Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-18

likely! Men who ten years ago were as
black exclusionists old Noll himselfv'
Il can believe it, Sir john" said Smith.
with gravity, while l who knew how the
late conspiracy had united the whole coun-
try in King Williams defense-so that the
man who Refused to sign the Commons
association to that end went in peril of
VIolence-listeEed with as much bewilder-
E;ent as 1 had felt three minutes before,
on hearing how this same man. fugitive
and an outlaw. bound beyond seas, had
been employing his time
However, he was as far from guessing
what was in my mind as he was from
doubling Smiths sincerity; and encouraged
by the latter's assent, he continued: 1T is
parlous strange to me, Mr.. Smith, how
Strange and passing strange! But it can
not last. 1t will not last out the year.
These executions have opened mems eyes
frey? And by Christmas we shall be
back
"A merry Christmas it will be- said
Smith. Heaven grant it. But you have
not asked, Sir John, WHO it is 1 have with
me-
At that and at sign he made me, let
fall the collar of the cloak I was wear
ing, which, in obedience to his directions
I had hitherto kept high about my chin.
Sir John, his eyes drawn to me, as much
by my action as by Smiths words. stared al
me moment before his mouth opened
wide in recognition and surprise. Then,
Il am surely not mistaken he cried, adj
vancins step while the color rose in his
sallow face. 1T is-it certainly IS"
''Sir JOHN Smith cried in haste-and
he, too, advanced a step and raised hand
in warning-"this is Colonel Talbot! Colo
mel Talbot, mark you, sir! 1 am sure you
understand me, and the reasons which
make it impossible for any but Colonel
Talbot to visit you here. He has done me
the honor to accompany me. But perhaps"
he continued, checking himself with an
air of Difference, lit were more fitting 1
left you now.
NO 1 said hurriedly, repeating the
lesson I had learned by rote, and In which
Smith had not failed to practice me
dozen times that day. Il am here to one
end only-to ask Sir John Fenwick to do
Colonel Talbot a kindness; to take this
ring and convey it with my service and
duty-whither he is going
'Oh, bu; this is extraordinary Sir John
cried, lifting his hands and eyes in a kind
of ecstasy. This is a dispensation! A
providence! But. my lord" he continued
with rapture, there is one more step you
may take, one more effort you may make.
Be the restorer, the monk of this genera
tcn. So ripe is the pear that were you
to ride through the city tomorrow and
proclaim our rightful sovereign, not citi-
zen but would bless you, not soldier bul
would throw down his pike! The blues are
with us to a nan, and enraged besides
at Keyes' execution. And the rest of the
army-do you dream that they see Dutch
colonies promoted and Dutch soldiers over
paid and do not resent it? / tell you, my
Iord-your grace, l should say, for doubt
less the kirg will confirm it."
Sir JOHN l said hastily, assuming an
anger 1 did not feel, you mistake me.
am Colonel Talbot and no other And l
am here not to listen to plans or make sug
gestions, but to request favor at your
hands. Be good enough to convey that
ring with my service whittier you are go
ing"
t,,l flot &c ol0 ho id
fully. You will say no morc?'
THAT is all, SIR answered, and then,
catching Smiths eye, I added, "Save this.
You may add that, when the time comes, l
shall know' what to do, and I shall do it,
This time, sobered by my words ard
manner. he took in silence the ring I
proffered but having glanced at 1t, gave
way to a second burst of rapture, and jubi-
first, but not less hearty. "This will be the
best naws Lord Middleton has had for
twelvemonth.' he cried gleefully. And
that / should succeed where l am told that
England, your grace-Colonel Talbot. 1
mean. We will pound Melfort and that
faction with this. We will pound them to
powder. He has wasted half q million and
not got such an adherent. Good lord, 1 shall
not rest now until l AM across with the
news"
Nor 1 until Colonel Talbot is on the
road again." said Smith, intervening deft-
for him."
That is true" said Sir John. with ready
consideration. And l should be riding
within the half hour But to Romney.
You, 1 suppose, return to London?'
ITO London I said, mechanically,
"Direct?" said he, with Difference.
AS directly as We dare" Smith answer
ed. and with the word moved to the door
ana opened 1t. On which l bowed, and
was for going out, perhaps with a little
awkwardness. But Sir john too deenIv
impressed by the honor had done him 10
iet me retire so lamely, started forward,
ana. snatching up candle, would hold the
door and light me, bending his long back
and calling to Brown to look to us-to look
TO US Nor was this all. for when I halted
nan way down the stairs. and turned.
acknowledgment, or at least a word of
thanks, he took the word out of INV
mouth. '
Hist! Colonel Talbotr' he cried, in a
loud whisper. and, leaning far over the
stairs. he held the light with one hand and
shaded his eyes with the other. You
know that We have the tower?"
standing him.
TO be sure. Ailesbury has It in his
hand. 1t will declare for us whenever he
gets the word: But-you know it from
From Lord Aflesbury?' I exclaimed IN
sheer surprise. "But he Is a prisoncr."
Sir John winked, Prisoner and masterp,
he muttered. ncddins vigorously. "But
t son sova must not keep you Good luck and
Which was the last saw of him for
that time. Nor did ever see him again
save on one occasion. That he was q TO-
lent and fractions man. and a foe to the
Protestant succession, do not deny. nor
that some passages in his life do him little
credit, and the most bruited the least. But
Tor all this, and though was then and
ever stranger to him, am fain to con-