The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-11-16

brother far Away-nobody to defend thee but lad of fifteen and dotard servant. And yet thou hast received me-fed me-entertained me-R
 "Hush !" she interrupted. "Thou 6ghtest in good cause, and would die for such. did it for the king"
 "For the king only2" he said
 "I did it for the king" she repeated, blushing. "But do not tarry, Master Quivil. pray thee go, for cannot conceal thee here. Even our lumber rooms are bare, and not the veriest mouse could shelter here in safety"
 The great hall was, in truth, alrost denuded of furniture. The pictures in the gallery had gone The books had been taken from the shelves. Scarce aught remained but table and some chairs, settle by the hearth, and the clock whose enormous white face seemed to stare menacingly at the two young people, and whose sonorous ticking seemed to warn them that time sped away, and that now the feet of the pursuer might be upon the threshold. Mis- tress Anne heard it and made fresh effort to dispatch her guest
 "Master Quivil, pray thee to go," she said again. "'Tis beyond my power to conceal thee here"
 "I will, will :" he cried "But first, oh Mistress Anne, should not wait till sundown? l cannot fly in open day. Iris little more than four by the clock"
 She followed his gaze to the clocks face and hesi tated.
 "Mstress, I will depart at sundown. Until then, my flight would command easy capture Har- Dor me for these few hours, sweet mistress, and will be gone. Thou knowest not what these few hours to me. But hast thou forgotten our childish days? Hast thou forgotten when we played together? That dear and precious time, when the summers seemed eternal and peace seemed to be everywhere, and we little dreamed of coming care and future separation. l was but lad, and thou little maid, and yet, mistress, l called thee sweetheart. Dost thou recall2"
 She did recall, and her pale cheek was flushed with bright pink as he spoke. But she did no. reply. Instead, she averted her eyes, and after moment, he continued speaking
 "I gave thee once a rose," he said. "Dost re- member? Twas June, June SO long ago that 1t seems like dream. We walked together in the rose garden. 1 mind we had escaped from Henry Dowdeswell and left him sulking And plucked rose and said, Take it, Nan; take it a pledge from the uniformed boy that the gallant man shall return to woo thee. And thou tookst it, sweetheart, with tear gistening in thy pretty eyes, and thou didst promise to dry it's petals and fold them among thy raiment, and keep them all till came back to prove my gsllanIry and to win thee. Alas, Nan have come back But my gal lantry is improved for the day is lost, and have 1ed and how can hope that thou wilt smile upon me now?"
 He caught her hand and kissed it.
 "Ah, Master Quivil ="
 "Wiit not call me Jack, sweet love? Dear heart come to thee scared and luckless. dare not offer thee my empty hand. Bat send me not away comfortless."
 "Dear Jack" she murmured blushipg, "thou hast ever been in my heart"
 He caught her to him.
 "And if happier days should come, Nan, sweet Nan, when my hand holds triumphant sword and when the king marches proudly to London and when the gay court gathers again, gsyer and statelier than before say, Nan, wilt thou take my happy hand and suffer me to lead thee to that bright court, which thou wilt brighten and adorn as a diamond brightens and sdorns the crown?"
 "Oh, Jack thou speakest too kindly"
 "Nay, mistress, am thy humble servant. But wouldest thou thus glorify my poor life?"
 "Oh, Jack; dear Jack"
 But even as he pressed her to his breast some- thing passing the window outside for a moment obscured the ray of light which streamed through the shutter that had been left sjar. The girl started violently and withdrew from her lovers embrace.
 "What was that2" she whispered fearfully.