CHAPTER XIV,

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1639, 9 November 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XIV,

THE FUGITIVE.

Weeks of apprehension and anxiety passed over the family at the Priory — every day brought rumours which made thorn heart-sick for the future. That brilliant ovation at Taunton was the last sparkle on the bitter cup the hapless Monmouth was to drink to the dregs. The forces of the king encountered his undisciplined troops at Sedgemoor and completely routed them. He fled from the battle-field, and Sir Hugh learned that his son bore him company ; beyond that he could gain ho information, and the family watched and waited for Vernor's appearance with weary ,and wretched hearts. The work of vengeance had commenced with relentless severity, and Sir Hugh i was ia daily expectation of a visit from the rude soldiery, who were permitted bo be guilty of any degree of atrocity towards those who had been implicated in the rebellion. Thus far he had been unmolested, and he began to cherish the hope that for Vernpr's share in the outbreak his family would, not be held responsible, | It was late in the evening, and the family had retired to their own apartments, when a worn and waßted figure approached the house in a stealthy manner, as if fearing pursuit. He reconnoitered the gloomy-looking pile before he ventured to approach Sir Hugh's room. The window was partly open, and he glanced through the dimly-lighted room to -ascertain if its occupant was alone. The old man sat beside arable on winch rested a bottle and glaaa, and the lip of the wanderer cnrled scornfully as he saw the source to which Sir Hugh had applied for consolation. With a single bound he sprang into the apartment, and the baronet rose in alarm and attempted to reach the bellcord, for he did not recognise in that ghastly, dirty fugitive his handsome son. Veinor sprang forward and seized his hand, as he exclaimed .* '* Would you destroy me, sir ? After toils and hardships that would have killed most men, I have gained this haven of safo.ty ! but if the servants know I am here I am loBt !" With a faint cry the old man sank back upon his seat, too much unnerved to reply for several moments. Verror seized the bottle, placed it to his lips, and swallowed a long draught; then replacing it, he said : " I am famishing.. I have had nothing to eat for three days but raw vegetables that I gathered from the fields. Have food placed before me without delay. Ethel can wait on me, and no one but she and my aunt need know that I am here." Sir Hugh feebly arose, for the events ; of the last few weeks had shaken him severely, and the potations he imbibed did not tend to strengthen either mind or body." Crying out, " Oh, my boy ! my boy I did I ever think you would come to such a pass as this !" he went toward the door, and Vernor again applied to the bottle for consolation. The old man knocked at the door of

