Hayslope Grange / A Tale of the Civil War

So many were compelled to fast for want of food throughout England, that all the land might be

between the King and his people, might be able to conclude terms of adjustment satisfactory to both parties. Maud felt sure that peace would be established at last when she heard the news, and Bertram asked her in a whisper if Harry would come home then;

were living he would surely have tried to see or communicat

ade them spring forth, and through this He had made them strong. Thus thinking as she walked through the fields, Maud sometimes wondered whether these dark times was England's winter, out of which righteousness and truth would spring, and be

ion broke up without anything being done, and men were hurried from their homes to take up the sword, leaving the plough to be guided by wom

ning hair and the failing strength of her brother, and spoke to Maud about it too. She had noted the change long since, and now she felt sure that secret grief for Harry was pre

aseby, in Northamptonshire, where the King's army had been completely defeated, leaving on the field five thousand prisoners, an immense quantity of war material; and what was worse than all for the Royalists, the King

ps and fight for King Charles. The lady looked as if she had not heard aright, and said something about herb tea and going to bed; but Mast

Y TAKES DOW

ng to the King now," said M

y; and during the remainder of the day he was oc

the Parliament gaining all England, and begged her brother to remain and protect them-have the moat filled at once, and barricades placed round the h

"You forget King Charles has the Divine right to this land and its people. He wil

ford if anything happened needing his presence at home. She could ri

he army, for she had never been to Oxford in her life, and travelling was not very safe even for a man now Prince Rupert's wild tro

the old woman told them some story of his kindness to her. One day as they were returning from a visit to the cottage, they were startled to see a crowd of women gathered round the blacksmith's shed, and Bertram, in his usual impetuous fashion, ran forward to see what was the matter. Maud was mounted on Cavalier, and Bessie on he

he asked, seeing their anxious f

ust+ get to Oxford first, to deliver up some papers

ksmith to his going on h

side. Nought but keeping him quite still, as well as careful dressing

yed, as she stepped up to the blacksmith. She spoke loud enough for the stranger to hear, as she had

e awhile, for your life will pay for this

valuable than mine depend upon the speedy delivery of these papers;" and as he spo

bout the papers as soon as he had somewhat revived. Meanwhile she ordered Martin to look to Cavalier, while the women attended to the stranger;

ourt, and Master Drury of the Grange is my guardian," she said. "He is at Oxford just now, but if you will entrust your

ands upon the papers "I could trust you," he said, "but will you swear that t

said Maud

sed me miles out of my way, or I should have reached Oxford ere this; and if it were not

ve me the papers, for my horse is in readiness, and I would fai

Then the stranger gave her directions for her journey, for he it seemed was well acquainted with the road; and carefully noting these in her mind, and looking a

o the Grange at once; but she was some miles on her way by this time, for Cavalier was fresh, and inclined for a sharp canter, and Ma

med inclined to lag. It never occurred to her that if Prince Rupert's troops had driven the messenger so far out of the usual route, it would be impossible for her to escape them, neither did she think, even if she knew, the distance she had

f his followers had fired a farm-house the night before, after carrying off all that they wanted; and the numbers of people-quiet dwellers in lonely houses-or

th fear as she knelt down in the little strange bedroom to thank God for His mercy, and ask it too for Harry if he was still in this world. She prayed too that she might be kept through

al troopers went to sleep, not waking until the morning, when she recommence