The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-01-22


to right and left. He saw me setting
at nanght his order. lie saw on the
proud. calm face Of the woman he had
wooed and lost contempt and loathins
unspeakable Then the devil in him
broke loose.
"Mutlnyl' he cried. "wycherIeigh,
you are under arrest. Drop your
sword and retire to the rear London
ers, / give the prisoners into your
hand to work your will. To the at
tacki"
'Ironsldes, stand fastl" l shouted
so that my voice rose above all the
hell Of sound that broke loose upon
his order. And like a living wall Of
steel the First Troop OF Cromwells
Own closed up behind me. Oh, but
the clang Of their spurred heels on the
marble floor was a sound to hear and
thank the Lord OF Hosts forl So we
faced each other for an instant while
that devil Hepworth's face went liyid
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 1 met him. His sword
went whirling half across the great
hall. My point stood at his throat
Perchance the devil glazing 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 l was at
peace with fate. Even to die the death
OF a mutineer had no sting. For l
had laid down my life to save the
woman 1 loved, and l thought of the
uorrow'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
it, For had he known he would have
saved ME; that felt in my heart.
A key turned in the door; the bolts
were pushed back. The door opened
and shut and woman's figure stood
dark in the feeble candle light. No
need to ask who it was. l 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 it
/ is that | have come to you unbidden.
II am not welcome l 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 a show
Of feeling. She went on:
For 1 would not have you think,
John, that we were thankless or
idle in your behalf First we
sent word to Cromwell. l made a way
to Lord Willoughby. I told him ali
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 1 went tc
him"
Hal" I cried. Cromwell herel And
what said he?"
Little" she answered sadly. HE
heard me to the end, then questioned
me close. He sat silent a space and
Zen strobe out the door without q
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 oil
hope from my colonel!
Margaret, said, and knelt down
at her feet. "dost knew what 1 wa:
saying in my heart when you came
in? Twas this: Though she lie il
some other mans arms she can never
forget There was silence between
us for a space and then her little hanC
drew me to my feet and took her il
my arms.
Jack" she whispered, ION MI
knees 1 begged of Lord willoughby
the life of the man l loved. If no
you, then none shall Hark! VIVA
is that?"
OF sudden the ground shook witt
the tread of a horse and the air wa!
full of the clink and rattle of stirruI
and sword. Then came stiffness again
l dragged the oaken bench to tn,
window and together we stared on
into the darkness. Round the guard
house was ranged company upon com
pany of horse. the fitful light Of tn,
campfires flashing on headpieee ant
sword. 1t was the Ironsides.
And as we chung together, starin-
and doubling our eyes, the door Of tn,
council hall opened and Cromwell
strobe out. Behind him was Lore
Willoughby and General Crawford anC
others of the council. In the glare O
the torches we saw Cromwell poin
with outstretched arm to his regimen
OF horse. For a moment Lord Will
loughby stood like a stone. Then h,
made gesture of assent and submis
sion and went OFF to his quarter.
without looking back.