Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-06-27
HALF PAST FOUR.


A June afternoon in the year 1916 the
great hall of Fame place was occupied
by two persons The windows were care
fully shuttered, and only small crack
was left open to admit light. The door
was closed. On the table were spread
viands, and a gentleman in the dress of
Cavalier was hastily partaking of re-
freshments. His companion, young
woman of prepossessing appearance,
ministered deftly to his wants, laying
her finger on her lips when he attempt
ed to speak.
''Hushp' she said softly "Eat, Mas
ter 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
before her with longing words trembling
on his lips. He was young-not more,
certainly, than five and twenty-and
handsome, with 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,
T.,
tress Anne's mechlin lace was sold and
her mothers jewels pawned, and she
herself had donned sad colored robe,
and her countenance was careworn.
Nevertheless the fugitive from Naseby
thought she was the most exquisite sight
he had ever seen, and his eyes dwelt
tenderly upon her face.
''How can I thank thee enough?' he
began. 81 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 Is and dotard servant. And yet
thou hast received me, fed me, enter
tanned me-
"Hushr' she interrupted. ''Thou
fghtest in a good cause, and would
die for SUCH 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 go, for cannot con-
ceal thee here. Even our lumber rooms
are bare, and not mouse could shelter
there in safety
81 will, Iwill' he cried. ''But first,
o Mistress Anne, should I not wait till
sundown? I cannot fly in open day.
'Tis little more than by the clock"
She followed his gaze to the clocks
face
Mistress, will 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 forgot
ten our childish days? Hast thou forgot
ten when we played together? Twas but
lad and thou little maid, and yet,
mistress, I called thee sweetheart Dost
thou recall?"
She did recall, and her pale cheek was
flushed with a bright pink spot as he
spoke. But she did not reply.
81 gave thee once rose," he said.
''Dost remember? Twas June, so long
ago that it seems like dream. We
walked together in the rose garden. I
mind me we had escaped from Henry
Dowdeswell and left him sulking And
[ plucked a rose and said: Take it,
Nan. Take it as pledge from the uni
formed boy that the gallant man shall
teturn to WOO thee And thou tookest
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 l have fled, and how can l
hope that thou wilt smile upon me
how?'
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
| triumphant sword, and when the king
marches proudly to London, and when
the gay court gathers again, gayer and
Etatelier than before, say, Nan, wilt
thou take my happy hand and suffer me
20 lead thee to tat bright court, which
thou wilt brighten and adorn as dia-
mond aGorns the crown?''
''Oh, Jack, thou speakest too kind
ly."
NAY, mistress, I am thy humble
| servant. But wouldst thou thus glorify
my poor life?''
f'Oh, Jack! Dear Jackp'
But even as he pressed her to his
breast something passing the window
| outside for a moment obscured the; one
Tay Of light which streamed through the
| shutter that had been left ajar. The girl
| started violently and Withdrew from
her lovers embrace.
"What was that?'' she whispered fear
fully.
''Nothing, my queen" he said reas-
suringly.
''Nay, nay, Jack Some one passed: "
"'Twas old Diggon, mayhap, or thy
brother Toby"
'No, no. she said in terror. dig
gon is in the field and Toby watches the
road. This is some one who has al1ght'
ed at the postern gate, and who comes