In the Wars of the Roses: A Story for the Young

g Paul's young companion with a glance of shrewd admiration and surprise; "a

scarce have been chance that led you here. My guest spo

so well. He had no thought of the encounter when he started forth today, but kind fortune guided us to the meeting. As children we loved each other and played together, but for years we

h that all who heard him felt their hearts go out to him, they knew not why.

ship with our guest and very good friend Paul Stukely. And you come at a good time, too, young sir; for we h

and these gentlemen will doubtless honour our poor home by remaining our g

oan, whose face was alight with happine

about her. Figeon's is a lonely place, and the young know not how to be cautious, and it's ill work for young blood to be cooped up ever between four walls. Down in the village, with neighbours about her, the wench will be safe enough, and Will's sturdy arm will be

hich he and his son could not but give credence to, whilst they made no protest of having altered their old way of thinking. But he had always forbidden his wife to disturb Joan in her pious faith in the old religion. Such hard matters, he said, were not for young wenches; and the peril which m

r marriage, and as soon as the young people had come to an understanding

ossed the kitchen with some pleasa

ho sent him hither today. He had got some foolish notion in his head which ke

eems," answered Paul, laughing. "And

long had all my household linen spun against the wedding day. I trust you will s

I would fain be a witness of yours, fair mistress. But I must ask my

t he won all hearts by the grace of his manners, the sweetness of his smiles, his ready courtesy to all, and the brilliant sallies that escaped his lips which set the whole table sometimes in a roar. He possessed that ready adaptability to circumstances whic

not intend to speak of his own past; and noting the unconscious deference paid by Paul to one whom seniority would have given him the right to dictate to and lead, she came to the conclusion that, kinsfolk or no, the newcomer was of a more exalted rank than his comrade, an

of dogs without, caused one of the men to start to his feet; whilst Joan turned red and pale, as she had had a trick of doing of

he visitor was none other than the peddler of a few days back, who, contrary

the bridge at Terling, and so I thought I would tramp back the way I had come. Reaching the village at sundown, I heard the news of the wedding that is to be up here; and, thought I, surely where a wedding is to b

everything heaped upon his trencher; whilst as he talked and ate at the same time, doing both with hearty goodwill, Joan and one of the serv

lf a wedding kirtle; whilst he himself turned again to the peddler, asking news of the realm; and young Ed

hings; longing for "the king"--by which was meant Edward the Fourth--to come back and reclaim the kingdom; gloomy prognosti

aret of Anjou, scornfully called "the Frenchwoman," ran so high that Paul

ork. But the coming of this peddler may be good for you. Said you not that you wished to purchase a riding dress? His wares are good and not too cost

r's wares were being unpacked and handed round for inspection in a free and easy fashion enough; but the man made no objection, and only kept a pretty

th the man. He and Paul both desired to make some present to the bride, and picked out, the one an elegant high-peaked headdress, such as the ladies of the day loved to wear, though sati

corner where the peddler had ensconced

e in safety. Thus it comes about that I have but little gold about me. But your trade is one that barters all kinds of gear, and I have this pearl clasp to offer to you in part exchange for what I wish to take of you,

anxiety had he been near at hand. But he had not observed his comrade's last move, and was still patiently holding out stuffs

market for such things," returned the peddler. "And how came you by it, young s

common peddler; but his common sense told him that he must expect such treatm

there first. I trow I am not the only youth who has jewels by him in

odded his hea

e again, I misdoubt me, ere England sees peace and prosperity once more. But at least the vultures fatten if hon

with sudden heat. "He is unworthy the na

aid too much, he returned to the matter of the bargain

when he had paid for his purchases he had a few gold pieces to put in his pouch, and he reflected that in London he should be able to dispose of the othe

leaving the French court, was glad enough of a few days' rest in the hospitable farmhouse, and of the opportunity of hearing all the village gossip which t

