Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-04-29

Let me take your piace anu II
make it ten time more" exclaimed
his visitor. Richard, butcher, though
he was, and fresh from the shambles
of St. Ives, recoiled before the eager
voice Of the speaker. Was he mad?
or-he smiled grimly, and shook his
head.
1T is plot to save the King" he
said.
"Save the King" echoed his visi-
tor, with low laugh ofbitter hatred.
Though he had twenty heads, would
not rest till the last had fallen. |
fought at Naseby, strove with might
and main to stand face to face with
him, that we might cross swords and
fight till one or both were slain, for |
have sworn no hand but mine shall
shed his blood !"
"Pm sorry for your OATH" replied
Brandon "you might have kept it
several times without waiting until
now"
Il tell YOU I have watched and
waited -"
bah y interrupted the man; "a
bow 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! l would be his executloner,
not his assassin" exclaimed his visi
tor fiercely.
"You gentlefolk draw nice distinc-
tons" sneered Richard Brandon.
Time flies" rejoined his visitor;
there are no moments to waste in
quibbling or useless argument. |
make YOU an offer which will fill
your purse and spare you IN un-
pleasant task. 1t can be nopleasure
to behead the King.
"But it would he an uIcommonly
unpleasant thing for me to put my
head in his place"
You run no risk" replied the
other: Gin case of any discovery or
failure my head is in peril, not yours;
but discovery is impossible. Your
person is unknown to the prison au-
thorities unknown to the people out
side-unknown even to Cromwell
in addition to which YOU are to be
cloaked and masked. Who could
tell what form or face is hidden By
such disguise? 1t is but a few min
utes work, then the execution is over,
the execulioner disappeared; 10
man will care to look upon his face
or clasp him.by the hand they will
shrink from him as though he were a
pestilence stalking through the land.
Decide quickly. There is the
money."-he flung bag Of chiuking
coin upon the table rs he spoke"
count it. Give me your credentials
and disguise, and never fear but all
will 20 we'll
"Ilow know I that" said Brand
on. irrcsolutc and sorcly tempted.
II was chosen for my skill; you
are no professional, and may be but
bungier at the work. | am only a
butcher, slayer of innocent beasts,
and | would not be the tortnrer of Il
King" !
Iii, visitor glanced keenly round
the room; there was a huge billet of
wood lying in the corner. lie took
it up and placed it on the table.
Give me m axe" he said, "and
draw chalk line where | shall
strike"
Without a word Richard Brandon
rose up, took piece OF chalk ana
drew line across the wood. ihis
done he produced an axe scrutlnlzed
it carefully, passed his finger over its
keen sharp edge, and smiled salts
fed.
at should be rare tool for such
fine work. he said. He balanced it
for a moment in hi: hand, then lifted
his arm and deviatine not a hairs
breadth either to the right or to the
left, As the wood fell on either side,
with a heavy thud both started, drew
a long lreath, and looked Oh each
other faces. The professional slayer
felt he was in the presence OF mas
ter hand.
The clock at Westminster Abbey
was striking one as the mysterious
stras ger left the house. bearing with
him the disguise, the credentials, and
the headsman's axe.
Z = y 4 >; Z X
Time turned his hour glass aud
days and years fed past. The Kings
enemies had passed away, and
generations of their children after
them. More than one crowned King
had laid his sceptre down at the door
of mighty King Death.
The fullies and the courtly vices Of
the Stuarts we're fast fading into mat
ters of history; and his Majesty
King George II. occupied the thror-.
The noble family of Stair had lost
many of its valuable possessions du-
ring the political excitement. OF the
past times. At present, the chief
representative of the house Of Stair
had fallen into di-fayor with the
King, and contemplated withdraw
ing himself from the Court. He
came ola proud and naughty race,
and could not brook the idea Of a
formal dismissal, which might any
hour befall him. He knew too well
the character Of his sovereign.
As he was walking down the Ok
ford road making Il mental arrange
nent of his affairs, before retiring