The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-04-29

he quickly pushed aside the halberds
ard entered. The Duke OF Bucking-
ham. Il proud, self important individu-
nj, was standing neal the door and
saw it all. Now, Buckingham was
one of those unfortunate persons who
never lose an opportunity to make q
mistake. and. being anxious to display
his zeal on behalf of the princess, step
ped up to prevent Brandon's entrance.
"Sir, you will have to move o of
this" he said pompously. "You are
not at q jousting bout. You have made
a mistake and have come to the wrong
place."
my lord Of Buckingham Is pleased
to make rather more OF al ass of HIM
self than usua! this evening"" replied
Brandon, with n smile, as he started
across the room to Mary, whose eye
he had caught. She had seen and heard
1t all, but instead OF coming to his re-
lief stood there laughing to herself.
At this Buckingham grew furious and
ran around ahead of Brandon, valiant
ly drawing his sword.
Nov, by heaven, fellow, make but an
other step, and l will run you throughp'
he said.
1 saw it all. but could hardly realize
What was going on, it came SO quickly
and was over so Like q fash
Brandon's sword was out Of its sheath
and B~uckingham's blade was lying to-
ward the ceiling. Brandon's sword
vas sheathed again SO quickly that one
could hardly believe 1t had been out
at NIL, and, picking up Buckingham's,
he said with a half smothered laugh,
MY lord has dropped his sword"
He then broke its point with his heel
against the hard floor, saying, II will
dull the point lest my lord, being unac-
customed to its use, wound himself"
This brought peals Of laughter from
everybody, including the king. Mary
laughed also, but, as Brandon was
handing Buckingham his blade. came
up and demanded:
my lord, Is this the way you take 1t
upon yourself to receive my guests2
Who appointed you, let me ask, to
guard my door7 We shall have to omit
your name from Jul next list unless
you take a few lessons in good man.
ners." This was striking him hard,
and the quality Of the man will at once
appear plain to you when I say that
hV huo Oltth lcSClNco WO6bO lISdtlucukt
but chung to the girls skirts all the
moro tenaciously. Turning to Brandon,
the princess said:
Master Brandon, I am glad 10 see
you, and regret exceedingly that our
friend of Buckingham should 30 thirst
for our blood" She then led him to
the king and queen, to whom he made
his bow, and the pair continued their
walk about the room. Mary again al
luded to the skirmish at the door and
said laughingly:
ri would have come to your help, but
1 knew you were amply able to take
care Of yourself. 1 was sure you would
worst the duke in some way. 1t was
better than a mummery, and I was glad
to see 1t. I do not like him."
The king did not open these private
balls, as he was supposed at least not
to be their patron, and the queen, who
was considerably older than Henry,
was averse to such things. So the prin-
cess opened her own balls, dancing for
n few minutes, with the floor entirely
to herself and partner. 1t was the hon
or of the evening to open the ball with
her, and quite curious to see how men
put themselves In her way I'M stood
so MS to be easily observed and, per-
chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving
Mary had drifted into a corner Of the
room back Of a group of people and
was talking to Wolsey-who was al
ways very friendly to him-and to Mas
tcT C%avendish, n quaint, quiet, easy lit
tie man, full Of learning and Kindness,
and a warm friend to the Princess
Mary.
1t was time to open the bail, and
from my place in the musicians gal
lery l could see Mary moving about
among the guests, evidently looking for
q partner, while the men resorted to
some very transparent and amusing
~eXpedients to attract her attention. The
princess, however, took none Of the
bidders, and o I noticed, she espied
Brandon standing in the corner with
his back toward her.
Something told me she was going to
ask him to open the dance, and I re.
GREETED it, because 1 knew it would set
every nobleman in the house against
him, they being very Jealous Of the
"lowborn favorites," as they called the
untitled friends of royalty. Sure
enough, I was right. Mary at once be-
gan to make her way over to the cor
ner, and I heard her say, Master Bran
don, will you dance with meY"
1t was done prettily. The whole girl
changed as soon as she found herself in
front of him. IN place of the old time
confidence. strongly tinged with arro-
gance, she was almost shy, and blushed
M stammered with quick coming
breath, like n burgher maid before her
new found gallant. At once the court
iers made way for her, and out she
walked, leading Brandon by the hand.
Upon her lips and in her eyes was a
rare, triumphant smile, as II to say:
Look at this handsome new trophy
of my bow and spear"
I was surprised and alarmed when
Mary chose Brandon, but when I turn
ed to the musicians to direct their play
imagine, lie you cam, my surprise when
the leader said:
Minister, we have ouT orders for the
first dance from the princess"
Imagine also, IL you can, my double
surprise and alarm nay, almost my
terror-when the band struck up James
"Sailor Lass" I saw the look of sur.
prise and inquiry which Brandon gave
Mary, standing there demurely by his