Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-12
CHAPTER 1.
CHAPTER 1.
MNHE end of October had been
more than usually fine, and now
the beginning of November was

the beginning OF November was
following the good example set
by its predecessor. In the Home park,
the only part Of the extensive grounds
surrounding Hampton Court palace that
was well wooded, the leaves had not
entirely left the branches and the turf
beneath was green and firm, rs yet I'M
sodden by autumnal rain.
Along one of the forest aisles there
walked distinguished party, proceed
ing slowly, for the pace was set by a
disease stricken man whose progress
was of painful elaboration. he was
tall and thin. His body was premature
ly bent, though accustomed to be
straight enough If one might judge by
the masterful brow, now pallid with Ill
ness, or by the glance Of the piercing
eye, untamed even by deadly malady.
That he was not long for this earth, If
nature had her way, scrutinizer or
that handsome, powerful face might
have guessed, yet he was singled out
for destruction even before his short
enemies, hedgcd in secrecy behind
locked doors, were anxiously planning
his ruin. They We're wise in their
privacy, for had whisper of their in
tentions gone abroad the Earl of STRAIT
ford would have struck first and struck
hard, us indeed he intended to, do in
any case.
Thomas Wentworth, earl of STRAIT
ford, was accompanied by an imposing
train. On either side Of him, accommo-
dating their slow steps to his, were
some Of the highest in the land, who
waited on his words and accorded him
Difference more obsequious than that
with which they might have distin-
guished the king himself, for all knew
that this shattered frame was more to
be dreaded than the most stalwart per-
Behind this noble circle followed q
numerous band Of attendants, alert
for beck or call, each having place
according to his degree. A huntsman
was surrounded by dogs kept in thrall
by fear Of the whip. Falconers with
hooded hawks attested favorite sport
of the earl, who loved to have the birds
near him even though he made no trial
of their flight. And here he walked
the grounds Of the king us If he owned
them; as though he were permanent
master instead of transient guest.
Here he rested for the moment, hop
ing to recover some remnant of health
by the placid Thames, after his trou-
blous journey from Ireland, which
turbulent country lay numb under his
strong hand, soon to be vocal enough
when the hounds We're upon him. No
echo of Iondon's Glamour came to this
green paradise. He knew the mob was
crying out against him, as in truth the
wnJle country but rs -
the howl, despising his opponents.
Better for him had he been more wary
or more conciliatory.
Among those now in his company
was young De Courcy. one Of the nu-
merous band Of Frenchmen smilingly
received ut court because the consort
Of Charles had prediction for her
countrymen-a preference unshared
by any save her husband. The French
contingent thought little Of the scowls
of the English SO long as those in au-
thority smiled on them and the smile
brought profit. They were regarded us
titled nercenaries, spies probably,
anxious to feather their own nests at
the expense of the treasury, possibly
the propagating agents Of church Of
which England had deep distrust,
certainly possessing IN overweening
influence at court, dividing still fur
ther the unfortunate king from his sus-
picious people.
1t might have been imagined that
80 thoroughly English, so strenuous,
man as STAFFORD, the last to be de-
luded by suave manners or fattery,
although he had an Unsuitable appetite
for cringing Difference, yet uninfuenced
by 1t (as witness his crushing Of Lord
Montmorris in Ireland), would have
shown scant friendship for frivolous
French mobiles, but it was fact that he
bore from young DE Courcy famili-
arity Of address that he would have
suffered from none other in the king
dom.
Courtiers find ready reason for
every action, and they attributed
Strafford's forbcarnnce to the influence
Dc CouWy possessed with the queen
for his .lorlship was we'll aware that
his sovereign lady Showed small Xix
Ing for the kings most powerful min
lister. STAFFORD was too keen poll
tic!an not to make every endeavor tc
placate m enemy who at all hours had
access to the private ear Of his master
on whose breath depended his own Gle
walton. Therefore it may well be that
he thought 1t worth while to conciliate
one of the naughty lady's favorites.
The conversation under the trees was
lightly frivolous despite the serious
ness Of the time. STAFFORD was not
one to wear his heart on his sleeve,
and If he was troubled that the king
insisted on his presence III London, re-
fusing to him permission to return to
ireland. where he was safe-the WELD
er of the upper hand-his manner or
expression gave no hint of his anxiety.
A cynical smile curved his bloodless
lips as he listened to the chatter of De
Courcy, not noticing the silence of the
others, who disdained conversational
contest with the voluble Frcnchman.
II give your lordship my assurance"
insisted the young man, that his
majesty was much perturbed by the
incident. All Scots are superstitious,
and the king has Scottish blood In his
VEINS"
las to superstition, have never
learned" said STAFFORD, speaking slow
-ly, that the French are entirely free
from some touch of it."
"That's as may be-" continued De
Courcy airly, "but her majesty, who
is French, advised the king to think
nothing more of the encounter, so he
regards but lightly any predictions of
doom from an old gypsy bag"
"There were no predictions of doom
and no gypsy nag. The case was of the
simplest, now exaggerated by court gos-
sip" amended the earl.
my lord. have 1t almost direct from
the king himself"