Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-01-27
almost more, amused than an

great SIN IN giving shelter to this
young spark. Let us leave her in peace
and take our prisoner below"
So Kit was marched off downstairs
into a great hall filed with parliament
soldiers. Here he was vigorously
searched. But he had left the money
and dispatches in Mistress Charity's
cupboard, so that they found nothing
upon him but a few crowns and one
letter which he had overlooked in his
haste. This note was of no importance
to either king or parliament, but it
was enough to hang it's bearer. It
proclaimed the fact that Kit had been
in the enemy's quarters without a
pass, and, therefore, might be pro-
ceeded against as a spy.
If he had not proved an able mes
senger he was a faithful one, and his
captors, finding him stubborn, were
the less inclined to mercy.
"A contumacious young malignant.
If ever l saw one!" said the old man.
'There is no doubt he is on some err
rand of mischief, spy most like, and
clumsy one at that. I'll have him
hanged, Godfrey. Take him away,
men. Lock him up in the cells and set
a guard. I'll see him hanged at day.
light"
Upon this Kit was pushed away by
two troopers and locked up in a lit
tie damp cellar.
Now his captors made strange dis
covcry.
In turning over Kits letter case the
parliament captain noticed some thing
written on the leather lining. "Chris-
topher Carew,' he read out, and
showed it to his father. They locked
at each other, and then both burst out
laughing.
your future son-in-law, sir. I be.
lieve?" said the younger man.
why, so it is! The boy who
wouldn't be beaten into marrying lit
tie Charity. What shall we do with
him? We cannot hang him.
The captain thought for a minute
before answering.
DO you desire this marriage hearth
ly, sir?"
"Ay, boy, Of course do When once
Charity is welded to this lad our for
tunes are safe, whether king or par
lament win the day-if so be that the
young man behave himself as dutiful
In that case it would be as We'll to
give him some reason to think kindly
of us. We must not use force, sir"
Then they brewed plot that had it's
effect as follows:
Kit had lain. on the cold floor and
ragged his heart out for an hour or so
for self-pity, and in misery at the idea
that those who had dispatched him on
this fatal journey, knowing nothing Of
his fate, would perhaps give him credit
for having absconded with the money.
Then he thought of the beautiful
Puritan girl who had so bravely tried
to save him, and at last fell asleep-to
awake presently and find Mistress
standing by his side
awake, SIR" she said, in a low
voice, the sweetest he had ever heard,
Kit thought. Il have come to set you
free. See, here is the gold and the
letters. When I heard they found
nothing upon you I knew you must
have left them in the cupboard. My
father knoweth naught of these. But
this is a letter from my father. He
bade me tell you that he wishes you
no harm. He would fain have en-
treated you more gently, but he feared
to be suspected by his men of betray.
ing the interests of the parliament.
Kits face, indeed his whole bearing,
plainly showed his admiration and
heartfelt gratitude. Blushing furious
ly he stammered forth his confused
boyish thanks to the composed maiden.
who, one year his junior in years, was
at least ten years his senior in every
thing else.
Come, SIR" she said, smiling a. lit
tie, Il will show you the way out of
the house. Only we must take care to
arouse none of the soldiers
A few moments later Kit found him.
self outside in the garden, his thanks
cut short by the barring of the little
door by which he had made his exit.
The thunder had passed away. It
was dark and raining hard. He CROPPED
his way to the high road and then set
of as fast as his legs would carry him,
bent on putting as much distance as
was possible between himself and his
late captors before daylight.
A few days later old Sir Christopher
Carew was sitting sadly over his wine.
He had realized by this time that the
son he had alternately petted and bull
lied was all the world to him.
II was too hasty," thought the poor
old man. ''The boy has good heart.
If only I, could have had patience
enough to reason with him! Or per-
haps ought to have let him see the
girl before ordered him to wed her"
These indulgent cogitations were in
terrupted by Kit himself; who, shame
faced and excited, flung himself down
on his knees by his fathers side and
covered his hand with kisses.
Father, forgive me. have seen
Mistress Charity Warren. She is more
beautiful than-than I can express.
And she is brave and Infinitely kind.
l will ride with you to Basingstoke to-
morrow, or this minute, if it pleases
you, sir. If I have your pardon, l have
no other desire than to be her sery-
ant"