The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-25


John Halliburton. as he rode along,
was in high feather. He had done well
nj court. better than he had hoped fo4,
having. indeed. had n matter intrusted
20 him that required delicate handling
and some courage. For the handling,
though but novice in Intrigue and in
the craft that commends man TO
minister, he was confident he had enow
10 bring the affair 10 = successful issue,
and for courage, he thought he had Us
much as any man alive.
OF the nature OF the packet he carried
in his saddle-bag Halliburton knew
nothing. but that il related 10 matter
OF the deepest import he was convinced,
more from the stern reminder OF the
chancellor that he would have 10 answer
sor its safe delivery with his life, than
from the feverish. fidgety anxiety dis
played by the king. when he COM
rianded him 10 "haud 10 IL tooth and
nail"
The knowledge. however, of the dan'
eerous character OF his mission, as inn
piled by the chancellor's words, in nc
way troubled John Halliburton as he
rode az cnnter across the moor. lie
had a good horse under him, stout
sword by his side, and. what was hes'
OF all, a thorough belief in himself. II
a word, John Halliburton was the bearer
of dispatches from the court OF James &
lord Hunsdon, the nooleman selecte'
by Elizabeth 10 open communicative
with the king OF Scots. and his order
were neither 70 draw bride nor hol'
speech or dealing OF any kind with an,
man whatsoever. no matter of what de
gree he might be. until he had got thel,
into Hunsdor's hands-Sir John Mai.
lar.i plainly Estimating 20 him at hi
departure that. Notwithstanding ever.
precaution 10 keep the affair secret
he fully anticipated that Halliburton
would be intercepted. charging hin
again on no account 10 go from his in
sfrrctions. but to hold 10 his letters nj
the king had commanded. tooth an,
nail" until he reached Hunsdon, wheT
he would be freed from his responsible
Sty. "And faith." the chancellor ha,
added, with smile, IL think l coul'
hardly have chosen n filter man." TX
which Halliburton had replied. Will
great complacency; II think not m,
lord"
Now, had John Halliburton been I
man of the world-that is 10 say, mor'
a courtier than he was.-hc might have
realized that his enterprise was not like
10 be so easy of accomplishment as h
fondly supposed. The whole world jus
then was crying out against the murde
of the queen, and denouncing ven
gesnce upon Elizabeth. Politicians OF
every side were seeking alliances, hatch
5ng plots, and endeavoring TO over
reach one another. Spain was in arms
nnd bent upon Invasion. Elizabetl
was seeking 20 secure the cooperation
OF the king of Scots, and James wa
lowering between revenge and the feal
of cutting himself out Of the succession
whilst his Catholic subjects were al
raost in open rebellion, offering TO assis
Philip in his descent upon England
To come 10 q satisfactory and n pc
cuniary arrangement with Elizabeth
and 10 safeguard the succession, was
the aim OF the king and his chancel
lor; TO prevent such an understanding
and to revenge the death Of Mary, thai
of the Catholics.
II was at this crisis, then, that Johr
Halliburton was intrusted with the spe
cial mission referred to, which was in
tended TO prepare the way for definite
ard an amicable settlement OF all diff
ferences, and doubtless his journey
might have been accomplished without
any incident or event of any kind Other
than what was TO be expected in a coun
try SO unsettled as Scotland, had i
not been for the fortutous interview
\ Of Jane Kennedy with the king, which