The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-12
The Broken Cord.
toriginal.l


During the reign Of the protector In
England John Gaunt. cavalier who
had been very prominent In his fidelity
10 his king. was hunted by the Purl-
tans. He was but twenty years old. Of
white and red complexion and with
very handsome dark eyes. These, with
the long locks worn by the cavaliers.
rendered It easy for him to disguise
himself rs girl. When hard pressed
10y Cromweli's troopers he took refuge
In q PEASANTS cottage where there
were several maldens and. making up
costume from among them. braided
his hair and when sought for at the
cottage appeared as one OF the peas.
ants daughters. 1t happened that they
were loyallsts and. besides assisting
him, kept his secret.
But John Gaunt knew not what to
do with himself He could not live
openly under his true name and sex.
nor was the way clear for him to 20
TO France. As u temporary makeshift
ne determined to go to work as serv-
ant. There was young widow whose
father and husband had been killed In
the kings defense. Lady Esther RAIL-
Gaunt went to her house. among Others,
and had the good fortune to be en-.
gagged as housemaid. but so marked
vas the impression he made on Lady
Esther that he was transferred to her
es her own waiting maid.
Here was complication. Gaunt
could think of no excuse TO offer why
he should not serve In such capacity
without revealing his sex. yet II would
be highly distonorable to do so. When
the same evening his mistress called
upon him - assist her 70 disrobe he
confessed that lie was no peasant
maid. but John Gaunt. heir to an earl
dom. fine old English conhscated
estate aud in danger of losing his head
as well as his property.
Lady Esther permitted Gaunt to re.
main In her service. performing only
such duties as were proper for him to
perform. though In case be were caught
thus befriended II would 60 hard with
his protector. There were many royal
lists in hiding, and Cromwell busted
himself hunting them out and getting
rid Of them that they should not con.
tribute TO the instability of his govern.
ment. The officer OF the troop who had
got on Gaunt's tracks. red headed
Puritan who could sing psalms louder
and in more cultural tones than any
man In England, made Il vow that he
would find him and turn him In at the
Tower of London or live for forty days
on bread and water. But weeks passed
while the man he sought was serving
the Lady Esther. whom he was learn.
Ing TO love and who was learning to
love him.
One day one of the peasant girls
from whom Gaunt had borrowed his
costume came to the Riall manor
house to tell him that he had been be-
trayed and that the troopers were com
ing to take him. She had run across
country, thereby shortening the dis
tance. Gaunt ran up to Lady Esthers
room for farewell before an arrest
which seemed inevitable. Opening q
door concealed by tapestry, she re
vealed space only deep enough FOL
him to stand upright.
"Pull this cord" she said hastily
"and you will open ventllator whicl
will give you mir. As soon as the troop
ers are gone press this spring. and th,
door will open of itself. But befor,
coming out be sure there Is no danger
for II you are found here 1t will he no
only your ruin. but mine"
| Gaunt stepped into the opening. an(
the Lady Esther closed the tapestr.
door With click. A few minutes late
the troopers rode up to the house. Th'
red headed Puritan dismounted an,
tramped In and upstairs. He was me
by Lady Esther. He made known TO he
the object of his visit and was invited
to search the house.
Meanwhile his men had surrounded
the premises so that the man the.
sought shoald not get away, The Off
Ger went from room to room. explorln;
every Granny aud corner, thrusting hi
sword here and there. but found II,
one, and II lie stabbed any one the vic
tim made 10 cry. Finally he came {,
Lady Esther's room. where she ha,
remained the while.
II have had positive information,
he said. that John Gaunt claiming I
be Earl of carrensford. is serving yo
as lady's maid. You are hiding hin
give sou the choice to surrender hir
or so with me to the Tower to avail
the pleasure OF the lord protector"