Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER I.
swaffham and De Wick.


history of the Swaffham family in
stone and timber.
The central tower-built of the
white stone of the neighborhood-was
the fortress which Tonbert Swaffham
erected A. d. $40. to defend his lands
from an invasion of the Danes; and
five generations of Tonbert's descen-
dants dwelt in that tower, before VIII.
liam of Normandy took possession OF
the crown of England. The Swaffham
of that date became a friend OF the
Conqueror: and the Manor House had
the singular fortune to be identified
with the stirring events OF every
dynasty.
In the middle of the seventeenth
century 1t still retained this character.
Puritan councils of offense and de-
tense had been held in its great hail.
and parliamentary soldiers drilled in
its meadows. For Capt. Israel Swat
ham was the friend of Gen. Cromwell,
and at the time this story opens was
with Cromwell in Scotland.
A great fighter, he had no parlia-
mentary talent, and no respect for
parliaments He believed England's
religious and civil liberties were to be
saved by the sword, and when the
Kings fast-and-loose proposals had
been discussed by the men of Cam
bridgeshire, in Swaffham, he had
closed the argument with this passion
ate declaration:
&c a Wit
such double mind as the mind of
Charles Stuart. The very oath of God
would not bind him. Out, instantly,
all of you who cant"
His three sons rose at his words and
the rest of the council followed, for
all felt that the work was but half
done--there was to be Second Civil
War. Then home was again deserted
for the battlefield. and Capt. Swat
hams wife and daughter were once
more left alone in the old Manor
House.
Mrs. Swaffham was the child OF a
Puritan minister. and she had strong
principles. but there were hours when
she had pitied the late Ming, excused
his inexcusable treacheries, and re-
GREETED the pomps ana ceremonies of
royal state.
Jane Swaffham was of a different
spirit. She had soul of the highest
mettle; and she had listened to those
English mystics, who came out Of the
steel ranks or triumphant Puritanism,
until she had Taught their spirit and
been filed thrI pgh and through with
their faith.
This was tiBS maiden who was sit
ting, one sunny afternoon, at the open
window OF the household parlor in
Swaffham She was thinking of her
fatker and brothers, of the unhappy
condition of England, and Of the I'M
rest liz their own household. For she
knew that her mother was worried
about many things, and the fret that
was bred in the kitchen and the farm
ofices-in spite of all her efforts
insinuated itself into the still order
of the handsome room in which she
was sitting,
At this moment there was the
sound OF wheels and the tramp of
horses, and Jane said, 1T is Matilda
de Wick. know the roll Of the car
rage" Then Jane lifted her sewing.
and the wheel began to hum, and the
door opened swiftly and Matilda de
Wick entered.
Il have just been at Ely" she said,
"and IL | live seven and-fifty years
longer in this sinful world. | shall not
forget the visit have been visiting
Lady Heneage, and have heard so
much of the Cromwel's full cup that,
in faith, | think it has gone to my
head"
Il trust Lady Heneage is well. "
said Mrs. Swaffham.
"She had need to be well Her
house is as full as the ark. Mrs.
Elizabeth Hampden Is there, and
daughter Flambord. and daughter
Clayton, and all their children and
retainers. 1t is their last gathering
before they go away. Do you wish
to know where they are going? To
London, of Course"
"And they are going to London? Is
it really sol" asked Jane.
"'Tis not vary civil to doubt 1t. But
that is not all Of my news-I heard
also that Jane Swaffham was going
to London-a thing would not be
leve without James assurance"
1T is very uncertain" replied Mrs
Swaffham Jane has an invitation
from Mary Cromwell, and IL Doctor
Verify comes here soon. he may find
the time to take her to London with
him. We know not assuredly as
yet"
"Jane must move mountains to go
The Cromwells are now living in the
stately Cockpit. They will hold court
there, and Jane Swaffham will be OF
It,"
81 am sure OF one thing" answered
Jane. Public honors please not Gen
Cromwell He would thank God tc
escape them"
Il do not say that the wish to see
Matilda. Father Sacy thinks there
are few thousand men still living in
England who have not bowed the knee
10 this Baal."
"Children Children! can you find
nothing more lovely to talk about
Matilda, you know that you are bait
ing James temper only that you may
see her lose IT,"
Then Matilda laughed. and stoopins
20 her friend, kissed her and said
Come. little Jane, will ask youl
pardon. Kiss and be friends, Jane.
came to get your receipt for Lavender
,onserves. and this is nothing TO 1t
Come. let ais go to the stillroom.
She spoke with an unconscious air o
authority. and Jane as unconsciausl.
obeyed 1t, but there was GOODNESS II
her manner which did not disappea