Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-22

tO0-AA a CITY . HknlH btfn "a WAAAs-
after the hour OF sunset upon q wlnteIs
day. when the traveller b~ethinketh him OF
meat and lodging. and he periis OF ond
way no more disturb h~ seTehitS'
Chronicle.)
In the beginning OF the year 1854. toward
the close Of a winters day. a little COM
pany OF travellers rode into London by the
great highway from York. and being come
to the common at Finchley, such OF the
wayfarers as knew the place looked JOY
ously for the city's lights and for that
warm welcome which the inns at Charing
would vouchsafe them. There we're forty
Of the company. says the record, both men
and women, Of the poorer sort and quality,
and while you might have seen arohers
from the forest by Sherwood, priests from
the Abbey, which the great Henry's reign
had closed, and even merchants from the
northern towns, Joined for security to the
bowman's troop, nevertheless the gossips
by the wayside pointed first to the figure
Of Lady Barbara OF ollerton, and OF Roy
her husband, and asked by what means
such folks had happened upon such a ven
ture. which curiosity had reason both in
the appearance OF the travellers and in the
friendships which the road found for them.
Dressed beyond the ordinary in q tunic Of
Lincoln green, and fine boots OF leather, his
cane heavily embroidered with fur, his
spurs Of gold, he whom they named the
OUTLAW rode with that good assurance
which spoke Of mastership and Of author
ity, and while all obeyed him readily. and
even the priests did not dispute his ruling,
q word, It may be, Of his story dropped
here and there at an inn door won some
sympathy for his emprise, and not a little
doubt of its accomplishment. Long a fugi-
tive, this man who rode so bravely had
won the allegiance Of Sherwood as none
since Robin and his followers. His mar
riage, men said. was a story from the
fables. II goes to London to crave
pardon of the queen" the gossips added;
TO whom the knowing ones made answer:
Let him keep a good horse to bring him
out again, for. assuredly, he shall have
need OF him. and of one for my lady. who
10 not Of the faith"
This was tholr word as the cavalcads
passed on In the twilight. and one by one
the strange figures disappeared from their
view; a word OF admiration for the woman's
face and Of pity for the man who would
befriend her, In London. they foretold.
there would be many to question Barbara
Of ollerton; many to ask the strange hts
tory Of him who now rode so CALAMITY
beside her. For those we're the beginnings
VI NHN " WV Nego WANh - eheNS" -
the spaniard doomed already above the city;
and men remembered In whispers that the
priests were In and the devil was out. and
that II would be a sorry hour for England
when Philip came from Spain and won the
Kingdom for his dowry. In all OF which
they but echoed the gossip of London city
-as good ~neighbors oftentimes RECALLED by
q passing traveller who drew rein to feed
their wonder.
Now, Roy of Caiyerton had been for many
o year In Sherwood Forest, and knew little
OF the queens will. OF those swift events
which befell upon her accession. Set upon
a purpose, and sure OF his contention, he
carried q great hope to the city, and spoke
OF 1t often to my lady at his side az one
who would ask Of her good courage. and
that abiding faith which first had won her
love. Many times as they approached the
outskirts he would bid her be of good
cheer, and reminded her Of the pleasant
hours which London could not fail to give
them. Nor would he hear a protest of
doubt, or consent at any time to abate
that expectancy which had led him from
his stronghold In the north.
1--WE shall lie the night at Charing, but
tomorrow to the house OF my Lord Of
Taunton" be said, when Finchley was
H9S90ht oA0 Nho oAi1hb S0hhAAy 1A NhNOAAN
aged them to confidence. II would not 60
in tonight. dear heart, for that would be
70 knock thrice upon their gate, and he
who knocks thrice may lack the welcome
he looks for. Nevertheless, my lord has
promised us shelter, and l see that II will
be no little security to enjoy the protection
OF such a house. Let us not forget that
we are as those who go to cast all upon
a single throw. and II Il befall that God
10 not with us In the venture. then have
we naught but our own courage and great
love for consolation. Yet, OF that l will
not think, for my hand is set to the pillow.
and. God willing. / will never look back.
Nay, let us carry q brave resolution. for
that alone will befriend us in London city"
She answered him as he would have
wished, for the record goes that there was
no drawer heart In England that night than
Barbara Of ollerton, the outlaws wife.
"Your road is my road. dear husband. to
the darkness OF the sunshine; I care not II
you be with me. Yet I would not hide Il
that we have need of our courage and OF
any friendship We can find in London city.
II I think kindly Of my home It Is because
I 90 to q house OF strangers who knew not
my fathers name and who may hear mine
with no pleasure OF the history. Do not
count me less worthy Of your praise II !
must hold oileFton always In my affec-
tons. Nay. l 80 TO London IS one who
says tomorrow II will be homeward
again"
she spoke n little wistfully. as one weary,
perehance. and lacking something OF the
hope Of IL, now that It drew near TO ac-
compiishment. But q month ago she had
been the mistress OF a fair estate. winning
gladly the obedience Of a loving people,
ruling with a gentle hand that fair domain.
which Bernard. her father. had left to her.
And now she WAS a wife and had laid her
allegiance at the feet OF this man whom
the world called outlaw" and exile" The
very dominion she had claimed threatened
10 pass from her way even the life Of him
to whom she had given her affections was
IN peril, men said. In London alone was
pardon to be won, the kingdom TO be found
again. the old order set up. None knew
better than Roy OF CalVerton the hazard
Of that for which they wrought. This
London city. which gave 90 much should
give them all or give them nothing. That
had been his determination from the out
set.
"HomsSard. again. God grant IT," he re-
torted. as be pressed his horse close 10 hers
and covered her outstretehed hand with his
leather gauntlet. "Homeward again. wher
eha vvork A. aona and the eionds are ulfad