Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-13
THE LADY MAUD.
BY Jehn Dickson sherman.

ALE AAO3 mAOOs
BY John Dickson Sherman.
Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
1t was nigh dusk and I had lighted
me a candle that l might better see to
my work, in the gloomy old library
when the furious ringing OF the castle
bell fell upon mine ears. Twas a
sound not often heard and meant in
slant attendance of all within hearing
to the great hall. Quick as / was, there
were others before me. Sir John New
come himself stood upon the raised
dias with his daughter, the Lady Maud,
and the principal retainers of his house
hold. The hall filled fast but faster
still few the news from mouth to
mouth. Twas a scene to stir the blood
the men flushed and excited, the wo-
men pale and anxious. The great hall
hummed with the stir Of it. Then Sir
John stepped forward and silence fell
upon all.
Men of Avon Castle!" he cried and
his voice rang high and clear. "The
King-God bless his majesty-hath
raised the royal standard at Noting
ham and war is declared. By st.
George! 'Tis not needful here, 1 know,
but I have called you all together that
we may take renewed oath of fealty.
If any have in mind to swear with a
faint heart or to do with a slack hand,
let them beware. For the quarrel with
Parliament is to the death and I have
set my hand to the work"
Perchance there is truth in the telep-
athy of which the sages speak, for as
his eye passed slowly over the hall Sir
John singled me out, though I stood
back in the crowd and called me by
name, saying:
What of thee, Master Librarian!
Art thou for the King?"
All my thoughts were in turmoil at
the news and l could feel the pulse
futter in my cheek az every eye was
fastened on my face. On the instant
I was minded to speak out boldly, bit
my eye fell upon the Lady Maud and
I answered soberly:
Il pray thee, Sir John, let me still
remain a man of peace among my
books"
"Ha, ha! Ho, ho!" rang out the
hooking laugh from the dias. 1t was
the voice of young Lord Clarinford
the nephew of Sir John. l could have
struck him across his laughing lips,
for I had cen his ways with the Lady
Maud. "a man Of peace" he went o n
"Yea, verify, as our R%oundhead friends
are wont to say. This morn, Sir John,
I CHANGED upon the smithy somewhat
suddenly and 10! our gentle Master
Librarian, our man of peace was deep
in fence with the Master Armorer him
self, and as I entered the stout smiths
sword flew clear across the smithy
propelled by a catapult.
"Ha!" cried Sir John, looking at me
steadfastly. "Three years hast thou
served me and never have I seen thee
girt with STEEL And when he asked
me, sharp and stearn: will take the
oath, Master Guy Northridge?
"Sir Guy Northridge, and it please
you, Sir John Newcome," l cried, cast
ing prudence to the winds. For, look
you, 1 am that Lord Rivenoak whom
the Stuart drove to a librarians hire"
And then, while all men breathed hard
in wonder. 1 went on:
Take the oath fealty? Nay, not I.
Not a straw care l for the question Of
the Kings prerogative. But the Stuart
treachery repaid the devotion of my
house with beggary and the Stuart
blood is faithless still. And so l am
for Parliament and with my fathers
sword I will win back mine own or
die"
Sitting on the rough wooden bench
of the castle strong room I went over
for the hundredth time the bewilder-
ing change in affairs. 1t was mid
night and my candle fickered low. My
first fury had worn itself out, but my
heart was still hot within me. First
the scene in the great hall-Sir Johns
stern face as he ordered me taken in
to custody, saying 'The King shall
deal with all traitors'-the young
Lords triumphant sneer as I was led