Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1881-04-28
THE DAYS Of CROMWELL.


gale wss singing in thicket, as
boat, containing single rover, shot
from the center of the stream into
the heavy shadow of some overhang-
ing bushes.
Attaching the skiff to the stump of
tree, he landed, looked cautiously
around, then, folding his cloak about
him, leanel his back against tree,
and dropped his head, on which rest
ed plain, featherless, slouch hat, as
if in reverie.
1t was evident he was expecting
someone, for again and again he gazed
IN certain direction, and at last he
exclaimed, ''Can anything have pre-
vented her from coming? Has Sir
Everard discovered our meeting?
Then must Hook for my safety. Dare
l wait longer in the enemy's camp?
Yes, It's hard to 60 without one sight
of my lily-one pressure of her dewy
lips-one touch of her little hand, for
who can say when we may meet
again? Can [ enter the battle to-
morrow without one cheering word
from her? Yet how should / expect
that? 1t would sound as though she
wished i'll to Sir Everard and an un-
natural daughter would not be likely
to make a good wife. Ah, she comes!
While thus rejecting he had de-
scried s light graceful figure fitting
toward him beneath the trees, now in
moonlight, now in shadow,
Quickly he moved forward, and
soon they met. The girl threw the
hood from off her head, disclosing
fair and lovely features. Her hair
was dressed after the fashion of court
ladies and jewels shone about her
throat of dazzling whiteness
She looked bright butterfly, in-
deed, by the side of her soberly-at-
tired companion. But he was all in
all to her, as she was to him; and
her violet eyes, naturally gay and full
| of mirth, were now sad, for she knew
that Baldwin was about to buckle on
his breast plate and hoad-piece for
battle-the worst of battles-a civil
one wherein he and her father would
fight on opposite sides.
dearest Isabel exclaimed the
young Puritan, as he took her in his
arms, Il was beginning to dread that
| should have TO return without see
ing YOU
II feared it, too, dear Martin, for,
as if my father suspected whittier i
was bound. he held me long in talk. -
she answered; then teariully added.
"Oh, Martin, when will our unhappy
country know peace again? It is ter
rible, this war. 1t breaks my heart,
Martini
at will know peace, and enjoy a
renown it has never yet known-cer-
tainly never under the Stuarts-when
the rights and those who really love
England conquer,ss they will, thanks
to our brave general, Cromwell.
How, Isabel: Surely you do not
shuddcr at that great name?'
Il well might" she replied with a
nervous laugh, "to heer the crimes
that are laid to his charge at the
hall"
.'Ah, but you are wiser than to be-
iieye them! | have converted you,
have not, my dear little Puritan?"
laughed the the soldier of the com
'':"s "xl9e done. Martin, what my
father never has-justly and without
bias-shown me both sides of this
picture; and have chosen--'
(Which, dearest?'
Yours; - and fondly she placed
her hand upon his arm. "Not, -
she added, fearing to be misunder-
stood, "for love of you, Martin, but
from my own conviction. The peo
pie are downtrodden, are oyertaxcd.
The king is faithless, for he aband-
ons the friends who stood by him in
his adversely. Should this reign con-
tinue, England would become the
vassal of France, and that shall never
be, though we women have to turn
soldiers to maintain her honor"
"My brave Isabel" cried the
young man, pressing her against his
heart. "When the daughters Of our
dear land speak thus, England need
fear no foe at home OF abroad"
"Ah, gracious, who is this?' cx,
claimed the girl, cIinging to her low
er's arm for suddenly there had APP
peared close to their side the bowed,
cloakcd form of withered old crone.
as If she had sprung out of the earth.
Martin Baldwin had started too,
for those were perilous times, when
an enemy might lurk in any bush ;
but, laughing, he said almost imme'
diately:
"Why, it's old alargery."
"Yes, yes,' she crooned. "Mar-
eerv the witch, come to tell thy for
tune, Martin Baldwin -
ssIn that case, if it lies in thy pow
CT. mother,' remarked the young
man, kindly,"lt will be q good one. >
''Ah, but it is beyond Margery's
power, boy--she is weak, and your
enemy is strong
"My enemy, mother!'
''Sir Everard. He once lOve(
thee, but hates thee now for gong tt
old Noil. And you must tly-fy thi:
instant-or evil will come"
ooh, mother" calculated thu
young girl. turning pale, "there i:
,, danger, surely"
| Eyes, great danger; but look no
: so scared, Mistress Isabel. A LITTLE
since. as was stealing past the win
dows of the dining hall, | saw tina
. thin-visaged,- herring-backed Sila
enter to Sir Everard. A grin was Oh
his cat like visage, boding ill to SOM
one, 1 knew; therefore, listened
The twisting snake pointed in thi
direction. / saw Sir Everard, re'
with sudden fury, leap to his feet
/! Then l heard thy name. Marti
Baldwin, followed by call for som
half dozen of the servants to arm ant
II come with him and that toad Silas
[ guessed what was doing, for | have
= seen thee here before, Martin Bald
win; but now away, away ~
siYour warning comes too late