Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-06-19

needed was the consent Of an eighteen
year-old girl-a small matter. Of course
as manageable women are but CON
modities in statecraft, and theoretically
at least, acquiesce in everything thei
liege lords ordain.
Wolsey, whose manner was smootl
as an otter's coat, had been sent t
fetch the needed yes" but he failed.
Jane told me about it.
Wolsey had gone privately to see thu
princess and had thrown out a sort o
skirmish line by fiattering her beauty
but had found her not in the best hu
NOR.
Eyes, yes, my lord of Lincoln. l know
how beautiful l am. No one knows bet
ter. l know all about my hair, eyes
teeth, eyebrows and skin. l tell you
am sick Of them. Don't talk to me
about them. 1t won't help you to gel
my consent to marry that vile old crea
ture. That is what you have come for
of course I have been expecting you
Why did not my brother come"
II think he was afraid, and, to tell
you the truth, ! was afraid myself,
answered Wolsey, with a smile. This
made Mary smile, too, in spite OF her
self and went long way toward put
ting her in good humor. Wolsey con-
tinued His majesty could not have
given me a more disagreeable task.
You doubtless think am in favor of
this marriage, but l am not"
This was as great lie as ever fell
whole out of bishops mouth. Il have
been obliged to fall in with the kings
views on the matter, for he has had his
mind set on 1t from the first mention
by De Longueville."
WAS it that bead eyed little mummy
who suggested it?'
Eyes, and If you marry the king OF
France you can repay him with usury."
"'Tis an inducement, by my troth."
II do not mind saying to you In con-
fidence that I think 1t an outrage to
force a girl like you to marry a man
like Louis of France, but how are we
to avoid it?"
BY the 1--WE" Wolsey put himself In
alliance with Mary, and the move was
certainly adroit.
How are we to avoid lit Have no
fear Of that, my lord; will show you"
"Oh, but my dear princess; permit
me. You do not seem to know your
brother. You cannot in any way avoid
this marriage. l believe he will i'm
prison you and put you on bread and
water to force your consent. / am sure
you had better do willingly that which
you will eventually be compelled to do
and. besides, there is another
thought that has come to me. Shall !
speak plainly before Lady Jane Boiling
broker
II have no secrets from her."
every well. 1t is this: Louis is old
and very feeble. He cannot live long.
and 1t may be that you can by ready
consent now exact promise from your
brother to allow you your own choice
In the event of second marriage. You
might in that way purchase what you
could not bring about In any other
way"
"How do you know that want to
purchase aught in any way, Master
Wolsey? / most certainly do not in
tend to do 80 by marrying France"
II do not know that you wish to pur-
chase anything. but woman's heart is
not always under her full control, and
1t sometimes goes out to one very far
beneath her In station, but the equal of
any man on earth in grandeur of soul
and nobleness of nature. 1t might be
woman would be amply justified in
purchasing at any sacrifice-doubly SO
Il it were buying happiness for two"
His meaning was too plain even to !
pretend to misunderstood. and Mary's /
eyes flashed at him as her face broke
INTO dimpling smile in spite of her.
Wolsey thought he had won, and to
,linch the victory said, in his forceful
manner: "Louis XII. will not live a
year; let me carry to the king your
and l guarantee you his prom
Sc as to a second marriage"
In an instant Mary's eyes shot fire,
Ind her face was like the blacklist
"Carry this to the king: That l will
Zee him and the whole kingdom sunk
u hell before l will marry Louis Of
france. That is my answer once and
or all. Good even, Master Wolsey."
md she swept out of the room with
ead up and dilating nostrils, the very
icture of defiance.
After Wolsey had gone Jane said to
fary: Don't you think it would have
cen better had you sent a softer an
wer to your brother? 1 believe you
ould reach lis heart even now if you
7ere to make the effort You have not
ried in this matter as you did in the
Tiers"
Perhaps you are right, Jane. will
o to Henry"
Mary waited until she knew the king
'as alone, and then went to him.
On entering the room she said: ,
Brother, sent hasty message to you ,
nd have come to ask your forgive ,
ess."
"Ah, little sister, thought you would ;
,ange your mind. Now you are a ,
bod girl" ,
"Oh, do not misunderstood me. / :
Iked your forgiveness for the mes
&c. As to the marriage, came to tell :
"a that it would kill me and that l
'uld not bear it. oh, brother, you are =
II q woman. You cannot know" :
enry Jew into q passion and, with :
tbs and curses, ordered her to leave