Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1900-12-27

OWN closed up Denlnu me. On, Dut
the clang of their spurred heels on the
marble floor was a sound to hear and
thank the Lord OF Hosts for! So we
faced each other for an instant while
that devil Hepworth's face went ltvid
for rage and the Londoners strained
and surged behind him. A devil he
was and with the devils own courage.
For, shouting the charge, he came on.
sword in hand, and his men behind
him.
Midway / met him. His sword
went whirling half across the great
hall. My point stood at his throat.
Perchance the devil glaring out OF his
eyes discovered blacker devil in the
eyes that glared into his.
And Lord Chillingford and his. aye.
to the meanest scullion under his roof
tree, went out of Grafton House under
safe conduct
| sat in the guardhouse, waiting for
| the dawn and death. Yet / was at
peace with fate. Even to die the death
OF mutineer had no sting. For l
had laid down my life to save the
woman / loved. and ! thought OF the
morrow's dawn with a smile.
| Cromwell was in London on press
| ing business with the Parliament, and,
in his absence. they had given me
short shrift. The deadly mischance OF
1t! For had he known he would have
saved me: that felt in my heart.
key turned in the door: the bolts
were pushed back. The door opened
and shut and womans figure stood
dark in the feeble candle light. No
need to ask who 1t was. / rose and
stood staring. l could not speak.
John Wycherleigh." she said. when
we walk in the valley OF the shadow
OF death maid may do that which
at another time she would not. So 1t
is that | have come to you unbidden.
II l am not welcome | will give you
thanks for the gift OF life at your
hands and get me gone" So low and
sad was her voice that / scarce knew
it for hers. for Mistress Margaret Full
lerton was a proud woman, holding
herself aloof, and not given to show
or feeling. She went on:
For / would not have you think.
John, that we were thankless or
idle in your behalf First we
sent word to Cromwell. l made way
to Lord Willoughby. l told him all
and asked for your pardon. But the
most he would grant was this pass
to the guardhouse. And when Crom-
well came half an hour ago | went to
him"
Hal ! cried. Cromwell here! And
what said hep
Little" she answered sadly. HE
heard me to the end, then questioned
me close. He sat silent a space and
then strobe out the door without a
word. John, he Is a man of iron-body
and soul and mind of iron-I under
stand him not"
So this was the end-no word OF
hope from my colonel!
Margaret" l said, and knelt down
at her feet "dost know what l was
saying in my heart when you came
in? Twas this: Though she lie in
some other mans arms she can never
forget! There was silence between
us for space and then her little hand
drew me to my feet and took her in
my arms.
Jack" she whispered, ION my
knees l begged OF Lord Willoughby
the life of the man | loved. II not
you, then none shall Hank. What
Is that?"
OF sudden the ground shook with
the tread of horse and the air was
full of the clink and rattle OF stirrur
and sword. Then came stiffness again
| dragged the oaken bench to the
window and together we stared Out
into the darkness. Round the guard,
house was ranged company upon com.
pany of horse. the fitful light of the
campfires flashing on headpiece ant
sword. 1t was the Ironsides.
And as We chung together, starins
and doubling our eyes. the door of tn,
council hall opened and Cromwell
strobe out. Behind him was Lore
Willoughby and General Crawford AMI
others of the council. In the glare O.
the torches we saw Cromwell poin
with outstretched arm to his regiment
OF horse. For moment Lord Will
loughby stood like stone Then ht
made a gesture Of assent and submis
sion and went off to his quarters
without looking back
We sprang to the floor in an agony
OF expectation. The door flew opeT
and Cromwell came striding in. booted
and spurred and plastered with muc