Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-28
cAssEllpuBlsH,Ac neseRgS
AUrAoR or THE NAN IN BLACK,
IN GENTLEMAN OF FRANCE :. ETcE'e.

ANcEn, EreEre.
INC CO. ALL RIGHTS ReseRvE1
"You are sure that it WAS not the Span
lard whom you hurt in defense of Dymph
naf" my lady asked.
quite suro. >"
sAnd sure that it was not ClarenceW
she persisted.
quite sure twas short man," lex,
planned again, and dressed in q cloak
That is all Gun tell about him"
1t might be some one employed by
Clarence, she suggested, her face gloomy,
her hrows knit.
True, had not thought of that. an
swered. And it reminds me. have
heard so much OF Clarence
And seen some little, even that little
more than was good for you.
Yes, he has had the better OF me on
both occasions, allowed But was
going to ask you" continued, ito tell
me something about him. He was your
steward, / know. But how did he come to
your How was it you trusted him?"
I'VE are all fools Mt times, she an
swered grimly. We wanted to have por-
sons of our own faith about us, and he was
highly commended to us by Professionals
abroad as having seen service in the cause
He applied to US Just ut the right moment
too And at the first we felt great lik-
lug for him. He was so clever in arrang-
ing things; he kept such excellent order
among the servants; he was SO ready, SO
willing, SO plausible! OhP she added
bitterly, 'she Ind ways that enabled him
to twist nine women out Of ten round his
fingers! Richard was fond Of him; liked
him; we had talked moro than once of
how we might advance his interests. And
then, lilo u thunderbolt on clear day,
the knowledge OF his double dealing fell
upon us. We learned that he had been
seen talking with known agent of Gard
liner and this at time when the bishop
was planning our ruin. We Ind him
watched, and just when the net had nll
but closed round ua we discovered that he
had been throughout In Gardeners pay."
.Ahl'' l said viciously. Tho oldest
thing to me is the way he has twice escaped
me when had him at the sword s point!"
THE third time may bring other for
tune Muster Francis" she answered,
smiling Yet be wary with him. He Is
o good swordsman, as my husband, who
sometimes fenced with him, will tell you. !"
He can DO no common man, said.
'.He is not He is we'll bred and has
seen service He is at once bold and cum
ming He hns tongue That would win
most women and hardihood that would
chain them to him. Women love bold
men, /" my lady added naiyely. And she
smiled on me, yet humorously, 30 that 1
blushed.
There was silence for moment. The
sail tapped, then filed again. How de-
licious this morning after that night, this
bright expanse after tho dark, sluggish
ebannelsl Far away in front a great
barge, high laden with mighty stack Of
rushes, cropt along beside the bank, the
horse that drew 1t covered by b kind OF
knitted rug When my lady spoke next,
1t was abruptly Is 1t Annef" she asked.
knew quite well what she meant and
blushed again shook my head.
Think 1t was going to be, " she said
;agely. only Mistress Dymphna came
upon the scene. You have heard the story
Of the donkey halting between two bum
dies OF hay, Master Francis? And in the
multitude Of swcethcarts there Is safety.
II do not think that was my case,
said Instinctiyely my hand went to my
breast, in which Pctronilla's velvet sword
knot lay safe and warm. The duchess saw
the gesture and instantly bent forward
aud mimicked it: sHa! hall she cried,
leaning hack. with her hands clasped
about her knees and her eyes shining with
fun and amusement Now I understand.
You have left nor at home. Now, do not
deny 1t, or will tell the others. Be frank,
and will keep your secret, on my honor
s.She Is my cousin, said, my cheeks
hot.
And her namei"
"Petronilln
.Petronillarp my lady repeated shrewd-
~. THAT WIS tho name OF your Spanish
grandmother, thens
Yes, madam"
.sPetronillaa PotronillaW she repeated,
stroking her cheek with her hand. She
would be before my time, would she nots
Yet there used to be several Petronillas
about tho court in Queen Catherine of
Aragon's days. remember. There was
Petronilla do Vargas for one. But, there,
I guess Mt random. Why do you not tell
me moro about yourself, Master Francis!
DO you not know me well enough nows"
"There is nothing to tell, madam, I
said in low voice.
Your family! You come am sure,
Of good house."
VI did, but it is nothing to me now. I
am cut off from 1t. am building my
house afresh. And, added bitterly, II
havo not made much way with 1t yet.
She broke, greatly to my surprise, into
a long peal of laughter. oh, you vain
boy, she cried You valiant castle build
srl How long have you been about the
worki Three monthss Do you think
house is to be built in day! Three
months, indeed? Quite llfetime!'
Was it three months? It seemed to me
to be fully three years. seemed to have
grown more than three years older since
that February morning when had crossed
Arden forest with tho first light and looked
down on Wootton Wawen sleeping in its
vale and reused the herons fishing In the
bottoms
Come, tell me all about It'll" she said
abruptly. What did you do to be cut Off"
II cannot tell you." answered.
A shade Of annoyance clouded her coun-
tenance. But 1t passed away almost on
the instant. Very we'll, she said, with
n little nod OF disdain and q pretty gri-
mace. so bolt. Have your ownway, but
/ prophecy you will come to me with your
tale some day"
went then and took Master Bertie's
place at the tiller, and, he lying down,
had the boat TO myself until noon and
drew no little pleasure from the placid
picture which the moving banks and the
wide river presented. About noon there
was general uprising, and coming I'M
afterward to a little island ~
ing close to one bank we all landed to
stretch our legs and refresh ourselves att
or tho confinement on board.
1--WE are over the border now and close