The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-16

THE M
his rnien as he came forward. yet withal
the grace and Difference Of the courtier.
It was good figure he made as he stepped
down from the bank and came forward,
hat In hand. the sun, now rising to the
Ktop Of the hedge, lighting up his face
and showing his bold profile, his open and
straight blue eye.
Ladies' he said, as he reached the
road, II crave your pardon humbly This
think. Is the coach Of my lord the Earl
of Banbury. Mayhap this Is the Lacy
Catherine Knolys to whom speak,,
The lady addressed still gazed at hlrn'
though she drew up with dignity. -,
You have quite the advantage or us,
she said. She glanced uneasily at the
coachman, but. the order to go 1or"aro
did not quite leave her lips.
II am not aware-I do not know she
began, afraid of her, adventure now 1t had
come, after the way, Of all dreaming maids
who prate Of men and conquests. |
Il should be dull Of eye did I not see
the Knolys arms" said the stranger,
smiling and bowling low. "And I should
be i'll advised Of the families of England
did not know that the daughter OF Knoll
lys, the sister Of the Earl of Banbury' Is
the Lady Catharine, and most charming
also. In1S might Sdy, luou6A VIZ - Nv
I never was in London or In England I'M
til now"
The speech, given with all respectful
ness, did not fail of fattery. Again the
order to drive on remained unspoken. Ihls
speaker, whose foot was now close TO
the carriage step, and whose head, grave
ly bowed as he saluted the occupants of
the vehicle, presented SO striking a type
Of manly attractiveness, even that hrst
moment cast some spell upon the woman
whom he sought to interest The eyes OF
Lady Catharine Knollys did not turn from
him. AS though it were another person,
she heard herself murmur. "And you, sir:'
II am John Law Of Lauriston, Scotland,
madam, and entirely at your service. That
is my brother VIII, yonder by the bank"
He smiled, and the younger man came
forward, hesitatingly, and not with the
address Of his brother, though yet with the
breeding Of a gentleman.
The eyes of Mary Connynge took In both
men with the same look; but her eyes, as
did those of the Lady Catharlne' became
most concerned with the first speaker.
my brother and I are on our first jour-
ney to London" continued he, with a gay
laugh which did not consort fully with the
plight in which he showed. I'VE started
by coach, as gentlemen; and now we come
on foot, like laborers or thieves. Twas
my own fault. Yesterday I must needs
chaise was stopped, and we were asked
| to hand our money to a pair of evil fellows
who had made prey of us. In short-you
see-we Jared i'll enough. Lost In the dark,
| we made what shift we could along this
road, where we both are strangers AT
last, not able to pay for better quarters
even had we found them. we lay down to
sleep. I have slept worse. And it's
lovely morning. Madam, I thank you for
this happy beginning of the day.
| Mary Connynge pointed to the bandage
| on the younger mans arm, speaking
low word to her companion.
''True," said the Lady Catharine, "you
are injured, sir; you did not come or
whole"
"Oh, we would hardly suffer the fellows
to rob US without making some argument
over It," said the first speaker. Indeed,
I think we are better off hereabouts for
brace Of footpads gone to their account.
/ made them my duties as we came away
Will, here, was pricked tritie, but you
see we have done very WE'LL
/ The face of Will Law hardly offered
complete proof Of this assertion. He had
slept i'll enough, and in the morning light
his face showed gaunt and pale. Here
then was situation most inopportune;
the coach of two ladies' unattended
stopped by two strangers, who certainly
could not claim Introduction by either
friend or reputation.
II did but wish to ask some advice OF
the roads hereabout," said the elder
brother, turning his eyes full upon those
Of the Lady Catherine. LAS you see, we
1 are in i'll plight to get forward to the city
If you will be so good as to tell me which
way to take, shall remember it most
gratefully. Once in the city, we shall dc
better, for the rascals have not taken GER
} tain papers, letters which I bear to gen
tlemen in the city-Sir Arthur Pembroke
I may name as one--a friend of my ia
} theirs, who hath had some dealings with
| him in the handling Of moneys. have
. also word for others, and make sure that
: once we have got into town. we shall soo1
mend our fortune" w. 4. .,-- a., 3.
LadyCatherine looked at Mary Connyng'
and the latter III turn gazed at her
'.There could be no HARM said each tt
the other with her eyes. Surely 1t IS ou
duty to take them in with us; at least tn
| one who is wounded" s.L -
VIII Law had said nothing, though h
had come forward to the road, and, bow
ing, stood uncovered. Now he Leaned
against the flank Of one Of the horses, II
| A. tremor of vertigo which seized him a
he stood. It was perhaps the paleness o
his face that gave determination to tn
issue.
'sWil1iam." called the Lady Catherin
Knollys, open the door for Mr.. Law o
Lauriston!'
The footman sprang to the ground an
held open the door. Therefore, into tn
coach stepped John Law and his brother
late of Edinboro sometime robbed an
afoot, but now come into London in cir
cumstances which surely might have bee
far worse.
John Law entered the coach with tn
dignity and grace of q gentleman born. II
bowed gravely as he took his seat besid
his brother, facing the ladies'. Will La
sank back into the corner, not averse
rest. The eyes Of the two young wome
did not linger more upon the wounde
man than upon his brother. He, in turf
looked straight into their eyes, courteous
~, respectfully, gravely, yet fearlessly an
calmly, as though he knew what pows
and possibilities were his. Enigma an
autocrat alike, Beau Law of Edinborc
one of the handsomest and properest me
ever bred on any soil, was surely pictu1
Of vigorous young manhood, as he roc
toward Sadler's Wells, with two of tt
beauties of the hour, and in a COACH ar
four which might have been his own.