The Democratic advocate., 1905-08-12

"Heywood,' said Sir Henry, in low,
earnest voice, "you know what that
means" He pointed forward in the di-
rection of the road.
"Aye, Sir Henry, full we'll know. A
troop of horse. Most likely scurvy Round
heads"
''Verily, Haywood; but whether they
be friends or foes; or whether if they be
the latter, they have got news of my mis-
sion and are in search of me, know not; but
if it turn out that they are foes. Haywood,
know that thou wilt do the best thou
canst for my dear ones yonder. He
looked towards the lighted room.
"Aye, aye, sir, indeed will, replied
Haywood.
'sHold them in parley as long as possi-
bic at the gate [ have but six miles to
ride, and then, having done my errand, |
will, if it please God, be back, post-haste,
with troop of horse. Thou understand
est?'
"Aye, aye, Sir Henry once more
came the CHEEKY answer.
Suddenly the night was still again.
''rhey have stopped in the village, Sir
Henry; doubtless to make inquiries. Ii
you ride forth now, turning off by the
common, and skirting the village by the
northeast, thou wilt surely avoid them.
Quick, Sir Henry, they may start again
at any moment" And Haywood, in his
anxiety, laid hold upon the bride and took
the horse forward at run.
Turning in the saddle, Sir Henry waved
his plumed hat to the balcony, whence
white faced figure watched his every move
ment. There was an answering tlutter OF
handkerchief, the gates were thrown open
by Haywood, and Sir Henry rode forth at
a galop.
The inner grounds Of Ragdale Manor
were surrounded by ii wall Of great height
and strength, and this, again, was en-
circled I,y il deep moat, now but half filled
with stagnant water The only entrance
was by means Of the gateway through
which Sir Henry had ridden, and rs Hey
wood double barred and locked the mas
sve doors. there was Il grim smile upon his
face which spoke bad for parleying If the
time for it should come.
The gateway was fanked on either side
by Il round. two-s storied building of stone,
the one used aS IL yatehoise, III which
Heywood lived the other as Il storehouSe.
The upper room Of each was provided with
embrasureS-relcs Of hygone days-for
the convenient discharge Of missiles.
Into the upper chamber of the gate
house Haywood now went, and, providing
himself with light looked to the printing
of two ancient horse -pitsols, and scanned
closely the edge of his sword Then plac-
inc all within easy reach, he extinguished
the light, and lay down beside the embras-
ure which commanded most fully the
gateway.
The night was still soundless, nothing
to be heard save the whrr of an occasional
insect, or the croak of a frog in the fields
beyond
As Haywood lay there, looking up at
the radiant sky, his mind went back to the
peaceful years gone by, when he had played
at soldiers, as boy, in that same gate
house, and Sir Henry, from that same
narrow opening which he now looked, had
shot toy arrows at him as he approached
to storm the stronghold; the days when
real war was a thing to be wondered at, as
a thrilling but distant event never to be
seen in its reality.
As he thought upon these things, Mark
Haywood, strong man of thirty was
boy once more, and half belived that the
present was dream. But the sight of
the pistols lying by his side recalled him
to the grim reality of his position.
Then it was the word parleying he con-
sidered. How could he parley? He had
dim idea that it meant the exchange of
strong words; but what good would come
Of that? Surely pistol shot were much
more to the point and less harmful to ones
soul. No, he could not parley, but he
would give his life if that would avail any
thing.
How were things going up at the house?
How was his little friend? The thought
of what might happen there made him
tremble as no other fear could.
But bark! What was that sound that
broke upon the stiffness of the night from
the direction of the village?
Eyes; they were moving again and
coming towards him. Soon dark blotch
appeared round bend in the road; one
solid moving mass it looked like in the dis
tance; but as it came nearer it broke up
into score Of moving units. The jingle
of brides, the clank of swords, the snort
ing of horses, the deep voiced talk of
men-these were sounds not to be mis-
taken; body of horsemen were bearing
down upon the gatehouse.
The watcher clutched pistol tightly,
and looked forth-his breath coming more
quickly as he did so. On and on they
came until they were but a stones throw
distant; on and on they drew up their
horses within the shadow of the gateway
itself. Then their leader rode forward,
and beating upon the doors with his sword,
cried loudly:
''Open in the name of the Parliamentr'
(Ah ! remember Sir Henry's words,
Mark Haywood; now is the time for par
| leying