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The Seaforth News, 1937-03-04, Page 8PAGE 'SIX. THE SEAFORTH NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1937. "Nay, my lord," protested the cap- tain, "you will have the wisdom to see with what folly you would resist. You would' not imperil my lady by such rashness. I mould for my part that 1 lenew •not your face. being acquainted with it in the town; but we are under orders to take you, though we had not looked for you so far south," "You are undone, any lord; you are undone," cried 'Ravel, who took this capture to heart exceedingly, "Nay," said my lord, not changing face or voice. "Not till London," making a play upon the words, by which he signified that there was yet the journey to town for his captors to achieve. "Yet if I must surrender, there is no word of any other?" .said he to the captain. The soldier hesitated. "i ant to be excused," said he, simply. "but the words were 'try lord Cherwell and whoso may be of his party.'" \1y lord shrugged his shoulders, "They war still upon women," he said, "'Tie that Judas." IHe gave up his weapon to the of- ficer. but as he did so, Ryder turned bis horse about, and put her nose to the bank upon one side of the road, where the wood was less dense: The (brave beast, rocking and rearing. yet climbed to the top, and ere the sol- diers had recovered their wits from the disturbance of rthis audacity, the mare shot with a crackling of sticks into the forest, and disappeared in the dunk with a shoot from the highway- man, and a dribbling stutter of mus- kets. There was no pursuit of Ryder, for. indeed, it would have been useless in that rough forest, but the officer in command gave directions for a start, and the two troops joining. both set out towards (Lyndhurst. It was manifest that they had strict or- der, and they were to conduct my lord to London. The captain rode by the coach with tw.t of his men, and apologized for the necessity he had. But my lord Cherwell was very af- fable, and conversed with hint agree- ably. hearing the news of town. and comforting my lady now and then. Half the troop drew out in front. and half was behind; and after the lapse of sone miles. their distance from the coach increased with the coming of darkness. .Presently tine captain rode to the front to give some instructions to his men. acid there remained the two troopers, one upon either side of the carriage. The road was now pas- sing under a great avenue of trees, which met above it and plunged the place in deeper blackness, \ly lord had settled back in his seat, for there was nothing to he seen, nor nothing heard save the roll of the wheels and the horses' hoofs of the ground. But 'presently he started ep at a sound that caught his ears; for out of the blackness on one side came a figure on horseback, monstrously swollen by the night, and struck with a :oft thud upon the horse of the trooper near him. The man uttered an oath. but ere he could do more, the rhlacle fig- ure had pinned hint with its arms; and simultaneously something was flung in by the window of the car- riage and struck Cherwell's knee, lin an instant his wits were alive; he seized this, which was a piece of rope; and, taking the situation with a leap of his fancy, he opened the fur- ther door and sprang upon the second trooper, who was but now awakened to the signals of that struggle. The affair had been the passage of a mom- ent; and the carriage stili rolled on, with Ravel unwitting on the .box, and the two troopers lying half -throttled upon the horses, Then Ravel, becom- ing aware of something that was passing, reined in, and Cherwell pul- led his soldier out of the saddle. "My lord," says the voice of Ryder, in a whispor, ''have you him ready— is his mouth stopped?" My lord said yes, pulling a knot in his rope, and Ryder whispered furth,. er that there was a by -road inthe to the devil," said he; "I will go to my bed," Ryder laughed in a coarse voice, crying' out something about my lady, which set my lord aflame. He started alert, and his eyes shone, but then he dropped his hand, and shrugging his shoulders, went forth; and 'that, by a strange freak of fortune, was the way in which he parted with the man who had so greatly 'befriended him; Cherwell found any ]arty asleep, with her poor head upon the table, and carrying her in his arms so that she woke not, he laic' her nn the sad- dle before hint, anti so rode to his house. lie now made his preparations to resist a siege, for he was resolved at all costs not to he taken. Food was brought into (Heriot Deane. and arms distributed among the servants, most of whom were very faithful to the Heriots. My lord swore passionately that no officer of the Crown should set foot across that threshold while Ile was alive to stay hint. And, indeed, there was no attempt trade to secure his person. Ilow he had escaped. to- gether with an account of his wand- erings, came somehow to the King, who was mightily entertained. Some pressed for his