The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-25
CHAPTER XIV.
Prisoners.

be admitted to the prisoner, John Law.
"'Tis late" said he. land besides. It's
contrary to the rules. Must not prison
have rules2 Tell me that!'
1--WE have come to arrange for certain
matters regarding MIR. Laws defense,
said Mary Cunynge. as she threw back
her cloak and bent upon the turnkey the
full glance Of her dark eye. "Surely you
would not deny U.S."
The turnkey looked at Will Law with
q hesitation in his attitude. 'Why, this
gentleman know" he began.
Eyes: let us In" cried VIII Law, with
sudden energy. "',Tis time that we took
steps to set my brother tree"
"True, so say they all, young master, y
replied the turnkey, grinning. "'Tis easy
to get ye in. but passing hard to get We
out agin. Yet, since the young man we
wish to see Is a very decent gentleman,
and knoweth well the needs Of a poor
working body like myself. we will take the
matter under advisement, as the court
saith, forsooth."
They passed through the heavy gates,
down a narrow and heavy aired passage,
and finally into a naked room. It was
here. in such somber surroundings, that
Mary Connynge saw again the man whose
Image had been craven on her heart ever
since that morn at Sadler's Wells. How
her heart coveted him. how her blood
Connynges Of the world can tell, they who
own the primeval heart Of womankind.
When John Law himself at length en-
tered the room. he stepped forward at first
confidently. eagerly, though with surprise
upon his face. Then, with a sudden hest
tation, he looked sharly at the figure
which he saw awaiting him in the dingy
room. His breath came sharp. and ended
In sigh. For half moment his face
Ap he'd
annoyance. Yet rapidly, after his fashion,
he mastered himself.
will" said he. calmly, to his brother,
'fkindly ask the coachman to walt for this
lady"
He stood for moment gazing after the
form of his brother as it disappeared In
the outer shadows. For this half moment
he took swift counsel Of himself. 1t was
d face calm and noncommtttal that he
turned toward the girl who sat now in the
darkest corner of the room, her head cast
down, her foot beating q signal Of per-
turbation upon the floor. From the corner
Of her eye, Mary Connynge saw him, tall
and manly man, superbly clad, faultless In
physique, and raiment from top to toe. He
stood as though ready to step into his car
r1age for some voyage to rout or ball.
Youth, vigor, self reliance, confidence, this
was the whole message Of the splendid
figure. The blood Of Mary Connynge, this
survival, this half-savage woman, unregu-
lated. unsubdued, leaped high within her
bosom, fled to her face, gave color to her
cheek and brightness to her eye. Her
breath shortened after feline fashion
Deep. was calling unto deep, ancient unto
ancient, primitive unto primitive. With
out the gate of London prison there was
one AFFECT prisoner. Within It's gates
there were two prisoners, and one Of them
was slave for life.
Madam" said John Law, in deep and
vibrant tone, you will pardon me II I say
that 1t gives me surprise to see you here"
Yes; I have come" said the girl, not
logically.
You bring, perhaps, some messenger"
Il brought a message"
1T Is from the Lady Catharine?"
Mary Connynge was silent for mo-
ment. 1t was necessary that, at least for
@ moment, the poison OF some aeons
should distil There was need Of savagery
to say what she proposed to say. The
voice Of training, Of civilization, Of TN
selfishness, Of friendship raised a protest.
Wait then for a moment Wait until the
bitterness Of an ambitious and unrounded
life could formulate this evil impulse.
Wait, TILL Mary Connynge could summon
treachery enough to slay her friend. And
yet, wait only until the primitive soul
OF Mary Connynge should become alto
gether imperative in it's demands! For
after all, was not this friend a woman,
and Is not the earth builded as it is2 And
hath not God made male and female it's
Inhabitants; and as there Is war Of male
and male, is there not war Of female and
female, until the end Of time? .l
II came from the Lady Catherine"
said Mary Connynge, slowly, "but bring
no message from her Of the sort which
perhaps you wished" It was a desperate,
reckless lie a lie almost certain of detee-
ton; yet 1t was the only resource OF the
moment, and a moment later it was too
late to recall. One lie must now follow
another, and all must make a deadly coil
Madam" I am sorry" said John Law
quietly, yet his face twitched sharply at
the impact Of these cutting words. did
you know Of my letter to 5her?''
"Am not here?" said Mary Connynge
TRUE, and thank you deeply. But how
why-pray you, understand that I would
be set right. would not undergo more
than is necessary. VIII you not explain?"
There ds but little to explain--little,
though 1T may mean much. 1T must be
private. Your brother---he must never
know. Promise me not TO speak to him
OF this" ..-s
This means much to me. doubt not,
my dear lady" said John Law. IT trust
I may keep my counsel ina nHtter which
comes SO close to me-"
Eyes, truly" replied Mary Connynge, 'df
you had set your heart upon q kindly an
swer."
What! You mean. then, that SHE d
DO you prornise?'' 4
The bpows of Law settled deeper and
deeper into the frown which marked him
when he was perturbed. The blood, set
tied back, now SLOWLY mounted again into
his face, the resentful fighting blood Of
the Highlander
II PROMISE he cried. "And now. tell
me what answer had the Lady Catherine
Knollys" 4s
"She ascfined to answer" said Mary
Connynsse, SLOWLY and evenly. Declined
to come. She said that she YVES I'LL
enough pleased TO hear of your Drawing.
Said that she doubted mot the law swottld
punish yeu, nor sdoubted that the law was
just"
John Law half wi1irled upon his heel,
smote his hands together and laughed
loud ana bitterly.
''Madam," said he. 'Iahad never thought
to sayti to q woman, but In very Justice
must tell you that I see quite through this
shallow falsehocd."
Sir" Said Mary iConnynge. her hands
clutchtng at the arms OF her chair, .ttl1is
Is unusual speech ito "a 4lady!"
But your story, madam, lis most nm.
usual
Ten me, then. why should he l1ere?'.
burst out the GIRL 4'What lis 1T to ms?
Why should I care what the Lady Catfa-
rine Says or Goes? hy4shot1ld I risk INV
own name ITO come iof this errand An af,e
night? Now let me pass. for5I shall leave
VoI1