The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-03-19

but he has not mentioned it,
1t was true Brandon had not said a
word of the matter, and I had not
spoken Of it either. wanted to see
now long he would remain silent con-
corning an adventure that would have
set most men of the court Boosting at
great rate. To have a tilt with the
ever victorious Mary and to come OF
victor was enough, think, to loosen
any tongue less given to Dragging than
Brandon's.
49," continued Mary, evidently
somewhat piqued, she did not think his
presentation to me thing worth men
t1oning? We had a little passage at
arms, and, to tell you the truth, came
off second best and had to acknowledge
1t too. Now, what do you think of this
new friend of yours? And he did not
boast about having the better of me!
After all, there is more virtue in his 81
lence than at first thought" And she
threw back her head and clapped her
hands and laughed with the most con-
tagious little ripple you ever heard. She
seemed not to grieve over her defeat,
but dimpled as though it were huge
joke, the thought Of which rather
pleased her than otherwise Victory
had grown stale for her, although so
young.
"What do think of my new friend?"
I repeated after her, and that gave me
a theme upon which 1 could enlarge
eloquently. told her of his learning,
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
been in the continental wars ever since
he was boy. I repeated to her stories
OF his daring and bravery that had
been told to me by his uncle, the mas
ter OF the horse, and others, and then
l added what knew Lady Jane had
already said. 1 had expected to be
brief, but to my surprise found close
and interested listener, even to the
twice told parts, and drew my story
out little, to the liking of us both.
"Your friend has an earnest advocate
in you, Sir Edwin said the princess.
'That he has," I replied. 'There is
nothing too good to say of him"
l knew that Mary, with her better,
clearer brain, held the king almost in
the palm Of her hand, so thought to
advance Brandon's fortune by timely
word.
Il trust the king will see fit to favor
him, and hope that you will speak a
word in his behalf should the opportu-
nifty occur"
what in the name of heaven, have
we to give him?' cried Mary impa-
tiently, for she kept an eye on things
political, even if she We're only a girl.
'The king has given away everything
that can be given already, and now
that the war is over and men are COM
ing home there are hundreds waiting
for more. My fathers great treasure is
squandered, to say nothing of the mon
ey collected from Empson, Dudley and
the other commissioners. There is moth
Ing to give unless it be the titles and
estate of the late Duke of Suffolk.
Perhaps the king will give these to
your paragon if you will paint him in
as fair light as you have drawn him
for me-" Then, throwing back her
head, with laugh, "Ask him.
1T would be none too much for his
DESERTS" I replied, falling in with her
humor.
1--WE will so arrange it, then,' went
on Mary banteringly. "Captain Bran
don no longer, but Charles Brandon,
duke of Suffolk. How sounds it, Mas
ter Caskoden?"
Sweet in my ears l replied.
II really believe you would have the
kings crown for him, you absurd man,
If you could get it. We must have so
interesting a person at court I shall
at least see that he is presented to the
queen at once. I wonder if he dances
l suppose not. He has probably been
too busy cutting and thrusting." And
she laughed again at her own pleas
antry.
When the mirth began to gather in
her face and the dimples came respon-
s1ve to her smiles, when she threw
back her perfectly poised head. stretch
ing her soft, white throat so full and
round and beautiful, half closing her
big brown eyes till they shone again
from beneath the shade of those long,
black, sweeping lashes; when her red
lips parted, showing her teeth of PEARL
and she gave the little clap of her
hands, a sort of climax to the soft, low,
ripping laugh. she made picture Of
such exquisite loneliness that it is no
wonder men were fools about her and
caught love as one catches a contagion
had it once, as you already know, and
had recovered. All that prevented a
daily relapse was my fair, sweet anti
dote, Jane, whose image rested in my
heart, lasting safeguard.
II wonder if your prodigy plays
cards-that is, such as we ladies play?'
asked, Mary. "You say he has lived
much in France, where the game was
invented, but I have no doubt he
would scorn to waste his time at so
frivolous pursuit when he might be
slaughtering armies single handed and
alone"
Il do not know as to his dancing
and card playing, but I dare venture
q wager he does both - ran1iod not