LLANFAIR COURT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 4, 24 January 1901, Page 23

LLANFAIR COURT.

(Conclusion.') CHAPTER 111. 1 'Tib well,' muttered Richard, as he climbed the Bteep road to meet the soldier?, ' my uncle in safe, and my work becomes the easier. See, here they come.' A rough, brutal set of men they appeared, as they approached ; their heavy footsteps rang out on the Btony path, while their coarse laughter jarred on his ear. 'How now, puppy?' exclaimed the leader, stepping forward. and clapping the youth on the shoulder, ' thou hast not played us false, I trow I Ha 1 ha 1 this is a good piece of work ; 'tis a fine bird, and one that has used his wings to some purpose. But to-night his limbs will be bound, and his head ere long, methink.s, will be set loose 1' and giving vent to a harsh, triumphant laugh, he led the lad on. ' Look thee, Master Norton,' exclaimed Richard, ' I have played a dangerous game, and led thee to fortune and favor. Thou knowest the priest is here, but without my aid he will not be found, and I Bwear I will not help thee, unless thou promise on thy conscience that the girl, my cousin, shall not be injured, or in any way molested by thy brutal men.' ' Tut, boy, my business is not with maids, but with Massing priests. On my oath my men shall not touch a hair of thy pretty cousin, and for that matter,' he added, waving his hand majestically, ' I extend the same protection to all the women. They cannot hinder us in our work. Regarding thine uncle, Rupert Trevor, I will not pledge myself. Methinks he may like enough prove troublesome.' 'On that score, Master Norton, thou needst have no fear. My uncle is ere now in London attending the deathbed of his sinter.' The priest hunter cast a glance of suspicion at the youth, then apparently satisfied : ' Perhaps 'tis as well,' he remarked, 'our way will be the clearer. But hark thee, renegade, not one penny shalt thou receive till that dog Morgan is fast bound and cuffed, thou understandest, methinks V Richard nodded assent, but his hands clutched, in the angry hatred he feared to show. Assuming another manner, he turned to him deprecatingly. 1 Good Master Norton, I would not that ' he hesitated, and colored with ehame, ' I would not that my cousin and her old nurse know too soon that this is my deed. Give me not away. With thy good leave I would appear at first to be against thee and thy band. But when the Bine Room is reached, and Mistress Trevor is cafe in her own chamber I will point out the secret place and press the spring, too, if necessary,' he added hastily, the color flaming to hin cheeks. Norton laughed harshly. 'Thou girl !' ha jeered, 'so soft and dainty in thy feelings, so shamefaced in thy deeds ! 1 must needs make a man of thee, and this will be thy first step to-night. Well, be it so, I will not teach thy cousin to think ill of thee sooner than need be. Thoa canst not escape us now. and these are mere trifles.' By this time they had reached the house, and Norton placed his men bo that no one could possibly pass out undetected, lhe main door was still open, and Gwynyth and Dame Rachel .stood in the hall. 1 Here, woman,' said Norton, addressing the old servant, ' it hath come to my ears that you have one of your rascally priesis secreted here in this Papist den. Lead me at once to his hole.' The Dame looked him up and down for some moments in silent oontempt. ' If you comes a-priest hunting, all I can say is that you have dropped on the wrong track,' Bhe said at last, with all the Welsh woman's disregard for truth, ' you will find no Papist baggage here. and as for a priest, forsooth, think you we love life and liberty so little as to harbor one in these days ? Besides, my master is away from home, and 'tis very unlike indeed I should afford shelter to any one in his absence. So you may take yourself off, and all your ruffian crew, too.' ' 'Tis useless to argue thus, Rachael,' interposed Richard, ' these men have the Queen's warrant, and are charged to search the premises, the law muat take its course.' ' Indeed, Master Dick, and pray who told the law its course lay in Sir Rupert Trevor's honest household ? ' Richard winced beneath those piercing eyes, and shrank once more behind Norton. All this time Gwynyth had stood at the far end of the hall, concealed behind some heavy tapestry hangings, a graceful little figure in her simple white dress. The paleness of her face set off to perfection the large hn.w n eyes, and the dark hair hanging in thick waves over her shoulders She was old for her age, and possessing her father's strength of will, had now subdued all childish fear, determined to net her part. She came forward, and her voice, as she addressed Norton, rang out dear and distinct. lln my father's absence, I am mistress of this house. I pray you therefore to enter and make your search, as the, law commando, Methinks, however, you will find here no trace of priest or Papist. I trust you will then tarry awhile, to partake of Dame Rachael's hospitality ere further pursuing yonr journey.' For a moment Thomas Norton was well-nigh taken aback by the girl's quiet ease of manner. 