Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-03-20
Continued from last week.


in you, Sir Edwin" said the princess.
THAT he has," l replied. "There is
nothing too good to say of him"
l knew that Mary, with her better,
clearer brain, held the king almost in
the palm of her hand, so l thought to
advance Brandon's fortune by a timely
word.
81 trust the king will see fit to favor
him, and l hope that you will speak a
word in his behalf should the opportu-
nifty occur"
"What, in the name of heaven, have
we to give him?' cried Mary impa-
tiently, for she kept an eye on things
political, even if she were only a girl.
"The king has given away everything
that can be given already, and now
that the war is over and men are COM
ing home there are hundreds waiting
for more. My fathers great treasure is
squandered, to say nothing of the mon
ey collected from Empson Dudley and
the other commissioners. There is moth
ing to give unless it be the titles and
estate of the late Duke of Suffolk.
Perhaps the king will give these to
your paragon if you will paint him in
as fair light as you have drawn him
for me-" Then, throwing back her
head, with a laugh, "Ask him."
ut would be none too much for his
deserts" l replied, falling in with her
humor.
1--WE will so arrange It, then" went
on Mary banteringly. Captain Bran
! Il h1t ha nd
duke of Suffolk. How sounds it, Mas
ter Caskoden?'
Sweet in my ears" I replied.
81 really believe you would have the
kings crown for him, you absurd man,
if you could get it. We must have SO
interesting a person at court. | shall
at least see that he is presented to the
queen at once. / wonder if he dances.
l suppose not. He has probably been
too busy cutting and thrusting." And
she laughed again at her own pleas
antry.
When the mirth began to gather in
her face and the dimples came respon-
sive to her smiles, when she threw
back her perfectly poised head, stretch
ing her soft, white throat, so full and
round and beautiful, half closing her
big brown eyes till they shone again
from beneath the shade Of those long,
black, sweeping lashes; when her red
lips parted showing her teeth of pearl,
and she gave the little clap Of her
hands, sort of climax to the soft, low,
ripping laugh, she made picture Of
such exquisite loneliness that it is no
wonder men were fools about her and
caught love as one catches a contagion.
had it once, as you already know and
had recovered. All that prevented a
daily relapse was my fair, sweet anti
dote, Jane, whose image rested in my
heart, lasting safeguard.
81 wonder if your prodigy plays
cards-that is, such as we ladies play?'
asked Mary. you say he has lived
much in France, where the game was
invented, but | have no doubt he
would scorn to waste his time at SO
frivolous a pursuit when he might be
slaughtering armies single handed and
: alone"
81 do not know as to his dancing
and card playing, but l dare venture
q wager he does both" l replied, not
liking her tone of sarcasm. She had
, yet to learn who Brandon was.
81 will hazard ten crowns" said
Mary quickly, for she loved wager
. and was born gambler.
"Taken," said |.
eve will try him on both tomorrow
night in my drawing room," she con
tinued. you bring him up, but tel
} no one. l will have Jane there with
her Lutte which will not brighten you
, away know, and we will try his step
. l will have cards, too, and we shall see
n what he can do at triumph. Just we
: four. no one else at all. You and Jane
the new Duke of Suffolk and |. Oh
/ can hardly wait" And she fairly
,, danced with joyous anticipation.
T. The thing had enough irregularity
to give it Zest, for while Mary ofteI
p had few young people in her drawing
st room, the companies were never 81
81 small as two couples only, and thu
/