on be against us, that rich merchant city, the pride and wonder of the world, I have little heart or hope of success. Folks ever talk as if London were Yorkist to the core; but I yet have hopes that amongst her humbler citizens there may beat hearts warm in Henry of Lancaster's cause. At least I will go thither and see with my

hear in London. But yet, inasmuch as he was young and ardent, he hoped even whilst he fea

next morning; but they had bought all they required overnight, and did not trouble about that. There was a great sti

bred as Sultan, and Paul was eager for Edward to accept his steed in place of another. But the prince only laughed and shook his head, in the end selecting a fine chestnut colt only just broken to the wearing of the halter; and the kinsmen spent the best part of the next days in teaching the mettl

aint was galling to a high-spirited youth; and although the sweetness of disposition inherited from his father had carried the prince through life without rebellion or repining, yet this foretaste of liberty was very delightful

ondered if it were his fancy that the farm was watched; that there were often stealthy steps heard without in the night--steps that set the dogs barking furiously, but which never could be accounted for next day; that if he rode or walked down the cart road to the vil

ture was drawing near. If he had provoked the enmity of the robber chief, or if by a remoter chance the identity of his

he house ready to carry her off if she did; and though her father and brother laughed at her fear, they humoured her, and were willing enough to let her keep safe at home: for Si

ass to the sturdy keeping of the young smith, whose new house stood well flanked between his father'

as better lighted by the fire of logs than by the feeble rush light glimmering on the table. Fuel was so plentiful in that wooded coun

them, Edward laid a hand upon

ubt me that some mischief is meditated toward Mistress Jo

tinctively laying his hand upon his poniard. "B

ey are all alike. And did you not hear Jack Devenish say as he came in from his last round that he feared the great black watchdog in the yard would not live till morning, he seemed so sick and out of sorts? I wondered then that no one thought strange hands had

tting her into his power. They all call him a desperate fellow, and he will know that after the hard day's toil to have all in readiness for the morrow the household will sleep sound tonight.

rselves tonight. What say you to look to ou

d an attack upon a sleeping household? Paul thought he had been right now in fancying the house watched; but probably the hope of the watchers had

e gone out. Midnight had passed. All was intensely still, and sleep seemed disposed to steal upon their senses in spite of their resolution to banish his presence. Paul was just about to suggest to his companion that he

the window and then seemed to steal round the house. It was useless to look out of the window, for the night wa

eard a sound as though a ladder was being brought out. They

their speed and knowledge, of the wood. There is no time to lose. Call up the farmer a

position of the rooms occupied by the farmer and his son, and groped his way thither; whilst Paul, with more certain step, sped lightly al

g house; but he had scarce reached the door of the maiden's

companion. This companion was already in the room; he was in the very act of lifting from the bed the form of the bride elect, who was so wrapped and smothered in the bed clothes that she was unable either to cry aloud or to resist. Paul could not see the face of the ruffian who w

had heard; and Paul, seeing that his presence was undetected, rushed straight across the room toward the window, grasped the ladder in both hands, and before the astonished ruffian upon it ha

rkness. The man had uttered a great oath as he became aware that his occupation had been interrupted, and dropping his burden upon the bed, he turned furiously up

against you without this? Do you know that no man thwarts Devil's Own who lives not bitterly to rue the day? I have your name down in a certain book of mine, young man, and some day you will l

with the lad in spite of his courage and address, for he was but a stripling and the robber a man of unwonted strength, and full of fury now at being thus

numbers if he waited longer, suddenly sprang backwards and rushed to the window. Although it was high above the ground, and the stones below were both slippery and hard, he vaulted out like a deer, landing on the prostrate body of his companion, who received him with an execratio

the disappointed Paul had each to tell their tale. But whilst the parents bent over their daughter, s

eam of day, and gain another parish or the protection of London, at least, before he has recovered fro

nged glances, and

. "If you can have the horses in readiness, we will ride of

ife that very morning, Paul and the prince were not there