The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-10

new friend of yours? And he did not
boast about having the better OF me.
After all. there is more virtue In his ST.
lence than l at first thought" And she
threw back her head and clapped her
hands and laughed with the most con-
tagious little ripple you ever heard. She
seemed not to grieve over her defeat.
but dimpled as though ii were huge
joke, the thought of which rather
pleased her than otherwise. Victory
had grown stale for her, although so
young.
what do think of my new friendT
1 repeated after her, and that gave me
a theme upon which | could enlarge
eloquently. | told her of his learning.
notwithstanding the fact that he had
been in the continental wars ever since
he was boy. l repeated to her stories
of his daring and bravery that had
been told to me by his uncle, the mas
ter of the horse. and others, and then
I added what 1 knew Lady Jane had
already said. I had expected to be
brief, but to my surprise found close
and interested listener. even to the
twice told parts, and drew my story
out little. to the liking of us both.
sYour friend has an earnest advocate
In you, Sir Edwin" said the princess.
eThat he has," | replied. There Is
nothing too good to say of him."
knew that Mary, with her better.
clearer brain. held the king almost In
| the palm of her hand. so l thought to
| advance Brandon's fortune by timely
| word.
Il trust the king will see fit to favor
him, and l hope that you will speak
| word in his behalf should the opportu-
| nifty occur"
"What, in the name of heaven. have
we to give him?' cried Mary impa-
tiently. for she kept an eye on things
political, even if she were only a girl,
i'The king has given away everything
] that can be given already. and now
| that the war Is over and men are COM
| ing home there are hundreds waiting
for more. My fathers great treasure Is
squandered. to say nothing of the mon
ey collected from Empson, Dudley and
| the other commissioners. There is moth
ing to give unless it be the titles and
Il
Perhaps the king will give these to
your paragon II you will paint him in
as fair light as you have drawn him
for me-" Then. throwing back her
head. with laugh. "Ask him."
"It would be none too much for his
deserts" replied, falling In with her
humor.
"we will so arrange II. them" went
on Mary banteringiy. Captain Bran
don no longer. but Charles Brandon,
duke Of Suffolk How sounds ii, Mas
ter caskodenf'
sweet In my ears" replied
"I really believe you would have the
kings crown for him, you absurd man
II you could get II. We must have SC
interesting n person at court | shall
at least see that he Is presented to the
queen at onea, ! wonder II he dances
suppose not He has probably beer
} too busy cutting and thrusting." Ant
she laughed again at her own pleas
antry.
When the mirth began to gather II
her face and the dimples came respon
siye to her smiles, when she threw
back her perfectly poised head, stretch
: ing her soft. white threat. so full ant
round and beautiful. half closing he
, big brown eyes till they shcne agail
, from beneath the shade of those long
black. sweeping lashes; when her re-
, lips parted. showing her teeth OF pear
> and she gave the little clap Of he
) hands, a sort of climax to the soft. low
d | ripping laugh. she made picture
Z such exquisite loveliness that II Is n
wonder men were fools about her an
o caught love as one catches a contagior
Q had 1t once. as you already know, an
had recovered. All that prevented
e daily relapse was my fair. sweet ant
y dote, Jane. whose image rested In m
I heart. lasting safeguard
r 81 wonder IL your prodigy play
+ cards-that is. such as we ladies play
q asked Mary "You say he has live
J. much in France. where the game va
/, invented. but l have no doubt
b would scorn to waste his time at :
e frivolous a pursuit when he might
n siaughtering armies single handed an
=, aloner
i, II do not know as to his dancir
a and card playing, but | dare ventu
= wager he does both" ! replied n
J. liking her tone of sarcasm. She hs
b yet to learn who Brandon was
II will hazard ten crowns" sa
4 Mary quickly, for she loved a wag
;e and was a born gambler
a "Taken," said I.
b. "we will try him on both .omOrro
p night In my drawing ROOM" she co
i. tinued. "You bring him up. but &
BIT no one, ! will have Jane there wi
T. her lutte. which will not frighten y
~ away l know. and we Will try his ste
Id I will have cards. too. and we shall $
IN what he can do at triumph. Just '
Sc four. no one else Mt all. You and JaI
re the new Duke of Suffolk and I.
re can hardly waitr' And she fair
a. danced with joyous anticipation.
The thing had enough irregulari
he to give IL zest, for while Mary oft
N. had n few young people I'm her drawi
na room. the companies were never
er small as two couples only. and I
w king and queen, to make up for great
yo faults. were wonderful stioklers IN I
matter OF little proprieties.
lie. The ten CROWN wager. too. gave spl
to IL, but to do her justice she car
a very little for that. The prince
lot loved gambling purely for gambli
zee sake. and with her the next best thi
IN to winning was losing.
We When went to my room that mig
at / awakened Brandon and told him
he the distinguished honor that await
on him.
en- 'WeIl, I'll be- But he did not S
an what he would be" He always hs
ed before an oath. unless angry. VIII