The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-16
CHAPTER ".
HOW 1 LOST WHAT 1 HAD NEVER
GAINED

beset as to tremble at her coming, Margery
looked in upon me oftener. and soon there
grew I'D between us comradeship the like
| Of which 1 think had never been between
a woman loved and a man who, loving her,
was yet constrained to play the part of her
true lovers friend
II played this part but stumblingly, If
at times the madness of my passion would
not be denied the look or word or hand
clasp not of poor. cool friendship; I have
this to comfort me: that in after time
when my dear lad came to know he for
gave me freely-nay. held me altogether
blameless, as was not.
OF what these looks and words and hand
clasps meant to Margery 1 had no hint.
But in my hours of sanity when l would
pass these slippings in review / could re-
call no answering flash of hers to salt the
woundings of the conscience whip. So far
from it. Ii seemed as this sweet comrade-
ship budded and blossomed on the stock of
a better acquaintance. she came to hold me
more as If 1 were some cross between a
father or an elder brother and some closer
confidant of her own sex.
You are not to understand that she was
always thus nor overoften. More frequent
ly that side of her which l soon came to
call the mothers was turned to me, and
was made to stand target for her wit and
raiIlery. But she was ever changeful as a
child, and in the midst of some light, jest
ing mood would sober instantly and give
my age its due.
In some of these, her soberer times, 1 felt
her lean upon me as my sister might had
7 hod af would franklY set
me in her fathers place. declaring l must
tell her what to say or do in this or that
entanglement Again. and this came often
er as our friendship grew. she would talk
to me as surely woman never talked to any
but a kinsman, telling me naively of her
conquests and sparing no gallant of them
all save only Richard Jennifer.
And of Dick and his devotion she spoke
now and then, as well, though never mock
ingly, as of the others. Nay, once when
/ pressed her on this point, asking her
plainly if my dear lad had not good cause
to hope, she would only smile and turn her
face away and say that of all the men she
knew the hopeful ones pleased her best.
So / was thus assured that If 1t were a
scale for love to tip my lady's heart would
fall to Richard.
Now, / took this to be a hopeful sign that
she would tell me freely of these her little
heart affairs. and seeing her so safe upon
the side of friendship held the looser rein
upon my own unchartered passion. So long
as / could keep my love well masked and
hidden what harm could come to her or
any if 1 should give it leave to live in
prison? None thought, and yet at times
was made a very coward by the thought.
For love, like other living things. will grow
by what it feeds upon, and once full grown
may haply come to laugh at bonds. how
ever strong or cunningly devised.
With such a fever in my veins 1t was lit
tie wonder that my wound healed slowly.
AS time passed by, with never a word of
news from the world without-if Margery
knew aught of the fighting she would never
lisp syllable to me-and with Gilbert Stair
still keeping churlishly beyond the sight
or sound of me 1 fretted sorely and would
be gone.
Yet this was but passing mood. When
Margery was with me was not i'll content
to eat the bread of sufferance in her ia
theirs house, and angry pride had scanty
footing. But when she was away this
same pride took sharp revenges, getting
me out of bed to bully Darius into dress
ing me that L might foot 1t up and down
the room while 1 was still unfit for any
useful thing.
One morning in the summer Sd of June
my lady came early and surprised me at
this business of pacing back and forth.
Whereat she scolded me as was her wont
when grew restive.
What weighty thing have you to do
that you should be so fierce to be about it,
Monsieur. Impetuous?" she cried. "Fi
doncl you'd try the patience of a saint!'
Which you are not" ventured. But
truly. Margery. am growing stronger now
and the bed does irk desperately, if
you must know. Besides
"Well. what Is there else besides? Do I
not pamper you enough?"
I laughed. ''Pll say whatever you would
have me say-so it be not the truth"
''rll have you say nothing until you sit
down."
She pushed the great chair of Indian
wicker work into place before the window
bay, and when 1 was at rest she drew up
a low hassock and sat at my feet.
Now YOU may go on" she said.
You have not told me what you would
have me say"
''The truth" she commanded
'''What is TRUTH said jesting Pilate''
l quoted. Why do you suppose my Lord
Bacon thought the Roman procurator
jested at such a time and placer"
You are quibbling, Monsieur john. /
saw YOU ever a man worthy the name
who could be content 90 bide inactive when
THAT is not the whole TRUTH" she said.
half absently. "You think you are unwel-
come here"
Twas you said that, not 1. But / must
needs know your father will be relieved
when he is safely quit of me-
Twas you said that, not I, Monsieur
john" she retorted, giving me back my
VIZ words word been brought
YOU that he would speed your parting?'F
Surely not since | am still here. But
you must know that L have never seen his
face as yet.
"And is that strange? You must not for
get that he is Gilbert Stair and you are
Roger Iretons son..
word of welcome 10 the unbidden guest
would not have come amiss And il was
none Of my seeking-this asylum in his
house"
'''True but that has naught TO do with
any eoolness of my fathers"
what is II then-besides the fact that /
am Roger Ireton's SOM
Il think twas what you said TO Mr.. PEN
''That little smirking wretch? What has
he 10 say or do in this?"
She looked away from me and said: HE
is my fathers factor and man of AFFAIRS
"Ah, i have always TO be craving your
pardon, Margery. But said naught to this
parchment-faced-to this Mr.. Pengarvin
that might offend your father or any"
How then, will you explain this, that
you swore to drive my father from Apple
by Hundred as soon as ever you had raised
a following among the rebels?
Tis easily explained: this thrice-ac-
cursed-oh pardon me again. l pray you;
/ will not name him any name at all What