arrest; but he refused: "He has broke so many of any law's," said he. "that I am inquisitive to see how many more he wii1 ibreak, 1 think he has earned his rest, and I doubt not that he will guard himself in Heriot 'Deane as well as we shall guard him in the Tower, B'esid'es, " he added, "be doth me no harm, nor wishes me any. Let James look to his own quarrels," 13ut my lord .knew nothing of this, and daily expecting that he would be attacked, In a little, however, the fear of an immediate step passed away, and he began to move about more freely, i -Ie had not been in Dulsie- bridge a week when a letter came to liint from the lady Katharine Rood- house. This 1 never saw, nor heard the contents, yet there fell into my hands some years ago any lord Cher - well's answer to it, from which it was evident what sense she had expected. darkness, and that they mast take the horses. '"\Ve will leave our stark, at least," says Cherwell, grimly, and they thrust in the two soldiers, trussed like fowls, helpi'n'g my lady forth. Then Ravel was bid to drive on, hear nothing, and to avoid suspicion while he night, and, seizing the hor- ses, the two slipped away into the darkness, with my lady mining light- ly behind thein—and the escort not one hundred yards both in front and behind. They hit the ,by -way, and stood listening for a moment. but heard no pause of the cavalcade, which was now conducting no pris- oners, indeed, 'but those two hound troopers. And so presently they amounted, with my lady as best she might clinging to her saddle, and went away into the night, making for Caclnam, They were not twenty miles now from 1)txisiebridge, which, piercing the Forest by divers ways, they reached before midnight, and so came otit in the moonlight before Heriot Deane. CH,.\1' fdfR XX Cherwell looked up the avenue of the park 'towards the house, and says he to his companion, "Stay; it may be that there is a watch set here al- so"; and with that he turned into the village and came before the "Forest Taw." When he had rung at the hell loudly, there was presently a noise, and the innkeeper appeared with a light, falling back in amazement to see him. "Come; no %taste of time, ;good roan, said Cherwell, amiably. "1 have brought the Countess of Cher- well to her home and here is a friend of mine that will drink her health." IHe left my lady, who was very worried, below, and paned with Ryd- er into an upper room, whither wine was fetched, b -ie questioned the Man as to w hat. had gone on since his ab- sence, and learned that there was no ane about the house. "'That is very welt," he said, "but there may be, and, I doubt not, shall he. to -morrow," There was a great quantity of wine drunk, as both were thirsty and tired; and that upon pour .stomachs had a harsh effect. \ly lord turned to 'Ry- der— "I know not your performances, -ir," he said, "yet this - 1 do know, that, whatever he your trade, you have a stout heart ttnd a cunning wrist, 'I ask un 'better on my side titan you." Thereupon Ryder began to talk lottctly, protesting what he and my lord 52'21111 do together. and vowing he could light fifty soldiers every day for his supper --at which nonsense my lord laughed merrily. The 'truth is that one at least was soon grown to be .,ver -full, which was the cause of their parting, and in this way. Says my lord, who kept his head, hitt had grown more formal that he lay under a great debt to \•Jr. Ryder, which he might not pay. "Daman ye," .says the h•ighw'aynnan, "what talk yon? if any man should offer to pay rte, my lord, that which I desire not to have, T would thread him with any bodkin," "1 offer you nothing," cried Cher- well, sharply, "and you were best to be civil." "Civil?" cries Ryder, laughing, "the devil take your civil'" My lord threw aside his glass in anger, and he rose, casting a glance on his companion, who lolled tipsily in his chair, `Mr. Ryder," he said, curtly, "this is no place for one who has stood my friend. Ii offer you a chamber in my house." "Sink me, T can look after myself," said 'Ryder, noisily, and rapped hard for more wine, "Yon will be drunken, fool," said my lord, who had himself taken quite enough, "I will drinks what I' will," says Ryder, very surly. My lord turned away, "Ye may go must be diligently shielded." My lord laughed. "Faith, these lit tle hands shall shield me, an they will, m\lethes, said he, and went forth, .pleasantly tickled. The Countess in all this was not happy, es indeed 1 had some oppor- tunity to see. For about .this time l paid a visit to Heriot Deane, being disturbed (shout Cherwell s condition, incl desirous to aid hili, if that were possible, When l arrived my lord. had been gone a clay and a night, and there was no promise of his re- turn, My lady was in deep distress, and. scarce waiting to .hill me wel- come, broke out with her news— "Last night," .said she. "there was a stranger in the village, and to -clay there are. collie Iwo 'troopers, who lodge at the inn. Sir 1-lilary, they are here to take my lord. and 1 know not whither he is gone. I fear for him," she cried, aloud, "'I rear for hint, that he is contriving something against the 'Duke. He cannot rest: he goes about like an ttupeaceful spirit, hatch- ing dark designs. (None is atlntit'ted to his 'confidence, ide is merry and whistles. 