The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-07-11
THE GHOST OF
ANNE BOLEYN
What a Traveller BeheId at
the ScaffOId on Tower Hill.


The young Earl of Emberton, who
since childhood had been in France,
had Just returned and was passing
over Tower hill. Before him against
the yellow strip doomed the silhouette
scaffold, the sinking moon at the mo-
seeming to rest upon the block where
that day had been bowed the head of
the young queen.
singular muttered the earl, that
the red crescent should be in that posi-
ton"
AS he drew near the scaffold he
heard a low moan and then noticed for
the first time, seated on the lowest
step, q woman, her head bent to her
knees, her face buried in her hands.
MADAM" he said, greatly surprised.
81 marvel to find you in this grewsome
place at such an hour. How came you
here?
The woman raised her head. and En-
berton saw that she was young and
comely. She was not weeping, yet on
her face was a strange distress. Her
costume was rich, denoting that she
was of high degree, her robe being of
silk, though without any adornment
whatever. Around her neck was a
broad black velvet band, but even from
this no jewel or trinket was suspended.
'Oh, SIR" she said. take me away!
I was here with the crowd today. and
when it was over all went to their
homes but I. It was cruel to leave me
here alone"
"But your menials? If your friends
deserted you, surely those dependent
upon your bounty
''They all went together, and 1. dazed
by the multitude, the solemn words of
the man of God. the grim figure of the
executioner, the glitter of the ak in the
sun, must have fallen into swoon,
for have only just now come to con-
sciousness.'
II cannot imagine" said the earl,
perplexed, chow your friends and serv-
ants could have been so brutal
Brutal! Can you expect tenderness
from a people whose kings divorces
are written in blood?'
'Come away" said the young man.
'You are trembling; you are faint"
where shall go?" she asked. fixing
despairing eyes upon him.
'"To your people,
"Oh, my peopleY' she said. wall in
her voice. do you think that they
would welcome me after what occur
red todayY'
'"Then you must come with me-" said
the earl. ITO stay here another hour
would drive you to a madhouse."
In Emberton's heart suddenly. with
out requiring time to develop, there
was born a great love for this desolate
being who had passed through so
strange an ordeal. Since she did not
move he sat down beside her. A chill
wind made her SILVER, and he folded
his cloak around her, leaving his arms
about the cloak. His eyes fell upon
the band at her neck, and as his hand
rested upon her shoulder he took the
ribbon in his fingers and moved 1t just
so far that in the dim light he saw
what he thought was a fine red line.
She drew his hand away. Hers was
as cold as ice.
"'Go with me- he pleaded. 'You are
cold and desolate. I will warm your
heart with mine. 1 will make you for
get this dreadful place. I will take you
to sunny France. This dreary town is
not fit for one so delicate, so sensitive.
In France there are no troubles. The
court and the mobiles live in bright Par
is. with its gardens. while the peasants
tread the purple grapes in the wine
watts, singing gayly. came from there
only today. We will go back together"
She turned her eyes upon his and
seemed to drink in every word. He
fancied color coming into the pale
cheek; that the icy hand he held in his
was less cold.
81 will go with you," she said, 'and
love you forever. but first let me take
one last look at the block"
"No, no." he cried; mo more of death!
Come rather into life''
Despite his pleadings she moved up
tue StcpS, lOOkIuS DdCk DIT I'LL WISH
fully. He held her hand, but it seemed
to slip from his as if it were unreal.
He caught at her robe. but it was fut-
tering in the wind and eluded his grasp.
Listen" she said, pausing
It seemed that he could hear a low
murmuring Of many voices. Then all
was still.
She moved on, mounting each step
heavily, as if weighted with lead, till
she had reached the platform. Then.
waving her hand to him as if in adieu.
she kneeled and placed her head upon
me block.
Emberton fancied he heard something
moving swiftly through the air, thud
as Of steel entering wood
The next morning at daylight as the
watch moved across Tower hill he dis
covered the Earl Of Emberton lying in
a stupor at the foot of the scaffold. He
was taken to his home. where he lay
for months with diseased brain. and