Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-15

IWlCEoA-WEEkWl[I
of the time heard that Brandon was
yet in prison. er'> -" I
found the king sitting alone at pub
lie dinner and, of course, was denied
speech with him. I was in no humor
to be baked, so I thrust aside the
guards and, much to everybody's
fright, for 1 was wild with grief, rage
and despair and showed it in every fea-
ture, rushed to the king and fell upon
my knees at his feet.
"Justice, o king!' cried, and all the
courtiers heard. "Justice, o king, for
the worst used man and the bravest,
truest soul that ever lived and suf-
feredr' Here the tears began to
stream down my face and my voice
choked in my throat. Charles Bran
don, your majesty's one time friend,
lies in a loathsome, rayless dungeon,
| condemned to death, as your majesty
may know, for the killing of two men
in Billingsgate ward. will tell you
ALL l should be thrust out from the
society of decent men for not having
told you before 1 left for France, but
I trusted it to another who has proved
| false. I will tell you all. Your sister,
the Lady Mary, and Lady9Jane Boiling
| broke were returning alone after dark
from visit to the soothsayer Grouche,
Of whom your majesty has heard. l
had been notified Of the Lady Mary's
intended visit to him, although she had
enjoined absolute secrecy upon my in
| formant. I could not go, being detain-
ed upon your majesty's service-it was
the night of the ball to the ambassa-
dors-and l asked Brandon to follow
them, which he did without the knowl-
edge of the princess.
"Upon returning the ladies were at
| tackled by four ruffians and would have
| met with worse than death had not the
bravest heart and the best sword in
| England defended them VIGOROUSLY
| against such fearful odds. He left
them at Bridewell without hurt or in
jury, though covered with wounds him
| self. This man is condemned to be
hanged, drawn and quartered, but I
know not your majesty's heart If he
be not at once reprieved and richly re-
warded. Think, my king! He saved
the royal honor Of your sister, who ia
so dear to you and has suffered so ter
ribly for his loyalty and bravery. The
day left 50 hurriedly for France the
Lady Mary promised she would tell
you all and liberate this man who had
so nobly saved her, but she is woman
and was born to betray."
The king laughed little at my We
hemence.
"What is this you are telling me, Sir
Edwin? I know of Brandon's death
sentence, but much as l regret it l
cannot interfere with the justice Of our
good people Of London for the murder
of two knights in their streets. If
Brandon committed such a crime, and
understand he does not deny it.
cannot help him, however much l
should like to do so. But this nonsense
about my sister! 1t cannot be true.
1t must be trumped up out of your
love in order to save your friend. Have
care, good master, how you say. such
thing. II it were true, would not
Brandon have told it at his trial?''
1T is as true as that God lives, my
king! If the Lady Mary and Lady
Jane do not bear me out in every word
have said. let my life pay the forfeit
He would not tell of the great reason
for killing the men, fearing to CON-
promise the honor of those whom he
had saved, for, as your majesty is
aware, persons sometimes go to
Grouche's for purposes other than to
listen to his soothsaying. Not in this
case, God knows, but there are SIAN
derous tongues, and Brandon was will
ing to die with closed lips rather than
set them wagging against one so dear
to you. 1t seems that these ladies,
who owe 50 much to him, are also
willing that he should die rather than
themselves bear the consequences Of
their own folly. Do not delay, l be-
seech your majesty. Eat not another
morsel, pray you, until this brave
man, who has SO truly served you, be
taken from his prison and freed from
his sentence of death. Come, come,
my king, this moment, and all that
have, my wealth, my life, my honor,
are yours for all ume"'
The king remained q moment in
thought, with knife in hand.
"Caskoden, have never detected
you in lie In all the years / have
known you. You are not very large in
body, but your honor Is great enough
to stock a Goliath. I believe you are
telling the truth. will go at once to
ltberate Brandon, and that little hussy,
my sister, shall 60 to France and en-
Joy life as best she can with her old
beauty, King Louis. I know of no
greater punishment to indict upon her.