The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-03-19
Storyof FFrar1cisC ludde
A Romance Of Queen Mary's Reign.
BY STANLEY J. WEYMAN.

a parsonage than the bailiff of ST. Al
bans, and his manner betitted such /
a for it seemed to indicate that III
thought himself heir to all the power:
of the old abbots under whose broad
thumb his father and grandfather hac
groaned.
My conscience pricking me, / fell
some misgiving when l saw him, after
staring at me n whispering to two
or three of his %neighbors. beckon The
landlord aside. His big round face ant
burly figure gave him a general like,
ness to bluff King Hal, and he APP,
peared to be aware of this himself anG
TO be inclined to ape the stout kings
ways, which. l have heard my uncle
say. We're ever ways heavy for others
toes. For awhile, however. seeing my
apr come in, l forgot him. The bare
armed girl who brought it to me and
In whom my draggled condition seemed
to provoke feelings of a different ma
ture logged up a round table to the
fire. On this she laid my meal, not
scrupling to set aside some of the snug
dry toWnsfolk. Then she set a chair for
me well in the blaze, and folding her
arms in her apron stood to watch me
fall to. l did so with a will, and with
each mouthful of beef and draft of ale
spirit and strength came back to me.
The cts round me might sheer and
shake their. heads and the travellers
Ai''' ~ AhS oPpStitN. III iNC 1
| cared not a whit. 1 could give them
back joke for joke and laugh with the
best of them.
Indeed 1 had clean forgotten the bail
if when. he stalked back to his place.
But the m our eyes met l guessed
there was trouble afoot. The landlord
came with him and stood looking at
me, sending off the wench with a flea
in her ear, and l felt under his eye an
uncomfortable consciousness that my
purse was empty. Two or three late
arrivals, to whom I suppose master
their stand also in a half circle and
scanned me queerly. Altogether it
struck me suddenly that 1 was in a
tight place and had need of my wits.
"Ahem!" said the bailiff abruptly,
taking skillful advantage of a lull in
the talk. Where from last, young
man." He spoke in a deep, choky
voice, and if I were not mistaken he
Winked one of his small eyes in the di-
rection of his friends, as though to say,
Now see me pose him!"
But l only put another morsel in my
mouth. For the moment indeed the
temptation to reply "Towcester," see
ing that such a journey over a middling
road was something to brag of before
the highway law came in, almost over
came me. But in time I bethought of
Stephen GARDENERS maxim, BE slow to
speak," and 1 put another morsel in
my mouth.
The bailiff's face grew red, or rather
redaer. Come young man, did o
hear me speak?" he said pompouslv.
Where from last?"
From the road, sir" I replied, turn
ing to him as if I had not heard him
before. And a very wet road it was"
A mar who sat next me chuckled
beng apparently a stranger like my
self. But the bailiff puffed himself into
a still more striking likeness to King
Henry, and including him in his scowl
shouted at me: "Sirrah, don't handy
words with me. Which way did you
come along the road" 1 asked.
1t was on the tip of my tongue to
answer saucily. THE right way" But
| reflected h a I might be stopped,
and to be stopped might mean to be
hanged at worst. and something very
unpleasant at best. So I controlled my
self ana answered, though the mans
arrogance was provoking enough: 1T
have come from Stratford. and T ann
going to London. Now you know as
much as l do
DO I?' he said with a sheer and a
Wink at the landlord.
Yes. I think So" 1 answered patient
We'll, 1 don't" he retorted in vulgar
triumph. Il don't. 1t is my opinion
that o have come from
l went on with my supper.
DO you hear?" he asked pompously.
k his arms akimbo and LOOKING.
round for sympathy. You will have
to give an account of yourself vn nane
man. We will have no penniless rognes
and sturdy vagabonds wandering about
st. Albans." "Do"'
rogues do not go a horse
back, L answered. But it was Won
oefIui now my spirits sank under that
WORD 'npnnitnSS tn L;x -. -.
Wait a Bit" he said, raising his
hnger to command attention for for his
next question. What is your relirinn
young mann"
on replied, putting down my
Knlfe and looking open scorn at him.
you are an lnquisitor, are your" At
winch words of mine there was a kind
or stir. You would burn me as I hear
tley burned Master Sandars ait Gov
entry last week, would you? They
were talking about it down the road .
'You will come to a bad end. young
man he retorted %viciously, hfs OUT
stretched finger shaking as il the palsy
had seized him, for this time my taunt
had gone home, n more than one
of the listeners standing or the outer
edge of the group, n SO beyond his
ken. had muttered shame" More than
one face had grown dark. You will
come to a a end" he repeated. .If
1T be not here, then somewhere else.
1t is my opinion that you have lust
come from London and that you have
been in trouble. There is a hue and
cry for a young fellow just your e
and a cock of your hackle, 1 judge, who
Is wanted for heresy. A Londoner. too.
You do not leave here until you have
given an account Of yourself. Master
Jack-a-Dandy!" The party had all
risen round me, and some Of the hind
most had got on benches to see the
better. Among these. between two
bacon fitches. I caught a glimpse of
the serving maids face as she peered
at me. pale and scared, and a queer
impulse led me to nod to her-a re-
assuring little nod. l found myself
growing cool and confident. seeing nv
self so cornered.
Easy, easy!" / said. Let a man
peace" W
"Hishop Bonner will warm your
- dare say-as they warm people in
He VIII be Bishop Burner to vents
shrleked the bailtff, almost beside him
SELF with rage at being so bearded by
Take oare.." retorted. .Do not
you speak evil of dignitaries. or vo,,
VIII be getting into h