Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-05-15

ueHcG una ueDuuCHCTU.
ground, were matters that would have
taken the adventurous tendency out of
even the cracked brain of chivalry it.
self. Brandon cared only to fight where
there was a possible victory or ran
som, or a prospect of some sort at least
Of achieving success.
So every phase of the question which
his good sense presented told Brandon,
whose passion was as ardent though
not so impatient as Marys, that it
would be worse than foolhardy to try
to see her. He, however, had deter
mined to see her once more before he
left; but, as it could in all probability
be only once, he was reserving the
meeting until the last, and had written
Mary that it was their best and only
chance.
She could not endure inaction, so she
did the worst thing possible. She went
alone one afternoon, just before dusk,
to see Brandon at our rooms. | was
not there when she first went in, but
having seen her on the way suspected
something and followed arriving two
or three minutes after her. | knew it
was best that l should be present and
was sure Brandon would wish it,
When | entered they were holding
each others hands in silence They
had not yet found their tongues, so
full and crowded were their hearts. 1t
was pathetic to see them, especially
the girl, who had not Brandon's hope
20. 4 +In &.cl
resignation.
Upon my entrance she dropped his
hands and turned quickly toward me
with frightened look, but was reas-
sured upon seeing who it was. Bran
don mechanically walked away from
her and seated himself on a stool.
Mary, as mechanically, moved to his
side and placed her hand on his Shout
der Turning her face toward me she
said, "Sir Edwin. know you will for
give me when l tell you that we have
Great deal to say and wish to be
Alone"
l was about to go when Brandon
stopped me.
NO no. Caskoden, please stay. 1t
would not do. 1t would be bad enough,
God knows. if the princess should be
found here with both of us, but with
me alone | should be dead before morn
ing There is danger enough as it is,
fer they will watch u.s."
Mary knew he was right, but she
could not resist vicious little glance
toward me, who was in no way to
blame.
Presently we all moved into the win
dow-way, where Brandon and Mary,
sat upon the great cloak and | on a
camp stool in front of them, complete
ly filling up the little passage.
Il can bear this no longer" eXclaim-
ed Mary Il will go to my brother to,
night and tell him all. | will tell him
how | suffer and that | shall die if you
are allowed to 90 away and leave me
forever. He loves me, and | can do
anything with him when | try. l know
l can obtain his consent to our-our-
marriage. He cannot know how | suf-
fer, else he would not treat me so. |
will let him see; | will convince him.
l have in my mind everything l want
to say and do. | will sit on his knee
and stroke his hair and kiss him." And
she laughed softly as her spirit revived
in the breath of n glowing hope. Then
l will tell him how handsome he is and
how | hear the ladies signing for him,
and he will come around all right by
the third visit. oh, know how to do
it. | have done it so often. Never
fear. l wish had gone at it long ago"
Her enthusiastic fever of hope was
really contagious, but Brandon, whose
life was at stake, had his wits quick
ened by the danger.
"Mary, wo6ld you like to see me a
corpse before tomorrow noon?" he ask.
ed.
"Why. of course not! Why do you
ask such a dreadful question:"
Because if you wish to make sure
of 1t, do what you have just said-go to
the king and tell him all. l doubt If
he could wait till morning. l believe
he would awaken me at midnight to
put me to sleep forever-at the end of
a rope or on block pillow"
. "Oh, no; you are all wrong. l know
what can do with Henry"
IF that Is the case, l say goodby
now, for | shall be out OF England, if
possible, by midnight. You must promise
me that you Will not only not go to the
king at all about this matter but that
you will guard your tongue, Jealous of
its slightest word, and remember with
every breath that on your prudence
hangs my life, which, know, is dear
to you. Do you promise? If you do
not, l must fly. So you will lose me
one way or the other if you tell the
king-either by my fight or by my
DEATH"
II promise" said Mary, with droop-
ing head the embodiment of despair
all life and hope having left her again.
{ After few minutes her face bright
Continued on Page4.