Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-15
CHAPTER XIV.


of cheering. When this was ever and 81
lence obtained, tho magistrate continued:
You are required, however, to attend the
duke at the courthouse, whittier we had
better proceed at once.
II am ready, sir, muttered
"A road was made for US to descend, and
walking in kind of beautiful dream /
passed slowly up the street by the side OF
tho magistrate, the crowd everywhere will
ingly standing aside for us / do not
know whether all those thousands of faces
really looked joyfully and kindly on me
as passed or whether the deep thankful
ness which chokcd mo and brought the
tears continually to my eyes transiigured
them and gave them generous charm
not their own. But this do know-tbat
the sunshine seemed brighter and the air
softer than ever before; that the clouds
trailing across tho blue expanse were
things of bcauty such as had never met
before; that to draw breath was Joy and
to move delight, and that only when the
dark valley was lett behind did compre-
bend its fun slcom-by heavens mercy.
SO may it be with all
AT the door of the courthouse, whittier
numbers OF tho people had already run,
the press WAS SO great that we came to q
standstill and were much buffeted about,
though in I'LL good humor before, even
with the aid Of the soldiers, we could be
got through tho throng. When at last
emerged, found myself again before the
table and saw-hut only dimly, for the
light now fell through tie stained window
directly OH my head-a commanding figure
standing behind it. Then a strange thing
happened. A woman passed swiftly round
the table and came to me and flung her
arms round my neck and kissed me. 1t
was the duchess, and for u moment she
hung upon me, weeping before them all.
Madam, l said softly, " then 1t is you
who have done this!'
''Ah," she exclaimed, holding me off
from her and looking at mo with eyes
which glowcd through her tears, and 1t
was you who did that"
She drew bach, from me then and took
me by the hand and turned impotuously
to the Duke of Clcves, who stood behind
smiling at her III frank amusement.
his l.le IL. my husband, and to whom
your lighness has given it back. /"
Let him tell his tale" tho duke an
swered gravcly And do you, my cousin,
sit here beside me.
She left me and walked round the table,
and he came forward and placed her in
his own chair amid a groat hush O. Won
der, for she was still neanly clad and
showed III II hundred places tho marks and
stains of travel. Then he stood by her
with his hand on tho backo the seat. he
was tall, burly man, with bold, quick
CHANGING eyes, flushed face and q loud
manner-a fierce, blusterous prince, as l
have heard. He was plainly dressed in
leather hunting suit and wore huge gaunt-
lets and brown boots, with broad lenyed
hat pinned up on one side, yet he looked
prince.
Somehow stammered out the tale of
the surrender.
But why. why, why, man" he asked,
when had finished, why did you let
them think it was you who wounded the
burgher, If it was nots"
Your highness, l answered, II had
received nothing but good from her grace,
had eaten her bread and been received into
her service. Besides it was through my
persuasion that we came by tie road
which led to this misfortune instead Of by
another way Therefore it seemed to me
right thatI should suffer, who stood alone
and could be spared, and not her hus
band .
1t was great desd' cried the prince
loudly. Il would had such u servant
Are you noble, lad.''
I colored high but not in pain or NOR
LITIGATION. Tho old wound might reopen,
but amid events such as those of this
morning it was slight matter. = come OF
noble family, may it please your high
ness, answered modestly, but circuln
stances prevent me claiming kinship with
It,"
He was about, think, to question me
further when tho duchess locked up ant
said something to him. and he something
to her. She spoke again, and he answered.
Then he nodded assent You would fain
stand on your own feetf" he cried to me,
us that SOP
lit is, sire, I" answered.
Then SO be it, = he replied loudly, look
ing round on the throng with u frown.
81 will ennoble you. You would have
died for your lord and friend, and there
fore give you a rood of land in tho com.
mon graveyard of Santon to hold of me,
and name you Won Santonkirch, and l,
William, duke of Cleves, Julich and Guel
ders, prhace of the empire, declare you
noble and give you for your arms three
swords of justice and tho motto you may
buy Of clerk. Further, let this decree be
enrolled in my chancery. Are you salts
fed'''
AS dropped on my knees, my eyes
sparkling, there was a momentary dis
turbance behind me. 1t was caused by the
f&I,< vI,t
in part of the situation at q glance-that
is he saw mp kneeling before tho duke,
but lie could not SEQ the Duchess of Suf-
folk, the dukes figure being interposed.
AS he came forward, the crowd making
way for him, he cast an angry glance ut
me and scarcely smoothed his brow even
to address the prince. Il am glad that
your highness has not done what was re-
ported to me" he said hastily, his obei
sancc brief and perfunctory. i heard an
uproar in tho town and was told that this
man was pardoned. =
1T is so!'' said tho duke CURLY, eying
the ecclesiastic with no great favor '.He
is pardoned =
"Only in part presume, the priest
rejoined urgently, s'or If otherwise, l am
sure that your highness has not received
certain information with which can fur
nish you.
Furnish away, SIR" quoth the duke,
yawning.
II have had letters from my lord bishop
of Arras respecting him.
Prospecting him!' exclaimed the
prince, starting and bending his brows in
surprise.
Respecting those in whose company
he travels, tho priest answered hastily.