Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-09-12

my quarrel WINS more than n few
mad wordssr she cried onZrily. "He
would have hurried me 70 n churl-a
clerk. n %scribbler.'
I BIT my lip at that and said nothing.
I knew well enough to whom be would
hive married her,
"a clerk" she continued. with no
more spirit than a %leveret. one who
loves a book better than n sword. 'Tis
said he does necdlework like the maids
OF the house, and | can well believe
IT,"
1t Is easy for idle tongues to invent
lies when a man does not follow the
fashion Of his age. I had killed too
little and read too much.
"Hast ever heard OF Sir Francis Bay
ardg' she asked. suddenly changing
her tone.
Eyes" / answered. Often
81 am his daughter" she said brief
ly.
| already knew that well enough.
but she seemed to expect some sur
prise, so l drew in my breath quickly
and gave a low exclamation. 1t suf-
feed. and she continued:
81 am his daughter. and we have
quarreled because I would not marry
a churl." She seemed 90 have a spe-
cial relish for that title.
Il have left bis house. and go back l
-IuNF .aN hoe. rs. trrar1n fw A1HmnFn
but in truth he can do little for me.
My father viii scour the country. and
this uncle Is no man TO hold out against
Sir Francis Bayard. / doubt much"
and This she said in a low voice, which
seemed to invite contradiction. "if
there be any man IN all the country
round who for my sake would brave
my father"
40 gentleman could listen unmoved
to such a challenge from such n wom-
an.
81 have little beside my sword TO Of
fer you" I said, "but, believe me, that
shall ever be at your service"
| know not just when the change
came, but at hat moment meant ev-
cry word / said.
at is n brave sword" said Mistress
Bayard and then, after n moment, con-
tinued. II have brought with me jew
els Of considerable value, enough to
raise a company Of men 10 take with
you to the low countries" She paused.
waiting for me to speak.
! knew not whether to be angry or
- f,,.-t 90 Irr NTfafrneg NTorv nnr~-
ard rather than marry Henry Sheldon
was ready to throw herself into the
arms of a nameless adventurer; but,
then, | was the namelcss %adventurer.
"You have not asked my name" J
said.
81 have heard your voice, ! have
caught a few glimPses Of your face,
and have see you fight; but, in truth,
! would know your name"
The moon had come out bright and
full by now. / threw Edward across
her path and. doding my hat, said:
Mistress Bayard, l am Henry Shell
don"
She half rose in her stirrups, and the
color rushed into her face, but her eyes
ulu llDl lull BtlOlG lnlnf. we MNAt lbAE
so, looking into each others eyes.
80 you did not wish to marry meT
she said finally.
AT least the Discrimination was mu
tual."
81 knew Of you only through hear
say. Why have you always kept ava!
from met"
mo man values what he does no
know"
but you must have seen me some
times"
YES" I said; 81 have seen you.
knew you were beautiful, but | knew
Of your character only through what
heard. l was afraid we should no
find much in common"
"And this short ride has made yoi
change your estimate of meT'
This short ride has changed a dis
obedlent prodigal into a most obedien
son, and were | not pledged to Civ,
you safe conduct to Aldgate / shoulC
even now turn back and marry as m.
father wished"
"Far be 1t from me-" she said in tn
tone OF n father confessor, ito distrac
this good youth from so worthy 4 res
olution. Ever obey thy father, and al
VIII be well with thee"
l know not which parent was tn
more astonished at the sudden chang
In his hayward offspring, but We toll
them no word Of our affair until afte
the wedding.