The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1910-03-31
In Cromwell's
Time
By FRANK H.. SWEET
Twas the 9Th of September, 81, as

Twas the 9Th of September, III, as
rode up the Newbury road. 1t
seemed that years rather than a few
days, had passed since l fought with
my liege on Inflated Worcester field.
And now in the bitter anguish of my
heart, I cursed the fates that had made
Cromwell ruler of England, and my
king an exile from his land.
Thus a my thoughts, when a sud-
den scream came from the road be-
hind.
Hastily tightening my armor, l
wheeled my horse and waited. Around
a bend in the road came two men, and
betwixt them a maid, quite sad and
forlorn. The sight of their Puritanic
garb set the blood .tingling in my
veins.
Whence came you, sir?" demand
ed he who appeared to be in com
mand; you look jaded."
Verify, Master Rowe" sneered the
other, casting a suspicious glance at
me, "he seems surely spent, as though
he had ridden from afar, from Worces.
ter field"
But I cared not to disclose myself
so early in the play. and so turned to
them with a light laugh. #
SOFTLY, softly, Master Rowe" l an
swered. "all in good time. But whence
take you the maid?"
"She hath a ribald tongue, even for
a royalist, and dost this night, with the
help of God, lodge in Newbury JAIL"
he answered.
Mechanically J. gave my name in an
swer to their questioning glances, for
I was looking at the maid, from the.
dainty poise of her head to the modest
show of ankle meath her gown. AL
ready I knew my heart was no longer.
my own, and the wistful look she bent
on me searched out my very soul.
Awhile I sat in silence. Then l
threw myself from my horse and
walked past them, they making reluc-
tant way for me.
What name, child?" l asked.
Margaret Grant, sir" she answered
prettily, dropping me a courtesy. Then,
with a sudden defiance: 9" believe in
my king" #
Say nc more, child" I interrupted;
"and care you to go to Newbury?"
May" she made answer, drawing a
pace nearer me. Twas entirely I'M
looked for, this act of confidence, and
it set the red blood dancing merrily in
my veins.
Then" Quoth I, unsheathing my
sword, with the help of God you shall
not CO."
In an instant the two had drawn. Z
"Have a care" clustered one Puri-
tan, thou art resisting the lord gen
eral, Master Rue"
"'Tis no new sensation" 1 answered
lightly. ''Twas but yesterday I resist
ed him at Worcester field"
The rogue went white to the lips at
my words, and drew back a step. But
Master Rowe, made of sterner stuff,
without more ado, faced me.
Twas a bout quite handily waged.
Thrice he foiled me, but on the fourth
attempt I found him, and his life went
out in a spasm of agony.
Twas scarce done when the second
Puritan, who, perchance, had been but
,biding his time, sprang at me The
maids frightened cry was my warning,
and l turned In time to receive his on
set. At last he rolled into the road by
the side of his fellow knave.
Twas but the work of a moment to
seize Margaret around the waist and
swing her into the saddle before me.
Something in the touch sem a hot
wave through my body, and scarce
knowing what l did, I bent forward in
the saddle and kissed her full on the
lips. Then digging my rowels into my
horse we sprang away, but not before
her dainty hand had left a livid, smart
Ing imprint on my cheek.
My face flushed crimson over the in
suit l had offered her, and l felt her
body tremble in the arm l was forced
to keep about her waist. Anon I
thought she was weeping, and my soul
rose up In anger against me.
Fool that l was" l muttered, gaz.
ing ruefully at the pretty curve of
throat and chin, AYE, fool"
May" she made reply, in a voice
that set my heart beating wildly,
only a trifle indiscreet."
Slowly, ever fearfully, l frightened
my arm around her waist and gradual
ly drew her head toward my shoulder,
Gently l turned her face, until her
eyes looked into mine, and twas a kiss
that sealed our love.