The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-09-11

81 London. except tnat IuSnr, wncn 1
was so frightened could not speak
ono word of all the things | wished
to say
This sounded strange enough, and I
began moro than ever to s,,sLSst some
thing wrong. ], however, kept rs firm
grasp as possible upon the stock Of
indignation l had brought with me.
How did you expect 10 sec or hear
from him." asked |, "whCn hc was ly-
ing in 4 loatl!Somc dungeon without
one ray of light, condemned to he
hanged, drawn and quartercd because
of your selfish neglect 70 save him who
Mt the cost of half his blood and al,
most his life had saved so much for
your
Her eyes grew big, and the tears
were checked hy genuine surprise.
1 continued: "Lady Mary, no one
could have made me believe that you
would stand back and lot tic man to
whom YOU owed so great Il debt lie SO
long in such misery and be condemned
to such Il death FOR the act that saved
you. l could never have believed it,
Imp or hcll.' screamed Mary. What
tale is this yOu bring to torture mo?
Have l not enough already? Tell me
it is Il lie or will lave your miserable
little tongue torn out by the rootT'
at is no lie, princess, but an awful
truth and frightful shame to YOU"
l was determined to tell her all and
let her see herself us she was.
She gave n. hystcrical laugh and,
1,-n, in, L., hn,.
toned little gesture. fell upon the bed
in utter abandonment shaking as with
spasm. She did not weep; she could
not; she was past that now. Jane went
over to the bed and tried to soothc her.
In moment Mary sprang TO her feet,
eXclaiming: Master Brandon con-
dCmncd to DEATH and you and l here
talking and moaning and weeping!
Come, come; we will go to the king at
once. We will start to walk, Edwln-I
must be doing something - and Jane
can follow with the horses and over:
take us. No; will not dress; just as
l am; this will do. Bring me Il hat,
Jane-any one, any one" While put
ting OIL hat and gloves she continued:
II Will see the king at once and tell
L
will marry that old king of France or
forty kings or forty devils! It's all
one to me. Anything anything, to
save him! Oh, to think that he has
been in that dungeon all this timer
And the tears came unheeded In q del
uge.
She was under such headway and
spoke and moved so rapidly that /
could not stop her until she was nearly
ready to go; then held her by the arm
while / said:
''It is not necessary now. You are
too late"
a look OF horror came into her face,
and I continued slowly: "I procured
Brandon's release nearly week ago.
l did what you should have done, and
he Is now at our rooms In Greenwich"
Mary looked at me n moment and,
turning pale, pressed her hands to her
heart and leaned against the door
frame.
After short silence she said: ED
win Caskodcn-fool! Why could you
not have told me that mt frst7 I
thought my brain would burn and my
heart burst"
IL should have told you had you Civ
en- me time. AS to the pain 1t gave
you"-this was the last charge to my
large magazine of indignation-"I care
very little about that You deserve it.
l do not know what explanation you
have to offer, but nothing can excuse
you. An explanation, however good
would have been little comfort to you
had Brandon failed you In Billingsgate
that night
She had fallen into a chair by this
time and sat in reveric staring at moth
ing. Then the tears came again, but
more softly.
"YOu are right; nothing can excuse
me. ] nm the most Selfish migrate fNul,
guilty creature ever born. A whole
month in that dungeonv And she
covered her dropping face with her
hands.
go away for awhile, Edwin, and
then return. We shall want to see you
again." said Jane.
Upon my return Mary was more
composed. Jane had dnssed her hair,
and she was sitting OH the bed in her
riding habit, hat in hand. Her fingers
were noryously toying at the ribbons
and her eyes cast down.
"You are surely right, Sir Edwin.
have no excuse. can have none, but
will tell you how 1t was. You re.
member the day you lea me I'm the
waiting room Of the kings council,
when they were discussing my mar