The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-06-03

they had taken 1t earlier in the even
ing, and which formed the sole remains
OF once prosperous farm.
Left by himself in the darkness,
Father Franklin stumbled painfully
along the passage, guided only by the
sound of the brook which also served
to render his footballs inaudible Every
now and again his feet strayed into
pools Of water that laid in hollows of
the rocks. To add to his discomfort,
water dripped freely from the roof at
intervals. He had candle in his peck
ct, but he dared not risk lighting it.
From time to time he listened, but all
was silence
Even if the priest-hunters had found
the passage they had evidently missed
the right entrance and perhaps they
had thought it merely the mouth of a
spring. The. dawn was breaking pale
and watery in the eastern sky when he
emerged from the underground dark
ness and seated himself for few mo-
ments to recover his breath and con-
slider plan of action. To reach his
fathers house through the secret pas
sage was the easier way; but it was
tolerably certain that the pursuivant's
men, even though they might not have
discovered the entrance, would keep so
strict watch that he would be caught
like a rat in a trap.
After a few moments consideration
he struck out for the open country. It
INIT ui, he hoI cd
on English SOIL after eleven months of
weary exile. He had aged unnaturally,
his hair that had been black scare two
years ago, was nearly white, and there
were deep lines about his eyes and
mouth, that pain had traced in the
young priests face In the breaking
dawn he walked YEARLY, taking advan-
tage of every covert and the shelter
of every friendly hedge on the way to
the house of good Catholic yeoman
where he would at least be sure to find
refreshment and rest for few hours.
Then he was anxious to get as far as
he might be from Dane Court, for he
feared to bring trouble on the heads
of those he loved. Even in the midst
of his anxieties, the thought of his
beautiful sister, Betty, brought a smile
to his lips and prayer to his heart
that she might be spared the worst
sufferings of those unhappy days, or
that she might be brave, both for her
self and for those she loved For him
self he was absolutely fearless. He
had already tasted the cup of suffer
ing, and his ardour was undated
Nay, he coveted the martyrs palm
that he had so nearly won when,
through the intervention of a friend
at court he had been set at liberty with
orders to leave the country forthwith.
Topham was lying in wait at Dane
Court with file of soldiers. The house
was in darkness, very much to his
justification. Midnight had passed,
and no person had been seen to ap-
proach the court, though careful
watch had been maintained by the cor
Edon of sentries. One o'clock brought
no change, and Topham assembled his
followers before the main entrance,
and demanded admission in the name
of the Queens Grace" Then he re-
tired, leaving one Stilton to act in his
place for he was well known to Master
Franklin and his family, and did not
wish his connection with this arrest
to become known to them. After re-
peated knockings the bolts and chains
of the great door were slowly with
drawn and an old grey-haired serving
man confronted them.
Enter in the Queens NAME" he
said. What is your errand?"
II would confer with Master Geof-
frey Franklin"
"He is from home, SIR
''You lie! Tell him I demand to see
him in the Queens name"
HE is not here. He rode forth this
afternoon, and he has not returned"
Topham's deputy turned to his men.
Arrest this person. he said. A SOL
died stepped forward to execute the
| command, but the priest-hunter
changed his mind. Let him CO." he
said, "it is i'll wasting time on such
small game. We will cen search the
house. Then followed one of the
scenes that were only too common in
the days of good Queen Bess." Sol
diers penetrated into every room in
the house. They thrust their swords
| carelessly into beds and hangings, re-
CARELESS of damage to the owners
property When they had searched
every corner, they loaded themselves
with everything of value that they
could remove, and finished it by set
ting fire to the Court itself, nor left it
until it was reduced to mass of
! smoking ruins. The servants fled in
all directions, into the woods, or wher-
ever the darkness lay thickest The
pale watery sun rose above the horizon
as a column of smoke curled upward
from amidst the trees of Dane Court
Park. Father Franklin stood for a
moment shading his eyes with his
hands until long tongue of fame
shot upward, right into the heart Of