The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-29
PART I.

Those of my lord marquis house,
hold who like myself were noble, or at
least gentle-born, We're wont to serve
him at his meat, and to remain In at
tendance, until my lord went into MS
closet. This was at high noon; there-
fore 1t CHANGED oftentimes that Scuda-
more, Clough and others among my
mates were not risen from their meal
until three of the clock. In faith, on
this July eventide, 1645, twas higher
four when we saw the tables bare, and
set to play at bowls In the lower pleas
aunce. The RIGHTEOUSNESS OF the times
rumoring his majesty's defeat, Kept US
within bounds, and the confinement
which II Occasioned caused us heaV-
iness of spirit. so that the sport went
but tamely. Truth to tell, was as deep
in the dumps as well could be stout
lad of seventeen, and was idly kicking
my ball over the clipped turf, when one
of the pages came to the wicket, crying
that peddlers We're at the great gate
with news Of the war. At the WORD,
we were all off, spurning the grass with
our heels, nor We're we late at the feast.
for on near approach We found oid
Cooke, the gate-keeper, two men-at-
arms, and score of idle grooms hold
ing parley with the chap-men. Scuda-
more and l stood aside, hearkening 10
the fellows tale, which, as we saddened
to learn later on, was very tissue OF
lying, but which then, as 1t spoke OF
victory to the kings forces, warmed
us to the heart. We or Raglan had
been perforce SO we'll kept within wall,
that we were wearied out and so gave
the tale more credence that at buster
moments. Yet even !, although held
the fellows words in a fair belief, did
not spare my doubts, by reason OF his
villainous appearance and shifty eye,
and was no less inclined to credit him
for the glibness of his tale. Moreover
I fell to inward laughing at the SIM
plicity Of the audience. who stood about
with their mouths agape swallowing
the tale as twere their small-beer and
breaking in with a reverential OH
"ah!" "marry now" as though the ped
dler were no less than Prince Rupert.
Cooke was such an old shrew, that I
was not loathe to behold him so gulled.
and fell to much laughter when the
peddler was borne off to revel In the
Kitchen tower. Strangers were not
readily admitted to Raglan In those
days. nor perchance would this one
have been, had my Lord Charles, or my
lord of Worcester himself been stirring
to see him pass. But earlier that day
dispatches had been brought in haste
to the marquis; he had at dinner shown
much preoccupation of countenance,
and was even now closely conferring
with my Lord Charles and DR.. Bailey.
so that twas no great wonder he was
not about to behold the peddler's tri-
umph.
was deeper than ever in the dumps.
and was returning slothfully to my dis
taseful oastime when Moyle, my lord 8
usher, called to me that l was looked
Po, inc mi In tho r1oSnt So thithpr
/ turned my steps, glad of e.ny occupa-
tion. and tapped respectfully upon the
panel.
Twas my lord himself bade me en-
ter, and the instant / closed the door
behind me felt a plucking at my heart
that told me that this was no trivial
erand that here lay my chance to make
or mar my fortunes. For my lords
voice rang deeper than with its accus-
toned garrulous pipe Of age, his brow
was deeply ploughed with thought, and
when he fixed me with his eye twas
with q dreadful, probing gaze, as 'twere
to challenge my fidelity, very different
from his usual habit Of jesting toler-
ance.
Mine honored master then gray in
years, was a man Of girth and great
bulk, much enfeebled by his infirmi-
ties SO that he rarely stood or walked
about, but sat continually In a. great
chair by the window. DR.. Bailey, his
chaplain, sat over against him, and
made sQuint at me to express reas-
surance, for my lords sternness of Wis.,
i sage had cast me into a hurried self
catechism as to my misdoings.
My lord began without preliminary,
hearkening at once to the core of the
matter.
Roger selby," he said, folding be-
fore him one withered hand, "Dr.
Bailey here has given me such hopes
Of you, that l have, on his advice,
chosen you from those of my household.
FOR an especial service"
This preface so gladdened and
amazed me that I could make him no
adequate answer beyond bowling and
murmuring my fidelity.
You are, know, a hardy and active
youth" proceeded my lord, in the same
deepened voice. II have the assurance
Of DR.. Bailey that you are faithful and
brave. That you are discreet I have
voucher by your bearing in my house.
hold. This Is. above all, an opportun-
ty for your discretion and dispatch.
If you are content to do my bidding
with swiftness and exactitude, asking
no questions, seeking to know no more
than what Is under your nose-and
keeping a close tongue in your mouth
Afterwards. now is your chance equally
TO serve me, your king and country"
II thank your hr1ship." made re-
ply. "In this matter shall move as
your lordship's hand-will you tell me
your lordship's desire?"
You make no protestations," he
said, knitting his brows at me.
There is no need, my lord. They
will but make my weakness apparent
should fail, your lordship, and they
aonor me but little IL do WELL"
"Then to work." pursued my lord
IN kindlier tones, as one not ill-pleased