1 t'hin'k he walks upon the brink of a precipice." I comforted her, though to say truly, what she feared seemed to rte most certain; tinct 1 ,promised that I .would !fiord any lord to give hits warn- ing of his danger. Yet a little after- wards, when evening was come, she might rest, but walked abroad in the twilight, conunoved by great agita- tion. When she came in she .begged of me to say Whither I would go, and how 1 should find niy lord, and ap- peared in so much sorrow that fI was fain to set out •foeithw•ith. I sought Ravel --who was now re- turned to 'Dulsie'brid;ge—thinking he might know his master's movements, hut the fellow protested that he was ignorant, He was given to lie so nalt- ua'alty and readily that I paid little heed to 'this denial. "Canoe, 'Ravel," 1 said. "there is some important information for my lord: He must receive it, or he is en- dangered. Whip up your memory." But the rogue declared still that he knew nothing; which may, indeed, have been true, though 1 never cred- ited itis denial, but rather supposed he was privy to many things, having access to them. This course failing, 1 was thrown back upon other inquir- ies, which took trp many hours, in- deed. there was nothing done that night, which my lady' Cherwell pas- sed out of bed and restless. We wait- ed, expecting and fearing at any turn to hear of niy lord's return, or in and anxiety lest he should be already in the hands of the troopers in the vil- lage, The next day other soldiers ar- rived, and took up their quarters in the inn, which increased the Count- ess s alarm. Rut note, by diligent questioning, 1 found one ghat had seen sir lord ride 'on the Winchester road, and, that discovered, nothing wotnld serve my lady but she and 1 must venture forth privily to seek Cherwell and Warn him to fly. Though the clue was but little, 1 yielded to this ardor, and, leaving the house' secretly towards nightfall, we drove to \\•'inchester. It would he of no interest to set down all the inquir- ies and searchi.ngs of that pu•rsnit. It is sufficient to say that at Winchest- er I learned 'that my lord had gone towards Alton and, once upon that highway. he ,vas the easier to trace. This gust thus bron;glit us late at night into Farnham, where the coach drew 1111 at the "(Rush," 11ere, being entered, 1 made more inquiries, ex- pecting to hear that sty' lord liad lain there and gore forward to London hut, to my surprise, such an one as 1 described was, said 'by the ,foot -boy to be there still, though his name was not known. Baca: went 1 to my lady with tills good news, and she cried out, her eyes sparkling, "'We shall save hint, Sir Hilary. Was 1 not right?" "You were right, cousin," said 1, for 1 could not have ,guessed what was to come. Sine dropped her hands like any child, and suddenly 'broke off, and, seizing any arm in a terror, pointed' at the court -yard. where there was a lean, swarthy shadow, that slunk aw- ay at her ory, "1'is that 1115111" she whispered, pressing against sne, as though she would hide. "He 'haunts Inc ever, like some evil spirit, before some misfor- tune." ' "What ratan??" 1 asked, "Fangus," she said. "Who hatlt twice attempted my lord's life and my honor. He is a devil." This intelligence was alarming, for it seemed as if Cherwell was watch- ed and threatened wltithersoever he went; and it might be that we were too late. and that this villain 'had al- ready brought the soldiery 'upon him.' There was, therefore, the more meed for haste, and T requested the servant to acquaint my lord with our pres ence, and that we were urgent to see him. He staved on my lady and me with some suspicion, but presently de- clared Ithat he would do as T desired: and we were conducted into an emp-. "'Deare so kind," he wrote, "1 %vou'd desire you to use that patience which 'I .practice so long. ,Fear not but that I will remember and hold it in sweetness to (10 What teas pur- posed, Nay, 1 will not have you speak so rudely of such a common tender- ness, That which is laid down in cold terms shall be saiisfy'd with urgen- cy and ardour. 1 will exact what debt is due, and so shall ye, which shall he faitlifttlly discharged before our COD - science. Yet your debt will I make urine and steal that from you which I .should render you; so that you shall he teid two -fold and forced to compass your obligations as T chuse, So hard a bargain .shall be driven, and such shall be your streights. "Your faithful servant, "Cherwell," 1t was shortly upon this letter that. my lord departed one evening and rode to town, where he arrived sec- retly. none being in his confidence. 