Evening journal., 1905-04-17
A SkfrTed
HiSbeOoym0n
tOrirlnnl ]

position we occupied Delolc our hihA
charles I. lost his head doubtless
should have cen one Of the maddest.
merriest maldens IN the revelries in
the houses OF the country gentry. My
father was killed at Marston Moor
aghting for his sovereign, our estates
were conhscated, and the family was
doomed. At twenty was without the
wherewithal to buy my bread. Then
one day a gentleman TO whom my IA
ther had lent f20 sought me out and
paid me the amount as his creditors
only living descendant
NV heart was full OF rancor, espe-
ciaily toward the Roundheads, who ]
had taken our estates. / was tall and /
strong with n heart devoid OF fear /
Had been a man would have game
FOR a soldier but my sex would soon
be unmasked. and preferred some
scene OF action wherein I could work
alone. resolved 10 take to the road.
With the f2O paid me l purchased
horse. equipments and arms. l would
not don mans attire preferring a
short. close fitting habit, and instead
OF a mask / wore a thick veil. ! wish
ed FOR my first victims those shave
nate Puritans who lived near my
former home and TO whom we owed
our downfall.
SO one night ss the darkness was fall
ing l spufred along the road l had Of
ten trudged TO school bent on plunder.
Fearing TO falter in my work and PUT Il
on TN 1 should meet some defenseless
creature whose weakness would shame
me. I resolved to attack the first way
farer I met. Hearing a horses hoofs
on the road and seeing the dim out
line OF his rider, ! drew a pistol, and
when he came near enough to see me
its muzzle stared him in the face. l
was so frightened that ] did not take
notice whether the man was one OF
ours or a Roundhead. His raising his
hat gallantly as TO woman OF quality
teNfme that he was Cavalier.
II am pleased" he said ito surren-
der 10 a highwayman Of your sex
though IL Jars my pride 70 do So Here
Is nv wallet with f10 in It. Take II
and get away with It as quickly as pos
sible There be those coming who
might interfere with your keeping it.
NO" replied. You are royalist
rob no royallst"
"Then take the purse for a loan"
"This is too much. | purpose TO roi
vou. and YOU generously offer that witt
Nv voice trcmblel. and felt that
would fain rest my head on his breast
FOR thcrc was something familiar il
his voice. AMI withai a tone OF kindl
ness.
"Take IT. he said. with a deep sad
ness In bis manner Il would l ha
more with me"
ITO whom shall return itf'
"S.r George lIilditch.'
lie had placed his purse In my han'
ana I would have tossed It back
him but for the sound Of horseme
coming. Under my veil my cheek WI
burning. Ccorgle Hilditch had yea
agonc carried my books to school 4
ne. and OF all the boys had pined Il
him for my sweetheart. In a twinlliI
he had left ne. and | sat like an imal
OF stone iii the horsemen. coming nea
er. warned me 70 he gone.
This was my first robbery. The ne
was fat old psalm singer who hi
succeeded 70 our homestead and WI
then living In IL. took nearly t3
from him. and on this resolved to su
sist without further depreciation
my funds were all gone Hearing th
sir George IIilditch was 10 give
masked ball. I determined to atter
In the costume Of Spanish dancer
entered the house by a rear door a
not long after was treading measu
with Sir George himself After
dance he led me TO a secluded corn
where we sat and chatted. He seem
TO mistake me for another. who. frC
what lie said. gathered had hoped
be mistress Of his household. | to
up with this and made love 10 him.
NO" he said. Il shall never mar
When a boy I gave my heart 20 n lit
girl who has been my dream ever sin
Had not her family gone down in
struggle that lost us our king ] mil
have woocd her for my wife. AS II 1
have no temptation i,r marriage
"Wil you give me her namet"
II care not who knows her name.
Is Margcry St John"
Thrustng my hand In my pockef
drew forth wallet IN which l
placed f10 and nut 1t In his hand.
whats thiss" he asked.
I made no answer. for l could
My heart was wild with strange q
tions. lie opened the purse and (
out the money.
Il have guessed arlght.' he said.
knew you. Marepry. the niGht you
bed me. the moment heard the so
Of your voice. and tonight ! knew
ns soon as caught sight OF that fg
dt for "A queen My heart has bled
you. Margery. and am resolved
the differences the civil war has n
between us shall not separate me
my love"
I started up TO leave. but he put
arm about me and held me tiu
promised 10 be his wife
That was iust before the restoro
OF King Charles. and before J bee
Lady Hilditch the fat Roundhead
occupied our homestead was force
leave IT. and our wedding was cele
ed there. Being the only heir 70 IN
stored estate. certain parts Of v
.-.o,tf~- frftaoca1 In kso1ua