Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-06-22

GreenWlcn the princess ana
lG91WSl Brandon were together fire.
GGkJ quenty. Upon several occa-
slons he was invited, with others, to
her parlor for card playing. But we
spent two evenings with only four of
us present prior to the disastrous
events which changed everything, and
OF which / am soon to tell you. Dur
Ing these two evenings the Sailor
Lass" was I'm constant demand.
This pair. who should have remained
apart, met constantly in and about the
palace, and every glance added fuel to
the flame. Part OF the time it was the
princess with her troublesome dignity,
and part OF the time II was Mary
simply Mary. Notwithstanding these
naughty moods, any one with half an
eye could see that the princess was
gradually succumbing to the budding
woman; that Brandon's stronger ma
ture had dominated her with that half
fear which every woman feels who
loves strong man-stronger than her
self.
One day the rumor spread through
the court that the old French king,
Louis Nil, whose wife, Anne of Brit
tany, had just died, had asked Mary's
hand In marriage. 1t was this proba-
bly, which opened Brandon's eyes to
the fact that he had been playing with
the very worst sort OF fire, and first
made him see that In spite of himself.
and almost without his knowledge, the
girl had grown wonderfully sweet and
lear TO him. He now saw his danger
and struggled to keep himself beyond
the spell of her perilous glances and
siren song. This modern Ulysses made
masterful effort, but, alas, had no
ships TO carry him away and no wax
with which TO Gil his ears. Wax is q
good thing, and no one should enter
the siren country without 1t. Ships,
too, are good, with masts to tie oneself
TO and sails and rudder and a gust Of
wind to watt one quickly past the is
land. In fact, one cannot take too
many precautions when In those en-
chanted waters.
Matters began to look dark to me-
Love had dawned In Mary's breast,
THAT was sure, and for the first time,
with all its fierce sweetness; not that
it had reached Its noon, or anything
like IL. In truth, IL might, l hoped, die
n the dawning, for my lady was as ca
pricious as May day, but it was love
love as plain as the sun at rising.
She sought Brandon upon all occasions
md made opportunities to meet him
pot openly, at any rate; not with Bran
IONS knowledge, nor with any conniv-
lnce on his part, but apparently caring
title what he or any one else might
zee. Love lying in her heart had made
per a little more shy than formerly in
eeking him, but her straightforward
way OF taking whatever she wanted
nade her transparent little attempts
{ concealment very pathetic.
AS for Brandon, the shaft had en-
cred his heart, too, poor fellow, as
urely as love had dawned in Mary's.
lie knew the hopeless misery such a
assion would bring him, and helped
& DE good Lord, I'm so far as he could,
answer his prayer and lead him not
Ito Tempt ion. AS soon as he saw
be truth he avoided Mary as much as
pssible.
AS said. we had spent several even
Ks with Mary after we came home
om Windsor. at all OF which her pref
ence was shown in every movement.
Dme women are so expressive under
rong emotion that every gesture, a
IN OF the head. a glance of the eyes,
e lifting OF a hand or the poise of the
ldy speaks with a tongue OF elo-
ence, and such was Mary. Her eyes
puld glow with a soft fire when they
sted upon him. and her whole person
ID all too plainly what, In truth. II
bmed she did not care TO hide. When
hers were present. she would restrain
rself somewhat. but with only Jane
. myself she could hardly maintain
|eemly reserve. During all this time
andon remained cool and really
med unconscious OF his wonderful
rnction for her. IL Is hard to under
nd why he did not see IL, but l real
believe he did not. Although he
quite at ease in her presence, too
CD so. Mary sometimes thought. and.
hugely enough. sometimes told him
fit OF short lived. quickly repented
ker that always set him laughing.
there was never a word or gesture
could hint OF undue familiarity.