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

lay with her hands clasped In brief mo-
ments Of emotion. Surely she hoped, as
all women hope who love. that this might
endure for her forever. Yet the next mo-
ment there came the thought that inevi-
tally It all must end. and soon. Then her
hand olenched. her eyes grew dry and
brilliant. She said to herself: There
Is no hope. He can not be saved! For
this short period of his life he shall be
mine, all mine! He shall not be set free!
He shall not go away, to belong. at any
time, In any part, to- any other Wenan!'
Though he die, yet shall he love mo to the
end: me, Mary Connynge, and no other
woman!' @ a r
Now. under this same roof of Knollys,
separated by but q few yards of space.
there lay another woman. thinking also
of this convict behind the prison bars.
But this was a woman Of another and q
nobler mold. into the heart Of Cathartne
KnollYs there came no mere selhshness
of DESIRE yearn though she did an every
fiber of her being since that first time she
felt the mastering kiss Of love. There
was born In her soul emotion OF higher
sort. The Lady Catharine Knollys prayed
and her prayer was not that her lover
should die, but that he might live; that
he might be free.
Nor was this hope left wither I'M
no,irishad In the mind Of the high-bred
and courageous English girl. Alone, with
no toonhdant to COUNSEL her, wfthnowoman
friend TO aid sher, the Lady Catharine
ISnollys backed her own hopes and wishes
With resource and energy. There oafnesa
time, perilously late, when q faint rose
showed once mere in her cheek, long so
worn, "a faintly brighter light glowed in
her deep eye. III
when Sir Arthur Rembroke received a
Insssags from the Lady Gatharine Knollys
advising him That the latter would receive.
him at her home, 1t was left for the Inn.
pulses the hopes, the imag inings Of that
modest young noblenan to establish ID
reason for the message Puzzling all
along his rapid way in answer to the sum-
mons. Sir Arthur found the answer which
beat suited his hopes in the faint Hush.
the frightened eye of the, young woman
who received him. e.
sIsady Gatharine," he began, sinpetu-
stis ut Inst to have my answer. have
wei ted--4eAeh moment has been q year
that have spent away from yon." Z
Now. that is very pretty said" RI
oaRut am serious"
t'sAnd that is why do not Ike you 2
ssBnt, lady Catharine!" y
II should like it better did you but con-
tipue as in the past We have met on
tho Row, at the routs and drums. in the
country: and always have feIt free to
ask any favor Of Sir Arthur Pembroke.
WAY could At not be always thus?"
leu might ask nay very life, Lady
Eathartne."
nAh, there it is! When man offers his
life, tits time for woman to ask moth
Ing"
tShe turned from the open window, her
attitude showing an unwonted weakness
and dissection. Sir Arthur still stood near
by. his own face drowning and uncertain.
Lady Katharine" he broke out at
length, 'for years, as you know, I have
sought your favor. I have dared think
that some time the day would come when
--fny faith! Lady Gatharine, the day has
come now when feel 1t my right to de-
mand the cause of anything which trou-
bles You. And that you are troubled is
plain enough. Ever since this man Law
"There." cried Lady Catharine. raising
f1er hand. 4 beg you to say no more"
'But I will say more There must be a
reason for this"
The face of the young woman flushed In
spite Of herself, as Pembroke strobe clos
ers and 4gazed at her with sternness.
Lady Cathafine," said he, slowly, IT
am q friend of your family. Perhaps now
may be OF aid to you. Prove
me, aad at the last, ask who was indeed
your fraend.'' . ..,
I'VE have had -1nisfortunes, we of the
family of the Knollys," said Lady Cath
arine. "This is, perhaps, but the fate of
the house OF knollys. It Is my fate
Your fate!'' said Sir Arthur, slowly.
our fate! Lady Gatharine, thank you.
1t is at least as well to know the truth"
"Pick out the truth, then, Sir Arthur,
as you like it. I am not on the witness
stand before you, and you are not my
Judge. There has been zforsworn testi-
1nony enough already In this town. Were
1t not for that, Mr.. Law would at this
moment be free as you or t. II
Sir Arthur struck his hands together
in despair, and turning away, strobe down
the room. :.
20, see it all well enough" cried he.
you are mad as any who have hitherto
had dealings with this mailman from the
north
The girl rose to her full height and stood
before him. e.:
1t May be I am mad" said she. 'It
may be the old Knollys madness. II So
be that am mad But venture to say
to you that Mr.. Law is not born to die
in Newgate yards. My life! sir, If love
him, who sheuid say me nay? Now, say
to yourself and to your friends-to all
London. III YOU like, since you have
touched s.Ine1to this 4point-that catharine
tKnollys as friend to Mr.. Law, and believes
in him, and declares that he shall be
freed from lids prison, and that within
short spaced 4Eay that, Sir Arthur; tell
them thatl And Il they argue somewhat
from Al, why, let them reason 1t best they
may" ", ..-
The young man stood. his lips close to-
g'ether, his head still turned away. The
Edrl continued with growing energy.
~ have sent for you to tell you that
MIR. Laws life has value In my eyes.
And now, say to YOU, Sir Arthur, that
you must aid me In his escape"
"A heautiful picture she made. fearful,
pleading, "a lock OF her soft red-brown
hair falltng unnoticed across her tear-wet
check. It had been Ill task, indeed, to
make refusal Of any sort to a woman so /
gloriously feminine, SO noble, now 50 be-
aeeching. H..
Lady Catharine, . said the young man, 4
turning toward her, this illness, this 4
anxiety-4" E@ i
mo, 7 know perfectly well whereof
speak! Listen, and III tell you some
What .of news. Montague, chancellor of the !
exeleauer, is my warrant for what say i
to YOU when. j tell you that Mr.. Law is toll
he free. Montague himself has said to me,
IN this very room, that MIR. Law was Like !
to be slnElf the salvation Of England in these
uncertain times. I could tell you more, -
but may mot. Only look you, Sir Arthur;
John Law does not rest in Nemgate moreI
than one week from this tine!''
Sir lAIthur took snuff, his voice atl
aength irsgaining that comp for which
35rkx ax.s, .