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

ight there is no depending upon him. I must put an end to them if they are to

d he found her still sitting beside the fire, which she had piled up high on the hearth, as if she meant to remain downstairs

never did so before. I was glad of it; for I have been uneasy f

ng some young lass not of our village, but one who lives a pretty step from here, I'll be bound. I'v

l his return, and stand his friend with you, if you should be displeased at his choice. One might have thought he was bringing his bride home with hi

m in their own hearts, and thought such a son had never lived before. Both were anxiously looking forward to the day when he should bring home a wife to brighten up

r from time to time, as if half afraid of what she was doing. It was long before the silence outside was broken by any sound of approaching footfalls; and when the ring of a horse hoof

d in the doorway, peering out into the c

ers," said the farmer, shading his eyes from the glare o

? And who are these that y

ncumbered by some burden he supported before him on his horse. But from the other lighter palfrey there leaped down a small and graceful creature of fairy-like proportions, an

l my life. I never had one. Mine own mother died almost ere I saw the light. He said you would love me; and I have loved you long. Yet it is not of myself I must talk now, but of yon poor lad whom you know well. We have brought Paul Stuk

elf, her husband had lifted into the house the apparently inanimate form of Paul

to his assistance, he was able quickly to join the party beside the fire, and coming forward with a glad and

and I know you will not then withhold your love from one who has known little of it, and who has led a strange, hard life

ss, of the life she was forced to lead; told of her fierce father's fierce love gradually waning and turning to anger as he discovered that she was not pliable material in his hands, to be be

, and how his Eva had effected his liberation and had brought him with her to the trysting place. They had planned before the details of the flight, and

smothered ejaculation of anger and pity, suddenly put his strong arms abo

am proud that my roof is the one to shelter thee from t

make you man and wife; and we will love her none the less for what her father was. I always heard that the Fire Eater, as they call him, had carried off and married a fair maiden, too good by a

ther. A brave lass deserves a wa

g to her eyes at hearing these kindly words; and whilst Jack wrung his father's hand and thanked him warmly for his goo

hed bride so quickly and happily settled, they all turned their atte

of some unlooked-for guest, Paul was quickly transported thither, and tenderly laid between the clean but coarse coverings. He only moaned a little, and never opened his eyes or recognized w

ng together with this secret between them. But Eva had heard much about both, and told how the presence of the prince in the country had become known to her father and his band first through the suspicions of the peddler, who had seen the one pearl clasp

nd in London they were less easily found. Eva did not know the whole story--it was Paul who supplied the missing links later; but she told how a great part of the band had gone forth to seek them in the city--how word had presently been brought by a mounted messenge

escaped. Well indeed for both--if Paul knew his hiding place--that he was out of the power of the robbers. They would scarce in any case have let him escape with his life, after the ill will many of them bore him; but had he continued to set them at defiance by his silence, there is no knowing to what le

nd of five hundred of his good soldiers, and destroy these bandits root and branch. If these outrages are committed in the name of the House of York, then I and mine will henceforth wear the badge of Lancaster. What we simple country folks want is

eceived at their hands. He was going off on a secret errand to the Priory that very day on Paul's behalf, to ask for news of the prince; and when it was known that the bright-haired lad (Paul's kinsman, as he had been called) who had won all

the night. Others had darker tales to tell; and Will Ives clenched his fists and vowed that he would be glad indeed to see the day when he and Simon Dowsett might meet face to face in equal combat. But it would be impossible to attack the robbers in their forest f

rty of loyal rustics, who should escort him in triumph to his royal father in London. But that hope was of short duratio

one of the brothers was about to start for the coast on a mission for the Prior; and disguised in a friar's gown, Edward could travel with him in the most perfect safety. Stout nags were in readiness for the pair; and after the lad had been well fed, an

ance, the captain of which, an ardent Lancastrian, would defend his passenger from every peril at risk of his own life if need be. The wind was favourable and light, and ther

ey too, though in some sort protected by the awe inspired by Holy Church, suffered from the bo

nfession, and absolve her from her offences, and then, if all seemed well, to perform the rite of betrothal, which was almost as binding as the marriage service itself, and generally preceded it by a few weeks or months, as the case might be. So Jack rode off in high feather, and talked so unceasingly of his Eva the whole way to the farm, that the good brother was almost convinced beforehand of the virtue and devotion of th

as, the fatigue and suffering he had undergone had broken him down, and a fever set in which for a time made them fear for his very life. But his hardy constitution triumph

a book upon her knee--words that had seemed full of peace and light and comfort, and which had sunk into his weary brain with strangely soothing power. Some of these same words were not quite unfamiliar to him--at least he knew their eq

orenoon, as his nurse sat beside him with her busy needle flying, he looked up at her and said

that you had

pain and give me happy thoughts. It is a beau

," said the good woman with a sigh. "But they come from Wycliffe's Bible, and t

herself makes use of," said Paul stoutly. "It may be bad for unlettered and ignorant men to try to teach

isk you run in

d I fear not to see what manner of book th

d by the chimney. A sliding panel sprang back and disclosed a small shelf, upon which st

ng peace and goodwill and truest piety; but a slight stir without the house, and the trampling of horse hoofs in the court below, caused the wo

ks in a different habit, and with none of the rubicund joviality upon their faces that was seen in those of the brothers of Leighs Priory; whilst last of all, with a

ng the respectful salutation made him by Paul an

s were hidden in this house, and that you knew the hiding place. Make good your words, now that you hav

concealed there always. If you will press that spring in the wall here, you will see for

face of Mistress Devenish was perfectly calm, and Paul command

gave a sharp click, and the door flew open. But the little shel

of this visitation," stammered the discomfi

had reached even our ears till your arrival this very morning. This house has ever been well thought of by ou

speak, Paul had raised himself on his pillow

he testimony of yon traitorous fellow, who, if he had had his will,

was promptly frustrated by the sudden appearance of Jack Devenish, who had heard of this sudde

of York might triumph in his death, or in possession of the heir whose life alone could redeem the cause of Lancaster from destruction. The story was listened to with deep attention and no little sympathy, for the visit, the per

bread he had eaten, or one whose life it should be his care to protect; and scarce had Paul done speaking before Brother Lawrenc

without the help of this stalwart youth, could not have brought him, ill and fainting as he was, all these long weary miles. And they took him in; and this woman, whom yon informer would have you believe is a vile heretic, has nursed him like his own mother, and brought him back from the very jaws of death. And is she who has done a service that royal Henry will one day thank her for publicly (for this pallid youth is as a brother in love to young Edward, and his especial charge to us till he comes again to claim him and bestow his well-earned knighthood upon him)--is she to suffer from the unpro

which had given him unwonted eloquence, pointed a finger significantly at the tr

nd tell the good folks there the tale, and I warra

k, "he is no charge of mine; and if all be t

hanging on an oak tree nigh to the blacksmith's forge--a warning to all informers; and when he had g

ratitude of the Church. I believe none of the accusations of that lewd fellow. I tr

so," answered

not see that there was sin in reading holy words from God's own Book. Such matters of dispute were too hard for him, and he closed his tired eyes and was soon sound asleep. He saw the great

his eyes and a gravity upon his jolly face. "If we have given shelter and protection to you, your pr

d to avenge himself on those who had tried to take him captive. A band of armed men was sent down, and the forest swept clear of the marauders--at least for a while. Will Ives had his wish, and met Simon Dowsett face to face in a hand-to-hand struggle;

ons of the day. Her father, the chief of the band, made his escape with some few of his followers, and was heard of no more in those parts. His daughter was glad he was not killed, thoug