Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-31

dered a woman's cloak brought FOR Fran
ces. and himself fastened it at her throat.
Together they want down the dimly
lighted steps. A cavalier stepped from the
shadow OF the arches and Frances recog-
nized him as the French spark whom she
had so frankly characterized earlier in the
day.
M lord" protested De Courcy, jauntily,
you have your comrades at a disad-
vantage. You have captured the woodland
nymph- 1 do protest tits most unfair to
us"
Sir" said STAFFORD. with severity. "I
would have you know that the lady to
whom you refer is the Honorable Frances
Wentworth, my eldest daughter"
The Frenchman brought of his bonnet
with an impressive sweep that brushed it's
ample feather lightly on the stones.
My lady, may I have the honor Of es-
corting you to the carriage?
The girl shrank closer to her father. and
made no reply. The earl bowed stifiy, but
offered no objection, and the foreigner
tripped daintily by her side, chattering
most amiably Of the queen and her pro-
posed visit to London on the morrow.
On their arrival at the carriage. the
earl seated himself in the closed vehicle,
and his daughter sprang nimbly in beside
him, ignoring the ~prO6ered aid of De
Courcy. Nothing was said until the jing-
ling procession OF carriage and mounted
guards was well clear of the park, when
the girl exclaimed with a shudder:
II loathe that scented fop." Then. seem
ing to fear a reproof. added. Il know 1
should not say that, but 1 cannot see what
you have in common with such a creature
that you are civil to him."
THE earl laughed l~ightly-the first time
she had heard him do so.
When we travel. Frances, safe out of
earshot, you may loathe whom you please,
but it's sometimes unsafe to give ex-
preston to your feelings within four walls.
1 may find little in common with a man,
least of all. with such as De Courcy. but
the time to crush him is not yet. He has
the ear of my enemy. the queen, and she
has the ear of her husband.
Sir. what reason have you to suspect
that the queen moves against your
One reason is that 1 am at this moment
journeying east when 1 would be travelling
west. In truth, my girl, you seem resolved
unconsciously to show that you are your
fathers daughter with that uncurbed ton
que OF yours, for a lack of lying is like to
be my undoing. II i had told the king L
must to London tits most like we were now
on our way to Dublin"
But why does the king order you thus
contrary wiser
II know the king. He fs not, as many
think, selfish, but he is weak and thinks
himself strong-a most dangerous COM
bination. Now, a weak monarch or a
strong monarch matters little, England
has been blessed with both, and has sur
vived the blessing; but a monarch who is
weak and strong by turns courts disaster.
War with the Scots says the king. He
will smite them with a firm hand. Very
good; a most desirable outcome. But our
captains are promoted by a woman's whls-
per and not by their own merit. Our army
is shattered. 1 am called for Gods sake
from Ireland and 1 come, scarcely able,
through illness, to sit my horse.
Very good. / cut up a portion of our
Scotch friends. and the rest are on the run.
What happens? An added title for me, you
might suppose. Not so. A censure comes
posthaste from London. Leave the Scots
alone. The king is treating with Them In
the face of victory he embraces defeat. 1
am left like a fool with a newly inspired
army and no enemy. They term 1t nego-
tiating in London, but 1 call it defeat
Very well. / accept the censure in hum
bleness and implore the king to call no
Parliament till We have time to set our
house in order and face lords and common
with good grace. Then 1 set forth for
London.
Pushing on through darkness in the SEC
ond night of my journey. a man thundered
by me. Good friend cried l. what news
that you ride so fast?'
Great news, ne answered, breathlessly.
"A Parliament is summoned. and. as 1 am
elected a member, 1 ride In haste. Please
God, before the month is done we nave
Straford's head in our hands and of his
treacherous shoulders"
The girl gave a cry of terror.
'Oh, twas but a braggart countryman,
knowing not to whom he spoke so freely.
When l met the king he was all panic and
regret. He had cOnjured up the Devil
easily enough. but knew not how to aIIay
him. Ills my head they want 1 said.
DO with IL as you please. II It is useless