The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-10-14
GERVAS Sc
S&DGEneveRsnRHx n
An Episode of the fifth Century.
THEODORE HOWARD GALLON
THEODORE HOWARD GALLON
tContinued.l

Their homeward journey was eaddened by
the thought of Father JOaohim's sufferinRS,
aud by the reflection that they were nov hope
lessly deprived of his spiritual ministrAtions.
They were pursuing their way through the
village of Ombersley, when on passing an
hostelry they observed four horses aocontrod
with saddles aud hostlers standing before the
door, and some faCes obtruding from the
lattice of the toproom Watching them ~ they
rode by.
81 could swear to Edward Rogers face"
quoth the Squire, when they had passed tho
inn.
"Theu be must have been In Worcester
whilst We were there" retusped Gervase.
"His presence forbodes 'some evil" said
Clara.
What evil, Clara, from which cannot de.
fend youi'
| I know not how it is," she replied; "but I
dread him ss viper on my path. 1t ssemeth
| like q lack of charity, but have an invinci-
BILE presentmeut that he intends some further
plot against my father, and perhaps against
You, GerVase. Let us press forward ere the
dusk oyertake US"
So saying. she spurred her steed into o cau-
ter, and they proceeded at as brisk o pace
their mage could carry them towards the cross
roads near Hartlebury Chase. Squire Finoh's
horse was none Of the best, although above
the market value of what q Papist was enti-
tied to ride. Nevertheless. the animal soon
began to show signs of fatigue, aud he was
forced TO cry halt.
"Chauge steeds with me- eaid Gervase,
springing from his saddle az he spoke and
urging Tue old gentleman 10 accept his OHaE.
Yoo shall ride on with Clara, and leave me to
follow leisurely. l insist, dear sir for her
sake you cannot say me nay"
VaIniy did the Squire expOstnlate. Gervase
bnRlly compelled han to dismOunt and change
horses with him. He was well rewarded by
the grateful look WHICH Clara gave him, even
while she appeared to join in her fathers re-
monstrauces.
"Now mark If / cannot keep up with your
oanter, Clara cried SAcheyeFiil, "for any
horse Is freshened by q change of riders, ne
have Oft. times noted when I have been ont on
| a long days chase"
They had now reached n steep descent near
Elmley, and were forced to proceed more
leisursiy. On ascending the hill on the farther
side of the valley fankipg Squire Townshend's
park, Clara remarked that they were followed
by three horsemen.
"Sorue yeomen or farmers coming home
from Worcester" said Gsrvase.
"Those men we noted at the inn at On
bersly, most likely" returned Clara.
There were four horses at the hostelrv, and
mere come only three," rtjoined &c uire Finch.
"5pur on ahead with Clara" qu0th Gervase,
land let me follow leisureIy. am not afraid
of falling IN with them. They may be merry
after their cups, and say some rude words uu-
ii for ladies ears. 'rWeTe better Clara should
60 for ward with you
mo, Gervaso Om rot afraid with my
father end you by me-" There was an empha-
the "yOu" which went to his heart.
Meanwhile the hOrssnen were gaining upon
thenS and Sacheveriil epdeAvored to urge his
nag Into u canter, aud 10 prevail upon his
companions to swften their pace. However,
he soon discovered Ia at his beast was thorough
y beaten, ana that he must needs slGckeu his
pace and suffer them to go forward without
him
"Halloo. my friend, that aynt worth much
more than hve pounds, anyhow cried q
joyial yeOman ~ the three rode up beside him.
II wouldn't give ye moro to feed the SqnirS's
barriers; bat IN give that willingly for the
nag Squire Finch Is riding"
That IL mine, and tberefoTe yon cannot
claim tt, msster," replied GsrvsSs.
Z" Unless ye be tecnsant as we'll" qaoth one
OF his com PanIOns.
81 a recusanr, who have never refoSed an
oath in my life,' Tetorted SAoheverilL
'BeiIg in company With reoosants 10
susplcious, to ssy the least," retorted the yeO'
IL an who last spoke.
mot whit more than yonr being with
Edward Rogers at that hostelry anon" retoin-
ed Gervase, making sbrewd hit, for he bad
been mick to observe that the horses were the
nsTne which be had noticed in front of the inn.
.Edward Rogersi" cried the former speaker
Dost thou know Edward RoRersf Why, b1
saith thou Drt . sucking PRpisE and traitor.
..Tn. mean coward y exclaimed Saeheveriu.
.. Wby doth he not come and confront me IN
peIsJn, that may give him the LEI he IL
afraid Of meeting an honest man face 70 taoop
aud hath sent you, sirrshs, to settle his ac-
"D-Ned Rogers let him fight hie own
battlesn auoth a burly farmer who had not
vet sDoketi. so thou hast set sq1ire Finch
upon. thy nBg TO save him from oar clutches;
but methinks the young dsmsel ahead rideth
a pretty hlIy, worth a. least score Of pounds,
aud she is a Papist, I'll vouoh for It,"
&C. ladyl Ny friends, you will not be such
scurvy chGrls ns to dismount fair young dam
sci from her stesd, which after all 10 only