Ethel's chamber, and when she unclosed it sho V7as struck with fear and astonishment; at the apparation of Sir Hugh looking as pale as a wraith, with tears streaming over his farrowed face. " What is it, dear sir ? For Heaven's sake, toll me if you have heard evil tidings of Vernor ?" :< He is here ; he is in my room, starving, wretched, hunted ! Oh, my God ! Ethel, what is to become of us all ?" " Here 1" was the response, in an accent of joy. " Then he ia safe, for we can hide him in the old house, where no one will be able to find him. Let me speak to aunty, and we will soon supply him with food." "Yes," he replied, in a dull tone ; " tell Agnes, and lose no time in bringing the poor fellow something to eat. But I be careful; Ethel ; the servants must suspect nothing. If they are questioned they might betray him." "I understand, sir. These are dfeadful times, and we cannot be too cautious. I will speak to aunty, and in a few minutes we will join you." Sir Hugh returned to his son, and the young girl flitted into Mrs. Methurn's apartment with the welcome news that the fugitive had at last gained the shelter of his paternal roof. She heard it with gratitude, and in a few moments the two entered the baronet's room, bearing cold meat, bread and wine. Yernor scarcely paused to greet them ; he fell upon the food with the appetite of a famished tiger, tore it with his fingers, and drank from the bottle almost without { noticing those who were weeping and lamenting over his deplorable condition. At length his hunger was satisfied, and after washing his hands and face in the water which Ethel offered him, he said, | with a ghastly attempt to smile ; " You see, Ethel, to what I have come by following my own headstrong will. I devoted my life to a mad enterprise, and now, unless I can escape the bloodhounds that are on my track, I shall lose ib by the hangman's rope." •Ethel uttered a cry, and he bitterly went on : I " Aye— that fate is thought good enough even for gentlemen who have risen against the rule of James Stuart. Feversham's dragoons have already strung up hundreds of men, and I escaped them almost by a miracle." " Sit down, and tell us all your adventures," said. Mrs. Methurn, tor Vernor, forgetting his fatigue, was pacing the room like a wild beaat. "We have been so wretched aboub you, that; now we have you with us we can almost feel that the worst is past." ' ' Then you know little of the implacab 1 •? man that rules this land, Aunt Agnes," he bitterly replied. " Danger overhangs ua all ; the royal troops are overrunning the whole country, and it is a wonder to me that they have not yet visited the Priory. They are probably giving me time to take refuge here before they como to trap me like a rat in a hole. But I will baffle them yet. I have a hiding-place they will never find ; and now I am here I feel quite safe.'' -" And the duke T asked Ethel, tremulously. " What of him ?" I truat that he has escaped." An expression of deep gloom overspread Vernor's face. . "He is taken. A' reward of five thousand pounds was set upon his head ; this stimulated the wretched knaves of his ' uncle to such activity that he was cut off, surrounded and made a prisoner. By this time lie is in. London. I fled, afld am here at last. I think I can secure myself from discovery, if food <$an be furnished me without exciting suspicion among the servants." Ethel was weeping violently, and Vernor turned to her with an expression of surprise. " Ha ! little one, since I am safe aiid sound; I do not know what cause for tears ' you can have just at this moment." "Oh ! Vernor, how can you say so, when that noble eavalia* is a prisoner- in the power of his greatest enemy ? How could you desert him and care for your own safety in his hour of direst need ?" A dark frown gathered on his brow,and he harshly said : "Don't be a fool, Ethel. I could have done the duke no good by remaining with him. I feel much flattered that you have no thought for any one but the duke, , when I am in. nearly as dire a straight aa he is. Pretty conduct for my lady bride, indeed." She shuddered^ and turned her face from him, that he might not see the repulsion that filled her soul at this title. Vernor arose, and sank down again, saying : . "I am tired to death ! Where can I rest, Sir Hugh, till the sleuth-hounds come, that are sure to pursue me?" A dormitory in the old house must be prepared for you, Agnes, you ard Ethel bring bedding hither, and I will "open the doors and show you where to place it." Mrs. Methurn and Ethel went upon this errand, and Sir Hugh unlocked the doors leading into the corridor. The nearest cell was selected a3 the one from which Yernor could soonest hear the alarm, if one should be given, and retreat to the Secret Chamber. The heavy door slowly yielded to their efforts, and they entered a narrow dormitory, lighted by a single window, placed high up in the wall. Ethel followed Mrs. Mothurn, bringing i sheets and pillows, and in a few momenta \ a couch was spread, on which Vernor threw himself, scarcely thanking them for their efforts to serve him. As they were going away, Sir Hugh said°to him : "If there is danger of so pressing a nature that I cannot come to you, Vernor, I will strike a loud blow upon the door of my room, which opens into the adjoining chamber. It will -vibrato through these empty walls like thunder, and you may know that no time is to he lostm gaining your retreat. Here is a lantern and tinder-box, to strike a light if you should need one." " I understand, sir,"^ he drowsily responded, and by the time the door was closed on him he was buried in a sleep of weariness and exhaustion, and the three returned to Sir Hugh's room in a state of extreme perturbation aa to what might next happen. Various rumors had reached them of the violence of the soldiery toward those who had shown favor to Monmouth, and a/vague feeling of dread as to what the next few months might bring forth wa3

upon them all. Sir Hugh had scarcely closed the door of communication and placed the key in