'A oivil spoken wench,' he muttered, ' and a handsome one too, albeit that proud gleam in her eyes. I thank thee, maiden,' he said aloud, ' I shall doubtless accept thy hospitality, but first of all to

work. Now woman,' turning again to the Dame, 'lead us to the Blue Room, I have no time to waste on idle search. 1 The Blue Room ! For a moment poor Gwynyth'a self-control almost broke down, and right thankful was she of the dusk, which helped to hide the color she felt was rising to her cheeks. How did he know ? Was he also aware of the hiding place behind the chimney 1 Were they indeed betrayed ? She shrank further back, into the gloom of the old hall. But Dame Rachel rose to the occasion ; there was no surprise in her voice, only the natural annoyance of a querulous old woman. • I troth, and what are we coming to, in the.ee troublous uihuh 1 In my young days we'd have wondered if the moon were turning blue to see a party or ruthan men demand a free passage through the house of an honest country squire, to say nothing of his being a knight to^ boot 1 P.ut what must be, must, times are sadly changed t The Blue Room f Follow me then, though 'tis scarcely worth the trouble, for you'll find no skulking Papist there. I prithee, master, flee that those men of yours, bring not an over-load of mud upon their boots, to soil my clean floors.' With that she led the way up the broad oak staircase, followed by Norton and his party, while some distance behind Gwynyth brought up the rear. On the first floor, Dame Rachel turned down a passage leading in an opposite direction to the Blue Room. Norton, who was by no means unsuspicious of the old lady's good intentions, muttered into Richard's ear • ' See thou that she takes us aright. 'Twill go ill with thee, thou snivelling cur, if this proves but a fool's errand after all.' Richard murmured something in an undertone ; he felt that Thomas Norton despised him. He trembled at the very thought of incurring the brutal man's anger : it must not be, ao pulling himBelf together, he call to the Dame : ' Surely good Rachel, thou art not leading us aright. If I mistake not the Blue Room is in the other wing. Master Norton hath but little time to spare, he must make his search and be gone.' The Dame turned sharply round, and stood facing the youth, her eyes flaming with anger and contempt. 'Thou eeemst mightily taken up by this priest hunting-, Master Richard,' she said, 'if thou'lt not follow me, lead the way thyself ! ' ' Nay, Rachel,' he replied, making a faint attempt at smiling, 'be not wrathful, I would but aave time. Take these gentlemen to the Blue Room, I pray thee.' 1 I tell thee lad, I'll not stir to help them ! Do thy devil's work thyself ! Take thy friend, ferret out the priest, if he be here, and get thy wage. Paid spy ! Traitor I' she hissed, ' betray thy religion, thy uncle, thy home and take thy filthy lucre ! Dost think I'll stir a hand to aid thee ? ' She stood with her arms akimbo, scorn and defiance written on every feature. Richard cowered beneath the torrent of angry words, and would have slunk into the background, had not Norton laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder. ' So thou trembling coward,' he paid roughly, 'thou seest the game is up ! They know time for what thou art, in with me hand and foot. Lead on, 1 way, show me the room and the hiding hole behind the chimney. D( at hi.ir ' I hrook no delay I ' Not daring to disobey, Riclnnl mad? his way through the men in order to take them in the right direction. A^ he did so he caught sight of Gwynyth, who had ntood %\ ltne-^ing the scene from a distance. The culor ro'-o to his bro.v. At all events she should not be present at the last act, she should not see his final disgrace. '(rwynjth,' he said huskily 'get thee to thy chamber. These are no scene.