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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1897)
TTTIC ( VMATTA 13 AIT , Y BEE : StjtfBAY * , SBPTBMBBH 12 , 18f)7. ) 11 "SHREWSBURY" By STANLEY J. WIWMAN. Chapter XXXttl-Continued , lie was so righteously Indignant at the presumption of which I had been guilty In attacking the family , that though It wan his own Indiscretion that had led me to the point , t made haste to mutter an apology , nnd doing thin with the littler grace for the remembrance that Smith was now power less , and his wicked plans abortive , I con trived presently to appease him. But the ferment which the discovery 1 had made wrought In my spirits moved mo to escape as quickly as possible to my room , there to consl.lcr at leisure tlio miserable position In nhlch , but for Smith's timely capture , 1 must havu found myself , A rflisplclon of the truth 1 had entertained before , but this certainty that the man 1 waste to bo trepanned Into personating was my benefactor , and that In the plot his own mother was engaged , tilled me with as tnucli horror , when 1 considered th ? necessity of complying , under which I might have lain , as thankfulness when I rellucted on the escape I had had. Nor did these two con siderations , overwhelming as they may well appear , account for all the agitation 1 was experiencing. Mr. .Martin , In speaking of 31 tm , ' , .Monterey's origin , bad mentioned Hertfordshire , and the name , bringing to gether two sets of farts , hitherto so distant In my mind , that 1 had never undertaken to connect them , had In a flash picscntcd Smith nnd madam In their true colors. Why I had not before associated the Smith I now knew , with that T'luplur Smith , whom I darkly ' rotnembc'red as Jenny's accomplice In my early trouble , why I had not recognised In 1ho v oman'tf coarsely handsome features the charms that thirteen years bufore had flrud my boy's blood and brought me to the foot of the gallows , Is not more dllllcult to explain than why this one mention ot Hertfordshire sulllccil to raise the curtain ; ay , and not only to raise It , but to set the wliolo drama no plainly before mo that I could bu no wiser had I followed every scene In madam's ' life , and a witness of her t-hame- ful debut under Smith's protection , her seduction at my lord and nor period of splendor , had attended her In her fiml declension , when a discarded mistress she saw no better alternative than a marrlago with her former protector. How greatly the Identification of the two conspirators Increased the loathing In which I ho'.d ' their ( schemes , as well as my relief upon the reflection that those schemes were now futile , I will not say. Sulllco It , that the knowledge that but for Smith's arrest I must have chosen between playing the basest part In the world and running a risk whereat I shuddered , filled me with thankfulness Immeasurable ; a thankfulness which I d.d not fall to pour out on my knees , nnd which was In no degree lessened by a shuddering conscious-mess , that In that dilemma , had Providence not averted It , I might , aye , should have played the baser part. part.No No wonder that a hundred harrowing recollections crowded on my mind ; or that under the pretence ot these the tumult of my spirits became BO powerful that I presently seized my hat , and hastily escap ing from the house , sought In rapid move ment some relief from the unpleasant retro spect. Crossing the green park , I chose a field path that led by the I'lmllco marshes to Fulham ; and gradually the songs of the larks and the spring sunshine for the day was calm and serene leading my mind Into n more cheerful groove , I began to dwell rather on the fact of my escape than en the crime from which I had escaped ; and , con templating the secure career that now lay In view before me , 'I ' was not long In seeing that thankfulness should be my strongest feeling. Turning my back on Smith acid his like , I began to build tny house again ; saw a smiling wife nnd babes and days spent between my home and my lord's papers ; and then a green old age and slip pered feet tottering through the quiet shades of a library. Before I turned , I had roofed the house with on honorable hcadstoi.e , and felt the tears rise In generous sympathy with the village assembled to do the old man honor. In a word , tasting the lull relief of emanci pation , I became so gay and lightsome that even the smoke and din of London , \\hen "NO , " I MUTTERKD , "I SHALL NOT GO. " 1 re-untercd It , failed to subdue the unusual liumor. I could have sung ; I could have laughed alound. Let the dead past bury Its dead ! For Ferguson , Smith , the Monterey a fig ! Who had come off best after nil ? lAnd of thejr flno plottlngs and conirlvlngs what had bceu the upshot ? They had failed and I had triumphed ; they were prisoners ; I was free and safe. Near the garden wall of Buckingham liousii there was n bear dancing , nnd a pi ess of people round It , I stayed to watch , and In my mood found the fun so much to my taste that I threw the man.a penny and wont on laughing. A little farther , by the edge of the lake , was a man wltli a bar row and dice then a novelty , though now BO prevalent that at the last sessions I am told the thing was presented for a n llsancc , I stcod here and taw a man lose , and In the exaltation of my spirits pushed him libido nnil laid down u shilling and won and won again nnd agnln ; whether Uio cog fulicd or the trucksler who owned the bar row thought me a good bait. ICitLcr way I took up my winnings with an air and hectored away as good a bully ns another ; placed for thu moment < n far above myself and common majesty thnt I wondered whether I should ever sink back Into the timid citizen or feel my eyes drop before o brave's , Ainu , In a moment , quantum muUtus ab Illu. At the corner of the Cockpit , toward Slon house , I met Matthew Smith , I had no doubt , I know all In an Instant and turned sick. He was free , alone , walking with his head high and un easy gait. Worse , he saw me ; saw how I cow ered and shrank Into myself and became Another man ut sight of him. Slackening