The Democratic advocate., 1905-08-12
SeleGt Stnrp.
Greater Love Hath No Man.
From Black and White.


try atmosphere.
1t was close upon midnight, and, save
for light in one room, the ancient manor
house of Ragdale lay wrapt in darkness
In that room, dimly lighted by a lamp,
two people stood beside the bed, and looked
down on the curley head and fevered face
of little boy of six. They were Sin
Henry Ragdale and his wife. The dress
of the former was dishevelled and besmear.
ed with marks of recent fighting. The
fine lace collar was blackened with the
smoke of powder, as was also the hand
some face of its owner; while the hanc
which Lady Ragdale held in hers was en-
cased in bandage through which dark
stain spoke of the wound beneath.
Sad indeed were the thoughts Of both
as they gazed in silence at the little form
whose quick and labored breathing told its
own tale of desperate fight for life. Al
only child lying betwixt life and death
tWhat said the chirurgeon asked
Sir Henry.
The eyes, large and sorrowful, which
looked into his gave the answer which the
quivering lips could not frame. Sir Henry
put his arm around her and drew hel
closely to his side.
There was restless movement OF the
bed clothes, the throwing out of tiny
hand then two great wondering eyes looked
up, taking in, in one swift glance, the
torn lace, the blackened face, and the
bandaged hand Of the Cavalier-but es-
pecially the bandaged hand.
"Hast thou been fighting, Daddy?
The question came with effort, by rea-
son of the labored breath.
In Il moment Sir Henry was on his
knees and had taken the ievered hand III
his.
Yes, darling; Daddy has been fight
ing"
:.And the cursed Roundheads have hurt
thee?" said the voice, with Il ring Of child
ish indignation.
.'Hush Harry, darling, replied Sir
Henry, soothingly.
But they is cursed RoundheadS, per
sisted the little voice; '.Eieywood says
they is cursed Ronndheatis, and | know
they is, because they have hurt thee.
Hush said Sir Henry again, brush
ing back the curls from the burning fore
head. Indeed am not hurt. have
ridden all this way to see thee.
And art thou going to stay? asked
the child, doubtfully.
''No, dearest, not now,' replied the
father, "but | will soon be back again.
"And whittier art thou going, Daddy
81 ride with letter from the King.
That name-a talisman to all Royalist
hearts. acted like magic. Sprlnglng up
in bed, in spite of his great weakness, the
child clenched tiny fist and cried:
"For the King, God bless him. When
I AMI big l will fight for the King; | will
kill cursed Roundheads. will-take
care of dearest he added, flinging his
arms around the neck of her who now bent
lovingly over him, and placed him back
upon the pillows, where he lay more deep
ly unconscious than ever.
"Whether," said Sir Henry, pacing
the room, and muttering to himself, ''even
man devotion to his King comes before
that to his wife and child y
The words, low muttered as they We're,
had been heard. An arm was linked in
his, and together they passed out Of the
room through the open window on to the
balcony.
''See, said the lady, pointing the star
lit sky, "they are all in Gods keeping,
and we are in His keeping, too; fear not.
Sir Henry raised the brave, trusttul face
and kissed it. ''Thou vert ever my good
angel, dearest; strong and patient when
one might look for weakness; true and
unselfsh in the darkest hour God bless
thee
Almost as he spoke there arose out Of
the stiffness of the night a sound like the
faint suggestion of distant thunder. Full
well Sir Henry knew the meaning of it.
"Harkr' said he, raising his hand, "a
troop of horse. IF they come here and
question thee, thou wilt know how to an
swer them, dearest?'
"Aye: verify answered Lady Rag,
dale, with a new light in her eyes.
One long embrace, and the Cavalier
went quickly down the steps to the ground
beneath. There horse paved impatient
ly upon the gravelled path. At the sount
Of its masters footsteps it gave forth :
welcoming neigh, for which the man stand
ing at its head chided it in unmeasurec
terms. This was Haywood, who hac
taught young Harry to call the King
enemies cursed Roundheads. He, too
had heard that distant thunder, which hat
now grown nearer and louder; and well h.
knew how horses neigh on still nigh
carried with piercing clearness.
OF all the men on Sir Henry's estate
Haywood had been left at home when hi
master rode to the wars; and this by reason
of his great faithfulness and love for those
who must be left behind-to wit, Lad,
Ragdale and her son. Sorely had he fel
it at the time, but the knowledge of thu
cause of his enforced inactivity had sup
piled pleasing antidote of pride; while
the constant companionship of little Harry
(Sr Harry, as he persisted in calling him
had soon dulled the keen edge of his dis
appointment.