Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-12-18

The Broken Cord.
lOrigina!.1

England Jolnsfiaunt, a cavalier who
had been very prominent in his fidelity
to his king, was hunted by the Puri-
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 as q girl. When hard pressed
by Cromwell's troopers he took refuge
% peasants cottage where there
we're several maidens and, making up
4 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 loyalists 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 go
to France. AS temporary makeshift
he 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
was the impression he made on Lady
Esther that he was transferred to her
as 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 it would
be highly dishonorable to do so. When
the same evening his mistress called
upon hiin to assist her to disrobe he
confessed that he was no peasant
maid. but John Gaunt, heir to an earl
dom, a fine old English confscated
estate and i'll 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 he We're caught
thus befrienled it would go 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, a red headed
Puritan who could sing psalms louder
and in more cultural tones than any
man in England. made a 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 RIAL 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
lance. Gaunt ran up to Lady Esther's
room for a farewell before an arrest
which seemed inevitable. Opening a
door concealed by tapestry, she re-
vealed a space only deep enough for
him to stand upright.
"Puu this cord" she said hastily.
"and you will open a ventilator which
will give you air. As soon as the troop
ers are gone press this spring, and the
door will open of itself. But before
coming out be sure there is no danger,
for IL you are found here it will be not
only your ruin, but mine"
Gaunt stepped into the opening, and
the Lady Esther closed the tapestry
door with click. A few minutes later
the troopers rode up to the house. The
red headed Puritan dismounted and
tramped In and upstairs. He was met
by Lady Esther. He made known to her
the object of his visit and was invited
to search the house.
Meanwhile his men had surrounded
the premises so that the man they
sought should not get away. The Off
Ger went from room to room, exploring
every Granny and corner, thrusting his
sword here and there, but found no
one, and if he stabbed any one the VIC
tim made no cry. Finally he came to
Lady Esther's room, where she had
remained the while.
81 have had positive information"
he said, that John Gaunt, claiming to
be Earl Of Carrensford, is serving you
as lady's maid. You are hiding him.
I give you the choice to surrender him
or 60 with me to the Tower to await
the pleasure Of the lord protector"
eff the earl is here it is for you to
take him. AS for me, here is the pro-
tectors safeguard for me and my es.
tate''
She drew paper duly signed and
sealed by England's ruler. The officer
read 1t, turned on his heel and went
tramping down the staircase.
By this time John Gaunt had been
In his narrow standing place for nearly
an hour. Lady Esther ran to open the
door, An fnanimate body fell against
her.
She thought him dead A glance at
the cord that opened and shut the ven.
hlator, which lay in heap on the
floor of the compartment, told her that
1t had broken and that the prisoner
had been suffocating. She threw up
sash, opened and closed his arms.
chafed him and threw water in his |
face. Seeing faint tinge Of color, she
perseyered and at last revived him.
"Why did you not open the door,"
she asked.
"And betray your
Such conduct fixed forever the love
Of the young widow. John Gaunt |
unally escaped to France, to return |
after number of years with Charles |
II. at the restora ton. His title and |
estates were returned to him. and he /
led to the altar the Lady Esther Rail- /
ROSALIE WHITING