his paca as he came up he halted bcfora mo , with that quiet devll'u srln on his face. "Well , " he salu , "How ate you , Mr. Price ? I was looking for jou. " "For me , " I muttered. "I thought I lieard that you were arrested. " "A mistake ! " lie answered , continuing to mile. "A mistake ! Some other Smith. " "And you were uot arrested ? " 1 whis pered. "O. I wa * arrested I" he amwered jaun- tlly. "And tnkon to the eccrotary. And of course released. Thcrol You have It nil. " I uttered an exclamation ; two words wrung from me by despite. Thereat , nnd pretending ; to mlBimdcistand me , "You thank God ? Very kind of you , Mr. Price. " said he , grinning. "Like mas ter , Ilk6 man. 1 see. Thu duke was kind ness Itself. Hut I must be going. " And then , arresting himself In tbe act of leav ing me , "You liavo heard , he continued , "that the poor devil Chat nock stands his trial tomorrow ? Porter Is an evidence , nnd br Monday the parson will swing. It should bo a warning to UB , " h < - continued , slinking hlb hcatl with n smile that chilled the innr- rev In my bones , "what company wo keep. A rascal like Porter might sec you or inn in thu Htrcpt and mvoar to us. Hal Ha ! . It sounds monstrous odd , but BO It might be. Hut by-by , Mr. Price. I must not keep you. " CHAPTKR XXXIV. Tlio state In which I crawled back to the house after this encounter mixy be con ceived , but not described. From an exalta tion of mind to which the epithet delirious might bo applied with propriety , I fell to n depth of abjcctncsR as monstrous ns my late felicity , but more real and reasonable. All thu things on my escape from which 1 hail been congratulating myself now lay before me , nnd formed a vista as gloomy nu the point to which It tended was dreadfti . To bo a alavo to the woman and man who hail rulnsd my youth ; to live outwardly at case , while Inwardly devoured by daily and hourly terror ; to hang between the choice of danger baseness , comfort or treachery ; to dis cern In my own destruction or my patron s the Inevitable ending ; beyond all , to foresee that I should choose the evil and eschew tno good and to wish It otherwise and bo power less to change It-thcse things , and particu larly the last , filled mo with anticipations of misery so great that I rolled on my bei and cursed Providence nnd my fate ; and next day went down so pale and 111 and woe begone that the servants took note of t. "Phcugh , Mr. Price , " said Martin , "yoi might bo Charnock himself , or Keycs , poor devil ! You could not look more like hangIng - Ing ! What Is it ? " I muttered that I was not well. , "It Is Kcycs I am ferry for ! " contlnuci the steward , who was taking his niornliij , I draught , "if so be they go to the end wltl him I ha\o heard of a master given up bv hU servant , but never before of a sci-van InuiK on his master's evidence , and hi master the one that drew him Into It Hart , Captain Porter , say I ! A line can tain I " 0 they will let the poor devil live , sail another. "KeycE ? " "Not they ! " said Mr. Martin , with a grca nunc-arnnco of wisdom. "He was In in nine * , do you see , my man , and If It sp ea Uete ? No , he will swing. He will swill fcr the example. Don't you think so. Mr Price ? You arc In there wltb my lord an Hut I muttered something and escaped finding solitude and my own reflections a tolerable as their gossip. A little later in lord , sending for me. kept me close at wor until evening , which was so far fortunate , a the employment , by diverting my thoughts. helped to lift me out of the ipanlc Into wine I had fallen. True , the news that the thre conspirators were found guilty and were t die the following Monday , exactly as Smltl had foretold , throw me again Into the col fit and heralded another night of mlbery But us It is not possible for mortals to II long under the same peril without the sens i cC danger losing It's edge , In three days began to nnd life bearable. The statellneb of the household , the silence and books tna ! surrounded me , the regular hours and stead ' employment soothed my nerves , and Smith i making no sign , and nothing occurring t ! Indicate that ho meant to keep his word o summon mo to fulfil mine , I lulled myeel into the belief that all was a dream. Yet I was very far from being happy to be that , with such apprehensions a never quite left me , was beyond my plillos j ophy. And I had rude awakenings. On day , it was the execution of Charnock , Kin nnd Keyes at Tyburn , followed by the hawk Ing ot their last dying speeches and confes slons In the streets , that Jogged mo ou of my fancied security and sent me sick nnd white-faced from the windows. Another It was the sentence on Sir John Frien and Sir William Perkins , the two elder ! citizens whom I had twice seen among th plotters nnd never without wondoi-lng hot they came to be of the gang. A little late thiee moro suffered and again the squar rang with the shrill cries of the chapme who peddled their last speeches from dee to door. Against all these Captain Porte and a man commonly called "Scum Good man. " both partlccps crlmlnls and person of the most Infamous character , bore wit ness , their evidence being corroborated t ) that of a man of higher standing , Mr. Pren dcrgast. Whether they could not prov against Cassels and Ferguson , or reason of stnto Intervened , these , with several o their fellows , lay in prison untried , a cours which in other circumstances might have In volved the government In obloquy , Dut s keen at this time was the general feelln ngnlnst the ploltors , and so high the king popularity , that he might have shed mor blood had he chosen. Here , however , th executions stopped , nnd his majesty showing mercy It not Indulgence , the hue and cry despite the popular Indignation , gradual ! slackened until It was restricted to Sir John Fenwlck. who was believed to be still In hiding In the country , and on whoso punish ment the king was reported to be firmly nei How deeply these events and rumors whlc formed the staple of conversation during th summer ot ' 80 troubled my existence , I leay to the Imagination , prevising only that 1 proportion