The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-05-07
CHAPTER TX.

k6@7|0AV so fond were the FreHchmeu
l3eYssJ Of our fair ladies, and was
more than anxious to see Brandon and
learn the issue Of the girls escapade.
as we'll knew the danger attending If.
All things, however, must end. 50
early in the morning fastened to orr
rooms, where I found Brandon lying
In his Clothes everything saturated
with blood from dozen sword cuts. He
was very weak, and I at once had in a
barber, who took off his shirt of mail
and dressed his wounds. He then
dropped into deep sleep, while I
watched the night out Upon awaken,
ing Brandon told me all that had han
pened, but asked me to say nothing Of
his illness, as he wished to keep the
fact of his wounds secret in order that
he might better conceal the cause Of
them. But, as I told you, he did not
speak of Buckingham's part in the af-
fray.
saw the princess that afternoon and
expected, of course, she would inquire
for her defender. One who had given
such timely help and who was suffer
ing so much on her account was sure
~ worth little solicitude, but not
word did she ask. She did not come
near me, but made point of avoid
ance, as I could plainly see. The next
morning she, with Jane, went over to
Scotland palace without so much as a
breath of inquiry from either of them.
This heartless conduct enraged me. but
I was glad to learn afterward that
James silence was at Mary's COM
mand, that bundle of selfshness fear
ing that any solicitude, however care
fully shown, upon her part might re-
veal her secret.
It seems that Mary had recent intel
ligence Of the forward state Of affairs
in the marriage negotiations and felt
that discovery by her brother of what
she had done, especially in view of the
disastrous results, would send her to
France despite all the coaxing she
could do from then till doomsday.
1t was terrible fate hanging over
her, doubly so in view of the fact that
she loved another man, and looking
back at it all from the vantage point
Of time I cannot wonder that it drove
other things out Of her head and made
her seem selfish in her frightened de-
sire to save herself.
About - o'clock Of the following
night was awakened by a knock at
my door, and upon opening in walked
sergeant of the sheriff of London,
with four yeomen at his heels.
The sergeant asked if one Charles
Brandon was present, and upon my af-
firmative answer demanded that he be
forthcoming. I told the sergeant that
Brandon was confined to his bed with
illness, whereupon he asked to be
shown to his room.
1t was useless to resist or to evade,
sergeant in. Here he read his warrant
to arrest Charles Brandon, Esq, for
the murder of two citizens Of London,
perpetrated, done and committed upon
the night of such and such a day of
this year Of our Lord 1914. Brandon's
hat had been found by the side of the
dead men, and the authorities had re-
ceived information from a high source
that Brandon was the guilty person.
That high source was evidently Buck
ingham.
When the sergeant found Brandon
covered with wounds. there was no
longer any doubt, and, although hard
~ able to lift his hand, he was forced
to dress and go with them. A horse
litter was procured, and we all started
to London.
While Brandon was dressing l said
l would at once go and awaken the
king, who, I knew, would pardon the
offense when he heard my story, but
Brandon asked the sergeant to leave
us to ourselves for a short time, and
closed the door,
"Please do nothing of the sort, Cas-
koden," said he. eff you tell the king,
I will declare there is not one word Of
truth in your story. There is only one
person in the world who may tell of
that nights happenings, and if she
does not they shall remain untold. She
will make it all right at once, know.
I would not do her the foul wrong to
think for one instant that she will fail.
You do not know her. She sometimes
seems selfish, but it is thoughtlessness
fostered by fattery, and her heart is
right. would trust her with my life.
If you breathe word of what have
told you, you may do more harm than
you can ever remedy, and ask you to
say nothing to any one. If the princess
would not iberate me-but that is not
to be thought of. Never doubt that
she can and will do it better than YOU
think. She is all gold''
This, of course, silenced me- as did
not know what new danger I might
create or how I might mar the matter
so much wished to mend 1 did not
tell Brandon that the girls had left
Greenwich or of my underlined and per-
haps unfounded fear that Mary might
not act as he thought she would in a
great emergency, but silently helped
him to dress and went to London along