The Washington times., 1902-06-29
NONE BUT THE BRAVE---

Her face lit with quick, natural
smile
II was not you then. was it? Tell
met"
Rather tell Major Sproat On your
right the pith Of the joke said l. and
I took to myself the rest OF the bur-
gundy, for the wine was good for the
/ nerves. and before we we're done there
were five kinds set before US.
/ In a moment or two she turned again
to me- again.
That was a capital story" I said.
Tell me the other you mentioned
| All! t will be less amusing / can see
from your sorrowful facet" But the
girl that had seen stand up before fve
rufians in the foul tavern was as game
| here as there. She changed the express
the look in her eyes. For a moment
she crumbled bit of bread at her plate.
looking at and then:
! There is not much of story, and
what there is OF it is but an old and
common tale"
Yet I would hear it, if 1 may" I an
swe-ed
There was once young girl-a fool
ish wench-who was bidden by her par
ent to good marriage"
"Ah,' said I. "'Tis a fairy tale. And
why vas the wench foolish wench?"
a fairy tale, indeed she answered,
but this foolish wench would none of
! . hi
was q mean and cowardly wretch. and
and" she had turned to me a little,
her hand still crumbling the bread, one
white arm resting on the cloth, the
other hand in her lap. quivering en- her
sil5en- dress, and her fair white bosom
rose and fell quickly. as if it would
burst her bodice but finding that too
strong would escape above it;"-and she
was forced to do this thing, this dread
ful thing. by her fathers wish
And" said l. suddenly, "she ran
away to escape TT"
And was brought hack to it," she
added. giving me long look that stirred
the very soul in me, was brought back
to it. because the good man of the good
marriage held the fortunes of her father
in The palm of his hand
Thy face is a beautiful but an open
book. Mistress Deborah" said /, inter-
rupting her, land there be those here
that can read. fear So! That closes
the volume partly for she had
Strengthened up bit, and little pitt
full smile struggled at the corners of
her mouth. God knows l could have
taken her in my arms there before them
all. had l dared. and comforted her in
her loneliness and trouble, and bade her
have no fear. But l only said between
my teeth:
What did this good man to her?''
He threatened her always. and tried
TO force her to 1t. and held I'D the ruin
of her famiiy-he has, indeed, time and
aesin,"
Curse the coward,'' said 1, softly.
"And-and she had no one to help
her-in this fairy tale-until she saw
some one
Aye, dear heart. he is found" said l.
What shall he do?"
If he would meet her and let her"
Where and when?"
Tomorrow night beyond the Vauxhall !
Gardens a few rods. by clump OF four |
great trees"
He will be there, And stay-let the !
princess in the fairy tale have the good |
man meet her there, too. Aye, do as l |
bid girl" l added. as a frightened look
came into her eyes.
You are a good friend, Merton-Mr.
Merton" said she softly as her head
bent for q moment. And there
under the table, my foot touching hers.
| put mine upon it and gave the only
pressure Of sympathy vouchsafed to me.
Up over her face to her white forehead
and on into her hair went a sweet flush
that seemed to draw smile after 1t.
playing about her lips and into her
beautiful eyes.
Strange that just then l caught q
warning look in the baroness face as
she talked On to the Prince. But | did
see it, and. not knowing what to do.
drank off again at a gulp another glass
of wine
The little shoe futtered under my
boot but did not Withdraw. and for a
moment we sat there quiet in the midst
Of that hustling. laughing. gossipirg
room full. with glasses clinklng and
toasts tripping up and down the board.
And as the hostess rose and all fol-
lowed her example / caught a strange
look in young Atherton's eyes-where
the fiend had | seen that face before?
that at this moment was enough to set
me or fire as | stepped back to hand my
supper partner to the door of the draw,
ing- room. There l gave her to the fair
young baroness. and saw them lock
arms aflectionately and walk on into
the other room close together, but say
ing not 4 worl.
Draw up to this end OF the table. .
cried the host, cheerfully.
Let us give The health of His Royal
AMI so we stood and drank
again, and in good truth. what with my d,
strange conversation and the two great
pieces of news l had heard within an
hour. l found l had had enough for one
man. more than enough for one who had
not been blessed with hard head that
paid little heed to the fumes of wine.
T was evident that some of the others
had Jared worse and drunk more Try