Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09

doors were once more opened and my
lord. in temper, at once began:
you press your courtesies too far
Sir John Enderby."
LESS strenuously than the gentle
men of the road pressed their discourte-
sizes upon his majesty and yourself last
night, my lord"
II am come upon that business. For
your bravery and loyalty, if you will ac-
cept the knighthood, and pay the
sum set as the courtesy for the patent,
his majesty will welcome you at court
and raise you to barony. But his
majesty must see that his dignity be not
injured"
"The king may have my life and all
my goods as a gift, but l will not give
either by these indirect means. 1t
does not lie in a poor squire like me To
offend the kings dignity"
"You are resolvcd?"
81 am resolved" answered Enderby,
stubbornly.
"Then you must bear the consc-
quences, and yield up your estates and
person into my hands. Yourself and
your family are under arrest, to be dealt
with hereafter as his majesty sees fit"
~ will not yield up my estates, nor
my person, nor my son and daughter, of
my free will"
With an incredulous smile, Ripping
dale was about to leave and enter upon
siege of the house, when he saw
young Enderby, and caught a strange
look in his face.
young gentleman" said he, "are
you a cipher in this game? A barony
hangs on this. Are you as stub
born aud unruly as the head of your
house,"
Garrett Enderby made no reply, but
turned and walked into the library,
his fathers and sisters eyes following
him in doubt and dismay, for the
chance was his at that moment to prove
| himself.
A moment afterwards Lord Ripping
dale was placing his men to attack
the house, disposing of some to Sc
cure timber to batter in the door,
and of others to make assaults upon
tho rear of the building. Enderby
had placed his men advantageously to
resist attack, giving the defense of
the rear of the house to his son. Mis-
tress Felicity he had sent to an upper
room in the care of her aunt.
Presently the kings men began the
action, firing wherever figure showed
itself, and carrying log to batter in
the entrance door. Enderby's men did
good work, bringing down four Of the
besiegers at the first volley.
Those who carried the log hesitated
for moment, and Enderby called en-
couragngly to his men.
AT this exciting moment, while call
ing to his men, he saw what struck him
dumb-his son hurrying forward with
a flag of truce to Lord Rippingdale!
Instantly my lord commanded his men
to retire.
"My God!" said Sir John, with a
groan, my son my only sonia
traitor!" And turning to his men he
babe them cease firing.
Throwing open the entrance doors
he stood upon the steps and waited for
Lord Rippingdale.
"You see, Sir John Enderby, your
son"-began my lord. =
ut was to maintain my rights, and
for my sons sake and my daughters
that l resisted the command of the
king" interrupted the distressed and
dishonored gentleman, "but now"
But now you yield?"
He inclined his head, then looking
down to the place where his son stood,
he said:
"My sonny only son!" And his
leyes filled with tears.
His distress was so moving that even
my lord was constrained to say:
HE did 1t for your sake. His maies-
" will"
~.'. .,-,.. , -a-.t 49, --".'-'- .