to the outward quiet of my llf was the po\icr to agitate which they ox Moreover , there were times when a tcrro moro substantial trespassed on my peace One day. going hastily Into the ball , I foun the servants allpeeping , Mr. Martin holdln open the door , a dozen faces staring cur louHly In from the sunshine of the square nnd my lord standing very stiff , on th threshold of his room , where. In the mind ! of the lloor , stood a scowling man , llaghll The duke was speaking when I appearei "At the olllco. sir. " I heard him say. "Yo mlsunilei stood me. I can see you ther "Your grace Is hard on me , " the ma muttered with a glance that would be re belllouB and was hang-dog. "I have don the king good service and this Is the wa I am requited. It Is enough " "It Is more than enough , Captain Porter , my lord said , quietly taking him up. "A the olllee. If you please. This house Is fo "And the king's friends ? They may shlf for themselves ? " the wretch who even the were finery bought with blood cried bitterly "Tho king Is served In many ways. " m lord answered , with a fine air of contomp "Martin , the door ! And remember , anothe tlmo I am not within to Captain Porter. A 3 at the olllee , sir , If you ipleabe. " The man slunk away at that , but as h passed through the doorway I hwd hli mutter that when Sir John Fenwlck wa .taken he would see , and that , proud a sme people nuro now , they might be glai to save their nektwhen the fine c.iir > p He pasted out of sight ( hen , and , hcarln my lord speak , I tinned and saw Mallhtn Smith , ttliom I had not before noticed , wall Ing on him with a letter. The duke , pans Ing on the threshold of tbe library , broke th seal and ran his eye over tbo paper , " 1 will send him an answer , " he raid "later hi the day. Or " and he looked u quickly. "Are you returning , sir ? " "If your grace pleases. " "It shall be ready , then , by 2 o'clock , my ' lord Answered tjflly . "Good morulng. " 'Good morning , your grace. " And my lord went In. The colloquy ha been of tbe slightest , but I had noted tlia my patron's tone , when he spoke to Smith won guarded and civil , If dUUut , and tlja Trough the few formal words that they had ' xchangcd peered a sort of understanding , 'his shook me , nnd when Smith turned to mo. a fulnt sneer on his lips , and told me ! iat I was a bold man , my heart was water. to was at home here ns everywhere ; what ould I do against him ? "Do you understand , Mr. Price ? " he re- leatcd. "Or are you a bigger fool that I ako you for ? " "Why ? " I stammered. "Why ? Why , to push In on Porter after hat fashion , " he muttered under his breath for Merlin was making toward us. "Lucky iti did nol recognize you and denounce ydu ! 'or n great ho would do It or to spite the Hike ! Take care , man,1 he continued , sc- lously , "If you do not want to Join Charlock - lock , whose head la In airy quarters tonlghl. " This left mo lo ihe prey of n new terror ; or remembering that I had once seen Por- cr at Ferguson's lodging , I could not shut ny eyes to the reasonableness of the wani ng. I saw myself beset by dangers on that side also , went for a time on eggs , and trembled al every sound ; Indeed for a full ortnlght I never passed the threshold ex cusing myself on the ground ot vertigo , f ordered lo go on errands. In the course of that fortnight I had a thousand oppor- unities of contrasting the quiet In which lived , behind the dull windows ot the great house , with the dangers Into which might at any moment be ( lung ; and If any man ever repented of anything , I repented of my lack of candor respecting Smllh. From lime to lime I saw him pass , grim , I'sprved , with a walking menace. When ho ooked up al Uio windows I read mastery and n secret knowledge In his eye ; whllo Iho way In which ho wenl nnd came , free and unquestioned , was llself'a monition ; vns It to be wondered that I feared this nan who , while Chnrnock's head mouldered on n spike on Temple Bar , and Friend and 1'erkyns passed to the gallows , walked the strand , and lounged In the mall , as safe lu jppiaranre ns my lord himself. I knew that al any moment ho mlghl call ipou me to fulfill my word. Whether In hat case , the demand being such as to allow me leisure to forecast the consequences , I should liavo complied , or taking my corango in my hands have thrown myself on my lord's Indulgence , I cannot now say ; for In the Issue a sudden and unforscen shifting of scene prevented my calculations nnd hurried mo onwards whether I would or no. It happened , I have said , suddenly. One afternoon there came a great bustle In the squar ? ; and who should It bo but the countess , my lord's mother , come to visit him In her coach and six , with such a paraphernalia of gentlewomen and negro pages , outriders and running footmen as drew together all the ragamufllns from Ihe mews , and fairly brought back T' " ? Charles' ( lays. As Ihe great coach , which held six inside , swung and lumbered to a stand at the door , I saw a painted face with bold black eyes glare from ilio window , check by Jowl with a 'parot and three or ( four spaniels ; and I waited to see little more , a single glance sufficing to certify me that this was the same woman to whose house Smith had taken me. Smith was In attendance on her , and a gentleman in a plain black suit nnd wig , who was n papist priest If I ever saw one , nnd Monterey , nnd two or three other gentlewomen , nnd ns I had no mind to be recognized by these , or for thai maltcr by their mislress , I made haslo to retire behind the flock of servants whom Martin had marshalled In the hall to do the honors. My lord went out to the coach and brought the countess In , with n great show of reverence ; and for three-quarters of an hour they were closeted together In his room. I took advantage of this to retire up stairs , and had been wiser had I stayed there , or betlcr still , slipped out at Ihe back. Dul a craving came to me to see Monterey again , and with the knowledge I now had , ascertain If she really was my old mistress. This drew me to the hall again ; where the crowd being great , nnil ths servants taken up with