Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-02

v esg Louis.
 Mary wanted to send message at once to Brandon, telling him his life would be spared and that she had made no delay this time-a fact of which she was very proud-but the Tower gates would not open until morning, so she had to wait. She com pensated herself as we'll as she could by writing a letter, which should like to give you here, but 1t is too long She told him of his pardon, but not one word upon the theme he so wished yet feared to hear of-her promise never to wed any other man. Mary had not told him of her final surrender in the matter of the French marriage, for the reason that she dreaded to pain him and feared he might refuse the sacrf- flee.
 "It will almost kill him, I know" she said to Jane that night, land fear 1t is a false kindness do him. He would, probably, rather die than that should marry another I know that I should rather die or have any, thing else terrible to happen than for another woman to possess him. He promised me he never would, but sup pose he should fail in his word, as have today failed in mine? The thought of it absolutely burns me-" And she threw herself into Jane's arms, and that little comforter tried to soothe her by making light of her fears.
 "Oh, but suppose he should?"
 Well, there is no need to borrow trouble. You said be promised you, and you know he is one who keeps his word"
 "But I promised, too, and think of what am about to do. Mary in heav- en, help me! But he is made of differ ent stuff from me. I can and do trust his word, and when I think of all my troubles and when 1t seems that can not bear them the one comforting thought comes that no other woman will ever possess him-no other woman, no other woman. I am glad that my only comfort comes from him."
 1T hoped that I might have been some comfort to you. have tried hard enough said Jane, who was jeal- ous..
 "Oh, yes, my sweet Jane. You do comfort me, You are like a soothing balm to an aching pain" And she kiss ed the hands that held hers. This was all that modest little. Jane required. She was content to be humble balm and did not aspire to the dignity of an elixir.
 The girls then said their prayers in concert, and Mary gently wept herself to sleep. She lay dreaming and toss ing nervously until sunrise when she got up and added more pages to her letter until I called to take 1t.
 was on hand soon after the Tower gates had opened and was permitted to see Brandon at once. He read Mary's letter and acted like every oth- CT lover since love letters first began. He was quick to note the absence of the longed for but not expected assur- ance, and when he did not see it went straight to the point.
 sShe has promised to marry the French king to purchase my life. Ia that not rueT
 T hope not" answered evasively. z "I have seen very little of her, and she has said nothing about it.''
 ''You are evading my question, see. Do you know nothing of itY'
 Nothing" replied. telling an un- necessary lie.
 ''Caskoden, you are either liar or a blockhead."
 Make it liar, Brandon" said I, laughingly, for was sure of my place in his heart and knew that he meant no offense.
 I never doubt friend. One would better be trustful of ninety nine friends who are false than doubtful of one who Is true. Suspicion and representative ness are at once the badge and the bane of little soul.
 did not leave the Tower until noon, and Brandon's pardon had been deliv- cred to him before I left. He was glad that the first news of it had come from Mary. M
 He naturally expected his liberty at once, and when told that he was to be honorably detained for a short time turned to me and said: T suppose they are afraid to let me out until she is off for France. King Henry fiatters me-"
 looked out of the window up Tower street and said nothing.
 When left, took letter. to Mary which plainly told her he had divined it all, and she wrote tear stained an, swer, begging him to forgive her foI having saved his life at cost greater than her own.
 For several days I was kept busy carrying letters from Greenwich to the Tower and back again, but soon letters ceased to satisfy Mary, and she made up her mind that she must see him. Nothing else would do. She must not could not and, in short, would not gO another day without seeing him-no, not another hour. Jane and opposed her all we could, but the best we could accomplish was to induce her for Bran don's sake-for she was beginning to see that he was the one who had to suffer for her indiscrettons - to ask Henry's permission, and if he refused then try some other way To deter mine was to act with Mary, so off she went without delay to hunt the king, taking Jane and me along as escort. How full we were of important bust ness as we scurried along the corridors, one on each side of Mary, all talking r.aV--