The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER /.
SWaffham and De Wick.

SWattham n De Wick.
During the seventeenth century
Swaffham Manor House was one of
the most picturesque dwellings in
Cambridgeshire. 1t was so old that it
had a sort of personality. 1t was the
history of the Swaffham family in
stone and timber.
The central tower-built of the
white stone of the observation-disclosures
the fortress which Tonbert Swaffham
erected A. D. $40, to defend his lands
from an invasion of the Danes; and
five generations of Tonberts descen-
dants dwelt in that tower, before Will
liam OF Normandy took possession OF
the crown of England. The Swatfham
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 it still retained this character.
Puritan councils of offense and de-
tense had been held in it's great hall,
and parliamentary soldiers drilled in
It's 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:
There is no longer %disputlng with
such a 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 a 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 hing, excused
his inexcusable t~reacheries, and re-
GREETED the pomps ana ceremonies Of
royal state.
Jane Swaffham was Of a different
spirit. She had a 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 caught their spirit and
been filed through and through with
their faith.
This was the maiden who was sit
ting, n sunny afternoon, at the open
window of the household parlor in
Swaffham. She was thinking of her
father and brothers, Of the unhappy
condition of England, and of the un-
rest in 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. l know the roll Of the car
riage." Then Jane lifted her sewing,
and the wheel began to hum, and the
door opened swiftly and Matilda de
| Wick entered.
81 have just been at Ely" she said,
land if l live seven-and-fifty years
longer in this sinful world, I shall not
forget the visit. have been visiting
Lady Heneage, and l have heard SO
much of the Cromwell's full cup that,
in faith, / think it has gone to my
head"
81 trust Lady Heneage is well"
said Mrs. Swaffham.
"She had need to be we'll. 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. It 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 so?" asked Jane.
"'Tis not very civil to doubt 1t. But
| that is not all Of my news-I heard
! also that Jane Swafham was going
to London-a thing / would not be-
| lieve without James assurance"
'It is very uncertain" replied Mrs.
Swaffham. Jane has an invitation
| from Mary Cromwell, and ii 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 SwaYham will be of
It."
II am sure Of one thing" answered
Jane. Public honors please not Gen.