The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-19

them wider OF their march. There was moth
ing for it but to camp and wait.
Sentries were posted; a spot of ground was
cleared of snow, and after some failures,
good fire blaZed in the midst. The men-at-
arms sat close about this forest hearth sharing
such provisions as they had, and passing about
the flask; and Dick, having collected the most
delicate of the rough and scanty fare, brought
it to Lord Risingham's niece, where she sat
apart from the soldiery against tree.
She SGT upon one horse-cloth wrapped in
another. and stared straight before her at the
firelit scene. AT the offer of food she started,
like one Weakened from a dream, and then ST.
lently refused.
Madam" said Dick, 'let me beseech you,
punish me not so cruelty. Wherein l have
offended you, know not; have, indeed,
carried you away, butIwith Observation-Disclosures;
have. indeed, exposed you to the inclcmency
OF night but the hurry that lies upon me hath
Tor its end the preservation OF another, who is
no less frail and no less unfriended than your
self. At least, madam, punish not yourself;
and eat if not for hunger, then for strength.
ST viii eat nothing at the hands that slew
my kinsman.' she replied.
Dear madam" Dick cried, "I swear to you
upon the rood touched him not"
Swear to me that he still lives" she re-
turned.
81 will not palter with you, )" answered Dick.
"Pity bids me TO wound you. III my heart
do believe him dead
"And ye ask me to eati'' she cried. GAY,
and they call you 'sir!' Y have won your
spurs by my good kinsman's murder And
had not been fool and traitor both, and saved
you in your enemy's house, We should have
died the death, and he-he that was worth
twelve OF you-Were living"
81 did but my mans best, even as your l1ns-
man did, upon the other party answered
Dick. "Were he still livng-as ] VOW to
heaven wish 1.-THE would praise, not blame
me.''
Sir Daniel hath told me-" she replied.
"He marked you at the barricade Upon YOU
he saith, their party foundered; it was you
that won the battle. Well, then, it was you
that killed my good Lord Risingham, as sure
rs though ye hads Strangled him.. And We
would have me eat with you-and your hands
not washed from killing? But Sir Daniel
hath sworn your downfall He it's that will
avenge me!
The unfortunate Dick was plunged in gloom.
Old Arblaster returned upon his mind, and he
groaned aloud.
"Do We hold me so guilty?" he said ''you
that defended Ine-you that are Joanna's
friend?"
"What made We in the battle?" she retorted.
ware OF no party; y'are but lad-but legs
and body. without government of wit Or coEn-
sci! Wherefore did We fight? For the love Of
hurt, pardy!"
may" cried Dick 81 know not. But as
the realm of England goes, if that poor gen
tleman fight not upon the one side, perforce
he must fight upon the other. He may not
stand alone; It's not his nature"
"They that have no Judgment should not
draw the sword," replied the young lady. eye
that fight but for q hazard, what are We but
butcher? War is but noble by the cause, and
y have disgraced it."
MADAM" said the miserable Dick, 81 do
partly see mine error. J. have made too much
haste; L have been busy before my time.
Already stole ship thinking, do swear it,
death death OF many innocent and
old man whose face this very day hath stabbed
me like dagger. And for this morning, / did
but design to do myself credit, and get fame
to marry with, and, behold / have brought
about the death of your dear kinsman that was
good to me. And what besides, | know not.
For, alas! | may have set York upon the
throne, and that may be the worser cause, and
may do hurt to England O. madam, do see
my sin. L am unfit for life. l will, for PEN
ance sake and to avoid worse evil, once l have
finished this adventure, get me to a cloister. l
will forswear Joanna and the trade of arms. /
will be friar, and pray for your good kins-
mans spirit all my days"
1t appeared to Dick, in this extremity Of his
humiliation and repentance, that the young
lady had laughed.
Raising his countenance, he found her look
ing down upon him, in the fire light, with o
somewhat peculiar but not unknd expression.
"Madam," he cried, thinking the laughter
to have been an illusion of his hearing, but
STILL from her changed looks, hoping to have
touched her heart, madam, will not this con-
tent you? | give mp all to undo what / have
done amiss; L make heaven certain for Lord
Risngham. And all this upon the very day
that l have won my spurs, and thought myself
the happiest young gentleman on ground"
80 boy she said-"good boy!"
And then, to the extreme surprise of Dick,
she first very tenderly wiped tile tears away
from his cheeks, and then, as if yielding to
sudden impulse, threw both her arms about
his neck, drew up his face and kissed him. a
pitiful bewilderment came over poor Dick.
but come" she said with great cheerful
ness, ''you that are captain, We must eat.
Why sup We not?''
Dear Mistress Rsinghan," replied Dick
II did but wait first upon my prisoner; but to
say truth, pentence will no longer suffer me
TO endure the sight of food. | were better 20
fast dear lady, and 10 pray"
"Call me Alicia" she said; "are we not old
friends? And now, come. will eat with you
bit for bit and sup for sup; 50 if ye eat not
neither will ] but if ye eat hearty, | will
dine like ploughman.'
So there and then she fell to and Dick who
had an excellent stomach, proceeded to bear
her company at first with great reluctance,
but gradually, rs he entered into the spirit,
with more and more yigour and devotion
until, at last, he forgot even TO watch his
model ana most heartily repaired the expenses
OF bis day of labour and excitement.
"Liou-driver," she said, at length. "ye do
not admire maid in a mans jcrkin?"
The moon was now mp and they were only
waiting 10 repose the wcaicd horses. BY the
moons light, the still pcnitcnt but now we'll
fed Richard beheld her looking somewhat
cOquettishly down upon him.
MADAM he stammered, surprised at
this new turn in her manners.
"Nay," she interrupted, 1T sklls not to
deny; Joanna hath told me, but come, Sir
LioD-driyer, look at mean am 50 homely-
come"
And she made bright eyes at him. -
eye are something sInall!sh indced"--be-
gan Dick.