St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-11-16
MISTRESS FAIRFAX
nY JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.

by JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.
copyrighted by Daily Story Pub. Col
Twas the day after Marston Moor
and the stress of the great battle lay
heavily on us, Ironsides though we
were and albeit the flush of victory
was still on us. AS for me, was in
woeful plight, having been all day in
the van OF the battle with Old Noll
himself. For when, after scattering
Byron's Horse, we cut to pieces Ru-
pert's life guards by the God of the
Covenant, methinks that same strug-
gle about the princes standard was
the fellest of all in that bloody war
I had carried away sharp remem-
brance in the shoulder from the sword
Of Rupert himself. Aye, and my
sword was shortened to strike when
the press Of battle drove us asunder;
twas narrow margin for the kings
nephew that day. And later in the
day, when we cut the kings Old Horse
to pieces and sent Lucas and Urry and
Goring himself flying to the very
gates Of York I had got stroke that
bit deep into my stout headpiece and
Jared my teeth in their sockets. In
deed, but for sergt. SWeetloye's stout
arm I had fallen from my saddle.
Nathless, ! recovered in time to
charge home with the rest when we
thundered down on NeWcastle's
whitecoats, flank and rear, and the
battle was won.
But, though / ached in every limb
and the pain from my cut was shrewi
indeed, / was up betimes and as soon
as might be stood before Cromwell's
quarters. Twas soon admitted.
Sir, " esaid I, saluting, q would
ask for leave Of absence for seven
days"
1Tho,f askest too much, lad, an
swered the general. sSThere is sharp
work ahead for us all"
Sir / said, "I scarce know how
to say it, but indeed I must CO.
Nay Sir, nay; have done. Crom-
wells heavy features were stern and
his eyes hard. Then, all Of d sudden,
his face softened and he said. "And
yet, lad, I hate to say thee nay. Had
it not been for thy ready arm I had
gone down in the press yesterday
when Sir John Verney touched me
SO shrewdly in the neck. What err
rand presses thee SO hard?"
Sir" I answered, 'tis Mistress
Della Fairfax"
"Pish, mani" said Cromwell, strid-
ing up and down the narrow room, Il
know the tale; / know thou lowest
her. But thou hast no hope. The
maid is royalist to her pretty finger
tips. She hath fouted thee as a crop
cared roundhead. She is the heiress
of Stainsby Hall and a Fairfax Thou
art landless and hast no title to thy
name. Sir, what is thine errand?"
"Dost remember, sir,o answered,
"when Rupert's Horse charged? In
the thick of that press saw Young
Lionel Fairfax, her only brother, go
down under Micklejohn's sword. Thus
falleth the last Of her house. And
Stainsby house is hard by York, where
dwelleth Mistress Fairfax and her
mother, the2easy prey Of the evil
minded of both armies. Sir, It's not
to plead my cause . go--indeed, I
shall besin disguise but TO break, the
sad news to.them and watch for their
safety. They are like to need help
sore and quick ~.
go, then lad, in Gods name, and
see thou comest to no harm thyself. :
Up. the broad avenue of stainsby
House park came the rapid sound Of
hoofs. Into the courtyard came four
men att a quick canter and sprang
from their sorry beasts.
"Ho, the honsaI called out the
leader. IT was Sir j ohm BalIinpton.
His breastplate was rusty, his boots
and douhlet in holes, his rufflesin tat
tiers. Debauchery and drink had set
their mark on him Disowned By his
high relations, drummed out Of his
regiment in the parliament army, he
had become that loathsome product
Of civil war, the human beast Of prey
that plumbers the helpless and shuns
the sight Of honest men.
Without more ado 7 stole down the
stair and stood ready il the shadows