The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-30
HALP-PAST FOUR.


stately apartment known as the great hall,
which is lighted by large windows to the
south, and around three sides of which
runs gallery, reached from the southeast
corner by flight of a dozen steps. In
this gallery hangs the picture of young
and beautiful woman, attired in the
costume of the Stuart period. A gigantic
clock, whose pendulum is inclosed in
huge wooden case, still stands below the
west gallery and, in front of this clock,
ii the inquisitive visitor should chance to
raise the carpet, he would see dark stain
upon the boards beneath, and he would
be told that this stain is a stain of blood,
and his informant, pointing to the picture,
which hangs exactly opposite, would say
that this picture is the portrait OF Mistress
Anne Fame, and would add, with lowered
voice, that the blood stain and Mistress
Anne were not remotely connected. How
it came to pass that so lovely and gentle a
lady became associated with bloody deed
is now my purpose to relate.
On June afternoon, in the year 1915,
the great hall of Fame place was occupied
by two persons. The windows were care
fully shattered. and only small crack was
left open to admit light The door was
closed. On the table we're spread viands.
and gentleman, in the dress OF a cava-
lier, was hastily partaking OF refreshment.
His companion-a young woman OF SIN
gularly prepoSsessing ppearance-mlnls-
tered deity 10 his wants, laying her finger
on her lips when he attempted to speak.
flush" she said softly. Eat, Master
Quivil while thou canst. Who knows
what may happen next? My brother
Toby watches, and he may bring us news
OF pursuit at any moment. Eat"
He ate and drank, therefore, at her COM
mand. But when he had satisfied his
hunger, Master Quivil rose and stood be-
fore her with longing words trembling on
his lips. He was young-not more, GER
tainly, than ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS hand
some, with a winning smile and bright
eyes. She was, perhaps, three years his
Junior, and as beautiful as morn in May.
There were, indeed, some that sighed that
there was no court where Mistress Anne
Fame might have displayed her charms
and won the heart of some great noble by
her beauty and her grace But there was
no court now, and the king was in sorrow,
and Mistress Annes Mechlin lace was
sold, and her mothers jewels pawned, and
she herself had dOnned a sad-colored robe
and her countenance was careworn. New
ertheless, the fugitive from Naseby thought
that she was the most exquisite sight that
he had ever seen, and his eyes dwelt ten
derby upon her face.
"How can | thank thee enough" he
began. Il came here friendless and thou
has succored me. l found thee alone
thy father dead-thy elder brother far
away-nobOdy to defend thee but lad of
fifteen and a dotard servant. And yet
thou hast received me-fed me-enter-
tanned me-"
"Hush!'' she interrupted. "Thou fight
est in a good cause, and would die for
such. l did it for the king"
For the king only?" he said.
81 did it for the king" she repeated,
blushing. But do not tarry, Master
Quivil. pray thee 60, for l can not con-
ceal thee here. Even our lumber rooms
are bare, and not the veriest mouse could
shelter here in safety"
The great hall was, in truth, almost de-
nuded of furniture. The pictures in the
gallery had gone. The books had been
taken from the shelves. Scarce aught re-
NAMED but table and some chairs, a
settee 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 even
now the feet of the pursuer might be
upon the threshold. Mistress Anne heard
it and made a fresh effort to dispatch her
guest.
Master Quivil, pray thee to go" she
said again. Its beyond my power to
conceal thee here"
Twill, l will" he cried. ''But first, oh
Mistress Anne, should | not wait till sun
down? 1 cannot fly in open day. IT'S
little more than I by the clock"
She followed his gaze to the clocks face
and hestated.
Mistress, / will depart at shutdown.
Until then my flight would command an
easy capture. Harbor me for these few
hours. sweet mistress, and l will be gone.
Thou knowest not what these few hours
are to me. But hast thou forgotten our
childish days? Hast thou forgotten when
we played together? That was a dear
and precious time, when the summers
seemed eternal, and peace seemed to be
everywhere, and we little dreamed of COM
ing care and future separation. | was but
a lad, and thou a little maid, and yet, mis-
tress l called thee sweetheart. Dost thou
recall"
She did recall, and her pale cheak was
flushed with a bright pink spot as he
spoke. But she did not reply. Instead,
she averted her eyes, and after a moment,
he continued speaking.
Il gave thee once arose, he said. "Dost
remember? Twas June, June so long
ago that it seems like dream. We walked
together in the rOse-garden. | mind me
we had escaped from Henry Dowdeswell,
and left him sulking. And l plucked
rose and said, Take it, Nan; take it as a
pledge from the uniformed boy. that the
gallant man shall return to WOO thee
And thou tOok'st it, sweetheart, with a
tear glistening in thy pretty eyes, and thou
didst promise to dry its petals and fold
them among thy raiment, and keep them
till | came back to prove my gallantry and
to win thee. Alas, Nan, have come back.
But my gallantry is improved, for the day
is lost, and have fed, and how can hope
that thou wilt smile upon me now"
He caught her hand and kissed it.
"Ah, Master Quivil-"
"Wilt not call me Jack, sweet love?
Dear heart, 1 come to thee SCARED and
luckless. dare not offer thee my empty
hand. But send me not away comfort
less"
"Dear Jack" she murmured, blushing.
thou hast ever been in my heart"
He caught her to him.
"And If happier DAYS should come, Nan.
sweet Nan, when my hands hold trium-
plant sword, and when the king marches
proudly to London, and when the gay