The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-09-24
THE -
Storyof Francis C1udde
A Romance Of Queen Mary's Reign.
BY TANLEY J. WEYMAN.

cried aloud. Come. talk sense. Their,
are no swallows flying at this time
or year. and If there were they de
not ny by night nor give men wounds
IRe mat was it? Out with 1t
now! DO you not see, man he added
giving Martin an impatient shake, tina
Sir Anthony is waiting
Inc fool nodded stupidity. "A swal.
low he Aye, twas {
swallow, a great big swallow. L.
nearly put my foot on him."
"And he flew up and hit you in the
face?" Baldwin said, with huge con-
tempt in his tone.
Martin accepted the suggestion plac-
Idly. Aye, twas so. A great big swal-
peated.
Sir Anthony looked at him com
passtonately. Poor fellow" he said
baldwin, see to him. He has had one
or his fits and hurt himself"
never knew him to hurt himself
Baldwin muttered darkly.
LEI somebody see to him." the
knight said, disregarding the Interrupt
ton. And now come, Petronilla. WHY,
where has the girl gomez"
NOT far. Only round to the other
size OF MN, thai she might be a little
nearer to Martin. The curiosity in the
other won1en's faces was a small thing
in comparison with the startled ear.
Nis Six sdZeu al the
man with eyes. not of alright, but of
eager. avid questioning, while through
her parted lips her breath came in
gasps. Her cheek was red and white
py turns, and for her heart-well 1t
had seemed to stand still a moment
hna now was beating like the
heart OF some poor captured bird
held In the hand She did not
seem to hear her father sneak
70 her, and he a to touch her sleeve.
lhen she started as though she were
aWakellhg from a dream and followed
him sadly into the house.
Sadly, and yet there was a light in
her eyes which had not been there five
minutes before. A swallow? A great
Dig swallow? And his was December
when the swallows We're at the bottom
or the horse ponds. She only knew of
oiis sWaiioW whose return was possible
III winter. But then that one swallow
aye, though the snow should lie inches
deep IN the chase n the water should
freeze IN her roonl-would make a sum-
ner Tor her. Could ii be that one?
could 1t be? Petronilla's heart was
oealihs SO loudly as she went up stairs
AFTER her father that she wondered he
did not hear II.
Inc group left round Martin gradu-
ally melted away. Baldwin was the
only man who could deal with him In
ms mad hts, and the other servants.
VIII q and a backward glance.
gladly left him to the steward. Mis-
tress Anne had gone in some time. Only
FERDINAND Cludde remained, and he
stood a little apart and seemed more
deeply engaged in listening for any
sound which might betoken the sher-
M = approach than In hearkening to
their conversation. Listen as he might
ne Won! have gained little from the
latter, for 1t vas made UP entirely of
scoldlng on one side and stupid reit-
Grafton on the other. Yet Ferdinand.
ever suspicious and or his guard, must
nave ielt some interest in 1t. for he
presently called the steward to him. rs
be more fool or knave?' he muttered.
pointing under hand at Martin. who
stood In the gloom a few PAGES away.
Baldwin shrugged his shoulders. but
remained silent. What happened .
What is the meaning of it all?" Ferdi-
hand persisted. his keen eyes on the
self, or who did it?'
Baldwin turned slowly and nodded
toward the moat. II expect Won will
find him who did it there he said
grimly. II never knew a man save Sir
Anthony or Master Francis hit Martin,
yet but he paid for 1t, and when his
temper is up he is mad, or as good as
mao, n better than two sane menu
"He Is a dangerous fellow Ferdi-
said thoughtfully, shivering a lit
tie. II was unlike him to shiver and
snake, but the bravest have their
moods.
Dangerous? ?" the steward answered
AYE, he Is to some and sometimes"
Ferdinand Cludde looked sharply at
he's speaker, as IL he suspected him Of q
covert sheer. But Baldwin's gloomy
face betrayed no CLINT Of intelligence or
amusement, and the knights brother,
treasured and yet uneasy turned on his
heel n Went n the house, meeting
at the door a servant who came to tell
him that Sir Anthony was calling FOR.
him. Baldwin Moor, left alone. stood
q moment thinking and then turned to
speak to Martin. But Martin was gone
ana was nowhere to be seen. The lights
in the hall windows twinkled cheerily.
and theg great fire cast It's glow wav
across the courtyard, as lights and Are
had twinkled and glowes! at Cotton End
on many q night before. But neither
answering Ilerriment. Baldwin. COM
his way, and The nleii moved NEE naek Il
and without retort, taking his oaths for
what they were--a mans tears. The
women folk sat listening. pale and
frightened. and n or two or the
grooms. those who had done least in
the skirrnish, had visions OF a tree and
a rope and looked sickly. The rest
scoWled and blinked at the Are or
kicked up a 9 II 1t barked In It's
sleep.
Hasn't Martin come in 2" Baldwin
growlsd presently, setting his heavy
wet boot on a glowing log, which Kissed
and sputtered under 1t. Where is he ~
Don't Know" one OF the men took
on himself to answer. He did not
Eeome In here
wonder what he is up to now ~
Baldwin exclaimed, with gloomy irri-
i~tations for which, under the circum-
stances, he had ample excuse He
knew that resistance was utterly hope
less and could only make matters
worse and twist the rope more tight,
about his neck, to put the Thought al
he framed IL. The suspicion, there
fore, that this madnan-for such ii
his worst fits the fool became-smigh,
be hanging round the place IN darl
corners. doing what deadly mischie,
he could to the attacking party, wal
II not s pleasant
gray haired man In the warmes
nook By the fire seemed to read hi.
Thoughts There It's one IN the house,
4 hesAid slowly and oracuIarly, his eye
ON Hafdwfn'n boot, swhorn he hax Jus
as good mind 70 hurt. d oNr Mar
tim as any or them Clopton nen. Aye
TINT q hs. Master Eaidwin''s
8MAnd who dis that, Eafer?" Baldwi,
pasked ccnsemptuunsly
But the old fellow turned shy. Vell