teasing the countess' parrH and blackmoors , I managed to avoid observation , and at the same time see what I wanted. The woman who had once been all the world to me and of whom I could not now think without a tender regret , directed , not to her , but to Ihe state of blissful dawning passion , of which she had been the cause , and whereo ! no man Is twice capable was still handsome in a coarse fashion and when seen at a distance. I could not deny that. Hut If I desired revenge I had It ; for not only was her complexion gone , so that her good looks vanished when the viewer approached , but her lips had grown Ihln and'her face hard with the Indescribable hardness which speaks of past sin long grown bitter and an hourly , dally recognition that the wages of sin Is death. Presently , whllo Mr. Martin was pressing his civilities on her , and I from a corner , near the door through which I had let Mary escape , waj curiously read'rig her coun tenance , the door of my lord's room opened , and the countess came out , supported on the ono side by the duke's arm , on the other by her great ebony cane. The servants hurried to form two-lines nnd I suppose curiosity led me to press nearer than was prudent , or her eyes were of peculiar sharp ness , or perhaps she lo'oked for me , and had I not been there would have called for me. At any rate , she had not moved Ihreo steps toward her coach before her gaze , roving along tbe line of servants , alighted on me , and she stood , "I'll have thai rascal ! " Bhe cried. In her high , shrill \nlce , and she pointed at me with her cane and stood. "He looks as If butter would * not melt In his mouth , but 1' he Is not a lad of wax call me a street slut ! Hark you , mv mm , , you como with me , Hid him. Shrnvsbury ! " My lord. Ills face flushed , spoke low and sesmeil to make demur , but she persisted. "Odd's llfo. you make mo sick ! " she cried , Irrltablv. "You will not ( tils and you fancy that ! The servants flo to for a fool ! In mv time master was master , and If nnv blabbed , man or maid , It was strip and whip ! tint now do you quarrel with me or do you not ? " The duke shrugged his shoulders nnd smiled uneasily. "Times are somewhat changed , madam , " ho said , "Ay. by our lord , they are ! " slio cried nwcarliig roundly. "And why ? Because ( hero ore no men nowadays , but mealy- mouthed Josephs , like that trembler yonder , whose heart Is In his iboots , because I want him to carry a mesame , " Anil she pointed to me with her long cane , while her head nnlvcred with excitement and ape "Sort him out , sort him nut and send him with me or wo nuarrol. my lord. " "Well madam , your wll | It law In this hpimo. " Ihe duke said , "but " "Fl'it no lies ! " she cried , "D'ye send him ? " Mv lord bowed reluctantly. "Go , " he said. Inoklnz at me. "And bid him do as I tell him. " die cried sharply. Hut he had. better , or still , tell him- tell him. " "Price. " my lord fald soberly. "Ihe countess I ? good enough to wh V"ypu to do an errand for her. He good tlioueh to con sider yourself at her disposal , And go with the coach now , He easy , " ha continued , nodding pleasantly. It vts.Imposslbln for me to hide my apprehensions. "Her lady ship needs you for a week only. " "Ay , sure ! " she cried , "Affer that lie may go to tbe devil for me ! " CHAPTER XXXV. nigbtlv baa the Latin poet Bung ot the dura Ilia of the Fates ; ttlio Either resistless rout All human resolution'or where the mind hss been hardened "to'tncct the attack , turn the poor wretch's flunW , ' and lo ! while he squares his shield nnA'shortens hit pear to meet the occasion , habt'U-he has It under the fifth rib. J l J ' So It Is with me. While I dreamed of resistance , and would haKiei my heart nnd set fast my feet , fate troftf-buttoc'.ted tnoj and I fell , not knowing. Tilt'countess' coach bore me away unreslstlnRTflnd Smith , whom I hated as I never hated * Ven _ Ferguson , gave mo the won ) . From ttif fifaln clothes , to ths long curled pcrukef the" cravat , ruffles anil flno suit In which''t' ' had once before paraded myself , was but'hilitep ; I took It perforce , nnd , being conducted , when I was ready. Into the countesB'- Chamber , to wait her pleasure , could have fancied the last six months a dream could have ( fancied the conspirators still nt work , Captain Uarclay still pacing the piazza , my lonl still n stranger to me , the library a vision ; In a word , I could have fancied all those events , which had filled half a j-c r , to be no more than creatures of tn < ) Imagination , so un changed was the great silent room , where , my lady , while I waited , played piquet with Monterey , amid { he gorgcousncss ot her rose-nnd-sllvcr suite. The monkey gibbered as of old , and the parrot vied with Ihe broldcred .parrots on the wall , and tioxv , as thcni the air was heavy with scent and musk , while' the light , cun ningly arranged , fell-on the part where the countess sat , now grumbling nnd now swearing , or now , while Uie cards were dealIng - Ing , thumping Iho floor Impatiently with her stick. She had so perfectly the grand nlr of n past generation that'when her eye lurncd In my direction I Irclnbled and thought no more of resistance ! yet , when she resumed Ihe gnme , she gradually- and moro and more completely , as I watched sank Into n queru lous feeble , fierce old woman , whoso pas sion , where It did not lerrlty , moved to derl. slon , and whose fads anil fancies , as patent as the day , placed her nl the mercy of nil who cared to llntler or cozen her. Madame was about It now , leltlng her win , and again getting sllghOadvantngp , ming ling hints at old vaiiUics and conquests j ( whereat my lady grow garrulous ) with new scandals , coarse and spiteful ; winning a llt- 1 tie when my lady , in n. fury caused by n bad j hand , struck her across the face with a fan i to teach her to be awkward , but cheering up at once when the countess' mood changed j with the cards. In a word , as she had be trayed me young , she cozened my lady old ; but. seeing her features grown hard with I i time , and her eyes grown lifeless , and the ] I devil grinning