Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-03-27


glittering person Of his majesty the
king.
His hair, worn in ltF natural length,
fell in brown curls back from his FORE
head almost to the shoulder, a style
tust then new, even in France. HIS
eyes were n deep blue, and his COM
plexion. though Drowned by exposure,
held a tinge of beauty which the sun
could not mar and girl might envy.
He wore neither mustachio nor beard,
as men now disfgure their faces
since Francis l. took scar on his chin
and his clear cut profile, dladng
nostrils and mobile though firm set
mouth gave pleasing assurance OF
tenderness, gentleness, daring ana
strength.
I was standing near the queen, who
called to me, "Who is the handsome
stranger that so gracefully asked our
license to run2"
II cannot inform your majesty. l
never saw him until now. He is the
goodliest knight have ever beheld."
"That he is" replied the queen, land
we should like very much to know him.
Should we not, ladiesW There was a
chorus of assent from a dozen voices,
and promised, after the running, to
learn all about him and report
It was at this point the heralds cried
their "Oyezw and our conversation was
at an end for the time.
As to height, the stranger was fuii
six feet, with ample evidence OF mus
Gle. though no great bulk. He was
grace itself, and the king afterward
said he had never seen such strength
of arm and skill in the use of the lance
"a sure harbinger Of favor, II not OF
fortune, for the possessor.
After the jousting the Princess Mary
asked me il l could yet give her an ac-
count Of the stranger, and as couid
not she went to the king.
heard her inquire:
"Who was your companion, brotherr
"That is a secret, sister. You Will
find out soon enough and will be falling
in love with him, no doubt. l have al
ways looked upon you as full OF trou-
BILE for me in that respect You VIII not
so much as glance at any one choose
for you, but, suppose, would be ready
enough with your smiles for some one
l should not want
"Is the stranger one whom you would
not want?" asked Mary. with DIM
ping smile and fash of her brown
eyes.
"He most certainly is" returned the
king.
"Then will fall in love with him at
once. In fact. don't know but l have
already"
"Oh, / have no doubt Of that. II
wanted him, he might be Apollo hlm-
self. and you would have none of him.
King Henry had been compelled to re-
fuse several very advantageous ALI
ances because this fair, coaxing, self
willed sister would not consent to be
part of the moving consideration.
But can you not tell me who he is
and what his degree? went on Mary
in a bantering tone.
"He has no degree. He Is plain, I'M
titled soldier, not even knight-that
IA. not an English knight. l think he
has German or Spanish order OF some
sort"
mot a duke, not an earl, not even
baron or knight? Now he has become
interesting"
Eyes, l suppose so. But don't bother
me-"
"Will he be at the dance and banquet
tonight"
mo. No! Now I must go. Don't
bother me, l say" And the king moved
away.
That night we had grand banquet
and dance at Westminster, and the
next day we all. excepting Lady Mary,
went back to Greenwich by boat. pay
ing n farthing n head for our fare. This
was just after the law fixing the boat
fare, and the watermen were quarrel
ing lot, you may be sure. One farthing
from Westminster to Greenwich. Eight
miles. No wonder they were angry.
The next day l went back to London
on an errand and over to WQlsey's house
to borrow book While there Master
Cavendish, Wolseys secretary. present
ed me to the handsome stranger. and
he proved to be no other than Charles
Brandon. who had fought the terrible
duel down in Suffolk. | could hardly
believe that so mild hammered and boy
ish a person could have taken the lead
ing part in such tragedy. But with
all his gentleness there was an underly
ing dash of cool daring which intimated
plainly enough that he was not all mild
ness.
We became friends at once, drawn to-
gether by that subtle human quality
which makes one nature fit into anoth-