The Irish standard., 1909-06-19
n an ugly fashion to the fellow mex,

pICoSuIlJ O0 SoyAA6 ludL ne QlQ not
deal justice to Dame Alice Lisle."
The man that he addressed WINGED
and smiled uneasily for twas we'll
known that the. popular feeling ran
high upon the scandalous trial, which
was but newly concluded, though 1
wondered to hear the prime engine of
that. infamous conviction jest so wan
tonly upon 1t.
"Sirrah." he said. you have sig
nal charter for your tongue. can per-
ceive. 1t is righteous conscience
keeps you in countenance. You are
bold upon your virtues. l have met
your kidney before, and If l must
hang a knave, prefer to hang one
with an insolent front to him that
snivels. l would disembowel t'other
in the pillory. There is too much
softness in this modern justice"
"My lord" says l, you speak my
feelings like book. Faith, would
griddle the canting rogue with these
two hands,"
"'Twould be strange, to learn, sir
rah," said his lordship to me, "out Of
a natural curiosity what robbed thee
of thy senses to fetch thee here. IT'S
an odd new policy for the hare to lie
down with the fox"
With that got to my feet. my
lord" said I, very boldly and in a pub.
lie voice, Il have come here unin-
vited, It's true. and prefer you my
apologies for the trespass; but l have
come upon a pressing private business
with your lordship."
His lordship stared at me with q
sour look in his eye "lndeed?" says
he, harshly. Il am not used to have
any business with one Of your kidney,
and that not private he says. MY
lord" said I, "'tis the most urgent
message, and needeth instant de-
livery"
WELL" said he, In his tyrannical
fashion, II hope we shall hear good of
this message; for l swear, If do
not will have thee hanged the high
err. and he motioned to me to draw
nearer, at the same time that the
other gentlemen of the kings counsel
withdrew to the bottom Of the room,
conversing together. But the Off.
GERS approached, and stood little
way off by Jeffreys' signal, but keep.
ing out Of earshot.
"Who are you, fellow. and what pre-
lenses are these you make?" asked
his lordship, roughly, as soon as we
were alone, but examining me with
curiosity.
my lord" said I, II make no pre-.
lenses, as shall assure you; and as
for myself, believe. me that play q
truer part than does appear"
He started and stared at me under
his brows in suspicion. What prince?"
he asked, brusquely.
There Is but one,' said I boldly,
land one that. shall rest SO no longer
by Gods grace and the trusty arms
Of England" .,-.r---~..-
"You mean the prince Of Granger"
he asked, in a lower voice. l nodded.
You are a bold man." he said, ito
bring me this message"
II would do that and more than
that for the good Of the cause" said /.
Jehreys was silent, and then:
Come, what is this message, them"
he inquired with a sardonic glance.
Events have been stirring in the
low country" said /, "as your lord.
ship will be aware. The whole OF
the north is disahfected against his
majesty. 1t needs but to land" said,
and your lordship knows what might
happen"
Il think, sir. we were to come to
quarters said Jeffreys, in low voice,
but still in his imperious way.
Well, II he would take it, he was
to have 1t then and there. 1.-The
prince" says I, whispering, "is already
landed"
g He started before my eyes, but re.
covering himself, II have had runners
from Plymouth this afternoon" he
said, "and there was no news Of i'm.
port
May said T. 1T was not from
Plymouth come. my lord"
"You remind me OF my duty" he
exclaimed stetrnly. Deliver this
message. for can tarry no longer"
my lord" said I, II would have
come to 1t sooner were 1t not for
your distrust. am charged by the
prince himself, no less. ! have rid
den all day upon a circuit. Three
noblemen were named, and your lord
ship also. The prince lies on English
soil tonight and would confer with
these four faithful subjects"
This is very we'll, sirrah. You make
an excellent liar" he said You
would come here and offer me
cock-and-bull tale, thinking me a lack
wit to see you so impudently stand in
your lie"
my lord" said I, as warm as may
be, "see in what my position stands.
l am come here, penetrating to your
very fireside. I staked my head upon
the risk TITS in your office to sound
. word, and these fellows will take me
forth upon capital charge Of treason.
I have cast my die for the good cause.
Yet my death, which would be an
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