more"plninly from behind i the mask , that had'once , been so fair , it I WES a wonder to me thatve.ven the countess j was deceived. . * , I I presently my lady ihrewTlown her cards In. a rage , and calling ller opponenl a cheat ' ing slut , proceeded toi ; lurn her anger on 'me. "What Is the gaby doing , standing I there HkoVa hawk ? " eh shrieked. "Why is ho not abbut his business ? " , . Monterey whlsper0a lner that I hnd not had my lrH tructlons. S "Then give them .nndjlct him go ! " she cried. "Where is the1 ring ? Here , you daw in peacock's feathers \\kc \ my son. In deed ? About as like as fliat squinting vlxon Vllllers Is to a beauty ! Take that and ride with Matlhew Smith and give It to the gentleman you will meet al the Inn nt Ash- ford , nnd say 'Monterey ' tell him what to say. " "Say , 'Colonel Talbot sends llils ring znd his services. ' And if Iho genlleman asks 'whither ? ' or this or that , lo whatever he asks , answer thus : 'I am not here. Sir John , to answer questions. Favor me by conveying that ring and my services whither you are gojng. I do not talk , but when the lime comes I bhall act. ' " "C'est lout ! " said the countess , nodding approval. "If you are not man enough to repeat thai , whip you for a noodle ! Say it , man. " But when I went to say it first I could not remember It , and. broke down ; and then when my lady , storming , at me for a fool nnd an embeclle , I had , got the sentences into my head , I but whimpered them , brljg- Ing no heart to the task. My lady when she saw that flew out at me afresh , and threw first the vapours bottle and then her cano at me ; which latler , breaking a piece of china , pul her fairly beside herself , "Como here ! " she shrieked , swaying to and fro in her chair. "Do you hear , you puling , psalm-singing canter. Come here , I say ! " Arid when , trembling nnd scared , I had approached preached , the leant forward , and seizing hold of my ear , as Ferguson had once seized II , she Iwlsted It with such unexpected strength and spite that I roared with pain , and fairly fell on my knees beside her. "There Is for you , grps eochon ! " slits cried. "Su you can speak up wncu you like ! Now go to the end of the room , my man , and play your part again , and play It belter ! Or , by I will have up those who shall lash your back to the itione. Hoity-toity ! These are fine times , when bcum like you , my lad , put on airs ! " This was not the discipline , nor were these the threats , lo give an aclor courage ; but In sheer desperation I spoke up and , this time , bad the good fortune to please her ; and , Monterey mocking me and pushing me this way and thai I went through my part a dozen times. At length the countess ex pressed herself satisfied and with a grim 1 nod , and un "Odd's very life , he Is not so unlike after all ! " gave me leave lo go. But when I was half way to the door she called me back ; and after I had timidly obeyed , she sat awhile , glowering at mo In silence. At last , "No , " eho said Irritably , "It's too late ! " And she .struck on the floor with her stick. "It's ted late to turn back ! Thu cross devil did nqthlag , but thwart , me today , and what he wljl not do bon gre , ho ' shall do by perforce , llo'fi'as brought It on himself , and he must Ulde his destiny ! Yet Monterey ! " i i-s The woman was at hec ldo In n montent. "Yes. madam ? " , "I suppose that there1 Is no danger of a contretemps , " she said ? stirring restlessly In her chair , "Sir John will feet nwny ? They will not tnko him aifd' find the ring and learn whoso It Is ? " < > 'J ' < * ' On that , If I had been.quick , and had had both wits and courage > at < command , I should have thrown myself at ihcH feet ; and so I mlghl have opened hep.WJeai Hut I wavered , nnd before I had found Iheart to do It. the waiting woman , emoothuAnd watchful , was In the breach. > , d lo "Ashford , my lady , IH nuly three hours' riding from DymchuroJj ln.-.tio ! marsh , " she said , "where Ihe boat /wa(5ifor / | ( him tomorrow - , row night , Sir John IB wojluinounted , and It will be odd If , after , jbaWlng pursuit for 1 months , he should be taken In that time. " "Yes ; yes ! " my lady said garrulously. "Lst him go. Let him go. , Though you nre n fool to boot. A man Is taken or not taken in less than three hours. Even now. If thai contrary devil of a t > on pf mine had not ar gued with me , and argued with mo today bul let him go , Lei him go ! " Tue woman lost no time In taking her at her word and hurrying me out ; not by the main entrance through which I had come In. but by the little side door leading to 'the dingy lobct at the head of the private stair case. In the clotet a bright unshaded lamp burned 01. the dusty table , and beside It stood Matthew Smith , wearing a cloak , rid ing boots nnd a great flapped bat. Ho lopked eagerly at the woman , his eyes shin ing In tbe glare of the lamp ; but be did not speak until she had closed the door behind her , Then. "Is It right ? " he whispered. She nodded. "You have got the ring ? " She gave It to him with a smile of triumph. He looked at U , and nith 3 t'rlm face lipped it into his pocket. "Good. " ho 8 ld , 'and now , my friend , the sonner we are way the bettor. " Hut my gorge rose. On the lable beside lira , In the full glare of the lamp , lay a leak and holsters , A mask , sword and riding whip. I knew what these objects mfAnt nd for what and for whom they were pro- lared , and at the prospect ot the plunge Into he dark nlghl , of the journey nnd the icrlls of the unknown road , I cried out tint would not go ! I would not go ! And ,1 rled to force my way back into the ountess' room with what Intention heaven mows. llut Smith whipped between mo nnd the loor. "You fool ! " he said , pushing mo back. "Are you mad ? Or don't you know ne yel ? " "I know you too wclM" I cried , beslJo my self with rage and with apprehensions of the ) lungc on the brink or which 1 stood. "You mve cursed me from the first day I saw i ou at Ware. You have been the curs * o ! my lite. Tou , and thai Jezebel. " I "Aro you mad ? " he said agdln , nnd Ihreat- ncd mo with his hand. Hue she came a