The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-12
II KINGS cur.

shot across my gloomy med1tations as tine sun
cot rays threaded their way through the marrow
window Of tho chamber that was my cell. The
Thought of him stayed with me. amusing my
idlenoss and entertaining my fancy. 1 could
imagine his wise. contentcd nod. far from sur
prise as tho poles arc apart, full Of sclf.approval
as IN egg In OF meat, For his vision had been
clear, in him faith had never wavered. or a
truth tho prophecy which old Betty Nasroth
spoke tfoolishnoss though It werel was through
fortunes freak two parts fulfilled. What re-
manned might rest unjustiicd to my great CON
> tent; small comfort had I won from so much as
had come to pass. I had loved where tho King
had loved, and my youth, though It raised its
head again. still roeled under the blow; l knew
what the King hid-aye. 1t might DO more than
one thing that ho hid; my knowledge landed
mo where 1 hid now, In close confinement with
n taller at my door. For my own choice I
would crave the wears pardon, would com.
pound with destiny and, taking the proportion
Of fate's gifts already dealt to me in lieu OF all,
would 20 in peace to humblcr doings, beneath
the dignity OF dark prophecy, but moro At to
give a man'quiet days and comforts In his life.
Indeed, as my Lord Quinton had said long ago,
there was strange wine In tho Kings cup, and
] had no desire to drink It. Yet who'would not
have boen moved by the strange workings of
events which made the old woman's prophecy
scem the true reading of q future beyond guess
or reasonable forecast I jeered and snarled
ut myself, at Betty, ut her prophecy, at the
wears credulity. But the notion would not'be
expelled. Two parts stood accomplished, but
the third remained. "Glamis thou art and
Cawdor, and shalt BIO What thou art promised
j forget how It runs on, for it Is long since T.saw
the play. though I mako bold to think that 1t is
well enough written. Alas. no good came of
listening to. witches there, if.my memory holds
che story of the piece rightly.
There is little profit and less entertainment in
the record of my angry, Responding thoughts.
Now Hay like n log. again 1 ranged tho cell as q
beast in his cage. / cared not q silver for
Buckingham's schemes. I-paid small heed to
Hells jealousy. 1t was naught TO me who
should DO the Kings next favorite. and al
though ]. with all other honest men. hated n
Popish King. the fear of him would not have
kept me from my sleep or from my supper.
WHO eats his dinner the less though q kingdom
fall To take a young mans appetite away
and keep his eyes open o. nights needs q nearer
touch than that. But I had on me a horror of
what was being done in this place. They sold
alady's honor there. throwing 1t in for a make
weight in their bargain. / would have dashed
tho scales from their hands, but I was help
less. There is the truth. A man need not be
ashamed for having had a trifle of honesty
about him when he was young. And IL my
honesty had the backing of something else that
I myself knew not yet, why, for honesty's good
safety God sent 1t such backing always. With
out some such aid. 1t is too often brought to
terms and sings small in the end.
Tho evening grew late, and darkness had
fallen. / turned again to my supper, and con-
trived:to.cat and to drink a glass or two of wine.
Suddenly I remembered Jonah Wall. and sent
a curse after the negligent fellow. wherever he
might no daterminiDp that tho pext rnorpipo
he should take his choice between q drubbing
and dismissal. Then I stretched myself again
on the pallet, resolute to see whether n man
could will himself to sleep. But 1 had hardly
closed my eyes when ] opened them again and
started up leaning on my elbow. There was
somebody in conversation with my jailer. Tho
conference was very brief.
Here's tho Kings order" I heard, in a
naughty. careless tone. open the door, fellow.
and be quick"
The door was flung open. I sprang to my
feet with n bow. The Duke Of buckingham
stood before me. surveying my person lin truth
mysstate was very disheveled) and my quar-
tiers with supercilious amusement. There was
one chair, and I set it for him. He sat down,
pulling off his lace.trimmed gloves.
you are the gentleman I wantedi' he asked.
81 have reason to suppose SO, your Grace, I
answered.
Good" said he. 1.-THE Duke of Monmouth
and I have spoken to the King on your behalf"
lbowed grateful acknowledgements.
You arc Free" he continued, to my Joy.
you'll leave the castle in two hours" he added,
TO my CONSERVATION. But he appeared to per
ceiye neither effect Of his words. Those are
the Kings orders" he ended composedly.
But" ! cried, "if l leave the castle, how can
i fulfil your Grace's desirei'
81 said those were the Kings orders. Ihave
something to add to them. Iiere. I have
written 1t down. that you may understand and
not forget. Your lantern there gives a poor
light. but your eyes arc young. Read what IL
written. SIR"
i took the paper that he handed mo and read:
"In two hours time be at Cannonsgate. The
gate will be open. Two serving mon will b.
there with two horses. A lady will DO conduct
ed to the gate and delivered into your charge
You will ride with her as speedily as possible t.
Deal. You will call her your sister, If neet
Srise to speak Of her; Go to the hostelry of thu
tleman, who will come in the morning, and hanC
you fifty guineas in gold. Deliver the lady Il
this gentleman, return Immediately to London
and lie in safe hiding till word reaches you from
l read and turned to him in amazement.
We'll" no asked, isn't 1t plain enoughf'
THE lady ] can guess" i answered, but
pray your Grace to tell me who is the gentle
VIVA need is there for you to knowi D.
you think that more than one will seek you a
The Merry Mariners tavern, and pray your &C
eeptanco of fifty guineasi'
"But I should like to know who the one Isl"
You'll know when you see him"
with respect to your Grace. this is no
".You can't DO told more. SIR"
'"Thcn / won't CO."
He frowned and beat his gloves on his thigl
impatiently.
trusted or he cannot serve"
He looked round the little cell, and asked sig
niflcantly:
SIS your state such as to entitle you to max
conditionsi"
only when your Grace has need of service
which i can give or refuse" / answ Aod, bowint
His irritation suddenly vanished. or seemed I
vanish, Ho leaned back In his chair an
laughed.
Yet MI the time said he, you've guesse
w uEn ehs,smSd' op ,sn anoi X sol T TGme, r Mr, P 3 I
goes well, Il simple. But II you're interrupte
IN leaving the castle you must use your swort
Well, II you uso your sword and don't prov
VICTORIOUS, you may. DO taken; II you're taker
will be best for all OF us that you shouldn
know tho name Of this gentleman, and best II
him and for me that i should not have meI
TONED it,