Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-25

After that Fenwicke sat time longer, unmo-
Tested even by the common troopers, who had
grown weary of hurling jeers at an apathetlc ras
cal who would not answer, till at last the gray
sky began to drizzle and then N earnest IL
raired. The water triclled down inside ven
wicke's shirt, and plastered his hair to his wet
forehead, and gathered on his eyebrows ana
blinded his eyes. No one was in the leasV con
cerned for his comfort, but the muskets which
were put to balance him cost the Parliament
hard-levied shings, so they must DC fetehea IN
out of the wet and at the same time the corporal
of the squad, by chance bunder of compasson'
hauled Fenwicke down from the horse lie
staggered, most unreasonably, so they had to
half-carry him into the stables, where they lock-
ed him up securely in a loft.
That night as he lay too racxed and torment
ed to sleep, Fenwicke listened to the ram piash'
ing gently on the stable roof above him, TIL the
sound wove into his thoughts with remembran1es
of times behind him, even when he was child,
and, resting his head against his arm, he dozfd'
and for a space forgot the pain
Along in the morning the corporal kicked open
the door and brought him hunch OF bread-not
a large hunch. He did not look so jovlal as the
day before, and as if he sought sympathy, even
from so pitiable creature as Fenwicke, inform
ed him that he'd lost his candlestck that was
all of good silver; he there-the captam-nad
threatened to have him fogged for plundering
and had taken it from him.
"My faith, next thing the cats will put on
gloves so the mice may slip away, Fenwic6e
jested sorrily, "since Sergeant Scalby hath turn
ed honest"
Sergeant? Ay, to be sure what is he but
scurvv common trooper?" grumbled the corporal
"And he to be set oven good, outstanding soldiers
who know the double he'll ever know
Thus he grumbed himself out, and Fenwlcke
sat alone in the dim light of the loft, with the
spiders to watch and one uncertain CLEAN OF
sunlight that ventured in at the slit of window
and, disheartened, stole out again; Naught else
to see or hear to distract him till 1t was near
dark and then laundering step across the out
o, loft. his door thrown cattering open, and
Scalby burst in.
It was of piece with what went before. Seal
nv wanted an explicit confession that fenwlcke
had been detailed as spy and murderer, ana
Fenwicts, his face gray and dogged, made reply
that he was the Kings soldier, thank God! no
spv. but open enemy to them all. Whereat
Scalbv struck him across the face and with an
oath turned away, then bawled to trooper be-
low in the stable: Here you, tie me up this
fellow He'll be breaking free next.
Fenwicke slept that night with wrists lashed
securely before him, so it was hard work to turn
over. and he Law with one side against the pare
rlsnks till every bone ached. The wan day came
SLOWLY. and hghtened to the tinge of faint drab
that was its brightest in the LOTT and still none
brought him food. 1t must have been near noon,
and he was steeling himself to starvation on top
of all when his friend, the corporal, came IN 70
fetch his bread. If he was late, twas not his
fault; that rogue scalby had had man logged
that morning a mess-mate OF his.
"And YOU all swallow it!' Fenwicke SAID
slowly.
GLOW else?" asked the other.
Fenwicke shrugged his shoulders. he tame
docs. if We will Let him whip he please.
Where two inches of steel--. IF he were
rot here. verv like gentleman would he set to
command vou one whom brave soldier could
follow"
For moment the two men peered at each
other through the dusk of the loft. '4' are a
sarcy rascal" spoke the corporal at length. I'd
be loatb to leave weapon in your hands. case
he come bully you again tonight He's like to;
is drinking hard" There sounded metallic
tbud unon the planks and the corporal looked
al the knife that lay at his feet, then at Fen
wicke. "On my soul, I've lost my knife, he
said deliberately, and walked from the lott out-
side Fenwicke could hear him singing
"Then hey. boys, up go WEI
croen;no across the floor, Fenwicke reached
the knife. drew himself up, and, holding it firm
between his knees pressed against the blade the
oord that bound his hands 1t was of good
sharpness he noted with breath of satisfac-
tion. He hid the knife in his bootleg and, ~
inc hack in his old position, set to rubbing the
life into his numbed wrists.
Down below he heard the muffed stamp OF
+bn horses and the cries of men. The light
shaded to darker and yet darker gray He
could no longer make out the corners Of the loft
nor see ten PAGES from him Outside some one
stumbled on the ladder, and at that very light
" Fenwicke sprang to his feet and stood back
~ the wall; his arms were behind him. as if he
,,era bornd but one fist gripped the knife. A
hand Mu, fumbling and uncertain, ratified at the
holt. holt The blood went racing through eenwickes
veins, singing in his pulses, while his empty
honged to. and scalby, bury in the dimness,
came and loomed over him.
Come out from that corner where you're
sl,ull,;nr," The mans voice was thick with