The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-24

that wound and wound until his brain |
lost distance and direction. 1t might
have been an hour, two hours, and the
clock might have registered after mid
night, when at last he discovered him
self in front Of the dark gray mass Of
stone which the chairmen assured him
was his destination. It was with trepi-
dalton that he stepped to the half-lighted
door and fumbled for the knocker. Tho
door slowly swung upon, and he was
confronted by the portly presence Of
ackey who stood in silence waiting for
his word
"A message for Lady Catharine
Knollys." said Will, with what courage
he could summon. "'Tis Of Importance.
I make no doubt" For it was to the
Lady Catharine that John Law had first
turned His heart craved one more sight
of the face so beloved, one more word
from the voice which so late had thrilled
his soul Away from these-ah! that was
the prison for him. these were the bars
which to him seemed imperatively need
full to be broken. Aid he did not think Of
asking. Only across London, in the
night. he had sent the cry Of his heart:
Come to me''
THE Lady Catharine is not in at this
hour" said the butler, with some as
perity. closing the door again in part.
But it's important I doubt If twill
| bear the delay Of a night" Indeed. VIII
Law had hitherto hardly paused to reflect
how unusual was this message, from such
a person, to such address, and at such
| an hour.
The butler hesitated, and so did the
unbidden guest at the door. Neither
heard at first the light rustic Of garments
at the head Of the stair, nor saw the
face bent over the balustrade in the
shadows of the hall.
What Is it, james," asked a voice
from above.
"a message for the Lady Catharine,"
replied the servant. Said to be import
ant. What should I do?'
Lady Catharne Knollys is away" said
the soft voice Of Mary Connynge, speaking
from the stair. Her voice came nearer as
she now descended and appeared at tho
first landing.
1--WE may crave your pardon, SIR said
she, that we receive you so Ill. but the
hour is very late. Lady Catharine Is
away, and Sir Charles is forth also.
usual at this time. I am left proxy for
my entertainers, and perhaps I may serve
you in this case. Therefore pray step
Within"
Reluctantly the butler swung open the
door and admitted the visitor. Will Law
stood face to face with Mary Connynge,
just from her boudoir, and with time for
but half care as to the details Of her
toilet; yet none the less Mary Connynge.
ancient wiles Of womankind. VIII Law
gazed, since this was his fate. Unconsci-
| ously the sorcery Of the sight EMBODIED the
youth as he stood there uncertainty. He
saw the round throat. the heavy masses
Of the dark hair, the full round form. He
noted. though he could not define; felt,
though he could not classify. He was
young. Utterly helpless might have been
even an older man in the hands Of Mary
Connynge at time like this, Mary Con-
nynge deliberately seeking to ensnare.
Pardon this robe, but half concealing,"
said her dropping eye ard her half upl1fted
hands which caught the defining folds yet
airy trust 1 would not so with others"
| This to the beholder meant that he was
| the one man on earth to whom so much
| could be conceded.
| Therefore, following to his own undodng,
| as though led by some actual command.
while but hidden gently by the softest
voice in all the kingdom, the young man
entered the great draw1ng,room anu
waited as the butler lessened the shadows
| by the aid Of candles. He saw the small
| est foot in London just peep in and out,
suddenly Withdrawn as Mary Connynge
sat her down.
| She held the message now in her hand.
In her soul sat burning impatience. IN her
| heart contempt for the callow youth be-
|
seemed to speak naught but difference Tor
him and doubt for this unusual situation,
"Sir, I am in some hesitat1on, SAID
Mary CONVINCE "rhere Is indeed none In
the house except the servants. You say
your message is Of Importance
1T has indeed Importance responded
| WILL ut comes from my Drother'
| Your brother, Mr.. LaWE
Prom my brother, John Law. He Is In
| trouble. make no doubt the message
will set all plain
"'Tis most grievous that Lady Cathar-
inc returns not till Tomorrow.
Mary Connynge shifted herself upon her
seat, caught once more with swift moo
| esty at the robe which fell from her
throat She raised her eyes and turned
them full upon the visitor. Never had the
| spell of curve and color, never had the
language Of sex addressed this youth
as it did now. Intoxicating enough was
this vague, mysterious speech, even at
this inappropriate time. The girl knew
that the mesh had fallen we'll. She but
caught again at her robe, and cast down
again her eyes, and voiced again her as
sumed anxiety. II scarce know what to
do" she murmured. -
VIII.
I'm that case" said Mary Connynge,
her voice cool, though her soul was hot
with impatience, ut might perhaps be
well If I took the liberty or readlng the
message in Lady Catharine's absence.
, You say your brother is In trouble?"
"Of the worst. Madam. to make plain
with you, he Is in prison, charged with
the crime Of murder.
Mary Connynge sank back into her
chair. The blood fled from her cheek.
Her hands caught each other in genu-
inc gesture Of distress.
I'm prison! John Law! Oh heaven!
} tell me howl" Her voice was trembling
! now.
my brother slew Mr.. Wilson in duel
l not Of his own seeking. 1t happened yes
l terday, and SO swift scarce can tell you.
He took up a quarrel which I had fixed
D to settle with Mr.. Wilson myself. We all
J., met at Bloomsbury Square, my brother
Z coming in great haste. OF sudden, after
- his fashion, he became enraged. He
sprang from the carriage and met Mr.
d Wilson. And so-they passed time OF
so, and twas done. Mr.. Wilson died
s few moments later. My brother was tax
t en- and lodged in JAIL There is said to b.
:, better feeling at the court over this Gus
I. tom of dueling, and it has long beer
q thought that an example would be made.
Il And this letter without doubt bear
upon all this? Perhaps 1t might be wei
= If made both of us owners Of its con
a tents"
= "Assuredly, / should say" replied Will
- too distracted to take full heed.
- The girl tore open the Enclosure. Sh