Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-10-02
Storyof Francis C1uddc
ARomance Of Queen Mary's Reign.
BY STANLEY j. wEYMAN
CHAPTER xxIy-contlnued.
BY STANLEY J. WEYMAN.

ANAA -
Giving Baldwin the order and bidding
him as soon as IL was performed come
70 HIM, the knight walke steadily back
into the courtyard and o his stand
there. He dispatched the women and
some of the servants TO lay out q meal
an the hall, but IL was noticeable that
the men went reluctantly, and that all
who could find any excuse to do SO
fingered round Sir Anthony as If they
could not bear to abandon him, as If,
even at the last moment, they a some
yague notion of protecting their master
at all hazards. A score OF lanterns shed
a gloomy, uncertain light-only In
places REINFORCED by the glow from
the hall windows-upon the group. Sell
dom had a Cotton moon peeped over the
gables at a scene stranger than that
which met the sheriff's eyes as with
his two hackers he passed d the
gateway.
Il surrender TO you, Sir Philip" the
knight said. with a dignity, stepping
forward a pace or two, land call you
to witness that / might have made re-
sistance and have not. My tenants are
quiet in their homes, and only my SER
wants are present. Father Carey is not
here nor In the house. This Is Baldwin
Moor, nv steward. but / beg for him
your especial offices. since he has done
nothing a W by my command"
Sir Anthony, believe me that ] Will
do all / cam" the sheriff responded
gravely, butt
"But to set at naught the queens
proclamation and order!" struck In a
third voice h~arshly-it was Sir Thomas
Greyille's-'and she but a month on the
thronel For shame, Sir Anthony! 1t
smacks to me OF high treason. And
many a man has suffered for less. let
me tell YOU"
Had she been longer on the throne"
h sheriff. put in more gently, "and
were the times quiet, the matter would
have been OF less moment, Sir Anthony,
and might not have become a state
matter. But just now
Things are in a perilous condition"
Greville said bluntly, "and you have
lone your little TO make them worse!"
The knight, by a great effort, swal-
lowed liis rage and humiliation. What
will you do with me, gentlemen" he
asked, speaking with at least the APP
pearance OF calmnesS.
THAT Is to be SEEN" Greviile said,
roughly overriding his companion. For
tonight we must make ourselves and
u men comfortable here"
"Certainly-with Sir Anthony's leave.
Sir Thomas Greville," quoth a voice
from behind. But only SOL"
More thar one started violently, while
the Cludde servants almost to a a
spun round at the sound or the voice
my voice, Francis Cludde's though in
the darkness no one knew me. How
shall / ever forget the JOY and lively
gratitude which filled my heart rs /
spoke, which turned the night into day
and that fantastic scene of shadows
into a festival, as l felt that the ambi-
tfon of the last our years was Gbout
10 be gratified? Sir Anthony, who was
one OF the first 10 turn. peered among
the servants. Who spoke?" he cried,
q sudden discomposure in his voice and
manner "Who spoke there?"
AYE. Sir Anthony, who did?" Gre
Vile a ~haughtily. Some one ap-
parently who does not quite understand
his place or the state OF affairs here.
stand back, my men, and let me see
him. Perhaps we may teach him a use
ful lesson
feared a scene and to be left face to
face with my uncle more than any
thing. Now, as the servants with a
loud murimur of surprise and recogni-
ton fell back n disclosed me stand
ing by Martins side, I turned a little
from Sir Anthony and faced Greville.
mot this time, / think, Sir Thomas"
] said, giving him back glance for
glance. X have learned my lesson from
some who rave Jared farther n seen
DA0ee thar YOU, from men who have
stood by their cause in foul weather
as Wei as fair. n were not for mass
one day and a sermon the next"
What is this 2" he cried angrily.
who are you 2"
"Sir Anthony Guides dutiful and
loving nephew" I answered. with n
courteous bow. Come back. I thank
heaven. In time 70 do him a service, Sir
Thomas"
EioptDn exclaimed in remonstrance.
He had known me in old days. My
nncie meanwhile gazed at me In the
utmost establishment, and into the SER
wants faces there flashed a strange
light, while many OF them hailed me In
a tone which told me that / had but
to give the word. and they would fall
on the very sheriff himself. MASTER
Francis Sir Philip Clopton repeated
gfavely, If you would do your uncle a
service, this Is not the way TO go
about IL. He has surrendered and is
our prisoner. Brawling will not mend
matters
/ laughed out loudly and merrily
ID 0 know, Sir Philip" / said, with
something OF the old boyish ring in my
voice, II have been since I saw you
last to Belgium and Germany-aye,
and Poland and Hamburg? Do you
think 1 have come back a fool?'
II do not know what to think OF
you he replied dryly, but you had
Keep a civil tongue in your head.
my friend" said Greville, with harsh
ness. sand yourself out OF this busi-
n6ssi"
1T Is just his business | have come
To get into. Sir Thomas" l answered
with increasing good humor. Sir An
thDny, show them that I continued.
ard drew out a little packet OF parch-
ment with a great red seal hanging
from IL by a green ribbon-just such 4
packet as that which ] had stolen from
the bishops apparitor nearly four years
back. "A lantern herei" I cried. .sHold
IT. steady. Martin. that Sir Anthony
may read. Master sheriff wants his
rere supper"
l gaze the packet into the knights
hand, my own shaking. Aye. shaking.
for was not this the fulnllment Of that
boyish VOW l had made In my little
room In the gable yonder. so many
years ago? a fulhllment strange and
timely, such al none but d boy In his
teens could have hoped for. nor any
but y man who had tried the chances
and mishaps OF the world could fully
enjoy as was enjoying 1t. tingled
with the rush through my veins OF tri-|
ur1ph and gratitude. Up to the last
noments had feared lest anything
should go wfong, lest this browning
Ii ppineSs should be Withheld from me.
<4L--T| *X4A-A $500 --<<lt.- - Xx s-.-|