Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30
CHAPTER I.
Assertion.

xAoScA sASAs
A doomed man walked that November
day in the Home Park before Hampton
Court Palace-doomed doubly. For the
tall. masterful form. bending unwillingly,
rebelliously as a wrestler bends at last be-
fore superior might. showed that Prov
Idence had stricken him with mortal dis
ease And even as he walked with his dis
tinguished retinne respectful and obedient
bebtnd him. his enemies were plotting
against that shortening nfe-plotting In Sc
crecy and fear, for we'll they knew that did
tho Earl Of STAFFORD but suspect he would
strike first and hard
Some of the highest in the land walked
bumbly behind him. accommodating their
steps to his faltering yet determined tread
md showing more Difference to Thomas
Wentworth. Earl Of STAFFORD. than they
would have shown to the king. For here
stepped the real king-whose shattered
frame still was to be feared more than .ha'
of the most stalwart man in all merry Eng
lend that day. j..
He walked the grounds of the king as II
he owned them. Although no echo or the
iclamoring Of London's mobs came 10 ms
ear he knew that at that moment tney
were crying out against him. And ne oe-
Hpised them as he had despised the tur-
'bulent land of Ireland which he had heiu
numb under his strong hand until ne OBEY
ed the command Of Charles to travel 10
London.
: Despite the seriousness OF the time. the
conversation of the party was light and
frivolng. as then obtained at court But
It was interrupted suddenly.
"a From behind q thick tree there stepped
.eirl. She was tall and slender, with brave
eyes full of the blackness. the mystery ana
the power Of night. Black. too. was her
hair. flowing In beauty over shapeiy' PROUD
shoulders.
Her costume betokened the country rather
than the court. but its lack of fashionable
cut or texture was not noticed In that COM
,pany OF men, and the admiring looks that
rested on her showed that In their eyes she
was full admirable.
t. My Lord STAFFORD" she said in clear.
sweet voice. II crave word with you In
private"
The earl, startled into surprise at her
first appearance frowned blackly with an
noyance at the daring interloper. He spoke
no word. but his underlings were accus-
toned to study his fAce apprehensively
Swiftly two attendants placed themselves
at her SIDE ready to seize her did his lord
ship give the word. The huntsman more
officious STILL loosed his dogs that had been
snarling at her.
They dashed forward soon as the leash
was slipped. But the girl sprang nimbly to
the tree, and as she leaped backward she
whisked from the scabbard Of amazed
attendant the light sword which he was
supposed to guard his master and himself.
Call off your hounds. villain!' she cried
In a voice that rang imperious command.
81 order you. not for myself. but for them.
/ would rather wound a man than a dog.
Scoundrel you shall feel the sting Of this
point If you do not instantly obey"
The thin blade darted like an adders
tongue. Yelps showed it's potency. and the
matched. contented themselves with noisy
outcry at a safe distance.
At a glance from the earl the huntsman
leashed them again. Stanford gazed dark
ly at the girl
what do you wish?'' he asked
II have told you my lord. I wish word
In your private ear"
Sneak out what you have to say"
Ills to be heard by none but the Earl
of Stanford: no, not even by the king him
self"
IT have no secrets from the king"
Nor need this be one. IT'S yours to
proclaim 1t to the world at your pleasure
But first 1t is for your ear alone. Send
that painted popin1ay to the rear with the
dogs. The others are gentlemen and will
retire of their own accord when they learn
a lady wishes to speak privately with you"
laugh went up from the British mobiles
at the reference to the painted popinjay"
who was none less than De Courcy. one of
the great band OF Frenchmen who were
favorites at court because the consort Of
Charles had a prediction for her country
men-a preference shared by none but her
mercenaries certainly. spies probably. d.
viding the unfortunate king still further
from his suspicious people.
De Courcy fumbled with his sword hilt,
muttering angrily that he was prepared to
meet any who might wish to make the
girls scornful remark his own. But STRAIT
! fords fierce glance quelled the rising diff
ference. Harshly he said to the young
woman:
"Your persistence shall be rewarded but
with this proviso: II the news you make
so much of is not worth the telling, then
shall YOU expiate your impudence In
prison"
81 accept the hazard freely. my lord"
The Earl of STAFFORD said no more, but
turned to his followers. who withdrew into
the background at once, except De Courcy,
who cried angrily:
Beware. Lord STAFFORD. There may be
more in this than appears. She has shown
herself expert with a stolen blade. 1t is
still In her hand
The earl smiled coldly.
IT'S but fair" he said. chat I should
take some chance to equal hers. I'll chance
the stroke"
The girl flung her rapier into the forest
and waved her disencumbered hand to the
departing Frenchman, saying, mockingly:
Farewell. popinJay. The treacherous
ever make suggestion of treachery."
what have you to say to me?" asked
STAFFORD severely bending his naughty
glance upon her
sir" her voice sank so that none might
by any chance overhear "Sir, am Frances
Wentworth, your lordship's eldest daugh-