Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-04-10

word of the nlaiIGr. ana l nnd hot
spoken of 1t either. wanted TO see
how long he would remain silent con-
corning an adventure that would nave
set most men of the court boastng at
great rate. To have a tilt with the
ever victorious Mary and to come on
victor was enough, ! think, to loosen
any tongue less given to Dragging than
Brandon's.
$50" continued Mary, evidently
somewhat piqued, "he did not think MS
presentation to me thing worth NEIL
tioning? We had little passage at
arms, and, to tell you the truth, came
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 ST.
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 huge
Joke, the thought of which rather
pleased her than otherwise. Victory
had grown stale for her, although so
young.
"What do think Of my new friendT'
I repeated after her, and that gave me
q theme upon which 1 could enlarge
eloquently. l told her Of his learning
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
l.. &lo n yxyo over since
he was boy. repeated to her stories
of his daring and bravery that had
been told to me by his uncle, the mas
ter of the horse, and others, and then
I added what I knew Lady Jane had
already said. l 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 little, to the liking Of us both.
"Your friend has an earnest advocate
in you, Sir Edwin" said the princess.
"That he has," l replied. There Is
nothing too good to say Of him."
knew that Mary, with her better,
clearer brain, held the king almost in
the palm of her hand, so thought to
advance Brandon's fortune by timely
word.
81 trust the king will see fit to favor
him, and l hope that you will speak a
word in his behalf should the opportu-
nifty occur"
"What, in the name of heaven, have
we to give himT cried Mary impa-
tiently, for she kept an eye on things
political, even If she were only girl.
1.-THE king has given away everything
that can be given already. and now
that the war is over and men are COM
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 moth
ing to give unless it 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."
at would be none too much for his
deserts" replied, falling in with her
humor.
1--WE will so arrange 1t, them" 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.
81 really believe you would have the
I kings crown for him, you absurd man,
If you could get it. We must have so
interesting person at court. ! shall
at least see that he is presented to the
queen at once. | wonder if he dances.
l 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-
siye 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 her
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 her
hands, a sort of climax to the soft low,
ripping laugh, she made picture of
such exquisite loneliness that it is no
wonder men were fools about her ana
caught love as one catches contagion.
l had it once, as you already know, and
! had recovered. All that prevented a
/ daily relapse was my fair, sweet anti
/ dote, Jane, whose image rested in my
| heart, lasting safeguard.
81 wonder if your prodigy plays
cards-that is, such as we ladies play
| asked Mary. "You say he has lived
| much in France, where the game was
invented, but l have no doubt he
would scorn to waste his time at SO
| frivolous a pursuit when he might be
Strengthening armies single handed and
alone"
81 do not know as to his dancing
and card playing, but l dare venture
wager he does BOTH" l replied, not
liking her tone of sarcasm. She had
yet to learn who Brandon was.
81 will hazard ten crowns" said
Mary quickly, for she loved a wager
and was a born gambler.
"Taken," said l.
1--WE will try him on both tomorrow
night in my drawing ROOM" she con-
tinued. "You bring him up. but tell
no one. l will have Jane there with
her Lutte, which will not brighten you
away l know. and we will try his step.