The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-05-01

time. We must see this David" Both
boys were inclined to larg at the dis
comtited giant ard to side with his
youthful antagonist.
The king was prepossessed in Ralph's
favor, and the sight of the young man
so manly and yet so modest and respect
full in his bearing, pale with SUPP ressed
excitement, yet thoroughly seifpos-
sessed, confirmed the Irepossession.
"This is a creature of another II ould,
Verus," he Whispered to Oxford, who
sat by his chair on the dias in tie hall
of Castle Hedingham. Tire great hall,
the whole second floor OF the castle,
was divided into two 10y curtain,
which hung beneath an arch spanning
the whole breadth between wall and
wall. The ladies. still in their hunt
ing habit, watched the scene from the
ga leries of the noble room.
Burley undertook the task of ques-
tioning Ralph.
SIS it true" he Gs'iel, after some
formalities, "that you are one of the
new order of priests whom his grace the
archbishop has interdicted?"
"It is true, sire," said Ralph. adj
dressing his answers to the king, "that
/ put on the habit of simple priest,
but did not then know of any inter-
dict. 1 wore the habit only for day,
and my purpose is not to wear it again
till the king is persuaded that our work
is for the advantage of religion and OF
the realm"
"We hear" continued Burley, "that
some of you simple priests advise the
commons not to render rent or service
to wicked lords-that is to say, lords
whom it pleases you to consider wicked.
Do you expect the kings sanction for
such doctrines as this?"
81 know nothing, SIRE" answered
Ralph, stoutly, "of any such doctrine.
On the contrary, l have heard my
Master Wycliffe repeatedly say, and
ground his words on the authority of
the holy apostle St. Paul, that all dues
were to be rendered faithfully to earth
ly lords, however sinful they might be
in their lives. This we do maintain,
that tithes should not be paid to priests
or monks or spiritual lords who are
notorious evil livers, but we distinguish
between the offerings of the people for
spiritual labor and obligations of rent
or service.
"You have disputed in the schools, l
presumed" said Burley
Ralph bowed his head with dignity,
but gave no verbal anwsei.
GLOW comes it,, continued his ques-
toner, 'that you were found in com.
pany with those who would destroy all
obligation of rent and service, all lord
ship and gentility?"
Burley asked the question with some
sternness. He was himself at variance
with some of his villeins regarding their
respective rights and duties.
81 know not who is meant, SIRE"
said Ralph, addressing his answer to
the king.
1.-The pretended merchants with
whom you were travelling. Their real
traffic was III seditious papers, intended
to puff up foolish villeins with the de-
fusion that they hold their land by free
tenure"
"Of that, sire, was Ignorant" said
Ralph.
''They would not have venhred their
lives for you,' Burley remarked, eff
you had not been in their confidence"
81 knew nothing of the merchandise
they carried" said Ralph.
"Did you hear no seditious talk
among them?'
81 heard the leader, who called him
self Simon d'Ypres, speak of the extor-
tions and injustices of tryannical lords,
and he seemed to be hopeless of redress
from the good will of the lords them
selves, and to think that the commons
should take the law into their own
hands and avenge themselves on their
tyrants."
"The truth is becoming manifest
now" muttered Burnley.
"a dangerous knave, sire, this Simon
d'Ypres," said De la Pole.
Ralph threw hims elf before the king
on one knee.
81 pray, SIRE" he pleaded, 'that
you will not deem it presumption in
one SD young as me 10 speak In Tie
presence of these venerable counselors.
But put my life in your hands, and
with my whole heart beg you to cause
inquiry to be made into the grievances
OF these men, and to grant them redress
if it should seem to you that they suffer
wrong. Believe me, sire, they are not
wanting in loyalty to you, their SOW
eriegn lord. 1t is but despair that
makes this Simon d'Ypres speak of the