The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-18
Of he
IN
By
Copyright, 1908, by Robert Barr.)
CHAPTER I.
ASSERTION.

ASSERTION.
DOOMED man walked that November day in
"a the Home Park before Hampton Court palace
IA douby. the tall, masterful form,
q bending unwillingly, rebelously wrestler
- before superior might, showed that
Providence had stricken him with mortal dis
And he walked with his distinguished retnue
plotting against that shortening feotting in secrecy
did earl of Stafford
but suspect, he would strike first and hard
Some of the highest in the land walked humbly be-
hind him. accommodating their to his fatering yet
Wentworth earl of Stafford than they would have shown
the king For stepped the real kingwhose shat
tered frame still to be feared than that of the
most stalwart man in all merry England that day.
He walked the grounds of the king as if he owned
them. Attic echo of the camoring of London's
mobs to his he knew at that moment they
crying out against him. And he despsed them he had
despsed the turbulent land of Ireland which he had held
under his strong hand until he obeyed the command of
Charles to travel to London.
Despite the seriousness of the time the conversation
of the light and frivoling then obtained at
court But it was interrupted suddenly.
From behind thick tree there stepped girl. She
tall and slender with brave full of the backness
the and the Of night Black, too, her
hair, flowing in beauty shapely proud shoulders.
Her costume betokened the country rather than the
court but it's lack Of fashionable cut texture not
that rested on her showed that IN their eyes she was full
admirable.
My Lord of Stafford" she said in clear sweet voice.
II word with you in private"
The earl startled into surprise at her first appearance
frowned blacky With at the daring inerloper
He spoke word; but his underlngs accustomed
study his apprehensvely Swiftly attendants
placed themselves SIDE ready did his
lordship give the word The huntsman officious
still, loosed his dogs that had been snarling
They dashed forward the leash slipped
But the girl nby to the tree and as she leaped
backward she whisked from the scabbard of
attendant the light sword with which he supposed
guard his master and himself.
"Call off your hounds villain" she cried in voice
that mperious command. II order not for
SELF but for them. Il would rather than
dog. scoundrel shall feel the sting of this point if
you do not instantly obey"
The thin blade darted like adder's tongue. Yelps
showed its potency, they
overmached, contented themselves with noisy
cry at safe distance
At glance the earl the huntsman leashed them
again Stafford gazed darkly at the girl
what do you wish?"
have told you, my lord, I wish word in your
"'Tis to be heard by none the earl of Stafford
no. not by the king himself"
'I secrets from the king"
Nor need this be Ills to proclaim it to
the world at pleasure But first it is for
alone Send that painted popinay to the with the
dogs The others gentlemen and will retire of their
own they lady wishes speak pri-
vately with you"
laugh went up from the British noblemen at the
reference to the painted popnjay" who
Courcy, of the great band of
were favortes because consort of Charles
prediction for her countryrnen-a preference
shared by but her husband. They
titled ercenaries certainly spies probably dividing
king suspicious people.
De Courcey fumbled with his sword h1t, muttered
angy that he prepared to meet who might wish
to girls scornfu STAFF
fords fierce glance uueled the rising difference Harshy
he said to the young woman
Your persistence shall be rewarded but with this
provso: If the make much of is not worth
the telling, then shall expiate mpudence in
5 prison
ST accept the hazard freely, my lord
The earl OF Stafford said no more but turned to his
followers who withdrew into the background
cept De Courcy, who cried angrly:
Beware, Lord Stafford there may be in this
appears She has shown expert
blade. 1t is still in her hand"
The earl smiled colby.
It's but fair" he said, "that should take some
chance to equal hers. I'll chance the stroke"
The girl flung her napier into the forest and
hand to the departing Frenchman saying
1nockingly
Farewell, popinjay The treacherous ever make sug-
gestiont of treachery.'
What have you to to me?" asked Stafford
severely bending his naughty glance upon her.
Sir, her voice sank SO that might by any
chance overhear. Sir, am Frances Wentworth your
lordship's eldest daughter"
49, Z s. a.