd, but where you will find man who
is impatient to see you, and to discover
secrets which are Of more importance than
YOU imagine, and which cannot be disclosed
in Il letter? If you are afraid this should
be plot upon your purse, bring nothing
valuable about you, and come armed
Lord Stairs surprise at reading thi.
strange rcquisition may be easily imagined
At first he took it for Il trick Of some secret
enemy, or some affair Of gallantry, the her
oiue of which had probably her own reason,
for such mysterious summons. However
he determined to go, let the risk be what il
might. lie bucIed ON his sword, and, pro,
yidng himself with a pair of pistols, weur
to the place appointed There he found &
man evidently waiting for him, who without
speaking, made him Il sign to follow. Aitel
walking for about an hour they came into &
dilapiduted and deserted street. His con-
ductor knocked at the doorof a small house
ON its being opened he stood aside and said
| .,NV,ll- ip my l,rl - and the door closed