Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-06
CHAPTER Ill.
ST. BRIDES CROSS.

a. T. Brides Cross stood little wsy
VI back from Shoreby, on the skirts OF
" Tunstall Forest. Two roads met
III one from Hollywood across the fog.
~ est; one, tnst road from Risingham
~ down which we saw the wrecks OF
q Lancastrisn army fleeing in disorder.
Here the two jJiDed issue and went On
together down the hill to Ssoreby; and 8
little back from the point Of junction, the
summit of a little knoll was crowned by
the ancient and westher- beaten cross.
Here, then, about IN the morning,
Dick arrived. 1t was as Geld as ever; the
earth wss all gray and silver with the
hoar-frost, and the day began to break In
the east with many colors Of purple ana
orange.
Dick set him down upon the lowest
step of the cross, wrspped himself well
In his. tabard, and looked vigilantly upon
all sides. He had not long to wait.
Down the road from Hollywood gentle
man in very rich and bright armour, and
wearing over that s surUoat Of the rarest
furs, came pacing on splendid charger.
Twenty yards behind him followed q
clump Of lsnces; but these halted IS
soon as they came in view of the trysting-
place, while the e. ntleDsn in the fur sur
coat continued to advance alone.
His VISOR was raised, and showed 8
countenance of great command and
dignity, answerable to the richness Of
his attire and arms. And it was with
some confusion Of manner that Dick
arose from the cross and stepped down
the bank to meet his prisoner.
mr..
actitude," he said, leuting very low.
"Will it please your lordship to set foot
to esrth?"
"Are ye here alone, young mane" in
CURED the other.
'sI was not so simple" answered Dick;
Sand, to be plain with your lordship, the
woods upon either hand OF this cross lie
full of mine honest fellows lying on their
weapons"
"Y' ave done wisely" said the lord
SIT plesseth me the rather, since last
night ye fought foelhardiEy, and more like
. blind lunstic than sny Christian wsr
rior. But il becomes not me to complain
that had the undermost "
"Ye had the undeImost indeed, my
lord, since ye so fell" returned Dick,
shut had the waves not holpen me, twas
/ that should have had the worst. Ye
were pleased to make me yours with sew
erel dagger marks, whica l still cary.
And in fine, my lord, methiuks 1 had slI
the danger, as we'll as all the profit, of
shat little blind mans medley on the
beach"
"Y' are shrewd enough to make light
of 1t, see," returned the stranger.
"Nay, my lord, not shrewd," replied
Dick, "in that shoot at no advantage to
myself. But when. by the light Of this
new day, see how stout knight hsth
yielded, not to my arms alone, but to
iertuse, and the darkness, and the surf
and how easily the battle had gone other
wise, with soldier SO un'ried and rustic
rs myseli-think it not strange, my lord,
If feel COMPOUNDED with my victory"
aye speek We'll" said the stranger.
HYour manner"
"M0 name, amt like you, is SheltoD,"
answered Dick.
"Men call me the Lord Fvxham," added
the other.
"Then my lord, and under your good
favour, ye sre guardian to the sweetest
maid in Englsnd,n replied Dick; sand
for your ransom, and the ransom of such
rs were taken with you on the beach,
there will be no uncertainty of terms. l
pray you, my lord, of your good will and
charity, yield me the hand Of my mistress,
joan Sedley; and take ye, upon the other
part, your liberty, the liberty Of these
your followers, and (if ye will have ~
my gratitude and service till die"
WBut are ye not ward to Sir Daniel?
Methought, II y are Hairy Shelton's son,
thst had hesrd it so reported" said
Lord Foxham.
"Will it please you, my lord, to slight9
/ would faip tell you fully who am, how
situate, and why so bold in my demands
Beseech you, my lord, take place upon
these steps, hear me to full end, and
jusge me with allowance"
and SO saying, Dick ent hand to
Lord Foxham to dismouut; led him up
the knoll to the cross; installed him in
the place where he had himself been sit
ting; and standing respectfully before his
noble prisoner, related the story OF his
fortunes up to The events Of the evening
before.
Lord Foxham listened grsyely, and
when Dick had done, "Msster Sheltop,"
he said, sye are q most fortunate-unfor-
tunste young gentleman, but what fol-
tune y, ave had, tnat ye have amply mer
tied; and what unfortune, ye have
nownys deserved. Be Of good
cheer; for ye have made
q friend who is devoid neither OF power
NOR favor. For yourself-slthough 1t hts
not for person Of your birth to herd
with outlaws, must own ye are both
brave and honorable; very dangerous IN
battle, right courteous in peace; youth
of excellent disposition and brave bearing.
For your estates, We shall never see them
till the world shall change again; so long
as Lancaster hath the strong hand, so
long shsll Sir Daniel erioy them for his
own. For my ward, it is another matter;
/ had promised her before to gentleman,
O kinsman of my house, one Hsmley; the
promise is old"
FAYE, my Lord, and now Sir Daniel
hath promised her to my Lord Shorebv,"
interrupted Dick. Sand his promise, for
all it is but young, Is still the likelier to
be made good"
"'Tls the plain truth" returned bis
Lordship. "And considering, moreover,
that am your prisoner, upon no bet er
composition than my bare life, and over
and shove that, that the maiden is un-
happily in other hands, will SO far con- +,
sent. Aid me with your good fel-
lows''-
"My lord" cried Dick, "they are these
same outlaws that ye blame me for con-