Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-25
AU1aoR OF THE AANiM BLACK,
a. GENTLEMAN OF. RANCE n,EErEre
COPYRIGHT 1891 BY cAssElPusLsANc CO. All


INC CO.. ALL RIGHTS RESERVES
But should Iaccept the bishops offer9
1t never crossed my mind to do SO. He
had humilinted mo, and hated him for
1t. Longing to cut myself Off from my old
life. l could not support a patron who
would know and might cast in my teeth
the old shame. a third reason, too,
worked powerfully with me as became
cooler. This was the conviction that,
apart from the glitter which the old mans
craft had cast about it, the part he would
have me play was that Of spy-an In
formeri A creature LIKE dared not say
like my father, yet had him in my mind
And from this. from the barest suspicion
Of this, shrank as the burned puppy
from the flre-shrank with fierce twitch-
ing OF nerve and stnew.
Yet II would not accept his offer 1t
was clear ! must fend for myself His
threats meant as much as that, and ]
smiled sternly as found necessity at one
with inclination. Iwould leave Cotton
End at once, and henceforth Iwould fight
for my own hand. Iwould have no name
until had made for myself new one.
This resolve formed. turned and went
back to the house and felt my way to my
own chamber. Tho moonlight poured
through the lattice and fell white on my
pallet. Icrossed the room and stood still.
Down the middle Of the coverlet-or my
eyes deceived me-lay dark line.
stopped mechanically to sec what this
was and found my own sword lying there,
the sword which Sir Anthony had given
me on my last birthday. But how had 1t
come thsre9 As ! took 1t up something
soft and light brushed my hand and
droored from the hilt. Then remem-
jbered. A week before had begged Pc
tronilla to make mo sword knot Of blue
velvet for use on state occasions. No doubt
she had dono 1t and had brought the sword
bnck this evening and laid 1t there in
token Of peace.
sat down on my bed, and softer and
kindlier thong hts came to me-thoughts OF
love and gratitude, In which the old man
who had been second father to me had
part. would go as had resolved, but /
would return to them whom / had done a
thing worth doing, something which
should effnce the brand that lay on me
now. With gentle fingers I disengaged the
velvet knot and thrust 1t into my bosom.
Then tied about the hilt the old leather
thong, and began to mnke my prepara-
tions, considering this or that route while
T hunted for my dagger and changed my
1oublet and hose for stouter raiment and
long, Unframed boots. l was yet in the
midst of this when knock at the door
startled me.
WHO is therei" asked, standing erect.
For answer Martin Luther slid in, clos
ing the door behind him. Tho fool did
not speak, but turning his eyes first on
|; ono thing and then on another nodded
sagely.
s.Wells'' / growled.
.sYou arc Of, master, " he said, nodding
again. II thought SO.
ssWhy did you think soin ] retorted i'm,
patiently.
ut is time for the young birds to fly
when the cuckoo begins to stir, no an
swered.
/ understood him dimly and Id part.
'sYou have been listening" said wrath
fully, my checks burning
And been kicked In the face like a fool
for my pains, y he answered. All, well,
1t is better to be kicked by the boot you
lovo than kissed by the lips you hate. But
Muster Francis, Master Francisl" he con-
tinued in . whisper.
He said no more and looked up. The
man was stooping slightly forward, his
pale face thrust out. Thcre was strange
CLEAN In his eyes, and his teeth grinned In
the moonlight Thrice he drew his finger
across his lean knotted throat. Shall II"
he Kissed, his hot breath reaching me,
..shall II"
I reooiled from him, shuddering. It was
ghastly pnntoMime and 1t scanned to mo
that I saw madness in his Dyes. In heav-
EMS name, mop criod. Mol Do you
hear, Martini MOI"
He stood back on the instant, as dog
might have done being reproved. But !
could hardly finish in comfort after that
with him standing there, although when
next turned to him he seemed hall asleep
and his eyes were dull and fishy as ever.
Zone thing you can do, !" said brusque-
". Then hesitated, looking round me-
wished to send something to Petronilla,
some word, some keepsake But had
nothing that would servo maids pur-
pose and could think Of nothing until my
eye lit on house martins nest, lying
where had cast 1t on the window sill. !
had taken II down that morning because
the droppings during the last summer had
fallen OH the lead work, and, would not
have Il used when the swallows returned.
It was but bit OF clay, and yet 1t would
serve. She would guess its meaning.
gave it into his hands Tako this, "
said, aand give 1t privately to Mistress
Petronilla Privately you understand.
And say nothing to any one, OF the bishop
will fay your back, Martin"
The first streak Of daylight found mo al
ready footing 1T through tho forest by paths
known to few save the woodcutters, but
with which many q boyish exploration
had ,nade mo familiar. From Cotton End
the London road lies plain and fair through
Stratford- on-Avon and Oxford. But my
plan, the better to eyade pursuit. was, In
stead, to CROSS the forest III q northeaeterly
direction, and passing by Warwick to
strike tho great north road between Gov
entry and Daventry, which, running
thonce southeastward, would take me as
straight as bird might fly through Dun
stable st. Adams and Barnet to London.
My baggage consisted only of my cloak,
sword and dagger, and for money had
but a gold angel and few silver bits OF
doubtful value. But trusted that this
store, slender rs 1t was, would meet my
charges as far as London. Onco there
must depend ON my wits either for provi-
dence at home or passage abroad.
Striding steadily up and down hill, for
Arden forest is mado up Of hills and dells
which follow one another as do the wave
and trough Of tho sea, only less regularly,
made my way toward Wootton Wawen.
AS soon as espied Its battlemented church
lying In wooded bottom below me
kent more easterly course, and leaving