-! for a maiden ' With something like a scb the girl flew towards him and flung herself at his feet. •Oh ! listen to me, Dick ' she implored, clasping her hands, and '-peaking in an undertone s-o that none but he might hear, 'by the love thou beare-t my ur.de. who hath ever treated thee like a son, by the love chou hast for me thy sisu>r-< onsin, hear me. Save the good priest's life 1 It can yet be done, for they know not the room. Dick ' Dick 1 if you have a heart within you, if you believe in a God above, be uot false to your religion ' ' ' More on, I say,' cried the voice of Norton, ' send the wench about her business, or, in the fiend's name, I'll do it for thee ! ' Trevor hastily dragged his cousin from her knees, and forced her to move on with him. 1 Canst not see, girl,' he muttered, ' I am powerless ? They know the priest is here, and were I not to show them the room they would burn the house about our ears.' ' And let them burn it I ' cried the girl, freeing herself from his grasp, her dark eyes flashing, ' are we such cowards that we fear to suffer in the cause of truth / Ah ! Dick, my cousin,' and her manner •-of tened once again, 'perjure not thy poul with sin, bring not the blood of this holy man upon thy head, 'Tis not too late even now thou niayst draw back.' She would have said more, but Norton, lashed to fury by the unnecessary delay, pushed her rudely aside, and forced Richard forward. The men shoved passed her, not sparing their brutal jokes, and a few moments later she was left alone with Dame Rachel. All ire had fled from the good old servant's face, she was all gentleness now, as she pressed her loved master's child tenderly in her arms ■ This is no place for such a.9 thou, my sweet mistress Gwynyth. Let us hie to thy chamber, for here, indeed, we can do no more.' ' Nay, Rachel,' replied the girl, as she quietly but firmly freed herself from her old nurse's embrace, ' what others have strength to suffer shall I fear to witness ? Our presence may at least afford some comfort to the good Father in his hour of need. Come, let ub follow them.' The sounds of angry voices and loud hammering filled the air as the old woman and maiden slipped unperceived into the room. The mantlepiece was already shattered, four men had climbed into the great fireplace, probing and knocking with their crowbars. Bu

in vain, the firm stone and ironwork resisted all their efforts. At last, weary and hot, they had to own that the task was beyond them, unless they set to unbuilding the chimney, and that could not be done till morning, for twilight was fast giving place to darkness. Norton gave a hard laugh. ' Think you I would go to that amount of time and trouble when I huve by me so easy a means of obtaining access to the Papist / Here, thou dog, fulfil thy compact, touch the spring of this traitor's hiding-place ! ' and laying his hand on Richard's collar he appeareU aiinoai uj lit l. Liui iuLo tao fiicpLiwc. For a moment there was a conflict with his better nature, but fear and avarice gained the day. Breathlessly he ran his hauu alou^ the b<iok of the fireplace, till he felt his fingers slip into the niche he knew so well. He pressed it firmly That which had appeired so unresisting before slid noiselessly into the wall, displaying a fair-sized cravity. Ere the soldiers could rush forward to seize their prey, a man garbed as a monk stepped out, and stood calmly surveying his assailants. But what was this ? Richard, with a exclamation of surprise, started forward, a sudden cry of ' Father ' father I ' rang through the room, and a childish figure in white darted through the men, flinging herself into the arms of Sir Rupert Trevor, for it was indeed he. Thomas Norton turned in a fury upon Richard. ' What means this, thou hangman's cur ' Hast thou played me false / Who is this man .' ' Before Dick could collect his startled thoughts his uncle answered. 'I am Rupert Trevor.' he said, 'master of Llanfair Court. The prie&t you seek is not herp. Twas but to cover his retreat that I thus took his place , he has, ere now I trust, attained some safe shelter.' Norton was white with anger. 'Thou shalt live to rue this day, thou traitor Papist," he cried, maddened at the thought that the bird he had tracked so cleverly had flown from under his very nose, ' since thou wert so eager to take the place of this rascal priest, thou shalt keep it, aye to Tyburn itself, if I have a say in the matter. Methinks we shall find here proof enough of thy villainous defiance of the Queen's laws.' With that he made a sign to his men who immediately dived into the aperture, returning shortly with vestments, crucifix, chalice, missal, in fact all the requisites for Mass. 1 'Tis well," said their leader, ' see that they be taken with us. And as for thee, thou gallows' bird,' turning to Richard, ' 'tis through thee my pme hath escaped. Henceforth 1 dismiss thee from my service. Dost hear, thou skulking hypocrite .'" But for once his words fell idly upon Dick, who could only lean against the wall, murmuring to himself. 