Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
CHAPTER NIN-Continu

CHAPTER NIN-Contiuued.
We came to our inn. / lcslpcd from my
horse and forestaled the busting host in
opening the coach door. The looms of
towns.nen and their gossiping wives lined
the approach either side. Nell sprang
out, merry, radiant, unashamed. She,
laughed in my face as she ran past me
amid the plaudits; slowly Barbara followed
With a iow bow, l Offered my arm. Alas
there rose murmur of questions concern
ing her. " no was the lady that rode with
Nell Gwyn" Who Was he that although
plainly attired, bore himself so proudly?
Was he some great lord, travelling I'M
known, and was the lady-weH. the conjec-
lures MY be- guessed, and Mistress Quin-
ton heard them. Her pride broke for a
moment. and 1 feared she would weep
Then she drew herself up and walked slow
ly by with naughty air and a calm face
so that the murmured questions fell to
silence. Perhaps L also had my share in
the change, for walked after her, wearing
a fierce scowl, threatening with my eyes
anu having my hama ON the hilt of my
sword.
The host. elate with the honor OF Nelrs
coming, was eager to offer Us accommoda-
ton. Barbara addressed not a word either
to Nell or 10 me, but followed {, maid to the
chamber allotted to her. Nell was in no
such haste To hide herself from view She.
cried for supper, ana was led to a room
on tn nrst moor that overlooked the street
She threw the window open and exchanged
more greetings and banter with her adj
nnITvrs below. / flung my hat or the ia bic
and sat modify in q chair. Food was
Brought, aad Nell, turning at last from hef.
saltrr t'iAlAshl' lie" 10 pstrtahe of it with
m-rry ess-a mess.
but DOESN'T Mistress Quinton SUP with
u.s.? she said.
Mistress Quinton, it seemed, had no ap-
petlte Tor meal, was shut close In he,.
own chamber, and refused al service Nell
laughed and bade me fall to- l obeyed. be-
ing hungry il spite OF my discomfort.
- was resOlute not to quarrel with her
She hdd shown me great friendliness. nav
anu l had iondEess for her, such as |
oety any man imam, | say not woman to
nave escaped Bat she had tried me sorely
ana Nhilt We ate she Piled NE with new
chdiehges and fresh Indictments to anger
L held my temper well in bounds and
wren was SATISFIED rose with bow, say
ing that | would 90 and inquire il 1 could
be OF any aid to Mistress Quinton
She won'T show herself to YOU" cried
Nell, mockingiy.
She Will If you're not with me- 1 re-
tOrted
Make the trial! Behold I'm firmly seat
cd here
A maid carried my message while paced
the corridor: the ladyS compliments re-
NAiii't To- me- Dut, thanks 10 the attention
OF the host, she had need of nothing L
Sent again. saying that | desired to speak
with her concerning our journey. The
lady excuses returned TO me; she had a
headdche and had sought her bed; she must
pray me To defer my business till the NOR
row. and wished Mistress Gwyn and me
SCCd night. The maid tripped off smiling
,fia&uc on her | cried, angrily and
loudly- laugh greeted the exclamation
and j turned to see Nh standing In the
doorway OF the room where We had supped.
/ Knew, ! knew she cried. reveling
IN her triumph. her eyes dancing in de-
nght. Poor Simon. alas poor simon Won
know little of women. But come. You're a
brave lad, and I'll comfort YOU Resides
you nave given me d Jcweled dagger. Shall
lthd II TO Nou again 10 plunge in your
heart. poor Simon?'
II don't understand you. / have no need
OF a dagger, | answered Stiniy: vet feeling
into the room
Your heart is pierced alreaGy?'' she
asked All. but your heart heals well. IN
spend no pity you
There was now a new tone i'm her voica
her eyes still spanked in mischievous ex-
ultGuon that she had proved right and I
came away sore and bafiled. But when she
spoke OF the healing of my heart there
came an echo of sadness The hiring Of
some smothered sorrow seemed to be strup-
SiihS With her mirth. She was a creature
an az, COMPOUNDED OF sudden changing moods
ui!& not knO" when they were true when
IelSned IN sport. or 10 further some device
She came near now, and bent over nv
chair. saying gently:
Alas, m very wicked. / couldn't helm
the foik cheering me. Simon, surely it was
no fault of mine"
You had no need to look out OF the vim
DOW OF the coach" said L. sternly
But did that with never a thought.
wanted the air. /"
Nor TO jest and banter. 1t was mighty
unseemly, 1 swear"
IN truth, l was wrong to jest with
mem. said Nell, remorsefully. And with
IN. simon. my heart was aching with
shame even while jested. All, you don't
know the shame I feel
IN good truth" i returned, Il believe
you feel no shame at ALL
GU re very cruel to me, Simon Yet
~ ; no more than my desert. All if"
she sighed heavily. If only Simon" she
said and her hand was very near my hair
by the back of the chair But that's mast
praying, she ended. signing again most
woefully- Yet | have been of some SER
vice to you
Il thank YOU for it most heartily" said
], still stiff and cold
And was very wrong today, Simon It
WHAT I criaJ ssD;5 Nyis,ro.c All.