its usual receptacle, when a tap came upon the window which startled them greatly. The next moment a woman's face appeared at the opening 1 , and a : familiar voice spoke. " It's only me, krs. Methurn. May I come in, Sir Hugh 9 I have something to ! tell you that is important." The baronet recognised Mrs. Crofts, the Kate Oonway of other days, anii he replied : " Certainly, Kate. Let us hear what you have to say." She glanced around, then stepped, upon the broad window seat, and sprang into the room, crouching down close to the wall, and breathlessly said : " I hope no one is watching, for I would not have them see me for anything. My husband thinks I am safe in bed, but while he went down into the village, [ ran all the way here in the darkness, to tell you what is coming, that you may be ready to face the danger." "Whab danger?" asked Sir Hugh, quickly. •• Are soldiers coming upon us?" "Aye, that they are, sir; the men who are in the village ale house swear that the young squire must be about here, and that they have come to take him. The place is full of them, and they are drinking all they can get." " Pooh ! why should they think my son is here ? Of course, lie will know thai fchis will be (he first place searched { for him, and avoid coming hither for a j season at least." " I hope so, Sir Hugh, but Mr. Vernor is not the only one in 'danger," and sho glanced significantly toward Ethel. Mrs. Methurn changed color, and threw her arms around the young girl, as she faltered : " Are we all to be arrested merely for showing ourselves friendly towards Monmouth ?" " I don't know about you, ma'am ; but Miss Digby has been thrown into prison, and many threats have been uttered against her for giving the flag. It mayn't go so hard with Miss Ethel, because she only gave the duke the Bible, which everybody ought to read. But all the young ladies who took part in the proi cession are in trouble, and I thought it j best to let you know. Maybe Miss Ethel can manage to get out of the way awhile, or she can hide herself in this big house." At the first intimation "of danger to herself, Ethel had buried her head in Mrs. Methurn's bosom, but she nowlooked up, very pale, but with an expression of pride on her young face, as she said : I "I cannot thank you enough for your ' kindness, Kate, in coming all this way to warn me of danger, but I shall not hide. It is nseless, for I should be found easily enough, and so young a girl as I am will not be treated harshly for presenting i the Word of God to one who aspired to become our ruler. What Alice can bgar I also can endure. Let them come. " " Bufc they may take you away to Taunton. They may remove you from ' me," said Mra. Methurn, in alarm. " Oh, would to Heaven we had. never taken part in this fatal affair ! Oh ! my darling ! my darling 1 what shall we do ?" "We can do nothing but wait and watch," t said Sir Hugh, with an oath. ; " Ethel is right. She must not conceal herself, for she has done nothing that i men worthy of the name will punish. My good Kate, do you think tho soldiers will be here to-night T " I cannot tell that, Bir. I heard it said that they had ridden far to-day, and wera hungry and thirsty. Kirke's lambs don't often leave the flagon as long as there is a drop of liquor in it." " Kirke ! Good God ! is he sent on this errand with his infernal band of cutthroats V gasped Sir Hugh, quite overcome, for Kirke was known as the most reokless and unscrupulous of leaders, and he and his followers had perpetrated many atrocities, even in less evil times ' than those he had fallen on. i Mrs. Crofts arose and said : "My errand is done, and I must hurry back before my absence ia discovered. My husband would never forgive me if he knew that I had risked so much to warn the young squire." " The way ia too long and lonely for you to venture back to-night. Remain here, and I will make your peace with your husband," said Mrs. Methurn. She shook her head. *• No, thank you, ma'am ; that would never do, I must return as I came, and as I know every path Ihrough the woods, nobody will be likely to catch me. I would risk even that sooner than meet the anger of Tom Crofts if he knew that I had been near the Priory. Good night, ma'am. I hope you'll all win through safely yet ; and if I can serve you in any | way I'll gladly do it." Ethel drew near her and took her hand as she warmly thanked her for the risk she had run to serve them ; but Mrs. Crofts repliod briefly, and withdrew her hand from her clasp as soon as she could do so without rudeness. She saw in Ethel only a rival who had won from her her first love, and her jealous heart had not quite forgiven her even yet. After bidding adieu to Sir Hugh, she sprang through the window and swiftly crossed the lawn. The night was clear and starlit ; but there was no moon, and her figure was soon lost in the shadows of the shrubbery. There was no sleep that night for the three who sat together during its long hours watching and listening for the approach of those they so much feared and dreaded. I Toward morning, utterly worn out with I fatigue, * Ethel's head fell upon the t shoulder of Mrs. Methurn, and she I gained a few moments of oblivion from the perils that menaced them ; but bitter were the tears shed over her by her fond protectress as she lay white and still within her arms. (TO tit CONTINUED.)

Smart boy : "Do you keep all the brands of teas ?." Grocer : " Yes, sir ; what kind do you prefer?" Smart boy : " Socrates or Hippocrates." When a fop was trying to beoome the lion of a fashionable party, a wit remarked that he could never be anything but a dandyliou. 11 Lizzie, did the doctor propose to you today r " No, mamma ; he only asked if you would live with me after I got married." Bulldogs are an accepted type of oourage, bat we have known the lowly and despised kitten come up to the scratch. The yung fellow who has expectations find b no difficulty in sailing about on his heirship. 652