Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11

VFh1CIe.
presented so striking a type of manly at
tractiVeness, even that first moment cast
some spell upon the woman whom he
sought to interest. The eyes Of the Lady
AS though 1t were another person. she
heard herself murmur. And you, sr?'
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 for
ward, hesitatingly, and not with the adj
dress 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
ala those of the Lady Catharine, became
most concerned with the first speaker
My brother and l are on our first Jour-
ney to London" continued he with a CAV
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 thieves. Twas
my own fault. Yesterday l must needs
quit the Edinboro' stage. Last night our
chalse was stopped. and we were asked to
hand our money to pair of evil fellows
who had made prey of In short-you
see-we Jared III enough. Lost In the dark,
we made what shift we could along this
road. where We both are strangers. At
even had We found them. we lay down to
sleep. L have slept far worse. And it's a
lovely morning. Madam. 1 thank you for
this happy beginning of the day
Mary Connynge pointed to the bandage
on the younger mans arm, speaking a
low word to her companion.
True" said the Lady Catharine, "you
are Injured, sir; you did not come off
whole"
'Oh. we would hardly suffer the fellows
to rob us without making some argument
over It," said the first speaker. Indeed,
l think we are the better off hereabouts
for brace of footpads gone to their
count. 1 made them my duties as we came
away. VIII. here, was pricked a triie. but
you We have done very WELL
The face of VIII Law hardly offered COM
plete proof of this assertion. He had slept
Ill 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 reputation.
Il did but wish to ask some advice of the
roads hereabouts," said the elder brother,
turning his eyes full upon those of the
Lady Catharine. "AS you see, we are in
i'll plight to get forward to the city. If you
will be good as to tell me which way to
take, l shall remember it most gratefully.
Once in the city We should do better, for
the rascals have not taken certain papers,
letters which l bear to gentlemen in the
city-Sir Arthur Pembroke 1 may name
one-a friend of my fathers, who hath
had some dealings with him in the ham
ding of moneys. l have also word for
Others and make sure that, once We have
got into town, We shall soon mend our for
tune"
Lady Catharine looked at Mary Connynge
and the latter in turn gazed at her There
could be no harm" said each to the other
with her eyes. Surely it is duty to
take them In with US; at least the one who
is wounded"
VIII Law had said nothing though he
had come forward to the road, and, bow
ing, stood uncovered. Now he leaned
against the flank of one of the horses, in
a tremor of vertigo which seized him as he
stood. 1t was perhaps the paleness of his
fare determination the Issue
William" called the Lady Catharine
Knollys. open the door for Mr.. Law Of
Lauriston!"
The footman sprang to the ground and
held open the door. Therefore. into the
coach stepped John Law and his brother.
late Of Edinboro', sometime robbed and
afoot but now to come into London in cir
cunlstances which surely might have been
far worse.
John Law entered the coach with the dig
nifty and grace OF a gentleman born. He
bowed gravely he took his seat beside
his brother. facing the ladies. VIII Law
sank back into the corner, not averse to
rest. The eyes Of the two young women
did not linger more upon the wounded man
than upon his brother. He, in turn, looked
straight into their eyes, courteously. re-
specially. gravely, yet fearlessly and
calmly. as though he knew what power and
possibilities were his Enigma and auto
Graf alike, Beau Law of Edinboro', one Of
the handsomest and properest men ever
bred on any soil. was surely picture Of
vigorous young MANHOOD, as ne rode
toward SadIer's Wells, with two of the
beauties of the hour and in a coach and
four which might have been his own.
Now all the sweet spring morning came
on apace. and from the fields and little
gardens came the breath of flowers. The
sky was blue. The languor of springtime
pulsed through the veins of those young
creatures those engines of life, Of pas
sion and desire. Neither Of the two women
saw the torn garb of the man before them.
They saw but the curve of the strong chest
beneath. They heard, and the one heard
and felt as keenly the other, the voice
of the young man, musical and rich, touch
ing some deep-seated and vibrating heart
string So in the merry, month Of May,
with the birds singing in the trees, and the
scent of the flowers waited coolly to their
senses, they came on apace to the throng
at Sadler's Wells. There 1t was that John
Law, finding in a pocket coin that had
been overlooked, reached out to a vender
and bought rose. He offered his flower,
with deep inclination of the body. to the
Lady Catharine.
1t was at this moment that Mary Con-
nynge first began to hate her friend. the
Lady Catharine Knollys.
(To be continued in The Star Monday,
October 13.)