The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-06-18
CHAPTER XVIT-Continued.

l hoped that Jane would wish to see
me to talk over Mary's escape; so
sent word to her that I was waiting.
and she quickly enough recovered her
health and came down. l suggested
that we walk out to a secluded little
summer house by the river, and Jane
was willing. All, my opportunity was
here at last!
changed, and she seemed to cling to
me in shy. unconscious manner, that
was sweet beyond the naming, as the
one solace for all her grief
After I had answered all her Ques-
tons and had told her over and over
again every detail of Mary's fight and
had assured her that the princess was
at that hour breasting the waves with
Brandon on their highroad to paradise,
l thought it time to start myself in
the same direction and to say a word
in my own behalf. So l spoke very
freely and told Jane what I felt and
what wanted.
ooh, Sir Edwin" she responded.
"let us not think of anything but my
mistress. Think of the trouble she is
I'M
mo, no, Jane. Lady Mary is out of
her trouble by now and is as happy as
a lark, you may be sure. Has she not
won everything her heart longed for?
Then let us make our own paradise,
since we have helped them make theirs.
You have it, Jane, just within your
lips. Speak the word, and it will
change everything, if you love me, and
I know you do"
James head was bowed, and she re-
NAMED silent
Then I told her of Lady Mary's mes
sage and begged, if she would not
speak in words what l so longed to
hear, she would at least tell it by al
lowing me to deliver only one little
thousandth part of the message Mary
had sent, but she drew away and said
she would return to the castle if I
continued to behave in that manner. |
begged hard and tried to argue the
point, but logic seems to lose it's force
in such situation, and all I said
availed nothing. Jane was obdurate
and was for going back at once Her
persistence was beginning to look like
obstlnacy, and l soon grew so angry
that l asked no permission, but deliv-
cred Mary's message, or a good part of
1t at least, whether she would or no,
and then sat back and asked her what
she was going to do about it.
Poor little Jane thought she was IN
done for life. She sat there half pout-
ing, half weeping, and said she could
do nothing about it; that she was alone
now, and if I. her only friend, would
treat her that way she did not know
where to look.
"Whcle to look?' demanded Look
here, Jane; here. You might as we'll
understand first as last that will not
be trifed with longer. and that intend
to continue treating you that way as
long as we both live. l have deter
mined not to permit you to behave as
you have for SO long, for I know you
love me. You have half told me so
dozen times, and even your half words
are whole truths. There is not a frac-
ton OF lie in you. Besides, Mary told
me that you told her so''
"She did not tell you that?'
Eyes. upon my knightly honor" Of
course there was but one answer to
thls-tears. | then brought the battle
to close quarters at once, and, with nv
arm uninterrupted at my lady's waist,
asked:
Ibid you not tell her so? l know YOU
will speak nothing but the truth. Did
you not tell her? Answer me, Jane"
The fair head nodded as she whispered
between the hands that covered her
face:
Eyes. 1-1-d-did," and I-weN, l de-
hvered the rest of Mary's message
and that. too. without a protest from
Jane.
Truthfulness is a pretty good thing
after ALL
So Jane was conquered at last, and ]
heaved a sigh as the battle ended, fol-
1t had been long, hard struggle.
l asked Jane when we should be mar
ried, but she said she could not thinl
OF that now-not until she knew tha-
Mary was safe, but she would promise
TO be my wife some time.
We went back to the castle, and a:
we parted Jane said timidly: II an
glad told you, Edwin. Glad it i.
over
She had evidently dreaded it, but
was glad too. Very glad. Then
went to bed.
CHAPTER XVII.
THU ELOPEMENT.
(VA7l iIATEVER the king nigh
wv think, knew Lord Wolse.
lSW@| would quickly enough CUES
(EEGS&2J the truth when he heard tina
the princess was missing. and woul,
have a party in pursuit. The run
aways, however, would have at leas
twenty-four hours the start, and shi]
leaves no tracks. When Mary left me