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

iouna MN others. But below there was a
VIII it please you to walt an instant.
l shall see then whether all Is safe"
y Will wait here" answered Barbara.
and she leaned against the wall of the
alley. that fronted the house. In much
| treptdation l went >on and knocked with
my knuckles on the door. There was no
ofher course. yet I knew not. how either
| or them would take my action, the lady
within and the lady without, she whom
l asked for succor and she in whose cause
| / sought it.
maid were just within. and the house
| seemed astir. My request for their mis-
tress caused no surprise: the girl opened
ane door of the roem I knew the room
| greeted 1t, and moment later Nell her.
self stood before me-
| From the castle or Calais. from Deal or
| the DEVIL, she cried. In truth, she had a
| k1ack of telling you all she knew In q SEN
| tence.
why. from half way between Deal and
the devil" said 1. For 1 have left Mon
| mouth on one side and NJ. de Perreucourt
on the other and am quite safe through"
again.?
For want Of a friend mistress. Am 1
With all my heart. Simon. What would
your"
Means to go to London"
| NOW, heaven Is kind. 1 go there myself
in few hours. You stare. In truth,
| it's worth stare. But TIE king com
mands. How did you get rid of LOUISE
| IL told her briefly. She seemed barely to
| rlosity, and, as I think. with some pleas
| ure.
"A brave thing" she cried. Come. I'll
carry you to London. Nobody shall touch
my pettlcoat. 1t will be like old times,
| Simon"
.! have no money" said l.
But have plenty. For The less the
! KING comes the more he sends. He's "A
Eehtiemah IN his apologies Her sigh
hrcathed more contentment than repining
| SO you'll take me with you?'
| TO the worlds end. Simon and if you
don ask that, at least to London
| But I'm not alone" said 1.
she looked at me for an instant. Then
! she began to laugh.
| w nom have you with you?" she asked
| The lady" said I.
She laughed still, but 1t seemed to me not
| very heartily.
I'm CAD she said that one man in
England thinks me good Christian. BY
| heaven. you do, Simon, or you'd never ask
| me to aid your love" 4
| There's no love in the matter" l cried
| were at daggers drawn.
Then certainly there's love in it," said
Mistress Nell. nodding her pretty mead in
a mighty saGacious manner Does she
Know to whom she is brought?''
| Not yet. l answered, with Il some w ha t
| uneasy smile
| "How will she suffer it?"
She has no other help" said l.
| on Simon. what smooth tongue is
| yours. She paused. seeming to fall into
| reverie. Then she looked at me wlckedly
You and your lady are ready to face the
| perIls of the road?"
| Her peril is greater here and mine as
| great" "
| The kings pursuit. Monmouth's rage.
| soldiers, officers footpads?'
| "A zig for them ALL"
| Another peril?''
| For her or for me-"
| Why. for b5th, good Simon. Don't you
| understand? See. ten" She came near to
me. smiling most saucily, and pursuing her
lips together. ~ though she meant to kiss
IF l were 3owcf to the lady. I should
fear the test 4said'I, but am free
Where is tie?asisked Nell. letting my
answer pass with a. pout.
by your very door
Lets have her in cried Nell. and
straightway sfs rail- into the alley.
l followed and came up with her just
as she -Eeachad Barbara. Barbara leaned
| no more against the wall, but lay huddled
at the foot Of it. WEAKNESS and hunger
had overcome her. She was in a faint her
nps colorlesS and2h her eyes closed Nell
dropped beside hes murmurinG low soft
consultations. 4 stood by in awkward help
iesshess. These mitters were beyond my
A]''' hNha' ~thI GbIEF HeT III, Nell com
mahded, and. STOPPING, l lifted her in my
| arms. The maid and the man stared Nell
smut the door sharply on them.
| nat have you done to her?" she cried
IN angry accusation. You've let her go
without food"
We had none. She flung my last money
| into the sea-, l pleaded.
And why? Oh, hold your peace and let
us be-
To question and refuse an answer is wo-
mans way; should it be forbidden to Nell.
VINO was woman from crown to sole? |
shrugged my shoulders and drew off 10 the
Tar end of the room. For some months 1
heard nothing and remained very uneasy
not knowing whether 1t were allowed me to
| look or not. nor what passed. Then heard
Barbaras voice.
Il thank you, I thank you much But
where am |, and who are you? Forgive me,
| but who are you?'
madame" answered Nell What matters
| IT who | am? VIM you drink a little of
this to please mc?"
Nay. but who are you? / seem to know
| your face"
Like enough Many have seen it."
| But tell me who you are"
Since you will know, Simon Dale must
stand sponsor for me- Here, Slmonr'
1 rose in obedience to the summons
| thing that a man does not feel of his own
accord, girls eyes will often make him
| feel 1 took my stand by Nell boldly
and / full of fear"
Tell her who l am. Simon" said Nell
l looked at Nell AS l live, the fear that
was in my heart was in her eyes Yet she
| had faced the word and laughed to scorn
all Englands frowns. She understood nv
| thought and colored red. Since when had
Cydaria learned to blush? Even at Hatch
| stead my blush had been the target for her
| mockery! Tell her." she repeated, angri,y.
| But Barbara knew. Turning to her had
| seen the knowledge take shape in her ewes
! and grow to revulsiOn and uismay | could
| not tell what she would say; but now INV
| fear was in no way for myself She seemed
| to watch Nell for while in a strange
| mingling of horror and attraction. Then
] she rose and. stu without a word, took her
| way on trembling feet toward the door.
To me she gave no glance and seemed to
pay no heed. We two looked for an in
| slant. then Nell darted forward.
You mustn't CO." she cred. Where
| would you go? You've no other friend"
Barbara paused, took one step more,
| paused again.
Il shan't harm YOU" said Nell Then she
| laughed. you needn't touch me, if you
| will have it But l can help you And
| L can help Simon. He's not safe in Dover"
| She had grown grave, but she ended with
| another laugh. You needn't touch me-