The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-11
HALF PAST FOUR.

A Jnne afternoon In the year 1645 the
great hall OF Fame place was occupied
by two persons The windows were care
fully shuttered, and only small crack
was left open 60 admit light. The door
was closed On the table were spread
| viands, and gentleman In the dress of
q Cavalier was hastily partaking Of re-
freshments His companion, o young
woman OF progressing appearance,
ministered deity to his wants, laying
her finger ON her lips when he attempt
ed to speak
'.Hushl'' she said softly. Eat Mas
ter Quivil, while thou canst Who
knows what may happen next? Ny
brother Toby watches, and ne may bring
M news OF pursuit ct any moment.
Eat. =
he ate and drank, therefore, 40 her
command But when he had satisfied
his hunger Mester Quivil rose and stood
before her with longing words trembling
ON his lips. He was young--not more,
certainly, than i've and twenty-and
handsome, with winning smile and
bright eyes She was perhaps three
years his Junior and % beautiful as q
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 thereswas no court now,
and the king was in sorrow, and Mis-
tress Anne's mechlin lace was sold, and
her mothers jewels pawned, and she
herself had donned . sad oolored robe,
and her countenanoe 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 / thank thee enorgh2'' he
began. ST came here friendless. and thou
hast succored me found thee alone
| thy father dead. thy elder brother far
away, nobody to defend thee but d lad
of 10 and dotard servant. And yet
thou hast received me, fed me- enter
| tanned me-
'.Hushp' she interrupted Thou
fghtest in good canse, and would
die for such. did it foe the king =
''For the king only?'' he said
''I did it for the king. = she repeated.
blushing but do not tarry. Master
Quivil pray thee go. for Icannot con-
ceal thee here Even our lumber rooms
are bare, and not q mouse could shelter
there In safety. !"
twill, Iwilll'' he cried But first,
O Mistress Anne, should mot wait till
sundown? cannot fly In open day.
'Tis little more than by the clock. =
She followed his gaze to the clocks
face.
Mistress, I will depart at sundown
Until then my fight would command
an easy capture. Harbor me fpr these
few hours, sweet mistress, and i will be
gone Thou knowest not what these few
hours are to me. But hast thou forgot
ten our childish dayss Hast thou forgot
| ten when we played together? Twas but
q Lad and thou o little maid, and yet,
mistress, called thee sweetheart. Dcst
thou recall?''
She did recall, and her pale cheek was
flushed with bright pink spot as be
spoke. But she did not reply.
| II gave thee once a rose, = he said.
ssDost remember? Twas june, 80 long
ago that it seems like q dream. We
| walked together in the rose garden.
mind me we had escaped from Henry
Dowdeswell and left him sulhng. And
I plucked q rose and said: Take it,
Nan. Take il as a pledge from the uni
formed boy that the gallant man shall
/ return to woo thee. And thou tookest
lit, sweetheart with tear glistening In
i thy pretty eyes, and thou didst promise
10 dry its petals and fold them among
thy raiment, and keep them till came
back to prove my gallantry and 20 win
thee. Alas, Nan, have come back. But
my gallantry is improved, for the day i
lost, and ! have fed, and how can
hope that thou wilt smile upon mi
now?''
Il He caught her hand and kissed It
'tAh, Master Quivil '
wilt not call me Jack. love? Deal
heart, T come to thee SCARED and luck
! less. dare not offer thee my empt.
, hand. But send me not away comfort
less. y
Dear Jack, she murmured, blush
ing. athou hast ever been In my heart.
ii He caught her TO him.
I "And IL happier days should come
Nan, sweet Man. when my hands hol1
triumphant sword. and when the Kim
marches proudly to London, and whel
the gay court gathers again, gayer m
i statelier than before. sag, Nan, vii
i thou take my happy hand and suffer u
!. to lead thee TO that bright court, whic
thou wilt brighten and adorn as d dis
mond adorns the CROWN
oh, Jack thon speakest too kind
d lyy,'
b MAY, mistress, ] am thy hu1nbl
( servant. But wouldst thou thus glorif
my poor lifef''
"Oh, Jacki Dear Jackr'
But even as he pressed her to ii
Hreast something passing the windo'