Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-11-29
IcoNTINu1p.l

thinking that here was helpmeet for
soldier in such times as these, and
how gloried in her because she held
her love as one with glory. Round to
the stable for my horse stole, and 1t
was very dark, with soft smother OF
darkness because Of a heavy mist, and
the moon not up. and l had backed my
horse out of his stall and was about
to mount him before was aware Of a
dark figure lurking in shadow, and
made out by the long sweep of the
garments that it was woman. l
paused and looked intently into the
shadow, where she stood so silently
that she might have deceived me had
| it not been for flutter Of her cloak in
stray wind.
"Who goes there?" called out softly.
but l knew we'll enough. knew well
enough it was Catherine Cavendish,
and indeed / marveled that l had got
ten thus far without meeting her. She
stepped forward with no more ado
when I accosted her, and spoke, but
with great caution.
"What do you, Master Wingfield"
she whispered.
II 90 on my own business an 1t
please you, madam" answered, some
thing curtly, and have since shamed
myself with the memory Of 1t, for she
was woman.
ut pleaScs a., 49,. ar ,ly grand
mother, that o"r Il her household
should go forth OH any errand of mys-
terry ut such time as this, when whis-
pers have reached us Of another insur-
rection," she replied. Master Wing
field, l demand to know, in the name
Of my Grandmother Cavendish, the
purpose OF your riding forth in such
fashion"
"And that, madam, refuse to tell
you," replied, bowling low.
"You presume too greatly on your
privileges, she burst out. You think
because my grandmother holds you
in such strange favor that she seems to
forget, to forget
finished for her, with another low bow.
Finish it as you will, Master Wing
field" she said haughtily, 'but you
think wrongly that she will counte-
nance treason to the king in her own
household, and It's treason that Is
brewing tonight"
Madam" l whispered, IF you love
your grandmother and value her
safety you will remain in ignorance OF
this"
Then she caught me by the arm with
such a nervous ardor that never would
have known her for the Catherine
Cavendish of late years.
Harry, you shall not co. she whis-
pered. Il say you shall not! IL
will go to my grandmother. l will have
the militia out. Harry, say you shall
not GO"
But then my blood was up. Mad
am" | said, "go l shall, and If you
acquaint your grandmother twill be
to her possible undoing, and yours and
your sisters, since the having one of
the rioters in your own household will
Law you open to suspicion. Then, be-
sides, your sisters bringing over OF
the arms may be traced to her II the
matter be agitated."
Then truly the feminine soul of this
woman leaped to the surface with no
more ado.
"Oh, Harryw she cried out. II care
not for my grandmother. nor my sister,
nor the king. nor Nathaniel Bacon. nor
aught nor aught- fear, fear Oh,
fear lest thou be killed, Harry"
LEST my dead body be brought home
to thy door and the accusation of hav-
ing furnished Il traitor to the king be
laid to thee. MADAME" l said, for not
one whit believed in her love for me.
But she only sobbed in distracted
fashion.
Fear not, madam" l said. "If the
militia be out and fall, it will 60 hard
that | die before l have time to for
swear myself yet again for the sake
of thy family. But pray thee keep
to thyself for the sake of all."
With that | was in my saddle and
rode away. for had fingered, feared,
too long. and as God Is my witness l
had no faith that Catherine Cavendish
did more than assume such interest Ill
me for her own ends, for love, as
conceived it. was not thus.
| hastened OH my way to Barry up
per Branch. where was the rendezvous,
C,th s,;ne urdinf Harry