step nearer to mo and I leered at mo , and after one look took the'c amp from the table and held It to my. ace. "At Ware ? " she said. "At Worot | And then , pulling the lamp back on Iho.i able , she fell lo laughing. "Ho I ? right. " she said. "I know him now. But you told me that his name was Taylor. " "Taylor ? " he said wrathfttlly. "So It Is , i and Price , nnd halt a dozen other nnmes , for all I know. What does It matter what his name Is ? " " 0. It mailers very much , " she salit affecting to ogle mo In an exaggerated 'ashlon. "Ho Is an old flame of mine. Ills face always brought something to my mind bul I Ihought that It was his like ness to Ihe duke. " Ho cursed her old flames , and the duke. i\nd then , "What does It mean ? " he salJ. "Who Is he ? " "Ho Is the lad we lefl at Ware In Iho old woman's room , " she answered , her voice Kinking nnd growing almost soft. "Lord , II seem.8 so long ago. It might liavo happened In another llfo ! You remember him , Matt ? You saw him with me nt the Hose one night ? The first night I saw you. " He looked al me long nnd strangely. "And what docs it mean ? " he sold at last , scowlIng - Ing between wonder and suspicion. She shrugged her shoulders. "Sals pas ! " she answered. "Ask him. " "You have ruined mo once , " I crlsd. "And ho saved me ! And now you would have mo ruin' him. You are "devils , " you are ! Devils ! But , I defy you ! " He did not answer , hut continued to stare at mu , as If ho discerned or suspected thai there was more In this than appeared on the surface. Ut length the woman laughed , and he turned to her , rage In his face. "I see nothing to laugh at , " he sold. "But I do , " she answered pertly. "You three all mixed up ! It would make a cat laugh , my lad. " Ho cursed her. "Have done with that ! " IIB s'dld fiercely. "And say what Is to bo done. " "Hone ? " she answered briskly and In a tone of genuine surprise. "Why , that which was to bo done. What difference does this make ? " But he looked nt her , pondering darkly , as if It did mnke n difference. I suppose that somewhere , deep down in his nature , there lurked n grain of superstition , which found in this singular coincidence , this sudden stringing together of persons long parted , an evil omen. Or It may be that he had still some s"rati of conscience b ft , that , i > carcd and deadened as It was , stirred and smarted nt this strange upheaval of an old crime. At any rate , "I don't know , " he growled ut last. "I don't like It , and that is flat. There is some prac tice In this. " "There Is a fool In It , " she answered naively. "And there arc like lo be two. " I thoucht to back him up , nnd I biuced mvpclf against the wall to which I had re tired. "I won't go ! " I said doggedly. "I will call for help in the streets first ! " "You will do ns you are told , " she answered coollv. "And you , " she continued to Smith , in a voice if stinging scorn , "are you going to clve it up now , when all Is safe ? . Will you stand to my lord ns this poor , silly fellow "stands to you ? Have you waited for vears for your revenge to move aside now ? Why , my G d , the duke Is worth ten of you. He Is a man at any rate. He is " "Peace , girl , " he cried , with I know not what of menace In his tone. "Then will you go ? " "Yes. I will go ! " he answered between his teeth. "But by heaven , you slut , If 111 comes of It I will wring your neck ! I will , EO help me heaven ! You shall deceive no other man ! If the-e Is practice of yours In this , If this tool Is here by your con nivance " "He is not ! " she answered. "Be satis- fled. " Ar ; arently ho was satisfied , for he drew a deep breath nnd stood silent. She turned lo me. "Get ready , " she snld sharply. "No , " I muttered , summoning nil my resolution. "I shall not go. I I have not " Smith turned to me and Ihe refusal died on my lips. The struggle with the woman had roused the man's passions ; and I read In his eyes such a glare of ferocity as chilled my blood and unstrung my knees. Nor was that all. for -vhen , I went , trembling , to take Ihe cloak "One moment , " he said grimly , "not so fast , my friend. Let us understand one another before we start , Mr. Price or Mr , Taylo" , or whatever your name Is , take note , do you hear me , of Ihrce things. One , thnt the business we are on is life cr death. Do you grasp that ? " I muttered a shuddering assent. "Secondly , " he continued , with the same gruesome civility , "My hnnd will never be moro than six Inches from the butt of n pis tel , until I see this home ugaln. Do you grasp that ? " I nodded. "Thirdly , " at the least sign of treachery or disobedience on your part , I blow out your brains first ; my own aflorward. If lhat bo necessary. Do you grasp thnt ? " "I nodded. "That is cspeclnlly well , " ho said. "Because the last item Is Importanl to you. On the other hand , Mr. Price , play honest John with me , and In forty-eight hours you shall bo back lu your master's house , free nnd safe ; and I shall trouble you no more. Do you understand that ? " I said I did ; my teeth chattering and my eyes becking to evade his. "Then now , you may get Into 1hoso things " ho said. "And do you ride when I bid you , and halt when I bid you , and apeak when I hay speak , and be silent when I say bo silent do those four things , I say , and you will die In > our bed. They are all I ask. " I stooped , shaking all over , to take up the boots. "Heart up. pretty ! " cried the woman , with an odd laugh that broke off short with a sort of quaver. "It Is clear thnt you nre not born to bo hanged. And for the rest " "Peace , peace , wench. " said Smith , Im patiently. "And drcso him ! " CHAPTER XXXVI. It wanted two hours of mldnlghl on a lire night when wo two rode over London bridge , and through a gap In the houses saw the river flowing below a ripple of silver framed 'n blackness , and so cold to the cyo that Involuntarily I shivered , feeling a return of all the vague fears and apprehensions , which , originally awakened by the prospect of the Journey had been scl at rest for the time by the awe In which I held my com panion. I began to recall n dozen stories