Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-17

set most men of the court boasting at great rate. To have a tilt with the ever victorious Mary and to come off victor was enoughs think, to loosen any tongue less given to bragging than Brandon's.
 "So," continued Mary, evidently somewhat piqued, ''he did not think his presentation to me thing worth men, tioning2 We had a little passage at arms, and, to tell you the truth, cane off second best and had to acknowledge it too. Now, what do you think of this new friend of yours? And he did not boast about having the better of me-. After all, there is more virtue in his si- lence than at first thought" And she threw back her head and clapped her hands and laughed with the most con- tagious little ripple you ever heard. She seemed not to grieve over her defeat, but dimpled as though it were a huge joke, the thought of which rather pleased her than othervase Victory had grown stale for her, although so young.
 What do think of my new friend?" I repeated after her, and that gave mo a theme upon which could enlarge eloquently. I told her of his learning, notwithstanding the fact that he had l been in the continental wars ever since he was boy. repeated to her stories of his daring and bravery that had 1 been told to me by his uncle, the mas. I ter of the horse, and others, and then | I added what I knew Lady Jane had already said. had expected to be brief, but to my surprise found close and interested listener, even to the twice told parts and drew my story | out a little, to the liking of us both.
 'fYour friend has an earnest advocate in you, Sir Edwin said the princess.
 'sThat he has," I replied. There is nothing too good to say of him."
 knew that Mary, with her better, clearer brain, held the king almost in I the palm of her hand, so thought to advance Brandon's fortune by timely l word.
 T trust the king will see fit to favor I him, and hope that you will speak a word in his behalf should the opportu- nifty occur"
 "What, in the name of heaven, have l we to give him?" cried Mary impa- l tiently, for she kept an eye on things l political, even if she were only girl "The king has given away everything that can be given already, and now that the war is over and men are com l ing home there are hundreds waiting for more. My fathers great treasure is squandered, to say nothing of the mon- ey collected from Empson, Dudley and the other commissioners. There is noth- ing to give unless 1t be the titles and estate of the late Duke of Suffolk. Perhaps the king will give these to your paragon if you will paint him in as fair a light as you have drawn him for me-" Then, throwing back her head, with laugh, Ask him."
 'sIt would be none too much for his deserts" replied, falling in with her humor.
 "We will so arrange it, then" went on Mary banteringly. Captain Bran don no longer, but Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk. How sounds 1t, Mas ter Caskoden?'
 Sweet in my earS," replied.
 q really believe you would have the kings crown for him, you absurd man, if you could get it. We must have So interesting person at court I shall at least see that he is presented to the queen at once. I wonder if he dances. I suppose not He has probably been too busy. cutting and thrusting." And she laughed again at her own pleas antry.
 When the mirth began to gather in her face and the dimples came respon.
 sive to her smiles, when she threw back her perfectly poised head, stretch
 ing her soft, white throat, so full and
 round and beautiful, half closing hel
 big brown eyes till they shone again
 from beneath the shade of those long
 black, sweeping lashes; when her red lips parted, showing her teeth of pearl
 and she gave the little clap of hel
 hands, a sort of climax to the soft low
 rippling laugh, she made a picture o1 such exquisite loveliness that it is nc wonder men were fools about her ant caught love as one catches a contagion 1 had it once, as you already know, and
 had recovered. All that prevented {
 daily relapse was my fair, sweet anti dote, Jane, whose image rested in my , heart, a lasting safeguard.
 "I wonder if your prodigy play,
 cards-that Is, such as we ladies play?' asked Mary. ''You say he has livet much in France, where the game wa
 invented, but have no doubt h. would scorn to waste his time at s' , frivolous pursuit when he might b
 slaughtering armies single handed anC
 alone."
 , A'T do not know as to his dancing and card playing, but I dare ventur wager he does both," L replied, no s liking her tone of sarcas&. She hal
 yet to learn who Brandon was f "I will hazard ten crowns" sai' ! Mary quickly, for she loved a wage ? and was born gambler.
 I ''Taken," said I.
 1 "We will try him on both tomorrow e night in my drawing room," she COT p tinued. You bring him up, but tel a no one. will have Jane there wit her lute, which will not frighten yo
 away know, and we will try his steI e will have cards, too, and we shall SC i. what he can do at triumph. Just W 2 four, no one else at all. You and Jant