Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1881-04-28

but finger on my cloak, I'll curse
him till the marrow dries in his bones.
Save thyselfl"
And, rapidly as she had come, she
vanished.
"Idiot! you might have escaped
but for your defense of yonder old
crone."
''Sir Everand," retorted the young
man, 'since 1 have felt the pestilen-
tial atmosphere of Charles court l
have learned gratitude!"
''Your sword, sir, in the name of
the king, your master!'
''There is my sword, Sir Everard,
for | am compelled to yield; and to
no wcrthier soldier-though on the
wrong side-could I resign it. re-
gret that my place in the battlefield
will be vacant; but my master
Cromwell" raising his hat-"will not
lack for soldiers! Sir" he added,
abruptly, trying to rush forward, but,
but being held back by the guards,
who had seized him-''pray look to
AllSIfSSSf1SdDcl
The young girl, alarmed for her
lover, had staggered to a tree for
support; but, as she beheld Martin a
prisoner, her strength entirely failed,
and she sank fainting on the grass.
"lou have cause, sir" said Sir
Everard, haughtily, "to bid me see
my daughter, ito bid me see to my
daughter! Be assured | shall see to
the foolish girl more carefully for the
future! Men, convey your prisoner
to the stone room in the west tower.
There keep him secure until learn
the pleasure of his majesty, who is at
Oxford. Silas, make you his jail
er."
The stone room!" reflected Mar
tin BaldFin, as, after a lingering look
at Isabel, he walked away between
his guards. ''Ihat is strange!" and
he smiled.
When he had been conducted to
his prison, lamp placed on the table
and the door closed and bolted, Mar
TIN Baldwin looked around the room.
As It's name showed, itw ofstoae
the wall formed of massive blocks,
being octa9on in shape. On one
side was the low door, on another q
bed, on another small easement
window, deep set, the sides narrow
ing as they reached the the outer
part.
Il have grown tritie," laughed
the young soldier, "since-because
Denny Elston, the wears son, dared
me to it descended from here by
the ivy to the ground, frightening
poor Isabel nearly out of her wits.
But III wager I could still squeeze
throu gh, if the ivy would onlr sap
port me. | weigh a few pounds
heavier now than then; but I've half
n mind to try it, SO that l may not
miss the fight tomorrow! Tut! why
why hide it:'' he laughed, shortly.
1--WE half a mind TO try, because [
wonId escape from Sir EVerard 5
clutches, for they would, | know,
prove more merclless than lion 8
teeth, He hates a Puritan, and will
never forgive me, the son of his old
friend. for espousing their cause. He
sends 10 Oxford 10 learn the king 5
pleasure, which may be my removal
to That city to give my head for my
causel That would never do, No
let me wait but till / am sure that my
beautiful jalor, Silas, has been all
safe for the night-then-hcy! for
death or liberty
Hardly had he said or thought this
when, hearing the bolts creak, Martin
threw himself on the bed. The mo-
ment after the door was opened by
Silas, whose squirting, shaEy, visage
the prisoner could see in the back
ground, as servant entering put q
pastry and flask of wine on the tab
lie, then retired.
The door had no sooner been Sc
cured than Martin Baldwin rose to
his feet. The hope of escape took
away appetite; and, shading the lamp
Ut tfiCNCu tue NifhON.
Thrusting forth his hand he felt TO.
| the ivy. 1t was gone.
For the first time the soldier s
heart fell. On hearing that the stone
room was to he his prison, he had
relied on the ivy for escape. 1t had
been removed. Only for space
| however. did he allow that fact to
depress him.
| "Mine Is the soldiers profession,
| he exclaimed. II must expect 9
soldiers chances, aud bc prepared to
meet soldiers fate if it come-as
come it may, al any moment. Let
nv consolation be that l uie in q
good cause and now for supper, ,hav-
ing nothing better TO do.
Filing himself cup Of wine, he
remarked, plunging his knife into the
pastry. Hey day!" he added, as
the steel came against some hard
substance. ''Sir Everard must have
changed his cook, or the pullets are
of the toughest. There! It's only
for Cromwellian what matter? Ha,
ha! Stay; what's this?'
! In removing the portion of crust
he had dragged out q long piece OF
thin cord. Throwing down the knife
he continued to pull the string, unit
q length of many yards lay on the
table.
Il have q friend in the enemy's
camp he laughed. ''This must b'
dear IsabePs doing. But surely sh,
cannot intend that / should trust m,
life to such a cord as this? Let nut
look further
Bringing lie lamp nearer, he spice
a paper, ut the bottom of the parity
In minute he had secured it, ant
was pursuing its contents, which
were in his beloved's writing.
"Lower this cord from the win
dow," it said "after you have shaded
the lamp. When you feel 1t twic.
jerked, draw it up again. A strons
cord and rope ladder will be attached
Pass the cord round the table arc
lower it again. Wait until the ladde
is three times jurked-then trus
Yourself to it. Burn this"
"That will 1. 1 would not hav