of footpads and highwaymen , outrage and robbery , which I had road , and found but cold comfort In the reflection that the Kent road , from the amount of trafllc that iibcd it , was accounted one of the safest In Kng- Innd. It was not wonderful that , with corves so disordered , I went In frcrit of danger , or lhat when opposite the .Marshal- . bca , where the chain crosses the road near Ihe entrance to White Horse yard a man came suddenly out of a passage and caught hold of my companion's rein , I cried out , and all but turned my horse to fly. Smith himself appeared to bo taken off his guaid ; and. after bidding me beware what I did , ho called , with the tame harsh ness , to the man to release the rein , or take the consequences. " 0. I am all right , " the fellow annwered , roughly , peering at him through ihe daik- neflB. "You are Mr. Smith ? " "Well ? " "Falrholl sent me to stop you. " "Palrholt ! " "Ay ; he Is here. " "Here ? " my companion cried In a trne of rage and surprise , "What the ! Why , he should bo you know where by this llrne ! " "Aye , but his horse threw him this mornIng - Ing , and he Is lying at the White Horse , bore , with a broken leg , " Smith cursed the absent man for a fool. "I wish bo had broken his neck ! " he said , savagely , And then , after an Interval : "Has be sent anybody ? " < He bai had something else to think about/ ' the man answered , drily. "And o would you , muster , with his leg ! " Smith swore again , and c.it gloomily silent. "He says If you rnn * to d It oft for twen ty-four hotirs , " the man continued , "he will arrange that " "No names ! " Smith cried , sharply Inter rupting him. "Well , thnt some ono shall ttte bis place and do the Job. " Smith did not answer for n time , hut nt length. In a curt , Incisive tone : "Toll him yes , " ho said. "I will see to It. And you keep ti still tongue , will you ? You were going with him , I suppose ? " "Aye. " "And you will come with the other ? " "Maybe. And If not. 1 shall not blab , " Smith by a nod showed that the man hud taken his meaning , after which , bidding him good night , he pricked up his horse. "Come on , " he snld. addressing mo with Im patience. "I thought to hn > e had compan ions | , nnd so ridden moro securely. Hut wo must mnke Iho best of It. " Heaven knows that 1 , too. would hnvo liked \ companions , nnd took the road ngnln , dolefully enough. Nor was that the worst of It ; Smith , In speaking to the stranger , had mentioned Fnlrholt. Now , I knew the name , nnd know the man to be ono of the messen gers attached to the secretary's ofllct1 , one whose business It WHS to execute warrants nnd arrest political prisoners. Uul what had 11 Smith , riding to n sccirt Interview with n i man outlawed nnd In hiding to do with messengers ? With Fnlrholt ? And then , as If this were not enough lo disturb nu > with a view of treachery , Clack ns gulf seen by traveler through a rift In the mist If this glimpse , 1 ( .ay were not enough , how was I going to reconcile Smith's statement that he had expected companions with his first cry , uttered In wrath and sur prise thnt Fnlrhoft ought to lie by this time well , nt some distant point ? ( To Ho Continued. ) DR. EDW , E. HALE. Tolls ot n 1'oiHlvp Spcplllp for Xt-rv- OtIN l ) ! * < f'IIN < 'N. Edward Kverett Hale , 1) . 1) . , L. L. II. , the celebrated New England Preacher , Author and Philanthropist , writes : "I am assured by a careful Inquiry amonR teadltiK physicians and personal friends \\l\o \ have used It nnd In v.'hom I hnvu the utmost confidence , that Dr. Charcot's Kola Nervine Tablets are Invaluable In 'Insomnia and all nervous diseases. ' * Fifty cents and $1 per box. Write for testimonials of cures. Eureka Chemical & Mfg. Co. , La Crosse , WIs. < OU SYPHILIS ) A. Written Qiiiirnntor to C7V1CK KVKKY CAHI : or AIOXKV iiiruMij > . Our euro IB pcnnanent nnd not a patching tip. CAFCB treated ten ycatsoKO 1m vo lucrM > cn a * j nipt on slncu. ] ly tles ilbt n tr > our cnt-y fully \tucaii titnt j on l j mat ) , MH | \ \ P Klvu t ho tuiine tt one cuat mil ee to cui u 01 1 r hind nil money. Thobe who imfii to cuntu lie re fur tunt- nicnt can do MO and wr will juty rail toad laic both wa > s and hotel bllln while here If we fall to cine. U'cclml- kiiKu t lie world toracane that our liiKle Itetncily will not cure. Wiltufor lull p.irtlcuhun uml ict Iho cvltleiu'O. We know that > ou ai o fWeptU'itl , jnvtly to lee , a * * the most eminent plonk-Inn1 * liaie nt er bun ahlc to Kl e more than teiupoiary icllef. In our ten > cars piactlcewlth this Dfiialo lletnctty It hns beetuno t dinic'titt totneicomellie preJuclUcnntrnln t all Ro-4'alJed specifics. Hut under our Htrony iruaiantcejon should not hesitate to * ry tl l lemedy. You take no chance ol yoxir money Wo iniAianlre to euro or refund every dollar and an we have a reputation to protect , ale flimnclul hacking of 1&5OO.OOO , it IH peifectly tafe to all who will try the tivatmcnt. Ileietofore oii have been putting up and im inff out jutir tnunej for dltreient ticatmeiitKaiid although jou are not rtcuied no one has paid back your money. Do not mnntfl any moie money until you try us. Oltf , chiontc , dceivfcaled cases cured In thlity to ninety dnytt , liuiKtitato our financial standing * our reputation at * hu ltiet > s nun. Write us fur nameti nrU actdien-es of thot-o we Imie cured , who have Khen pennUtlon to lefer to the n. It costs ) < m only ptutagc to do thlst it will ha\e > o ta world of Hiifrerlnif from mental ctiuln i indlf > nm re married what in ay your oltt-prliif ; ttuirer thiouKh jtur own ncKlfKencol If join itymptomK uio plniplcH on face , ftoru thtoat. inucou * patches in mouth , rheuinatlun In bones and joints , hair falling out , ciupllons on any part of the body , feeling of Keneiul depiehhlon , jmlns In head or hone * , you have no time to waste , Thotcwho ate constantly taking meiiury and potahh nhoulil dis continue It. fonMant u ! of tht'fo dnigit will t-urely bring sores and eating wlceis In the end. Don't fall to write. All coneitpondence tent cealed In plain envel ope * . AVoltnlte the inoM rigid InvcMigatiou and will do all in our pow er to aid you in U. Addre&8 , COOK REMEDY GO , , Chicago , 111 , And Surgical Institute. ICOi Dodce St. . Omnlm , Neb. covsi irTIOX KIIKI- : . , _ _ , , . _ _ . , SpcclnllFts In treatment of Chronic , Nervous and Private Dissisis niul nil WHAIvM-JSS UCBI anil Dl.SOHDHHS .if HYDIIOCELK and VAHICOCULB peimancntly and cucceEsrully cured In every case. JUXDOD AND SKIN Ulsciuef. Horea Riots. PlnipleH , Scrofula , Tumors , Tetter , Hczoina nnil Blood 1'olnon thoiollKhb clcunted from the tys- tem. tem.NKHVOUS Debility , Spermatorrlien , Seminal LosFei < , Nlg.it Hmlsslons. I ufi6 of Vltul I'owers permanently and speedily cured. WIC.VK . U.