Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-21

sonCd by the ROundheadS as RrihSI""6
surmlscd from the Sounds of singing that
rang out through the night But suddenly
the noise cGasCd For sentinel had
pounded on the door with the butt OF ms
pike, crying:
peace within there: the general Is
cunning"
From the darkness emerged three
hurscmen. two following a leader. a thick
Set man. who came somewhat SHINY To me
ground as ir fatgued with hard riding
To the man who sprnng 10 the birdie ne
said Curtly See the horse well rubb I'd
down and in half an hour feed him with
corn" Then to his two followers LOOK
to your horses first and to yourselves after
ward. BE ready In an hour"
The chief officer now stepped forward.
"You will surely stop the night Ex-
ccIlency? Everything is prepared"
mo. Did my order to stay the execu-
ton of Wentworth reach you in time,
Colonel PorIOck?"
yes Excellency. I would not have
ventured TO execute him without your
sanction although the death sentence was
the unanimous finding of the court
martial"
'1'he sentence was just. It may yet be
carried out or it may prove that the lord
has other use for him. Lead the way
within"
General Cromwell gave no greeting to
the different grOupS as he passed them, his
heavy riding boots swlsh-swashing against
each other as he followed Colonel POrloclS
into the hall He strode awkwnrdy like
a man more accustomed to a horses b1ck
than tiled floor. The colonel led him
into the great dining room. one end of
which was occupied by the shattered win
dow. while the other was crossed by a
gallery.
The vast room was almost completely
bare OF furniture. with the exception OF
a high h-backed carved chair. which doubt
less belonged to IL. and stout oaken table
taken from some other part OF the house,
replacing the long. hOspitablc board that
had witnessed many a festive gathering,
but which had been used for frewOod by
the troopers. The general sazed about the
ample apartment for a moment. as one
who had never seen it before. estimating
his bearings with the shrewd eye of a
practiCed soldier then he pushed the table
until it stood length-wise with the rOom
instead of across. as before. glanced at the
gallery and table. IL making some COM
putatiOn regarding their relative positions
drew up the chair and seated himself
setting the two candles by the edge
furthest from him.
HAS Captain Bond arrived with his
prisoner"
Yes Excellency. He came at sunset"
els he sure of his MANI"
''He appears to be So SIR
''Were any papers found on him7'
'Yes, Excelency."
'"The other prisoner. Wentworth, In
little more than youth, am toid?"
''He is very young. Excelency."
How came he to be set on an important
outward post that night?"
There was no danger OF attack. and I
placed him there of deliberate purpose He
was most reluctant to go, making one
excuse and then another, saying ne was i'll.
and what not. more than a month he
has been under suspicion of communicating
with maliGnants although we had no
direct proof, He had been seen stealing
away from the domain of Lord Rudby, the
chief Of the disaffected in this district On
the night in question he was watched, and
as soon as he supposed himself alone, he
deserted his post. put spurs to his horse
and rode straight across country TO Ruby
hall"
"And was arrested there?''
mo, Excellency. An unloOked-for event
happened. He rode out from the grounds
OF the hall. fighting his way. as IL appeared
against a band of Rudby's followers. who
were attacking him. and ran into the arms
of our men, who were watching for him.
The attacking party, seeing, as they sup
posed. an unknown force OF rescuers turned
and fed. The night was very dark. and
the account OF what took place is CON
fused. but Wentworth was carried back
20 Corbiton, tried and condemned for
deserving while on duty, and holding COM
merce with the enemy"
'Umph! What version did Wentworth
give OF the AFFAIR.""
did not give any explanation of his absence
from duty"
II thought Rudby had surrendered all
arms and had taken the oath TO remain
neuter2"
His men were armed with slaves only
and wentworth. better equipped, held
his own against them"