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

The house was prepared for his reception,
fires blazing and table spread in the room
to which he conducted his daughter.
Mrs. Jarrett" said the earl to his house
keeper, who looked with wonder at the
girl, this is my daughter. newly found.
having lived till now with her grandfather
in the north. She is the child of my second
wife, Frances Warburton."
After supper, when she arose to retire,
he kissed her on the lips. ruffing her way
ward. curling black hair-so much like his
own-and patting her affectionately on the
shoulder.
you will not be afraid of me from this
time forward child?" he asked. Indeed.
Frances, | grow superstitious as l become
older and I look your strange arrival
as in some measure orovidential There
is none of my own kind to whom I can
speak freely 1 did to you in the car
riage: my other daughters are too young.
My Lady STAFFORD dislikes this London
house and this London town. for which
small blame is to be imputed to her. In
you a mans courage Is added to a woman's
wit. Who knows? You may be the rapier
by my side"
Long time Frances Wentworth lay awake
after she had retired Was it possible that
she was to be thus transpianted. to stand
by the side of the greatest man in Eng
land? She planned the days to come. She
tongue must measure what it said, and all
rural bluntness should disappear.
1t was two hours after midday the next
day when Stanford sent for his daughter.
De Courcy was with him and rose as she
entered. to present her with one of his
down-reaching bows. IT, i3
my child" said the earl II am about to
set out for parliament; and it may be late
before l return. Yet think you shall sup
with me at I if all goes well and debate
becomes not too strenuous. but do not walt
in case l should be detained. ! counsel you
not to leave the house today. for there seem
many brawlers upon the streets My friend
De Courcy here begs the favor of some con-
verse with you and speaks with my ap-
prevail" -.-s-
STAFFORD looked keenly at the girl. and
her heart thrilled as she read the unspoken
message with quick intuition. He had some
use for De Courcy, and she must be suave
and diplomatic. Thus already she was her
fathers ally.
"Sir; shall obey you in all things. and
hope to win your commentator, SAID
Frances, with an inclination of the head
No sooner was the earl quit of the room
than De Courcy flung himself at her feet
Her first impulse was to step quickly pacK'
but she checked 1t and stood her ground.
''Oh, divine Frances" he cried. how I'M
pa tiently I have waited for this rapt mo-
ment, when 1 might declare to you-
"Sir. beg of you to arise IT'S not SEEM
ly you should demean yourself thus
grovel at your feet. my lady OF the iree
forest, for all who look upon you must love
you. and I adore you and do here avow It,
II implore you to arise
The gallant seized her hand instead and
pressed his lips on it. The tremor which
passed over her at this action was misin-
terpreted by his unquenchable vanity
The tension was relieved by low roar
from the street, a sound that had in 1t the
menace of wild beast angered.
Good heaven! What is that?" she ex-
claimed. snatching away her hand and run
ming to the window. Her sutton rose to his
feet, daintily busted the knees Of his stfken
wear with film of lace that did duty for
a handkerchief, and followed her.
The street below was packed with people,
bowling around a carriage that seemed
blocked by the press. The stout coachman,
gorgeous in splendid livery, had some ado
to restrain the spirited horses, maddened
and prancing with the interference and the
cutlery. Cudgely were shaken aloft In the
air, and there were shouts of Traitor! Iy-
rant!" and other epithets so degrading that
Frances put her hands to her ears In hor-
rified dismay.
Whom are they threatening so f1endish-
ly?" she whispered -~-'e
THAT Is your fathers carriage" an
swered De Courcy.
Before she could make further inquiry
there came up to them the cold dominating
above that tumult
''Strike through!
The stout coachman laid about him with
his whip, and the curses for the moment
abandoned the head Of STAFFORD to .alight
on the head Of the driver. The horses
plunged fiercely into the crowd. The cruel
progress changed the tenor of the cries, as
II a. waiting stop OF great organ had sud
denly taken the place Of the open dlapason.
The press was so great that those in front
could not make for safety. and the disap-
pearing coach was greeted with screams of
terror and was followed by groans OF
a ant 1Nx.x hNfo
grain before sickle. %
"Oh! oh! oh!' moaned the girl. all color
leaving her face.
ut serves the dogs right. said De cour-
cy: How dare they block the way OF
noble and the chief minister of state
IL cannot look on this" lamented
Frances, shrinking back to the table and
leaning against 1t as one about to faint,
forgetting her desire to avoid further DEM
onstration from her companion In the trep-
idation which followed the scene she had
witnessed.
Indeed they were most inercifuIly dealt
with. those solutions. The King Of France
would have sent a troop Of horse to saber
them back to their kennels. Strike
through cried his lordship, and. by God.
it's good phrase. most suitable motto for
coat-of-arms, a hand grasping a dagger
above 1t. Strike throughrbI shall not for
get 1t. But twas softer and more en-
dearing theme wished to-
SIR, peseech your polite consideration.
am nigh distraught with what I have
seen. and am filled with fear of London.
TITS not the courtly city expected to be-
hold. ! am not myself"
But you will at least bid me HOPPER
Surely, surely, all Of US may hope"
why, twas the last and only gift left in
Pandora's casket, and London were grim
indeed to be more bereft than the receipt
aole OF that deceitful woman. May make
my first draught on Madame Pandora's box
by hoping that am to see you at this hour
tomorrow"
Observation-Disclosures" gasped the
girl family.
fore night the great house was barricaded
ana the lights, were put out to show no
beam through the heavy shutters. Like 4
phantom army. the servants of the house,