\ . ( Vitality Weak ) , made so by too close appli cation to bustnet-s or btudy ; be\ere mental strainer or srlef ; SKXI'Al , KXCES'ES In inlddln Ufa or from tbe effects of youthful follies. Call or write them today. Tlnx 277. Oniiilia Malicil an I SuiMical Institute CURE VOURSEin" Unt IllgU for unnaturtl liciiitrzci , InDitnnmlloDi. I IrrllatloDi or ulccratloai 1 of tanr.ua i nieiubr n i , , ml nut aitrlo * imE tmCntuic iCo. or Kit In pl ln wr rp < r , by eirrm. prcrtld , fof ll. ( O , or a DotUw , 12.7 } . Clrcultr MI ! u > 40 rt TAN.FREOKLESANDSUNBURN . detract fiom line featuree Tbe dally u e of Wornlliury'x Facial h'onii , I'liclul Cream and facial 1'nuiliT will render tbe complexion < lmr , FOft. nnd beautiful A damp c of each if Wuod- bury'h Kaclal Koap , I' clul t'reBin , I'ui'lul l' < mder and Ix-ntul Cienm , mill lint for tlueevttln' ufi * . niRllnl on receipt of 20r The rcKUlur lzi ; fold c eiy icre Slic JOHN \VOUIlll < JY Dir- malolotUt , 1S7 Wett Kit HI N. V ' Cures ftf In nil 'S known positively to , , . _ euro UhnimMlftin , uyxpcpsln , Ontntrh , Oougn ! niul Cold * , Kld npy. Liver niiil Hlnddt-r Trouble * , Aftthmn , HrndachCH , riles , Blood Diseases , Ntrvcnm Prostration , Female Coniplnlntn nml ninny ( licenses tintmlly Riven im in tnrurnblr. Sold by all druggist * , mostly 25 centn vlnl. 1305 Arch St. , Philadelphia , l\\ . LADBES DOWOWW DR. FELIX LE DRUM'S Steel § Pennyroyal Treatment is the origliml nnd only FIIKNC1I , unto nnd rolinblo euro on the nmr- ket , Prlco. fl.OOj ont by mull , ( ienuhio nold only by M > crs.blon | | Dnic Co. . S. U , Cor tfilh nnJ Far- Streets. Uniatin. f.'eu. Patronize Home Industries I'lirclilliliiK ( iouilM Iliuti * ut tile luMhiK NclirnsUu KiH'torlcN. AWN1NC1S AND TKSTS. \VO1.1' " llltOS. ACO. . . Manufacturers trnte. inuilnns. talpnullns , cov ers of Ml kinds , HUBS , iMtmcrn niul sticimer . 703-705 S. ICtli St. , OniHtia. OMAHA Tivr AM > iu 11111:11 : co. ( Succi'ftdr ? Omaha Tent ntul Awning Cu. ) Manufacture tents , mvtilMKs. Jotibcis ladles' niul Kentu' mackintoshes. Tents tor rent. 1311 Kainnm St. , Oin.ihn. IMIIIimmvixfi issoci.vTio.v. Car load shlpmcntti inndo In our own refrlu- frntci cure. Illup Itlbbon , ICIIte Uxport , Vienna i\liort ntul Family Uxport delivered to all prut * of tlio ctlv. 1IUICIC. WITH Mill I. IIIIOS. .V SMITH CO. Tavlng , Sewer ami llulldlng llltlClv. Capacity IMJ.OOO per ilny. Olllcc nnd ynnl. 5M nnd HtcUory St. * . Telephone 423 Omahn , Neb. corixicn WOIIKS. G. F. KI' MiTHU , IACIF. nnitMciWOHICS. . Mnnnfnriiii'cr " ' Galvanized lion Cornices. Ou- ! vnnlri > il lion KUyllRbts. 'iln. lion nnd Hlnto Hooflni ; , Aiscnl for Klnnear's Steel Cellini ; . 10S-10-12 North Ulcvvnth street. CIIACICKU KHir.W IHSCII1T AXI1 Jll'O. CO. , V'S Wbolctalo Ciaclccr ManufnctiirorB , OMAHA. Neb. SCIIOUDSACIC'S TWIX CITY JJYU WOUK.S , 15'J1 Kiiriuiiii S ( . PyclnB nnd clennlng of Rnrnifntn and uoods of cveiy iliccrlptlon. CiewnliiB of line garment * a specialty. TLOUn MIU.S. S. V. C.ll.MN. . Flour , Menl , Feed and Urnn , 1013-15-17 North 17th SHroet , Omaha , Neb. C. K. lllack , manager. Telepbone 692. IRON DAVIS .t CO\V < : ilI , 1HO.V M'OHKH. Iron nil ( I llrnxH irouiiilcrx. Manufacturers nnd Jobbers of Machinery. Gen eral repairing a tpeclnllv. 1S01. 1S03 and luOS Jackson street , Omann Neti. PAXTOX & VIEIIMXU IHOX AVOI11CS. Manufncturers of Arcbllectural Iron Woilt. General Foundry. Machine nnd IllncltmnUh worK , Xlnslncirs nnd Contractors for Flro Proof nulld- Ingn. OlHce nnd woik : U. I' . Ily nnd South 17th street. Omnhn. LINSKED OIL. WOODMAX MXSK10I ) Oil. AVOIUCS , Mnnufnctiirera old piocess raw llnterd oil , kettle boiled linseed oil. old piocess Rround Iln- FOCI ! cake , grjund and screened flaxseed for dnipRlBlB. OMAHA. NEIl. I , . G. IIOUI\ Manufacturer Lounges , Couchen , Mattrorei. Jobber of Spring Ileds nnd Feathers. 1307-lt Nicholas etro't. OMAHA linil > I\G CO. Mamifncttirera of hlnh rnde Mattresses , 1302-0 Nicholas Street , Omnhn. OVnitAI.L ANO SH1UT rACTOniCS. ' KATK-NI3VKXS COMI'AXY. Mfsrs. Clothing. Pants , Shirts nnd Overalla. OMAHA. Nin. SHIIIT PACTOniES. J. II. UVAXH. SICA NIIIHT COMI'AXY. ExclUBlve cuptora thlrt tnllori. . 1C15 Farnam. TINWAHI : . WI3NTHIIX TIVWAItn COMPANY , Pieced , Stamped and Jnp.inneil Tinware , Gran ite lion , Holhiw Ware , ttc , 1003 rarnnm St. OMAHANEIl. VINlSOAfl AND PICKLES. HAAItMANV VI.VHCAII CO. , Mannufiicturcra of Vlnesar. Pickles. Cntsup , MuBtnidx , Celery and Worcektcrnhlrc Sauce. \VAGONB ANJJ CAHIHAGES. I'KKIKKICH. I'or n Rood uulmtantlu vehicle of nny descrip tion , for rcpuimtnf or rubb-r tires on new or ola whfeU , the bent place Is iT'.li and l uvcnworta . Btr'-ttH. IIKI'MMOXII CAIIHIAGi : CO. Cheap , medium priced and tony ciin. Any thliiK yn vunl. ffudiul band or new. Ilead'iuuiteru for Uiibbrr UII-H warranted. IStli and Jlorney , opposite Court Hou o. " " A. J. SIMPSOX 1-tOil , 1-111 DuilKf. I'ull line of Carriugts , HUHKICU , J'haetont , Pony CartH.VheeIu rubber tiled , Thu belt la thf SPECIAUSTSf HI Years Kxpt'rlence , Truulmmit liy Mull , Rxitmlnnllim unit Cf.nMiltiitliin I'rue. ( Jminuitco to ctiiu wiirfillly mill nidlcully nil UUvr.Hv * of tlio tee SYPHILIS , IMF nm OONOItRIICRA , CJI.IJF/r , HTXtlCTtlltR , . IlydroceleanndNlKlit KinlSHloiih , llluxlBklii un I Kidney DlBcubUH , 1'llcg , 1'letiilu find Hectul Ulcorsnnd all Kindred alloclluus , oven when till titling Imvo fulled. Mi-thod nuw. CaUonoruddrfBS with Blumy , DR8 , 6EARLE8 & 8EARLE6 , BEE Offlee , 119 So , 14th St. , OMAHA , NEB.