Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
CHAPTER XIV.
The Kings Gun.
Written fOr The Evening star.

The Kings Cup.
At least the vicar would be pleased. A
whimsical joy in the anticipation of his de-
light shot across my gloomy meditations
as the sunset rays threaded their way
through the narrow window of the cham
Der that was my cell. The thought of him
stayed with me, amusing my idleness and
entertaining my fancy. 1 could imagine his
wise. contented nod, far from surprise as
the poles are apart, full of self-approval
as an egg is of meat. For his vision had
been clear. in him faith had never wavered.
OF q truth the prophecy which old Betty
Nasroth spoke (foolishness though it were)
was through fortunes freak two parts full
filled What remained might rest unjusti-
fled to my great content; small comfort
had l won from much had come to
pass. j had loved where the king had
loved. and my youth. though it raised its
head again. still reeled under the blow;
knew what the king hid-aye, 1t might be
more than one thing that he hid; my
knowledge landed me where l hid now, in
close confinement with a jailer at my door.
For my choice 1 would crave the
Wears pardon, would compound with des-
tiny and. taking the proportion of fates
gifts already dealt to me in lieu of all.
would go in peace to humber doings, be-
meath the dignity of dark prophecy, but
more fit to give man quiet days and
comforts in his life. Indeed. as my Lord
QuntOn had said long ago, there was
strange wine in the kings cup, and | had
no desire to drink 1t. Yet who would not
have been moved by the strange workings
of events which made the old woman's
prophecy seem the true reading of a future
beyond guess or reasonable forecast? /
jeered and snarled at myself. at Betty, at
her prophecy. at the Wears credulity. But
the notion would not be expelled. Two
remained. "GlamiS thou art and Cawdor,
and shalt be what thou art promised" /
forget how it runs on, for it is long since l
saw the play. though | make bold to think
that it is We'll enough written. Alas. no
good came of listening to witches there. if
my memory holds the story of the piece
rightly.
There is little profit and less entertain
ment in the record of my angry, despond-
ing thoughts. Now 1 Law like dog, again
i Hanged the cell as beast in his cage. 1
cared not a silver for Buckingham
sci emes- 1 paid small heed to Nelrs jeal-
OUSy. 1t was naught to me who should
be the kings next favorite. and although
i. with all ether honest men. hated a popsh
kirg. the fear of him would rot have kept
me from my sleep or from my supper.
w no eats his dinner the less though king
dem fall? To take young mans appe-
lite away and keep his eyes open O. nights
ne eds a nearer touch than that. But 1
mad on me horror of what was being done
in this place They sold lady's honor
there. throwing it in for a makeweight
in their bargain. 1 would have dashed the
scales from their hands. but was helpless
There is the truth. man need not be
as named for having had a trifie of honesty
about him when he was young And If
my honesty had the backing of something
else that | myself knew not yet why, for
hoEestys good safety God sent it such
backing always Without some such all
1t is too often brought to terms and sings
small in the end.
The evening grew late and darkness had
fallen ! turned again to my supper. and
coEtrived to eat and to drink glass or two
of wine Suddenly l remembered Jonah
Wall. ard sent curse after the negligent
fellow. wherever he might be, determining
that the next morning he should take his
choice between drubbing and dismissal.
Then | stretched myself again on the pallet
resotute to see whether u man could will
himself to sleep. Eut / had hardly closed
my eyes when l opened them again ard
started up leaning on my elbow. There
was somebody in conversation with nv
Jalltr The conference was very brief.
Here's the kings order" | heard in a
naughty. careless tone. open the door.
fellow. nd be quick"
The door was flung open. 1 sprang to my
nam stood before me, surveying my person
TN truth my state was very disheyeledD
ana my quarters with supercilious amuse-
ment There was one chair. and / set IL
Tor him. He sat down, pulling off his lace
trimmed gloves
You are the gentleman L wanted?" he
asked.
Il have reason to suppose so, YOUR grace"
answered
Good" said he. THE Duke of Mon
your behalf"
l bowed grateful acknowledgements
= y Oh are free he continued to NV low.
You'll leave the castle in two hours. he
duueu; 10 my CONSERVATION. But he ap-
peared 70 perceive neither effect of his
words Those are the kings orders" ne
ended conposedly.
But: l cried, " if L leave the castle how
can fulfill your grace's desire?"
SAID those were the kings orders. 1
nave something to add to them Here /
nave written 1t down, that you may under
stand and not forget Your lantern there
gives poor light. but your eyes are young.
Read what is written, SIR
read: -"e 'iid
In two hours time be at Cannonsgate
he gate will be open Two serving men
VIII D. there with two horses. A lady will
De conducted to the gate and delivered into
your CFarge. You will ride with her as
speedily as possible to Deal. You will call
her your sister. if need arise to speak of
her- Go TO The hostelry of the Merry Mari
ners IN Deal, and there await a gentleman
VINO VIII come in the morning and hand
You nifty suineds ii gold. Deliver the lady
TO this gentleman. return Immediately to
'@'4tlOh- anu he IN sale hiding till word
reaches you from ne
i read and turned to him in amazement
well. ne asked, isn't 1t plain enough ~
The lady l can guess" 1 answered "but
pray your grace TO tell me who is the
gentleman.
What need is there for you to know? Do
you think that more thar one will seek Won
at the Merry Mariners tavern and pray
your acceptance of fifty guine asp
But 1 should like to know who the one
Is" N oe
you'll know when you see him.
with respect to your grace this is not
enough to tell me-
You can't be told more. sir"
Then i won't GO
He frcwped and beat his gloves on his
thigh impatiently
y gentleman, your grace" said l. must
De trusted or he cannot serve"
He locked round the little CELL and asked
significantly:
Is your state such as to entitle you to
make conditions?"
only when your grace has need of sery-
ices which L can give or refuse I an
sWeTed, bowling. His irritation suddenly
NahlShcd. or seemed to vanish. He leaned
lack III his chair and laughed.
Yet all the time" said he you've
guessed the gentleman. Isn't il so? Come
MI Dale, we under stand one another This
service. il all goes well. Is simple But if
you re interrupted in leaving the castle you