The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-05-14

tween US. felt as did toward them
not only because of their trea tment Of
Brandon, but because they had made
me guilty Of grievous fault, for which
I should never so long as l lived for
give myself. I determined to go to the
king, and so did within five minutes
of the time l heard that Brandon was
yet in prison.
I found the king Sitting alone at pub
lie dinner and, of course, was denied
speech with him. I was in no humor
to be baked, so I thrust aside fha
guards and, much to everybody's
fright, for I was wild with grief, rage
and despair and showed it in every fea-
ture, rushed to the king and fell upon
my knees at his feet
"Justice, O kingv' cried, and all the
courtiers heard "Justice, O king, for
the worst used man and the bravest,
truest soul that ever lived and suf-
fered" Here the tears began to
stream down my face and my voice
choked in my throat "Charles Bran
don, your majesty's one time friend,
lies in a loathsome, rayless dungeon,
condemned to death, as your majesty
may know, for the killing Of two men
in Billingsgate ward. will tell YOU
all. l should be thrust out from the
society of decent men for not having
told you before I left for France, but
l trusted it to another who has proved
false. l will tell you all. Your sister,
the Lady Mary, and Lady Jane Boiling
broke were returning alone after dark
from visit to the soothsayer Grouche,
of whom your majesty has heard I
had been notified Of the Lady Mary's
intended visit to him, although she had
enjoined absolute secrecy upon my in
formant. l could not go, being detain-
ed upon your majesty's service-it was
the night Of the ball to the ambassa-
dors-and I asked Brandon to follow
them, which he did without the knowl-
edge Of the princess.
Upon returning the ladies were at
tackled by four rutfians and would have
met with worse than death had not the
bravest heart and the best sword in
England defended them VIGOROUSLY
against such fearful Odds He left
them at BrideWell without hurt or in
jury, though covered with wounds him
self. This man is condemned to be
hanged, drawn and 'quartered, but I
know not your majestys heart if he
be not at once reprieved and richly re-
warded. Think, my king! He saved
the royal honor of your sister, who is
so dear to you and has suffered so ter
ribly for his loyalty and bravery The
day l left so hurriedly for France the
Lady Mary promised she would tell
you all and liberate this man who had
so nobly saved her, but she is a woman
and was born to betray"
The king laughed a little at my We
hemence
what is this you are telling me, Sir
Edwin? l know of Brandon's death
sentence, but much as | regret it l
cannot interfere with the justice of our
good people Of London for the murder
OF two knights in their streets II
Brandon committed such a crime, and
l understand he does not deny it, I
cannot help him, however much +
should like to do 50. But this nonsense
about my sister! 1t cannot be true.
1t must be trumped up out of your
love in order to save your friend. Have
care, good master, how you say such
thing. If it were true, would not
Brandon have told it at his trial?'
1T is as true as that God lives, my
king! If the Lady Mary and Lady
Jane do not bear me out in every word
I have said, let my life pay the forfeit.
He would not tell Of the great reason
for killing the men, fearing to COM
promise the honor Of those whom he
had saved, for, as your majesty is
aware, persons sometimes go to
Grouche's for purposes other than to
listen to his soothsaying. Not in this
case, God knows, but there are SIAN
derous tongues, and Brandon was will
ing to die with closed lips rather than
set them Wagging against one so dear
to you. 1t seems that these ladies,
who owe so much to him, are also
willing that he should die rather than
themselves bear the consequences of
their own folly. Do not delay, l be-
seech your majesty. Eat not another
AAAOAoSA' ~ dy JOu, uulll lulS DIdFC
man, who has so truly served you, be
taken from his prison and freed from
his sentence of death. Come, come,
my king, this moment, and all that I
have, my wealth, my life, my honor,
are yours for all time"
The king remained a moment in
thought, with knife in hand.
"Caskoden, l have never detected
you in lie in all the years I have
known you. You are not very large in
body, but your honor is great enough
to stock a Goliath. believe you are
telling the truth. 1 will go at once to
liberate Brandon, and that little hussy,
my sister, shall go to France and ell
joy life as best she can with her old
beauty, King Louis. I know of no
greater punishment to inf1ict upon her.
This determines me. She shall coax
me out Of it no longer Sir Thomas