The Winslow mail., 1901-03-14
rang for Mistress Anne Bradshaw

little villain from Ratciiffd Highway
against whom the powers of Bow street
seemed TO be helpless. He drove hard
bargain when we came to speech, cash
Gown in advance. God knows ! grudged
him not the money. though it was the
price of more than one fat farm. but
could | trust him? But scarcely an
mixing &c his plans wou.,i he confide
to me. And when at parting | fell
my way towards offering to pay him
as much again in case he was success
ful this strange creature stopped me
with certain real dignity. And sc
perforce ! had to content myself with
the bargain made and take the villain
on trust.
Nor is there need to go over the
agony of suspense and the alternating
hopes and fears of those days and
nights that followed. Sure. never q
poor maid was more torn and distract
ed. Only once did | even smile. and
that was when my Lady Kilmurry sent
me word to join her party which was
10 see the execution from the second
floor of the cook shop on Oxford street.
close to Hyde Park. "All London has
1t that you are pining for love of the
rebel; come and show London that il
is wrong. ran my lady's note. And
then | smiled to think how thinly
velied was her maliciousness and wha'
she would say if she knew that the
hrst floor of the cook Shop was mine
Tor that day. in obedience to a hint
from my friend from Ratcliffd High
way.
Ihe square was packed sold with
humanity. intent and expectant. The
spectators galleries were jammed and
every window full. Out of the midst
OF the crowd rose the scaffold. gaunt
and horrible, the relocated soldiers
grouped about its platform. | laughed
and chatted with the fashionable. ma
icious fools about me; no hint of my
agony should they get from me. Then
'he clock struck ten. A church bell
began to toll. The crowd began to
sway and cry went up: "ii's coming"
Slowly the cart made its way down
Tyburn road. About it were the prison
officers. Chaplain Vickerstaffe and
Gregory Brandon. the hangman But
had no eyes for aught save the figure
in the cart. The prison ps,lor was in
his face and he was meanly dressed. but
he bore himself with a fine fortitude
and dignity that thrilled me to the
heart with pride. The cart came to
stand beside the gallows. under the
moose that dangled from above. The
soldiers drew bayonets and formed 2
circle round. The sheriff. the governor
OF Newgate and the other officials took
Places on the platform. The chaplain
got out his book. The hangman began
to tie the prisoners hands behind him.
The vast crowd surged closer.
sat in frozen horror unable to be-
lleve my eyes and yet realizing that I
was looking my last on Walter SelGen.
The rescue? I dismissed il as an Idle
dream. My soul few out tc nv lover
over the crowd to help him meet his
death ike a man.
And then suddenly I saw that the
crowd was sGrg;ng in disorder about
the soldiers. heard the officers cry
ing out commands. Then a red coat
went down and another and | could
see slaves in the air. In another in
stant crowd of men armed with cud-
gels broke through the ring of sol.
diers and swarmed around the cart.
The hangman was swept aside, the
chaplain knocked over. the prisoner
freed of his bonds. Before | could re-
alize it all the cart was empty, the
rescuers lost in the crowd and the
multitude cheering and laughing at the
discontinue of the soldiers.
Then burst from my friends and
rushed below stairs The back door
of the cook shop opened and let in the
prisoner, the little villain had doubted
at his elbow and swelling with pro-
fessional pride.
"You?" cried my lover.
Certainly" said I. mighty cool and
dignified. "You remember l told you
you should go free"
But" he cried. 81 must know one
thing before I go-or | do not stir
step. VIII you marry me-when
come back ?''
"What?" said I. "Me. Lady Overton
marry a rebel fe.on, fleeing for his
,ife?"
Even so. Molly" said he. with 6
smile on his lips and a sparkle in his
eye. getting hold of my hands.
"WeE," said I. 81 suppose 7 must
say yes. The best horse in London
waits at the door. the Dover packet
is engaged and the rescue must come
off according to programme"
With that he caught me in his arms
smothered me with kisses and was
gone