The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-01-08
THE STORY OF
FRANCIS CLUDDE.
By STANLEY J. WEYMAN.
Copyright, 1891, by Cassell Publishing Ce. An
rights reserved-l
Continued.
By STANLEY ]. wEYMAN.

and fingered with my hand on tho key
until an abrupt knocking on the other
side Of the door brought the blood to my
face. Before could turn the key the hasty
summons was repeated and grew to a
frantic, hurried drumming on tho boards
"a sound which plainly told of terror
suddenly conceived and in an instant full
grown A hoarse cry followed, coming
uully to my cars through the thickness OF
the door, and the next moment the stout
planks shook as heavy weight fell against
them.
turned the kcy and the door was flung
open from within. My father stumbled
out.
The strong light for an instant blinded
him, and he blinked as an owl does
brought TO the sunshine. Even in him
the long hours passed in solitude and the
blackness of despair had worked changes.
His hair was grayer in patches 1t was al
most white, and then again dark. He had
gnawed his lower lip, and there were
bloodstains on It. His mustache, too, WINS
ragged and torn, as IL he had gnawed that
also. His eyes wero bloodshot, his lean
face was white and haggard and fierce.
Hal" ho cried, trembling as he peered
round, 81 thought they had left me to
starved There were rats in therei
thought
He stopped. He saw mo standing hold
Ing the edge of the door. He saw that
otherwise the room was empty, the farther
door leading to the shaft open. An open
door, To him doubtless 1t seemed of all
sights the most wonderful, the most heav
enlyl His knees began to shake under
him.
"What Is itY' he muttered. what
were they shouting about? l heard them
shouting"
THE queen is dying" answered sim
ply, "or dead, and you can do us no more
harm. You are free"
"FreeS" He repeated the word, leaning
against the wall, his eyes wild and glar-
ing, his lips parted.
Eyes; free, answered in lower voice
free to go out into the air of heaven a
living mani" paused. For moment
could not continue. Then added SOL
EMMY, Sir, Providence has saved you
from death and me from crime"
He leaned still against the wall, dazed,
Thunderstorm, almost incredulous, and
looked from me to the open door and back
again as If without this constant testi-
mony Of his eyes he could not believe in
his escape.
1T was not Anne?" he murmured
"She did not
"She tried to save your life," an
swered, "but they would not listen to
her"
Ibid she come here?"
As he spoke he Strengthened himself
with an effort and stood up. He was
growing more like himself.
"No," answered. "She sent for me and
told mo her terms But Kingston and the
others would not listen to them. You
would have been dead now, though did
all l could to save you, If Penruddocke
had not brought this news of the queen. "
"She is dead'"
"She is dying. The Spanish embassa-
DOR" l added to clinch the matter, for
saw he doubted, rode through here this
afternoon to pay his court to the Princess
Elizabeth at Hatfield"
He looked down at the ground, think
ing deeply. Most men would have been
unable to think at all, unable to concen-
trato their thoughts on anything save
their escape from death. But life OF
daily risk and hazard had so hardened
this man that was certain, as l watched
him, that he was not praying nor giving
thanks. He was already bordering how
/ De IllRnu llOob VI ohubBVt
how he might to the best advantage sell
his knowledge of the government whose
hours were numbered to the government
which soon would be. The life of intrigue
had become second nature to him.
He looked up, and our eyes met We
! gazed at one another.
"Wby are you here?" he said ouriously.
"Why did they leave your Why were you
the one to stop to set me free, Master
CareyS"
my name is not Carey" answered.
"What is it, them" he asked carelessly.
"Cludde," answered softly
''Cluddel' He called 1t out. Even his
self mastery could not cope with this sur
prise. 'Cludde," he said again-said 1t
twice in lower voice.
"Yes, Cludde," l answered, meeting
and yet shrinking from his questioning
eyes, my name is Cludde. So is yours.
tried to save your life, because I learned
from Mistress Anne
/ paused. / shrank from telling hin
that which, as 1t seemed to me, would
strike him to the ground in shame ant
horror. But he had no fear.
WHAT" he cried. what did YOU
Learnt"
"That you are my father" answered
slowly. II am Francis Cludde, the SOL
whom you deserted many years ago and Il
whom Sir Anthony gave home at Co
ton."
I expected him to do anything excep
what he did He stared at me with as
tonished eyes for minute, and then
low whistle issued from his lips.
my son. are your My sonl" he sal,
ooolly. And how long have you know
this, young sir?"
"Since yesterday" murmured. TIL
words he had used on that morning a
Santon when he had hidden me die an,
rot were fresh in my memory-in m
memory, not in his. Ireoalled his treach
cry to the duchess, his pursuit or us, ~
departure with Anne, the words in whicl
he had cursed me He remembered appaf
entity mono Of these things, but simpl
gazed at me with a thoughtful smile.
II wish 1 had known 1t before" he sal,
at last. "Things might have been differ
emit A pretty dutlful son you have beenl'
The sneer did me good. 1t recalled t
my mind what Master BERTHE had said
There can be no question of duty be
tween u.s." answered firmly. "Wha
duty owe to any one Of my family I ow
to my uncle"
| lheh why udNo you tOlu In6 bnlbI
because thought 1t right you shout,
know It," answered, were it only that
knowing 1t, we may go different ways
We have nearly done one another mis-
chief more than once" added gravely.
He laughed He was not one viii
sbashed by the discovery, nor awed, no
cast down. There was even in his oynioa
face a CLEAN of kindliness and pride as h
scanned me. We were almost of height
l the taller by an inch or two, and in gu
features i believe there was likeness
though not such as to invite remark.
You have grown to be "a chip of the oil,
block, " he said coolly. II would as sool
have you for son as another. think oil
the whole / am pleased. You talked o
Providence just now"-this with laugl
Of serene amusement" and perhaps yol
were right. Perhaps there is such thing
For / am growing old, and, loi 1t give
me a son to take care of me-"
shook my head l could never be tina
kind of son to him.
wait bit =" he said, frowning slight
ly. You think your side is up and min,
Is down, and can do you no good now
but only harm. You are ashamed of me
Well, wait" he continued, nodding con
fldently. do not be too sure that can
not help you. l have been wrecked doz
on times, but mover yet failed to find ,