The Monitor-register., 1897-03-26
said she. not deigning to raise her eyes

lifted her pretty head and scanned the
uncomely countenance and fat proper
tions of the new officer with much delib-
Grafton.
SHOULD fairness diminish harm, sir,
'twere a pity there were no more of the
quality among His Majesty's servants"
ga truce. fair one, to a war of words.
l am here to crave your hospitality whilst
waiting for the presence of one who, I am
informed, purposes to visit his daughter
between the time of moor and mid night.
You start! IT'S now hardly noon. We
demand to know in the Kings name at
what precise hour that interview is TO
take place."
'Sir %
""Twere we'll, madam, to save that
pretty head; for those who w%ilfully
harbor the treacherous Monmouth's fol-
lowers can receive no clemency from his
most gracious majesty, King James.
Their life is forfeit, man or woman"
"Sir," said Lady Gertrude, after some
moments of seemingly fearful delibera-
tion, 81 await my lord, my father, within
one hour from now; and may God curse
you for a coward"
The fat soldier grinned. The lady's
bark was loud enough, but her bite was
indeed most easily averted with a threat
ening whip, as was the way with women;
so he sat his broad person down and did
all that which he thought would beguile
SO pretty a shrew from her fretful humor.
Full three quarters of an hour thus
passed, when news was brought, by a
breathless soldier, that the Earl of W
had boarded a frigste not fifteen minutes
since, apd-as was related in all serious.
ness-had doffed his hat in acknowledge
ment of the fiery salute from shore.
Whereupon the fat soldier got up in a
fearful rage, and kicked aid swore, as
only a gentleman soldier knows we'll how
to do, and snarled aloud that nothing
should save the cunning jade from the
lively fate of Mistress Gaunt, who, in
deed, was burned to death for a lesser
misdemeanor.
But the Lady Gertrude lifted up her
proud head and said:
Even 40 l shall deem my fathers life
most cheaply bought, SIR"
And she walked out between the file of
armed men, who, indeed, were sorry for
so brave and fair a creature, taken thus
roughly a prisoner.
n n n e n n n
The poor tutor sat over his books in the
upper room of a small dwelling bouse,
aud wrestled with his thoughts, till he
knew not which was conscience and
which the devil most plaguing; for the
Lady Gertrude had said that love was
wealth, yet his rooms betrayed no signs
thereof.
He had a little piece of land not very
far away, from which he acquired a small
income; yet withal these things could in
nowise be counted riches.
Indeed, no, thought he, when hurried
footsteps upon the stair became confused
with his wandering f%ancies, and ere he
had time to weigh the matter Lady Ger
trude stood before him.
And then something of a sweet shyness
came over her, so hat all in a great
been taken prisoner by the irate Colonel,
and how she had escaped through the
help of a cousin among the officers, who,
she avowed, had once cared greatly for
her.
Then the boy and girl, for they were
not much else, looked into one another's
eyes, as they had looked these many past
days during the lessons he had been set
to teach her; and now there was no table
between them, so that he knelt down,
and taking both her little white hands in
which the lady seemed to have no desire
to resent.
$50 after all, Master Humphrey, you
u needs take care of your pupil still a
little while longer. Tomorrow at BALKAN
bridge at nightfall there will be those
waiting to conduct me to Holland, where
| think, sir, you told me you had a mind
to follow in search of further learning.
Yet till then | must remain q prisoner
here for fear of my very life," laughed
she.
Now, hardly had she spoke tina a
clamor without sent the blood from his
cheeks, and fear at last into the dauntless
eyes of the Lady Gertrude.
"Quick ! Within /, said he, and thrust
open the door of the narrow chamber
and closed it upon her. The steady
tramp of mems feet echoed upon the
winding stair.
SIN the Kings name !" said a tall
officer as he entered the room, followed
by several men at arms. There was a
strange look in his eyes as he met the
tator's gaze, and he faltered in his
speech whilst repeating the common
formula.
'There is no one here" exclaimed the
student deliberately.
~ lc hCCCoboIy bhdO bOo pidlO buOulO
be searched" replied the officer; 'and l
must warn you that if the prisoner be
found your life will be forfeited without
trial, as a traitor harboring those in con.
spiracy against the Majesty's Crowd"
There is no one here" repeated the
tutor.
Search" said the officer. He had
grown pale as the poor youth, who bent
with seeming indifference over his books
and chung close to his chair as the men
approached the little door, W hich opened
suddenly from within, as a beautiful
youth in a velvet suit, with fine lace
ruffs and q mass of brown, curly hair,
falling negligently about his shoulders, |
such as was then the fashion to affect, |
confronted the officer.
"What noisy matter is this ?" said he,
haughtily. SIS there no peace even for
students, who, loyal to His Majesty, |
claim but the quiet of their chambers to
peruse the books which tell of mightier |
deeds than those of the internal wars of a
disconnected people ;"
Now a look of hnmor crept into the
officers eyes as he bowed perhaps lower
than was necessary to so young and
naughty a youth.
81 I'm grieved to so disturb you, sir"
said be. 1--WE nave been misinformed,
for apparently the lady we seek is not
here" and he turned upon his heel and