Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-08
"What said he? Whist said her"
snapped the priest, with extraordinary

go the faster, for his hurt Is grievous,"
returned the lad.
81 an strsig;t for him." wss the reply.
"Well, We have all our sins. We must
all come TO our latter day, good Rich
ard"
LAY. sir; and it were well if we all
came fsirly," answered Dick.
The priest dropped his eyes, aud with
an inaudible benediction hurried on.
"He, tool" thought Dick-"he, that
taught me in piety! Nay, then. what ,
world this is, IL sll that care for me be
blood guilty of my fathers deathf
Vengeance! Alas! what sore fate is
mine, If l must be avenged upon my
friends!"
The thought put Matcham 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 after, 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 with arras in design OF savage men
and questing bloodhounds; here and there
hung spears and bows and bucklers; 8
fire blazsd in the big chimney; there were
arras-covered benches round the wall,
and in the midst the table, fairly spread,
swaited the arrival OF the diners. Neither
Sir Daniel nor his lady made their sp-
pearance. Sir Oliver himself YVES absent,
and here again there was no word OF
Matcbsm. Dick began to grow alarmed,
to recall his compsnion's melancholy
I forebodings, and to wonder to himself II
any foul play had befallen him in that
house.
After dinner he found Goody Hatch
who was hurrying to my Lady Brackley.
| "Goody," he said, "where is Master
Matcham, prithee2 l saw ye 60 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.
"Nay, but where is he, indeed?" per-
sisted Dick.
aye will never see him MORE" she re-
turned-''rever. 1t is sure"
San 1 do not" returned the lad, "I will
know the reason why. He came not
hither of his full free will; such as 1 am,
am his best protector, and will see
him Justly used. There be too many
mysteries; 1 do begin to weary of the
camel"
But as Dick WAS speaking, heavy
hsnd fell on his shoulder. 1t was Ben
net Hatch that had come unperceiyed be-
bind him. With q jerk OF his thumb, the
| retainer dismissed mis- wife,
Friend Dick" he said, as soon as they
were alone, "sre ye moon-struck nst-
ural2 An ye leave not certain things in
peace. ye were better In the salt sea than
here in Tuustall Most House. Y have
questioned me; y have baiied Carter; y
have frightened the Iack-priest with
hints. Bear we more wisely, fool; and
even now, when Sir Daniel calleth you,
snow me smooth face for the love OF
wisdom. " are 10 be sharply questioned
Look 10 your answers"
"Hatcb," returned Dick, Gin all this
smell G guilty conscience"
San ye go not the wiser, ye will soon
smell blood" replied Bennett. 81 dc
but warn you. And here cometh one to
call you"
And indeed, at that very moment 8
messenger came across the court to sum-
mon Dick into the presence of Sir Daniel
CHAPTER II.
THE TWO oATas.
Sir Daniel was in the hall; there he
paced angrily before the fire, awaiting
Dicks arrival. None was by except Sill
Oliver, and he sat discreetly backward
thumbing and mutterjng over his bre
WARY.
"Y'have sent for me, Sir Daniel7" said
young Shelton.
"I have sent for you, indeed" replied
the knight. "For what cometh to ming
ears? Rave l been to you so heavy
guardian that ye make haste TO credit Ill
OF me? Or sith that We see me, for the
nounce, some worsted, do ye think tC
gait my psrty? 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 fsirdsy friend, II
seemeth, and now seek to clear yourself
of your Allegiance"
| "An't please YOU, Sir Daniel, not so,'
returned Dick, firmly. ~ am grateful.
and faithful, where gratitude and faith
are due. And before more is said i thanh
you, and thsnk Sir Oliver; y have great
claims upon me both--none can nave
more; l were hound il forgot them F"
DIT is WE'LL" said Sir Daniel; aud then,
rising into anger: "Gratitude and faith
are words, Dick Saelton," he continued
"but look to deeds. In this hour OF
my peril, when my name Is sttainted,
when my lands are forfeit, when this
wood is full of men that hunger and
thirst for my destruction, Whist doth
grstitude7 what doth faith7 have but q
little company remaining; is it gratef
or faithful to poison me their hearts with
your insidious whisperings? Save me
from such gratitude! But, come, now,
| what is 1t ye wish? Speak; we are here
/ to answer. Itye have aught against me,
stand forth and say it,"
"Sir," replied Dick, "my father ieil
when was vet child. It hath conc
to mine ears thst he was foully done by.
It hath come TO miae ears-for will not
dissemble-thst ye had 8 hand In his IN
doing. And in ali verify, Ishall not be a.
peace 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
at Dick fxedly.
"Aud ye think would be gusrdisn to
the m,n's son that had nurdered7" b.
asked.
"Nay." said Dick, "psrdon me If an