Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-05-01

was to you. Yet was a cheerful giver
of that gift, was not? And can you
find it in your heart to make of it
shame to me-that of which | was SO
proudW
She stood there with head inclined a
little to one side, looking at him in
quiringly as if awaiting an answer He
did not speak, but looked steadily at
his book | felt, however, that he was
changing, and | was sure her beauty,
never more exquisite than in its pres
ent humility, would yet atone for even
so great fault as hers Err, look beau
tiful and receive remission. Such
woman as Mary carries her indulgence
in her face.
l now began to realize for the first
time the wondrous power of this girl
and ceased to marvel that she had al
ways been able to turn even the king.
the most violent. stubborn man on
earth, to her own wishes. Her manner
made her words eloquent, and already,
with true feminine tactics. she had put
Brandon in the wrong in everything
because he was wrong in part.
Then she quickly went over what she
had said to me. She told of her great
dread lest the king should learn of the
visit to Grouche's and its fatal conse-
quences, knowing full well it would
render Henry impervious to her inf1u-
ence and precipitate the French mar
rage. She told him of how she was
going to the king the day after the ar
rest to ask his release, and of the meet
ing with Buckingham, and his promise.
Still Brandon said nothing and stood
as if politely waiting for her to with
draw.
She remained silent little time,
waiting for him to speak, when tears,
partly of vexation, | think, moistened
her eyes.
"Tell me at least" she said, that
you know 1 speak the truth. have al
ways believed in you, and now | ask
for your faith. | would not lie to you
in the faintest shading of a thought
not for heaven itself-not even for your
love and forgiveness, much as they are
to me- and | want to know that you
are sure of my truthfulness, if you
doubt all else. You see speak plainly
of what your love is to me, for al
though by remaining away you made
me fear had been too lavish with my
favors-that is every woman's fear-I
knew in my heart you loved me; that
you could not have done and said what
you did otherwise. Now you see what
faith 1 have in you, and you a man,
whom a womans instinct prompts to
doubt. How does it compare with your
faith in me, woman, whom all the In
stincts of manly nature should dis
pose to trust? 1t seems to be an I'M
written law that man may lie to
woman concerning the most important
thing in life to her and be proud of it,
but you see even now | have all faith
in your love for me, else surely
should not be here. You see l trust even
your unspoken word, when it might,
without much blame to you, be spo-
ken lie; yet you do not trust me, who
have no world-given right to speak
falsely about such things, and when
that which l now do is full of shame
for me, and what l have done full OF
guilt, if inspired by aught but the pur-
est truth from my heart of hearts.
more, I think, than you realize-and
are so cruel in turning to evil the high
est, purest impulse a woman can feel
the glowing pride in self surrender and
the sweet, delightful privilege of giving
where she loves. How can you? How
can you"
How eloquent she was! 1t seemed to
me this would have melted the frozen
sea, but think Brandon felt that now
his only hope lay in the safeguard Of
his constantly upheld Indignation.
When he spoke he ignored all she had
said.
"You did we'll to employ my Lord Of
Buckingham. 1t will make matters
more interesting when tell you it was
he who attacked you and was caught
by the leg under his wounded horse: he
was lame, am told, for some time aft
erward. | had watched him following
you from the gate at Bridewell and at
once recognized him when his mask
fell off during the fight by the wall.
You have done well at every step. |
see"
"Oh, God; to think of it! Had | but
KNOWN! bucklnSnaln suall pay iol tAiS
with his head: but how could know?
l was but poor. distracted girl, sure
to make some fatal error. | was in
such agony-your wounds-believe me,
l suffered more from them than you
could. Every pain you felt was pang
for me-and then that awful marriage!
l was being sold like a wretched slave
to that old satfr, to be gloated over
and Toasted upon No man can know
: the horror of that thought to Il woman
I, to any woman, good or bad. To have
ones beauty turn to curse her and
, make her desirable only-only as well
fed cattle are priced. No matter how
great the manifestation of such sc
. called love, it all the more repels q
!, woman and adds to her loathing day