Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-13
"What said he? what said hep"
snapped the priest, with extraordinary


eagerness.
"He but cried for you the more pit
eously, Sir Oliver. 1t were well done to
go the faster, for his hurt is grievous, !"
returned the lad.
~ am straight for him." was the reply.
"Weli, we have all our sins. We must
all come to our latter day, good Rich
ard"
Gay, sir; and It were well If We all
came fairly" answered Dick.
The priest dropped his eyes, and with
an inaudible benediction hurried on.
"He, tool" thought Dick-''he, that
taught me in piety! Nay, then, what =
world this is, II sill that care for me be
blood guilty Of my fathers desth7
Vengeance! Alas! what sore fate is
mine, If l must be avenged upon nay
friendsn"
The thought put Matchsm In his head.
He smiled at the remembrance OF his
strange companion, and then wondered
where he was. Ever since they had come
together to the doors Of the Moat house
the younger lad had disappeared, and
DICK began to weary for word with
him.
About an hour sfter, mass being some
what hastily run through by Sir Oliver,
the company gathered in the hall for
dinner. 1t WAS long, low apartment,
streWn with green PUSHES, and the walls
hung wi b arrss IN design OF savage men
snd questing bloodhounds; here and there
hung spears and bows and bucklers; 8
fire blazed in the big chimney; there were
arras covered benches round the wall,
and in the midst the table, fairly spread,
awaited the arrival of the diners. Neither
Sir Dsniel nor his lady made their ap-
pesralce. Sir Oliver himself was absent,
and here again there was no word OF
Metcham. Dick began to grow alarmed,
TO recall his cOmpanion's melancholy
foreoodings, and to wonder to himself If
any foul play had befsllen him in that
house.
After dinner he found Goody Hatch
who was hurrying to my Lady Brackley
"Goody," he said, "where is Master
Matchsm, 1 prithee? 1 saw ye go with
him when we arrived"
The old woman laughed aloud.
"Ah, Master Dick" she said, "y' have
famous bright eye in your head, to be
sure !" and laughed again.
"EaY, but where is be, indeed?" per-
sisted Dick.
eye will never see him more" she re-
turned-"never. II is sure"
can do not" returned the lad, 'I will
know the reason why. He came not
hither of his full free will; such as lam,
l am his best protector, and will see
him justly used. There be too many
mysteriesi DO begin to weary Of the
camel"
But as Dick wss speaking, q heavy
hand fell on his shoulder. 1t was Ben
net Hatch that had come unperceived be-
bind him. With 6 jerk of his thumb, the
retsiner dismissed his wife.
Friend Dick" he said, SO soon IS they
were alone, "sre We moon-struck n:t-
ural? An ye leaVe not certain things in
peace, We were better in the salt sea than
here in Tunstall Moaa House. Y have
questioned me; = have Dsited Carter; y
have frightened the jackpriest with
hints. Beer ye more wisely, fool; and
even now, whs Sir Deuiel calleth you,
show me a smooth face for the love of
wisdom. Y are 10 be sharply questioned
Look to your answers"
"Hatcb," returned Dick, Sin all this 1
smell guilty conscience"
"An ye go not the wiser, ye will soon
smell blood" replied Bennett. 81 do
but warn you. And here cometh one to
call you"
And indeed, st that very moment
messenger came across the court to sum-
mon Dick into the presence CT Sir Daniel.
CHAPTER II.
TEE TWO oATHs.
Sir Daniel Was in the hall; there he
paced angrily before the fire, awaiting
Dicks arrival. None was by except Sir
Oliver, and he sat discreetlY backward,
thumbing and mutterjng over his bre-
wary.
"Y'hsve sent for me, Sir Daniel?" said
young Shelton.
81 have sent for you, indeed" replied
the knight. "For whist cometh to mine
ears7 Have been to you SO heavy 6
OF me? Or sith that We see me, Tor the
nounce, some worsted, do ye think to
qait my party? By the mass, your father
was not SO! Those he was near, those he
stood by, come wind or weather. But
you, Dick, y'are fAir-dsy friend, it
seemeth, and now seek to clear yourself
Of your allegiance"
"An't please you, Sir Daniel, not so,"
Dick, firmly. 81 am grateful
snd faithful, where gratitude and faith
are due. And before more is said l thank
you, and thank Sir Oliver; y have great |
claims upon me both-none Can nave |
more; were hound II forgot them"
"I5 is WE'LL" said Sir Daniel; and then,
rising Into anger: "Grstitude and faith |
are words, Dick S1elton," he continued;
shut look to deeds. In this hour OF |
my peril, when my name is attainted,
when my lands are forfeit, when this |
wood is full of men that hunger and |
thirst for my destruction, what doth |
gratitude7 whist doth faith? have but !
little company remaining; is it gratef
or faithful to poison me their hearts with |
your insidious whisperiDgs7 Save me |
from such gratitude! But, come, now,
what is i. ye wish? Speak; we are here
to answer. II ye have aught against me,
stand forth and say it."
"Sir," replied Dick, "my father fell
when l was vet child. Il hath come |
to mine esrs that he was ioully done by. |
It hath come to mine esrs-for will not |
semble-that ye had hand in his IN
doing. And in all verify, shall not be at
pesce IN mine own mind, nor very clear |
to help you, till have certain resolution |
Of these doubts"
Sir Daniel sat down In deep settle.
he took his chin in his hand and looked
st Dick ixedly.
"AId ye think would be guardian to