The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-07-23
ON THE WAY
TO THE BLOCK.
(Original.1

One day some two and half cen.
turtles ago the Lady Arabella Boyle,
borne in her "chair' by couple OF
mcnials on the Strand in London, was
stopped Mt Temple Bar, the way being
narrow, by u small party on foot. The
lady put her head out of the chair win.
dow to learn the cause Of the delay.
She saw prisoner in charge Of guards.
A sudden thought struck the Lady
Arabclla.
"Wh'ther are you going?" she asked
Of the officer Of the guard.
ITO Tyburn. may it please your lady.
ship"
"What to dog
''To cut Off this mans head"
"And surprising 1t plcases me to mar.
ry himy"
you'll have husband without a
head"
"That's just the kind Of husband I
want. and none other"
She babe her lackcys set down the
chair and sent one OF them to fetch Il
Clergyman. In II few minutes he re-
turned with one. and. the prisoner con-
scnting. the knot was tied. Then the
procession moved on to Tybu1,, and
the Lady AraiGlla proceeded on her
way much pleased with the adventure.
| Though but twenty-five years old, she
was heels over head in debt, and at
that time there was law in England
n vSnSN
absolved from all she owed. In the
course Of half an hour she would he
widow, having got rid of both hus-
band and debt.
But fate decreed that the delay of
the marriage should save the prison.
ers life. When lie was kneeling be-
fore the block ut Tyburn and the OK
ecutioner was about to raise his AK
horscman was seen coming like the
wind holding aloft paper. The ak
was stayed till the messenger arrived,
and the paper proved to he an order
to suspend the execution and commit
the prisoner to the Tower.
A week later London was in ecstasy
over the return of King Charles H.,
and all persons imprisoned on account
Of loyalty to him were released. Alex
ander Yeoman, the son of a country
squire. walked out of the Tower with
no yoke upon his shoulders except the
yoke of matrinlony, which he had no
desire to throw off. The vision Of
beauty that had come down from
heaven, 1t seemed, while be was on
the way to Tyburn was not forgotten
by him. For political reasons his re.
prieve was not published. His wife
Immediately after her wedding and
supposed widowhood sought solace in
Paris. where she proceeded to plunge
again into debt in the gayeties of the
French capital. She returned some
time after the accession Of the new
king and entirely ignorant Of the fact
that she was a married woman.
One evening at ball ut the palace
the king sought her and said: II de.
sire to present to you one of my gen.
tlcmen in waiting. He is more to you
than any other man, for lie has given
you absolution, though you have given
him life. Can you guess who lie is?'
"Absolution comes only from heaven,
your majesty. and If haze given him
life must DC his mother
The king laughed and directed Alex.
"nt!er Woman to be brought to him.
When he arrived he stood before the
beautiful -trai,cl'a Il young man
scarcely elder than herself.
"lf this is my son." she said to the
king, II must have borne him in III,
babyhood."
You have met before" said the
king. 'Do you not remember his
facc:"
The lady looked at Yeolnan curious.
ly. No she said ut last. Il do not
remember ever to have seen him be.
| fore"
THAT may be because when we met
l had suffered from a long distemper."
said Woman, land was sore dis
! tressed."
"And what distressed you?"
Faith" said the king, "he was near.
ing corruption
Your majesty is speaking in rid
dies" said Arabella.
Rather put it." said Woman. "that
was granted glimpse of heaven
before was to become food for
worms"
"A truce to this talk" said the lady,
'and tell me where we have met"
"Never mind that" said the king, Eat
least for the present. The gentleman,
having been stanch supporter of his
rightful king, deserves his reward.
Alexander Woman. kneel! Now arise,
Sir Alexander Yeoman." and the king,
drawing hi! sword. rested it on the
young mans shoulder. II have an es.
tate for You in Surrey" he continued,
taken from Il notorious Roundhead, an
estate valued at 100000. would pro
vide YOU with Il wife, but the Lady
Arabeila has forestalled me in that
Lady Arahe!la Woman. this is Your