The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-22


it will be no secret that Douglas com
United the murder. And think you Henry
VII will offer safe refuge to his ne
phews assassins? You much misjudge
him if you do 1t would have been far
better to have slain me In the forest.
This castle business is but an ill-judged.
in-thought- out plan. am sorry to APP
pear adversely critical, but such is my
opinion and it confirms me in the belief
that women should leave steel and State
alone"
Il dare not Iet you 60" reiterated
Catherine.
cot a surety you dare not; that is what
have said from the beginning. On the
other hand. l can make no concession,
under coercion, that would save my life.
You see, we are both cowardly, each in
a different way. And now having come to
the absolutely logical conclusion that the
king must die, you should turn your
mind to the difficulties that confront
you. l, you see, as also armed
The King as he spoke took from his
doublet a dagger almost similar to the
one held by the girl. A gentel smile
graced his lips as he ran his thumb along
the edge. and then glanced up at the two
in time to notice their CONSERVATION at
this new element in the situation.
'If you enter Q tigers cage you should
expect a touch of his claws; so, Lady
Catherine. your task is more serious
than you anticipated. There is, further
more, another source of danger against
you, and it is my sincere wish that in
the struggle to come you may not be
too severely handicapped While the is
sue of our contest is still in doubt, your
sister will assuredly unlock the door
and give the alrm, hoping to prevent
your contemplated crime, or my killing
of you / think it right that you should
not be called upon to suffer this inter-
vention, for your determination as much
as / admire in another way, the Laby
Isabel's leaning toward mercy. / shall,
then, take this key from the larger door
and place it, with your sister outside
on the narrow stairway. You have with
drawn the rope ladder so she cannot
alarm the garrison"
But I have not withdrawn it." said
Catherine quickly. My sister must not
leave this room or she will bring inter
ference"
Then" said the King, calmly, as he
rose and took the key from the large
door, eve shall at least make it impos-
sible for her to open the way into the
hall" And so saying, he stepped to the
smaller door, which he opened, and be-
fore either of the women could prevent
his action, or even grasp an fnkling of his
design, he stepped outside, KEEP in hand,
and thrust to their places the bolts of the
stairway door.
The two girls looked at each other for
a moment in silence, Isabel plainly panic
stricken, while in GATHERINGS face anger
struggled with chagrin. Each was quick
to see the sudden consequences of this
turning of the tables; the two were help
less prisoners in a remote portion of the
castle, no one within it's walls being ac-
quainted with their whereabouts, The
King, insulted. hod- winked and all but
murdered, was now at liberty, free to ride
the few short leagues that law between
Doune and Stirling, and before daybreak
the fortress would be in the hands of an
overwhelming force with the present
garrison prisoners. In the awed stiffness
and unexpected sound came to them
from the outside; the sound of a man en-
deavoring to suppress the hearty laugh
ter that overmastered him. To be DOOM
ed is bad enough, but to be made the
subject of levty was too much for the
dauntless Catherine. She flung her dag
ger wringing to the stone floor with
gesture of rage then sank upon a bench
and gave way to tears; tears of bitter
humiliation and rage.
Ladies'" saide the King from the out
side, Il beg that you will allow me to
open the door" But, receiving no an
swer. the bolt were drawn once more.
James again entered the apartment and
gazed down upon two fair proud heads,
crowned with rudy hair.
"ear ladies'" said the King. forgive
me my untimely mirth. Both of you
take matters much too seriuolsy; a little
laughter is necessary in this world. My
Lady Catherine, l told you that | could
grant no concessions under coercion, but
now coercion has vanished and L enter
this room a free man of my own Will
Tell m, my girl, what is it you want? The
resembling of your fathers exile? 1t is
granted. The right TO live unmolested
in your own castle? 1t is granted. Safe
conduct to England? 1t is granted The
privilege of remaining in Dune? 1t is
granted But do not ask me to rescind
Punishment against Archibald Douglas,
Earl of Angus, for that l shall not con-
cede The Douglass ambition, not the
Scottish King, has wrecked the Douglas
family, both Black and Red. But as
was as concerns your own immediate kin.
with one exception, shall give you any
thing you like to ask"
Catherine rose to her feet, threw back
her auburn tresses, and said curtly;
1--WE ask nothing but the privilege OF
leaving the country you rule"
The King bowed.
and you, Lady Isabel?"
81 go with my sister and my mother.
" grieve at your decision, ladies, and
for the first time in my life envy England
in getting an advantage over poor old
Scotland, which 1 hope will not be ire
parable for trust you will return. But
If such be your determination, then go
in peace and in the daylight. Your jour
ney shall not be molested by me- But,
before you add finality to your inten-
tions, l think it would be but fair to in
form your lady mother that the King is
anxious to be of service to her, and per