Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30

see you so unwell. but journey to Lon
don is a small matter compared with a
march upon Dublin, which is like to have
killed you in your present condition"
Indeed your majesty. the smaller jour-
ney may well have the more fatal termina-
ton murmured the earl. but the king
paid no attention to the remark. for his
wandering eye now caught sight of third
in the conference. which brought surprised
displeasure to his brow. The girl was
standing behind the high back of the chair
in which she had been seated. in a gloomy
angle where the freight which played so
plainly on the king and STAFFORD did not
touch her.
I'm Gods name whom have we here?
How comes this girl in my palace, so in
innate with my Lord Strafford?'
The Slumbering suspicion OF Charles was
aroused
"She brings me proof which I cannot
deny. that she is my eldest daughter
Your eldest daughter!' cried the king.
amazed. rs your family. then. so far I'M
known to you that such a claimant may
spring up at any moment?"
II was married privately 10 the daughter
of Sir John Warburton. Circumstances sep
arated me from my wife. and although her
father informed me CURLY Of her death. he
said nothing of the issue"
We'll" said Charles My Lord STRAIT
ford" he continued. reverting to his sub
ject. you will to London. them?
Instantly. your majesty"
Il will consult with you there tomorrow.
And have no fear. for on my oath as a
man, on my honor as a king. will protect
you"
The king rose and left the room as alb
ruptly as he had entered it.
STAFFORD ordered the coach. and fell into
a reverie that lasted till the servant an
nounced that it was ready Then he ordered
a wCo'lns cloak brought for Frances, ard
himself fastened it at her throat.
Together they went down the dimly light
ed steps. A cavalier stepped from the shad-
-
him as the French spark she had so
frankly characterized earlier in the day.
my Lord" protested De Courcy. jaunti-
ly, you have your comrades at dfsad-
vantage. You have captured the woodland
nymph. do protest It's most unfair TO
US"
Sir said STAFFORD. with severity II
would have you know that the lady to
whom you refer is the Honorable Frances
Wentworth. my eldest daughter"
The Frenchman brought OF his bonnet
with an impressive sweep that brushed it's
ample feather lightly on the stones.
my lady. may I have the honor of es-
corting you to the carriage?
The girl shrank closer to her father and
made no reply. The earl bowed stiffiy, but
offered no objection. and the foreigner trip
ped daintily by her side. chattering most
amiably of the queen and her proposed visit
to London on the morrow
| On their arrival at the carriage the earl
I, seated himself in the closed vehicle and his
| n. e.
/ noring the proffered aid of De Courcy
| Nothing was said until the jingling process
| sion of carriage and mounted guards was
well clear Of the park when the girl ex-
| claimed with shudder:
II loathe that scented fop" Then. seem.
| Ing to fear reproof, added II know
should not say that, but cannot see what
| you have in common with such q creature
\ that you are civil to him."
| The earl laughed lightly-the first time
she had heard him do So
When we travel Frances safe out OF
| earshot, you may loathe whom you please
but tbs sometimes unsafe to give expires
| sion to your feelings within four walls
| may find little in common with a man
( least of all. with such as De Courcy. bu1
1 the time to crush him is not yet EIe hal
| the ear of my enemy, the queen, and she
has the ear of her husband"
"Sir, what reason have you to suspec,
that the queen moves against your"
"One reason Is that am at this momen,
| journeying east when would be TRAVELLING
west. In truth, my girl you seem resolved
unconsciously to show that you are your
| fathers daughter, with that uncurbec
tongue of yours. for O. lack Of lying is like
| to be my undoing. II had told the kins
I must to London tits most like we were
now on our way to Dublin"
But why dess the king order you thu
II know the king. He 10 not. az many
| think. selfish. but be d weak and thinks
himself otyong-A most DANGEROUS combina.
ton. N6Ut Z weak monarch or asstronl