1 know not what happened in this pas- sage of his life, but it is Most .probable that the lady Katharine remonstrated with hint on itis rashness. There were plenty of informers ready. and many than knew itim, so that he could not lie hid long; also, the Duke teas moving for his attachment, having come to the belief that,nothing which had oernrred mold t'ebottntd upon himself. The reason of this supposi- tion is that the lady withdrew herself .eon from London and lay at Farn- hai). where Cherwell visited her aF- terw•ards at the "Bush." The t'onnt- es, nneaun while, had observed my lord's absence, and was greatly agit- ate(' for his safety. She 'apposed that Ile was ,5;0115 to pursue his vengeance, and she desired only that he should rest and guard himself. She went about in a fear lest some danger to him should spring up at any mom- ent, and she 'blamed herself for that he adventured. so imprudently. Yet when he returned she said nothing, for he was never one to take counsel front others. it was only on the sec- ond occasion of his- departure that her terrors broke through her reserve, and she :begged hint to have a care. "Id you shouldbe capturedthere would 'ire no more (tope for you, my lord," she pleaded. "Cod has given you so deep a success that you have conte through many troubles; yet it is 111 to 1r.venture and dare misfor- tune." "Why," said he, snail'ing "whatev- er may befall vie you are new protec- ted. There is none now that will dare anything against yon." 'Bitot she n1xtcle an exclamation and turned her ileal away, 'keeping silent fore little; then said she— "What peril bit,, over me that you have diverted, so that ft is ]nn- minenit on yourself. You Iia Ile l ttrclen of clispleasiire titan: s cion- See yon not Mist and ea sies 1 it is for that cam 7 ant 'concerned? 1 Owe you II tat 3eegr- it v which you have lost, 1113' lord; sand conscience cries ou(hp that."3012 ! y room., and sate down to wait, Now his.chamber faced the 'court -yard, vltich was surrounded upon .the four sides with a (balcony on the first 'floor. 'die 'tour avis might to midnight, but here was yet some light inthe sky, hrou!gh a .quarter -.noon .and stars hal hung there, We had stayed there or some time, hearing of no-one, when suddenly my lady again cried out, and protested that she saw this Fa•rgss enter the .inn ,from the court- yard, "He will slay my lord," she said, piteously, "hie is gone to assassinate tits. lord." "Nay." said 1. "bat if that he so the are at least in time to stop that," and I led the way out of the room towards a staircase that ascended to the flour above. This T did the more readily as 1 had conceived that notion that the servant had not kept faith with us, and that we n'igh't remain where we sate till doomsday for hint. As we reached the stair there was the noise of feet passing up, which II had not looked for, ,being disposed to think my lady's imagination hada grown too quick. '[3iere was some one moving on the floor above 'for certain; and up we followed as silently as we night. The light in the gal'lery above was very faint, but it was possible 10 make out a slranvhling (figure that walked and vanished into the darintess. "W'e trust follow," cried my lady, in a 'flatter and at that we hastened our steps. As we 'turned a corner there came to tis now the sound of voices, and one raised clear and strong, at which m'y lady called out that it was my lore, her husband. T tried the handle of a door near by, and it gave upon a large panelled room towards the bowling -green. 13ut', there w•as no one here, only the sound of ,voices nearer and louder, Beyond was a second. chamber, to which 1 strode and pushed at the door. "+Olt, •haste, haste!" pleaded the Countess, who was shaken at -the sight of that mail. T twisted the handle and put my'i shoulder to the door, tghich came op- en with a little 'report of sound, t and the next instant we were in the chamber beyond, CH'AIP I''EIR NXI My lady Cherwell, moving swiftly in beer perturbation, had entered be- foi'e rte, and now stopped suddenly with a little gasp of breathlessness, putting. out a hand without conscious- ness of her own act, as though she would hare stayed herself on me. And, indeed, what my eyes at once lighted 011 served to explain for me this bewildered', pause, d1or the room, which was small and snug, was brightly lit, and in one corner upon a low ,chair sate my lard 'himself, while in the centre of the roost stood she that eras the lady Katharine Rood- house, She was dressed in a very car- essing robe that floated to the ;ground softly, and her eyes `were 'bright and fall. 'Indeed, ] have rarely seen as handsome a figure as she made in that excitem'en't which burned in her and set her mild eyes shining. 