The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-11-07
On the Steps
OF the Scaffold
[orIEinaLl

IL was moonset, DlOud req CRESCENT
sinking into band Of yellow Just over
the roofs OF London. The day had beer
a holiday, for King Henry VIII. had
divorced his queen. Anne Boleyn, no:
by process OF law, but by the az. And
now from many chimney smoke rose
on the stu air while housewives be-
meath were preparing the evening meal
An London had attended the execu-
tion, and all London was hungry.
The young Earl Of Emberton, who
since childhood had been in France,
had Just returned and was passing
over Tower hill. Before him against
the yellow strip loomed the Silhouette
EcaRold, the sinking moon at the mo-
ment standing above 1t. its lower horn
seeming TO rest upon the block where
that day had been bowed the head OF
the young queen.
singular" muttered the earl, that
the red crescent should be in that posi-
ton"
As he drew near the scantold he
heard a low moan and then noticed for
the first time, seated on the lowest
gtep a woman, her head bent to her
knees, her face buried in her hands.
MADAM" he said, greatly surprised.
~ marvel to find you in this grewsome
place at such an hour. How came YOU
hereg'
The woman raised her head, and EN-
berton saw that she was young and
comedy, She was not weeping, yet on
her face was strange distress. Her
costume was rich, denoting that she
was Of high degree her robe being Of
silk, though without any adornment
whatever. Around her neck was a
broad black velvet band, but even from
this no jewel or trlnket was suspended.
"Oh, SIR" she said. take me away.
was here with the crowd today, and
when it was over all went to their
homes but 1. 1t was cruel to leave me
here alone"
But your menials? If your friends
deserted you, surely those dependent
upon your bounty
"They all went together, and l.
dazed by the multitude. the solemn
words OF the man Of God, the grim
figure OF the execution, the glitter of
the ax in the sun, must have fallen
into swoon. for have only Just now
come to consciousness"
~ cannot imagine" said the earl.
perplexed, "how your friends and
servants could have been SO brutal
Brutal! Can you expect tenderness
from people whose kings divorces
are written in blood?"
Come away" said the young man.
"You are trembling; you are faint.
Your mind must be diverted at once
from this bitter experience"
where shall go?" she asked, fixing
despairing eyes upon him.
40 your people"
"oh, my people" she said, wall in
her voice. do you think that they
would welcome me after what occur
red today?"
Then you must come with me-" said
the earl. ITO stay here another hour
would drive you to a madhouse."
In Emberton's heart suddenly, with
out requiring time to develop, there
was born a great love for this desolate
being who had passed through so
strange an ordeal. Since she did not
move he set down beside her A
chill wind made her SILVER, and he
folded his cloak around her. leaving
his arms about the cloak. His eyes
fell upon the band at her neck. and as
his hand rested upon her shoulder he
took the ribbon in his fingers and
moved 1t Just so far that in the dim
light he saw what he thought was
fine red line. She drew his hand away.
Hers was as cold as Ice.
Go with nue." he pleaded. "You are
cold and desolate. will warm your
heart with mine. l will make you for
get this dreadful place. will take you
TO sunny France This dreary town Is
not fit for one so delicate, so sensitive.
In France there are no troubles. The
court and the mobiles live in bright Par
Is, with It's gardens, while the peasants
tread the purple grapes in the wine
watts, singing Eayly. l came from there
only today. We will go back together. ="
She turned her eyes upon his and
seemed to Drink In every word. He
fanccd a color coming into the pale
check; that tde icy hand he held in his
was less cold.
II Will 20 with you" she said, "and
love you FOREVER, but first let me take
one last look at the block"
mo, no" he cried; mo more Of
death! Come rather into life"
Despite his pleadlngs she moved up
the steps looking back MT him wlstful-
ly. He held her hand, but 1t seemed to
slip from his as if 1t were unreal. He
caught Mt her robe, but it was futter.
ing In the wind and eluded his grasp.
Listen" she said, pausinG.
1t seemed that he could hear a low
murmuring Of many voices. Then all
was still
She moved on, mounting each step
heavily, as II weighted with lead, till
she had reached the platform. Then.
! waving her hand to him as If in adleu.
she kneeled and placed her head upon
the block.
Emberton fancicd he heard some
thing moving swiftly through the air.
thud as OF steel entering wood.
The next morning ut daylight as the
watch moved across Tower hill he dis
covered the Earl of Emberton lying in
stupor at the foot of the scatfold He
,ros t,I.o1 IN bIa hnna xvbara liz Inv