The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-08-12


neck of his baser passions, which were
now in mad gallop none could check
To reason with him was as futile as
to argue with a mailman.
But Colonel Payne said quietly: I
can conceive no duty to the state which
waits not upon the kings will, and me-
thinks this obstinacy smacks more of
private vengeance than of care for the
common veal"
The truth of the accusation made it
unbearable. Berkeley writhed as if
probe had been turned in wound.
"Colonel Paynel" he cried in fury,
"an' 'twere not for our old-time friend
ship, I'd have you clapped into the
prison alongside of Bryan Fairfax for
such words to the governor of the
colony"
"No doubt" answered Payne coldly.
&" 1t were quite of piece with your
conduct, and would match well. So
far we have carried all with high
hand, but beware The king is the
father of his people, and they have at
last cried aloud TO him of thy fearful
cruelty !"
80" snarled Berkeley, "that was
thy daughters Grand, to stir up anger
against me as well as to procure par
don for her precious lover / am glad
to know it, and l will take care to make
her homecoming all it should be.
Know, Theophilus Payne, that were l
to set sail for England this day, l would
stay the ship till l had seen Bryan
Fairfax hanged"
"Then," said Payne, "there is no
more to be said. l will stand by Fair
fax on the scaffold as though he were
my own son, as for my dear daughters
sake 1 do verify count him. For you,
your deeds be upon your head, and
never, so help me God, will l speak to
you or take you by the hand so long as
Virginia shall hold us both"
The long roll of the drum broke in
upon the words, and Colonel Payne's
face grew ashen white as he saw the
prison door open and Bryan Fairfax
come forth, guarded before and behind
by two stout halberdiers.
The four months in prison had left
their traces. Fairfax had entered the
jail youth,-he emerged man. The
deep burrows between the eyes had
been drawn by the hand of grief yet
the head with its weight of fair hair
was lifted as haughtily as of old.
Neither to the right nor the left did he
turn as he marched up the struggling
village street where half year since
he had ridden a conqueror, now sur
rounded by hooting mob.
"'Tis a pity your general is ma with
you to see the ruins O. the houses ye
laid in ashes last fall" cried one in his
ear.
cay" added another in smothered
tone on the other side and pity
Mistress Payne cannot take in this
scene from her ship. Could have had
my say, l would have builded the scat
fold like lighthouse tower, and set it
where it might be beacon to incom-
| ing vessels"
The color rose to the pale cheek of
Fairfax, and his hands, bound with
ropes as they were, fumbled nervously
for his sword. But he only lifted his
head the higher, and marched forward
with firm tread and steady eye.
Ere he had gone another rod the
place on his right was taken by Colonel
Payne.
Courage, my lad," quoth he. 81
have watchers posted on the river bank.
We have three hours yet, and if the
ship heave in sight Berkeley dare not
proceed"
GLOW say you, Colonel Payne?"
spoke Arthur Thorn from the other
side. "Dare not are harsh words to be
used anent an old soldier, and sure no
man ever deserved it less. L will see
to it that your speech reaches His Ex-
cellency."
"Say what you like" answered the
colonel. "Twere as hard to increase
the governors malignity as your poi
sonous sycophancy."
Excellent wordsl" quoth Thorn,
his tawny face nothing like the skin of
a snake. Excellent words, treason
and libel all in one. 1 will find my
way to Governor Berkeley with them
and that without loss of time" With
this he took his leave, yet for some
time lowered near, as 10th even for a
moment to lose sight of his victim.
Colonel Payne" said Fairfax when
Thorn had gone, his face for the first
time relaxing from its stony composure,
"Tell Penelope that l died as a soldier
should, and that on the very scafold
looking death in the face, the thought
of her love made me proud and happy
man."
The colonel turned away. There was
that in his throat which made it i'm.
possible to utter speech. In silence
keeping step as to funeral march
they went on together, shoulder tt
shoulder. Oh, what joy and comfort il
brought afterward to the heart of Pencil
ope Payne to remember that her father
and her lover were thus united to the
very end.
AS they drew near the foot of the
scaffold the crowd, attracted more by
curiosity than hatred, grew thicker. A
little lad stepped out from those who
lined the road and held forth TOWARD
Fairfax bunch of gay wild flowers
gripped tight in bis tiny chubby fist
Then, as he saw the prisoners hands
bound tight behind him, he cried
Heat