The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-03-05

do the wave and trough of the sea.
only less regularly, l made my way
toward Wootton Wawen. AS soon as
l espied its battlemented church lying
In a wooded bottom below me | kept
a more easterly course, and leaving
Henley-in-Arden far to the left passed
down toward Leek Wootton. The
damp, dead bracken underfoot, the leaf
less oaks and gray sky overhead-nay,
the very cry of the bittern fishing in
the bottoms-seemed to be at one with
my thoughts, for these were dreary
and sad enough.
But hope and a fixed aim form no
bad makeshifts for happiness. Strik-
ing the broad London road as 1 had
purposed, ! slept that night at Ryton
Dunsmoor and the next at Towcester,
and the third day, which rose bright
and frosty, found me stepping gayly
southwark, travel stained indeed, but
the temperature. For a time l put the
past behind me and found amusement
In the sights of the road-in the heavy
wagons and long trains of pack horses
and the CHEEKY greetings which met
me with each mile. After all, l had
youth and strength, and the world be-
fore me, and particularly Stony STRAIT
ford, where l meant to dine.
There was one trouble common
among wayfarers which did not touch
IRE, anu llidl was the rear OF ROBBERS,
for he would be a sturdy beggar who
would rob an armed foot passenger
Tor the sake of an angel, and the greats
were gone. So / felt no terrors on that
account, and even when about noon I
heard a horseman trot up behind me
and rein in his horse so as to keep
pace with me at a walk, step for step
"a thing which might have seemed
suspicious to some-I took no heed OF
MIN: was engaged with my first view
or Stratford and did not turn my head.
We had walked on so for so PAGES or
more before it struck me as odd that
the man did not pass me.
Ihen L turned, and shading my eyes
from the sun, which stood just over his
shoulder, said, Good day, friend"
Good day, master he answered..
lie was a stout fellow, looking like
a citizen, although he had a sword by
his side and wore it with an air of i'm
portance which the sunshine Of oppor-
tunlty might have ripened into a swag-
ger. his dress was plain, and he sat
might have sat it. His face was the
last thing l looked at. When I raised
my eyes TO 1t, l got an unpleasant
start. Ihe man was no stranger. I
Knew MIN in a moment for the mes
senger who had me. to the
ehancellor's presence.
The remembrance did not please. me.
and reading in the follows sly look
that he recognized me and thought he
had made a happy discovery on finding
me L matted abruptly. He did the same.
1t is a fine morning." he said, taken
aback by my sudden movement, but af-
fecting an Indifference which the
sparkle in his eye belied. "A rare day
for the time of year"
1T Is answered, gazing steadily at
him.
Going to London? Or may be onlv
to Stratford?' he h~azarded. He idget-
ed uncomfortably under my eve. but
still pretended ignorance of me.
That IS as may be-" L answered.
mo o%ffense, l am sure he said.
L cast a quick glance up and down
the road. There happened to be no one
in sight. Look here!" 1 replied. stem
ping onward to lay my hand on the
horses shoulder, but the man reined
oack ana prevented me-. thereby giving
me a clew to his character, you are In
the service of the bishop of Winches-
ter"
His face fell, and he could not con
ceal his disappointment at being recog-
nized. We'll, master" he nswered re-
luctantly, perhaps I am, and perhaps
1 am not"
This is enough I said shortly.
'ALU you know me. O need not lie,
about 1t. man, for 1 can see you do.
Now, look here, Master Steward, or
whatever your name may bel
1T is Master P~ritchard," he put in
sulklly, and L am not ashamed of it,"
Very Well. Then let us understand
one another. DO you mean to interfere
with me?"
IIe grinned- well, to be plain. T do"
he replied. refining his horse back an
other step. Il have orders to look out
for you and have you stopped if I find
YOU. And L must do my duty, sir. r
am sworn to it. Master Cludde."
Fight" said I calmly, land 1 must,
do mine, which is to take care of NV
skim And / drew my sword and ad.
vanced upon him with a flourish. 1--WE
will soon decide this little matter" r
added grtmly, one eye on him and one
on the empty road. tif you will he.
good enough to defend yourself"
But there was no fight in the fellow.
By good luck. too, he was so startled
that he did not do what he might have,
done with safety-namely, retreat and,
keep me in sight until some passersbv
came up. He did give back Indeed. but
1T was against the bank. Have a
care!' he cried in a fume, his eve fol-
lowing my sword ~nervously. He did
not try to draw his own. There is no
call for fighting, I say"
But I say there is" I replied blunt
ly.
Cali and cause? Either you fight
me. or l go where I please"
You may go to Bath for met" he
spluttered, his face the color of a tur-
key cocks wattles with rage.
Continued Next Weekly f