Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-25

sir Arthur" said John Law, his voice
trembling, Il do myself the very great
pleasure Of telling you that you lie!'
For moment the two stood silent, facing
each other, the face Of each stony gone
gray with the emotions back of 1t.
There is light" said Pembroke land
abundant space"
They turned and paced back farther to-
again their steps faltered and half paused,
and neither man cared to go forward or to
return. Pembroke's face, stern as it had
been, again took on the imprint of a grow
Ing hesitation.
Mr.. Law" said he, there is something
IN your attitude which 1 admit puzzles me.
l ask you IN all honor 1 ask you on the
hilt Of that sword which 1 know you Will
Lady Catharine Knollys? Why did you
scorn her and take up with this woman
yonder in her stead?"
"sir Arthur" said John Law with trem-
bling lips. Il must be very low indeed In
reputation since you can ask me question
such as this"
. But you must answer cried Sir Arthur,
and you must swear!'
IF you would have my answer and nv
oath, then I give you both. 1 did not DO
what you suggest, nor can I conceive how
any man should think me guilty Of it. I
loved Lady Catharine Knollys with all my
heart. Twas my chief bitterness, keener
than even the thought of the gallows itself,
that she forsook me In my trouble. Then,
bitter as any man would be, I persuaded
myself that I cared naught Then came
this other woman. Then I-wel, l was a
man and fool-a fool, Sir Arthur, a most
miserable fool! Every moment of my life
since first saw her l have loved the Lady
Catharine; and. God help me, do now!"
Sir Arthur struck his hand upon the hilt
of his sword. You were more lucky than
myself, 1 know" said he, and from his
lips broke half a groan.
Good God!'' broke out Law. Let US not
r10ty nrl 10 INV,
there has been no happiness to this But
come! We waste time. Let US Gloss
swords!''
Wait. Let me explain. since we are IN
the way of it, You must know that twas
within the plans of Montague that Lady
Catharine Knollys should be the agent or
your freedom. l was pledged to the Lady
Catharine to assist her, though, as you may
perhaps see, sir" and Pembroke gulped in
his throat as he spoke, "'twas difficult
enough, this part that was ASSIGNEE D me-
1t was l, Mr.. Law, who drove the coach to
the gate, the coach which brought the Lady
Catharine. Twas she who opened the door
Of Newgate Jail for you. My GodI sir, how
could you walk past that woman, coming
there as she did, with such a purpose!'
At hearing these words the tall figure OF
the man opposed to him dropped and sank,
as though under some fearful blow. He
staggered to a nearby support ana sank
weakly to a seat, his head falling between
his hands, his whole face convulsed.
"Ah!' said he, you did right to cross seas
in search of mel God hath indeed found
me out and given me my punishment Yet
1 ask God to bear me witness that I knew
not the truth. Come, Sir Arthur! Come,
beseeech you! Let us fall tor
II shall be no mans executoner f,r his
sentence on himself. 1 could not tight YOU
now" His eye fell by chance upon the
blotch in Laws blood-stained tunic And
here" he said; see! You are already
wounded"
Twas but one woman's way of show
ing her regard" said Law. " Twas Mary
Connynge stabbed me-"
But why?"
May, am glad Of 1t; since 1t proves the
truth of all you say, even as 1t proves me to
be the most unworthy man in all the world.
Oh. what had it meant to me to know real
love! God! How could I have been SO
blind?"
Ills the ancient puzzle"
"Yes!' cried Law. And let us make an
end of puzzles! Your quarrel. SIR, 1 admit
is just. Let us go on
And again I tell you, Mr.. Law, replied
Sir Arthur, that / will not fight you
Then, SIR" said Law, dropping his own
sword upon the grass and extending his
hand with a broken smile, its l who am
your prisoner
Ito be continued Monday