13ut she made no sign on our interruption. merely turning her head and regard- ing us both, but more particularly my 'lady Cherwell, with a look of sur- prise and interrogation. It was any lord who first spoke. He rose 'from where he sate, and came forward, not at all discomposed, but very quiet and cold, "Madam," said he to his lady, "it is strange that you have wandered so far. 1 left you at .Datlsiebricbge and these are late hours to be abroad of perilous roads," "My lord," she answered, looking on him with sante emotion, and edit at all at the woman, "1 am here to warn: you, 11 is any fault that Ave are cone; II am with your cousin. to tell you of a clanger that awaits von," She spoke with difficulty, bit t he ;asked' 'her, not heeding this— "What Is this?" "It is soine soldiers that have tak- en up their place at iDmisiebridge," she said. in the sante . voice, .which sounded in my ears like the low mel- ody of a bell ,rung slowly. "They tar- ry for you; they are set there against your return; and they will take you, doubtless, to the Tower again.' My lord frowned, and 'then, with a little laugh— "\\tby, it appears '1 had abetter not go home, then," he said. My lady said nothing, but illy lore!.. frowning again, turned to ole. "What do you here, cousin?" he asked, with some impatience in itis voice. "You are not prudent to sniffer any lady to wander forth like !this, You sltol.rlcl'"'be better advised." "The ;Earl of Cherwell," I answer- er, sharply, ,for I was nettled at his tone, "is scarce a judge of •pruebence, as this scene should prove." "Now, my Goci. 'Hilary," he cried, fiercely, "you .pass beyond the proper bonds. 1 will have you know where they are set for you," and he made an angry step towards me. Ent the Countess came between, PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical, DIR. E. A. MuM,AISITiEJR- 2Graduate of the Faculty of Med'ici'ne, ttJnivers- ity of Toronto, and of the New York Post 'Graduate School and Hospital, Member of the College of .P'hysicians and 'Surgeons of Ontario. Office on High street. Phone 23'. Office fully equipped' Inc•x-ray diagnosis ' and for ultra .short wave electric treatment, ultra v,iolet sun lamp treatment and infra red electric treatment. Nurse in. attendance. DR. GI.LB'EtRT C. JA•R'ROTT — Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, 'Un- iversity .of Western Ontario. Member of College of Physicians and'Seirgeons of Ontario, 'Office 413 Goderich street wes't. Phone 317. Hours ' Z-4,30 p.m., 7.30-9 p:m.' O't•her hours by appoint- ment. Successor to Dr. Chas, Mackay. DR. H. HUGIH ,ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at- tention to diseases o'f the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and residence 'behind D'ominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; 'Residence Phone 104. DIR. F. J. BURROWS, Seaforth. Office and residence, IGoderic'h street, east of the 'United Church. •Coroner for ,the County of Huron. Telephone No, 416, D12, F. J. R. ;FiQRS'TER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat.Graduate in Medicine, University, of Toronto 11397. Late A'ss'istant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorelfield's Eye, and 'Golden Square throat 'hospi- tats, ,Landon, At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 1,30 p.m, to 6 p.m. DR. W. C. SPROAT Physician Surgeon Phone 90-W. 'Office John .St. Seaforth. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for th.e County of Huron. Arrangementscan be ,made for Sale Date at The .Sea.foatth News. Charges. moderate and satisfaction guaranteed. F. W. AH.RENS, Licensed Auction- eer for Perth and Harron Counties, Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, :Mitc'hell. Phone 654 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKJLLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Go HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President—Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth; Vice -President, John E. Pepper, Brucefield; Secretary - Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth, AGENTS F. MdKercber, R,R,1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, ,R.R.1, .Brumfield; E. R. G- Jarmouth, Brodihagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, •Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville, Da RECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Lotdesboro; George Leonhardt, Bornholm No. 1; John Pepper, Bruce - field; James Connolly, Goderich; Alex, MclEwin•g, Blyth No. 1; Thom- as Moylan, Seaforth No, 5; Wm. R. Archibald, 'Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. softly. 'Sir Hilary is here 'because I fetched him," she said, quickly. "He hold's .no responsibility. The 'blame is mine, ark! 111 what imprudence you attribute to this act. My lord, you have the .warning; your safety is in peril. I have said what was needful and ,I will .now be gone." She ;turned away ;as .she spoke, nev- er yet casting a glance at that ,other woman, who observed her in silence, with even fess discomposure than my lord, Bult he called out— '`iStayt Whither do you go?" "I go to Heriot Dearne," she an- swered. "Sir iHiiary •wil11 see me safe." "'You cannot ride tonight," he said, in amazement, "'Tis past tnidinmglht. Youmust lie here till the morrow." "Nay,"' she replied, flushing, and with a small outbreak of •her voice.. 'Way, nay, I must be gone." (To be continued,).