The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-07-02
CHAPTER XIX.


PROsERPINA.
III O the value received for VOL
Io sey's friendship to Brandon
|esRSs5sI was Mary's promise to marry
Mary wanted to send message at
once to Brandon, telling him his life
would be spared and that she had
made no delay this time-a fact of
which she was very proud-but the
Tower gates would not open until
morning, SO she had to wait She COM
pensated herself as we'll as she could
by writing letter, which I should like
to give you here, but it is too long. She
told him of his pardon, but not one
word upon the theme he so wished vet
feared to hear Other promise never
to wed any other man. Mary bad not
told him of her final surrender in the
matter of the French marriage, for the
reason that she dreaded to pain him
and feared he might refuse the sacri-
fee.
1T will almost kill him, 1 know"
she. said to Jane that night, land l
fear it is false kindness 1 do him.
He would, probably, rather die than
that l should marry another. 1 know
that should rather die or have any
thing else terrible to happen than for
another woman to possess him. He
promised me he never would, but sup
pose he should fail in his word, as l
have today failed in mine? The thought
Of it absolutely burns me-" And she
threw herself into James arms, and
that little comforter tried to soothe
her by making light of her fears
"Oh, but suppose he should?"
"Well, there is no need to borrow
trouble. You said he promised you, and
you know he is one who keeps his
word"
But promised, too, and think of
what l am about to do. Mary in heav-
en-. help me! But he is made of differ
ent stuff from me. can and do trust
his word, and when think of all my
troubles and when it seems that l can
not bear them the one comforting
thought comes that no other woman
will ever possess him-no other woman,
no other woman. I am glad that my
only comfort comes from him.
II hoped that I might have been
some comfort to you. I have tried
hard enough" said Jane, who was jeal-
Gus.
"Oh, yes, my sweet Jane. You do
comfort me. You are like a soothing
balm to an aching PAIN And she kiss
ed the hands that held hers This was
all that modest little Jane required.
She was content to be humble balm
and did not aspire to the dignity of an
elixir.
The girls then said their prayers in
concert, and Mary gently wept herself
to sleep. She lay dreaming and toss
ing nervously until sunrise, when she
got up and added more pages to her
letter until called to take it.
l was on hand soon after the Tower
gates had opened and was permitted
to see Brandon at once He read
Mary's letter and acted like every 9th.
er lover since love letters first began.
he was quick to note the absence of
the longed for but not expected assur-
ance, and when he did not see it went
straight to the point
"She has promised to marry the
French king to purchase my life. Is
that not true?"
Il hope not,'' I answered evasively.
Il have seen very little of her, and she
has said nothing about it."
"Iou are evading my question, see.
DO you know nothing of it?'
'Nothing," replied, telling an un-
necessary lie.
"Caskoden, you are either a liar or
blockhead."
Make it liar, Brandon" said l,
laughingly, for was sure of my place
in his heart and knew that he meant
no offense.
I never doubt a friend. One would
better be rustful of ninety-nine friends
who are false than doubtful of one who
is true. Suspicion and supersensitive-
ness are at once the badge and the
bane of little soul.
did not leave the Tower until noon,
and Brandon's pardon had been deliv-
cred to him before left. He was glad
tnat the first news of it had come from
Mary.
He naturally expected his liberty at
once, and when told that he was to be
honorably detained for a short time
turned to me and said: Il suppose they
are afraid to let me out until she is of
for France. King Henry fatters me-"
I looked out Of the window up Tower
street and said nothing
When I left, took letter to Mary, /
which plainly, told her he had OWNED
it all, and she wrote a tear stained an
swer, begging him to forgive her for
having saved his life at a cost greater
than her own. !
For several days I was kept busy