The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-27


 gathering. Seated by the fire of the pub lfo room was a man who took no part 1T the conversation of the other guests. He was plainly dressed, of spare but sinewy frame. and had a countenance which was stern and forbidding; but yet he had in it something of high resolve and across which came now and then, as through a sombre cloud, flash of that fanaticism which in many of the Cove sanity, if not beyond that verge. Both- well, swaggering about and insulting such of the guests as he happened to not like the appearance of, signaled out the si- lent man who sat with his hat drawn down over his moody brow and com manded that ha take a drink.
 'we will give him the test" cried the reckless soldier. ."He shall drink to the Archbishop of St Andrews" At first the stranger seemed about to demur, for James Sharp, Archbishop of St. Andrews, to the Covenanters all that they most abhorred and hated of what they called ''prelaoy." But suddenly the seemed to change his mind. He took a filled glass in his hand. and said in stern tones: '"The Archbishop of St. Andrews and the placa be now worthily holds; may every prelate in Scotland soon be as the Right Reverend James Sharp" Bothwelrs insolence at length began to irriate Morton, and, seeing which, the soldier said: If Captain Popinjay now,
 ta a bout with broadsword or backsword, single napier or double napier, for gold noble, zounds there would be some sense in it. or would the pumpkins but wres- tie. or pitch the bar, or put the stone. There are those who carry about with them things they are afraid to draw and he touched Morton's sword.
 Morton's patience now gave way and he was about to make an angry answer, when the stranger stepped forward and said: This is my quarrel. Hark thee, friend (to Both well), wilt thou wrestle a fall with me?" With my whole heart, beloved" returned Bothwell mockingly; yea. will wrestle with thee even unto the fall" Boutwell, was strong and the wrestling match was a tough one, but 1t ended by the soldier being thrown so violently that for a minute he lay senseless. Give me thy hand" said Bothwell when he finally rose. "I prom ise thee that we will try this out again, and try it over in earnest. And" con tinued the soldier. If thou art a Whig I warn thee that you had better take your nag and begone before the Cornet makes his round. for I promise thee he has often stayed less suspicious per
 sons" T promise thee," replied the stranger, that when we meet again will lay thy head as low as it lay even to lift it up again."
 But the stranger seemed to think that BothwelPs warning was not to be and, calling for his horse, said to Morton: "I ride toward Miln- wood, which, I understand, is also your way. Will you give me the advantage md protection of your company" Certainly" said Morton. and, paying he reckoning and taking a courteous cave of the company, he rode forth with the stranger.
 Now, a great crime had been com nitted that night-one of those crimes If history, which had in it much to
 commend to lovers of liberty, of con cience and civil freedom. Archbishop Sharp had been wantonly and cruelty murdered on Mangus Muir and John 3alfour of Burley, who now rode by dortons side, had been the leader of he assassins. The news reached the lostelry they had left before they were ar on their journey, and it was not ong before Morton and his companion card cavalry coming behind them. T m pursued by the bloodhounds of the riests," said Balfour. T am that John 'alfour who saved your fathers life, lmost with the loss of his own, at the attle of Marston Moor. You have card of him?" "Often," replied Mor- on. Well" continued Balfour, "yon- CT stands your uncle's house. I see he lights among the trees. The aven-
 CT of blood is behind me and my death 5 certain unless I have refuge there Tow make thy choice: to shrink from he side of thy fathers friend like a hief in the night and leave him ex- 'osed to the bloody death from which le rescued thy father, or to expose
 hine ancle's worldly goods to such peril as in this preverse generation at- ends those who give morsel of bread pr a cup of water to a Christian perish
 ng for the lack of refreshment"
 Thus appealed to. Morton consented to hide Burley for the night in an unused room over one of the outhouses, and se- cretly conveyed to him there food and drink. The soldiers in pursuit of Balfour of Burley did not reach Milnmood that night as its owner, though a Presby- terian, was known to be well affected to- ward the government and one who would not hazard his possessions in harboring one of the violent sect of the Covenant CTS. In the morning Balfour departed. seeking his fellows who had drawn to arms in the neighboring hills. Morton had slept but i'll that night, and when he did sleep his dreams had been haunted by the face of Edith Bellenden. After refecting a day or two Henry resolved to abandon Scotland and seek his fortune as a sol- dier on the continent; to be no longer a penniless dependent upon his uncle, but
 win enough of fame and fortune to dare ask for the hand of the woman he loved This resolve he communicated to his uncle one morning three days later. But the old miser would hear nothing of such a proposition. for, in spite of his
 niggardliness. he really had regard for his nephew and desired him to stay upon the place. Then Henry might be useful.