'Oh ! what have 1 done ! My uncle ! My uncle '.' Norton addressed his men. ' Secure the prisoner,' he cried, ' I have no time to waste.' Two men stepped forward with iron manacles, and attempted to push aside the child vtho still clung to her father, her head buried on his breast. 'Sweetest Gwynyth," he murmured, Kissing her again and again, ' thou must loose me now. dearest ' But the girl only clung on the more tightly, and it was by sheer brute strength that the men at last succeeded in forcing her away. Then did all self control, all restrait. break down, as she saw him standing there so dignified and quiet, while they loaded him with fetter 1 -. She turned upon Richard, her eyes flaming, her voice trembling' with passion. ' See what thou hast done ' she cried, ' see what thy vile treachery has brought about ' Base spy ' Ungrateful dog I Murderer of one to whom thou owe&t all things I There is a God above, a God Who will avenge the innocent. May His curse fall upon thee, and rnayst thou never have a moment's peace I lam but a child in years, but grief has made me a woman, and as such I curse thee ; with all the strength of my nature do I curse thee ! May thy days be filled with sorrow, and may the thought of thy uncle, whom thou hast delivered to his death, torment thee ever, and the memory of thy cousin, whose heart thou hast broken !' She paused, exhausted by her vehemence. Her father's words fell upon her ears, quiet and calm, yet full of love, a contrast to her own words of hatred. ' Gwynyth,' he said, • it grieves me to hear my own child speak chus. Richard, my lad, I forgive thee, freely and entirely. Turn from thy ways before it is too late ; the God above is merciful, He will forgive thee too." With a moan Dick Tre\or turned away, he could bear no more, and without a word he fled from the room. Those last wordß of kindness had cut him far deeper than Gwynyth's fierce reproaches, he must away and hide his shame, he knew not whither. A few minutes later Black Salad in bounded away from Llanfair Court, bis hoofs might have beun heard ringing on the cobble stones, whose echoes he was never more to arouse. Meanwhile Gwynyth's anger had melted at her loved father's voice, giving place to bitterest anguish. Once more, breaking through the men, she flung herself at Sir Rupert's feet, in an agony of tears. ' Father, father,' she cried, ' I will not part from thee, they must take me to prison too ! I cannot, cannot live without thee !' He stooped tenderly over the weeping form and his voice shook with emotion, for his great heart well nigh overflowed at the thought of leaving her, hit) all, perhaps never to see her again in life. 1 Farewell, Gwynyth, my dearest one,' he said, ' grieve not over me, my child, for I am indeed proud to surfer for the Faith, for which I shall gladly lay down my life, if need be. Be ever true to our holy religion, my Gwynyth, let it be thy first thought in all things. Rembember that we serve a God Who loves us and Who will repay us a thousand-fold for the things we suffer in His Name here below.'

The brutal voice of Norton broke in. ' Enough of this,' he cried. ' Seize the prisoner ! Move on, my men ! ' J But Sir Rupert raised his hand and involuntarily the soldiers paused. ' Rachel,' he said, addressing the old servant, who was silently weeping, 'in thy charge I leave my child. Be thou a mother to her, she is my treasure, my all. Once again, fare thee well, my Gwynyth. May the good God keep thee. Now, men,' he continued, turning to the soldiers, ' I am ready : lead me where you will.' They hurried him aw-iy, a^.-l'^vyy+'i in-l W oIH nnrap followed to see the last of the beloved father and master. Aa the party wended their way down the ancient nveruc of «Y<--nm<-trp«, Sir Rupert turned to bid one more adieu to the home he was leaving, he felt, for ever. Through the gathering glcoui he could see the gleam of a white dress, framed in the shadows of the old hall. For a moment the life seemed to die within him, the strong man shook, his soul wrung to its depths, in the intensity of his grief. ' Help me, my Lord,' he murmured. And the God he called upon came to his aid, the God in Whose service he had sacrificed his all. A gentle peace stole over him. stilling the inward tumult, and rendering him heedless of the rude soldiery. 1113 heart burned within him, the time was come to ahow his fidelity in very deed, and half aloud -he murmured the words of the Inspired Writings : ' For I am sure that neither death, nor lifa, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.'— Catholic Fn-csuh .