Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-08-02
FATE OF HALF PAST FOUR.

A June afternoon, in the year 1915, the
great hall of Fame place was occupied by
two persons The windows were care
fully shuttered, and only a small crack
was left open to admit light The door
was closed. On the table were spread
viands, and gen, ,eman in the dress of
cavalier was hastily partaking of re-
freshment His companion-a young
woman of prepossessing appearance
ministered deftly to his wants, laying
her finger on her lips when he attempted
to speak
"Hushi" 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
command. 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,
certainly, than five and twenty-and
handsome, with a winning smile and
bright eyes. She was, perhaps. three
years his junior, and as beautiful as a
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 Anne's Mech
lin lace was sold, and her mothers jew
els pawned, and she herself had donned
sad colored robe and her countenance
was careworn Nevertheless, the fugi-
tive from Naseby thought she was the
most exquisite sight he had ever seen,
and his eyes dwelt tenderly upon her
face.
"How can 1 thank thee enough?" he
began. Il came here friendless and thou
hast succored me. found thee alone
thy father dead-thy elder brother far
away-nobody to defend thee but lad
of 10, and dotard servant. And yet
thou hast received me-fed me-enter-
tanned me-"
"Hush!" she interrupted. "Thou fight
est in good cause, and would die for
such. did it for the king"
@For the king only?" he said.
II did it for the king" she repeated,
blushing. "But do not tarry, Master
Quivil pray thee go, for can not
conceal thee here. Even our lumber
rooms are bare, and not mouse could
shelte there in safety"
II will, I wilt he cried. "But first, o
Mistress Anne, should / not wait till sum
down? can not fly in open day. 'Tis
little more than by the clock.
She followed his gaze to the clocks
face.
Mistress, viii depart at sundown.
Until then my flight would command an
easy capture. Harbor me for these few
hours, sweet mistress, and 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? was but a
lad and thou a little maid, and yet, mis-
tress, / called thee sweetheart. Dost
thou recall 2"
She did recall, and her pale cheek was
flushed with bright pink spot as he
spoke. But she did not reply.
II gave thee once rose, he said.
Dost remember? Twas June so long ago
that it seems like a dream. We walked
together in the rose garden. / mind me
we had escaped from Henry Dowdeswell,
and left him suIking. And l plucked a
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 gal
lantry 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 nowY
He caught her hand and kissed it.
~Ah, Master Quivil-"
~Wilt not call me Jack, love? Dear
heart, / come to thee SCARED and luck
less. / dare not offer thee my empty
hand. But send me not away comfort
less
"Dear Jack, she murmured, blush
ing, 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 a
triumphant sword, and when the king
marches proudly to London, and when
the gay court gathers again, gayer and
statelier than before, say, Nan, wilt thou
take my happy hand and suffer me tc
lead thee to that bright court, which
thou wilt brighten and adorn as dia-
mond adorns the crownY
20, Jack, thou speakest too kindly. +"
~Nay, mistress, am thy humble serv.
ant. But wouIdst thou thus glorify my
my poor life?'
%, Jackl dear Jackl"
| But even as he pressed her TO his breast
something passing the window outside
| for q moment obscured the one ray Of
light which streamed through the shut