Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-27

E@A E when knock at the door an 3%@@sSAV nounced the girls. I admitted INS&$0 them, and Mary walked to the middle of the floor. It was just growing dark. and the room was quite dim, save at the window where Bran don sat reading. Gods, those were ex- citing momentsl My heart beat like woman's. Brandon saw the girls when they entered, but never so much as looked up from his book. You must re- member he had great grievance. Jane and had remained near the door, and poor Mary was pitiable princess, standing there so full of doubt in the middle of the room. After moment she stepped toward the window and, with quick coming breath, stopped at the threshold of the little passage.
 .Master Brandon, have come, not to make excuses, for nothing can excuse me, but to tell you how it all happened -by trusting to another"
 Brandon arose and, marking the place in his book with his finger, fol- lowed Mary, who had stepped back ward into the room.
 "Your high1ess is very gracious and kind thus to honor me, but as our ways will hereafter lie as far apart as the world is broad, think it would have been far better had you refrained from so imprudent visit, especially as any, thing one So exalted as yourself may have to say can be no affair of such as Lone just free of the hangman's moose"
 "Oh. don't, pray you! Let me tell you, and it may make difference. It must pain you, know, to think of me as you do, after-after-you know; aft CT what has passed between us.''
 .;Yes, that only makes 1t all the hard CT. IT you could give your kisses''-and she blushed red as blood-''t to one for whom you care so little that you could qeave n1m to uIe nKe dog, when word from you would have saved him, what reason have 7 to suppose they are not for every manY'
 This gave Mary an opening of which she was quick enough to take advan- tage, for Brandon was in the wrong.
 "You know that is not true. You are not honest with me nor with yourself, and that is not like you. You know that no other man ever had, or could have, any favor from me, even the slightest Wantonness is not among my thousand faults It is not that which angers you. You are sure enough of me in that respect Tn truth, had almost come to believe you were too sure, that had grown cheap in your eyes, and you did not. care so much as | thought and hoped for what had to give, for after that day you came not near me at all. know 1t was the part of wisdom and prudence that you should remain away, but had you cared as much as your prudence would not have held you"
 She hung her head a moment in si- lence, then, looking at him, almost ready for tears, continued: "A man has no right to speak in that way of wo- man whose little favOrs he has taken, and make her regret that she has given a gift only that it may recofl upon her. sLittle' did say? Sir, do you know what that -frst--kiss was to me? Had I possessed all the crowns of all the earth I would have given them to you as willingly. Now you know the value placed on it, however worthless it was to you. Yet was cheerful giver of that gift, was I not? And can you find 1t in your heart to make of it a shame to me--that of which was so proud?"
 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 al his book. I felt, however, that he was changing, and was sure her beauty never more exquisite than in it's pres ent humility, would yet atone for ever So great a fault as hers. Err, look beau tiful and receive remission! Such g woman as Mary carries her indulgence in her face.
 now began to realize for the frs 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 ol earth, to her own wishes. Her manne made her words eloquent, and already with true feminine tactics, she had pu Brandon in the wrong in everything because he was wrong in part.
 Then she quickly went over what sh had said to me- She told of, her grea dread lest the king should learn of tn visit to Grouche's and it's fatal conse quences, knowing full we'll it woul' render Henry impervious to her infu ence and precipitate the French mal riage. She told him of how she wa going to the king the day after the al rest to ask his release, and of the meet ing with Buckingham, and his promise
 Still Brandon said nothing and stoo as if politely waiting for her to witt draw.
 She remained silent a little time waiting for him to speak, when teari partly of vexation, I think, moistene her eyes.
 "Tell me at least" she said, "tha you know speak the truth. I have al ways believed in you, and now as for your faith. I would not lie to yo in the faintest shading of thought not for heaven itself-not even for you love and forgiveness, much as they ar to me, and I want to know that 70 are sure of my truthfulness, if yo doubt all else You see speak pla1nl