The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-24

BRANDON was Sluutering along read
ing when they overlook him. Jane told
me afterwar,l that Mary's conduct up
on coming up to him was pretty and
curious beyond the naming. At first
she was inclined TO be distant and say
cutting things. but when Brandon be-
gan to grow reStive under them and
showed signs OF turning back she
changed front In the twinkling Of an
eye ard was all sweetness. She laugh
ed aud smiled and diinpled. rs only she
cou.d. and WAS full OF bright giances
ard gracious words
She tried hundred little schemes to
get him TO herself for u moment-the
hunting of a wild flower or a four
| leaved clover or the exploration OF
some little nook in-the forest toward
which she would lead hiuI-but Jane
did not ut first take the hint and kept
close mt her heels Mary's impu'sive
nature was rot much given TO limiting
she usually nodded. and most en-
phatically at that-so after few fail
ures to rid herself OF her waiting lady
she said impatiently: "Jane. in the
name OF heaven. don't keep so close to
US, You won't move out OF reach Of
my hand. and you know how often II
inclines to box your earsr'
Jane did know. I am sorry for Mary's
rake to say. how often the fair hand
was given to such spasms: 80 with this
emphasized hint she walked on ahead.
| half sulky at the indignity put upon
her and half amused at her whimsical
mistress.
Mary lost no time. but began the at
tack at once.
Now. sir. l want you to tell me the
truth Why do you refuse my invita-
tions and SO persistently keep away
from me? / thought at first I would
simply let you 80 your way. and then
l thought IL would not. Don't deny
II. ] know you won't With all your
faults. you don't tell even little lies;
not even to a woman-I believe. Now
there is a fine compliment-is it not?-
when | intended to scold your She
gave huttering little laugh. and. with
hanging head. continued: Tell me.
is not the kings sister of quality suf-
ficient to suit you? Perhaps you must
have the queen or the Blessed Virgin
| Tell me nowT And she looked up at
him. half in banter. half in doubt.
| MY duties began Brandon.
-Oh. bother your dutiesl Tell me
the truth
Il will. If you let me-" returned
Brandon, who had no intention what
ever of doing anything Of the sort.
MY duties now occupy my time in the
evening
''That will not do" interrupted Mary,
who knew enough OF a guardsman's
duty to be sure it was not onerous.
You might as well come to II and tell
the truth; that you do not like our so
ciety." And she gave him a vicious
little glance without a shadow Of q
smile.
In Gods name, Lady Mary, that Is
not it." answered Brandon, who was
on the rack. please do not think II.
cannot bear to have you say such a
thing when 1t is so far from the real
truth
Then tell me the real truth"
II cannot; l cannot. i beg Of you
not to ask Leave me. or let me leave
Iyou, I refuse to answer further" The
latter half of this sentence was uttered
doggedly and sounded sullen and Ill
humored. although of course it was moi
so intended. He had been so perilous
ly near speaking words which would
probably have lighted. to their destruc
tion-to his certainly-the smolderine
flames within their breast that II
frightened him. and the manner ir
which he spoke was but a tone giving
utterance to the pain In his heart
Mary took it as 1t sounded and In un
feigned surprise exclaimed angrily
Leave you? Do / hear Alright?
never thought that 1. the daughter and
sister of a king. would live to be dis
missed by a-by a-any one"
your highness"- began Brandon
but she was gone before he coul6
speak.
He did not follow her to explain
knowing how dangerous such an ex
PLANTATION would be. but felt that Il
was best for them both that she should
remain offended. painful as the though
was to him.
OF course. Mary's womanly self es
TEEN. to say nothing of her royal pride
was wounded to the quick. and N
wonder.
Poor Brandon sat down upon a stone
and as he longingly watched her retir
ing form wished in his heart he wer'
dead. This was the first time he reall,
knew how much he loved the girl. an,
| he saw that. with him at least. 1t wa
a matter of bad to worse and at tina
rate would soon be-worst.
, Now that he had unintentionally OF
Tended her and had permitted her t
go without an explanation she wa
dearer to him than ever, and as he sa
. there with his face in his hands b
, knew that II matters went on as the
were going the time would soon com
when he would throw caution to tn
dogs and would try the impossible-t
! win her for his own Caution an
: judgment still sat enthroned. and the
told him now what he knew full We
D they would not tell him after a shor
: time-that failure was certain to 70
e low the attempt and disaster sure
D follow failure. First. the king woul
= in all probability cut of his head upo
3 an intimation of Mary's possible FOND
ness for him. and. second. If he shoul
e be so fortunate as to keep his hea
9 Mary could not and certainly woul
+ not marry him even IL she loved hill
n with all her heart The distance b,
y tween them was too great. and sh
4 knew too well what she owed to be
( position. There was but one thing lei
:, New Spain. and he determined whi
sitting there to sail with the next ahiI