Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-06-10

he Bosoe1-MerU C0nsf0~1
II II n
mistress did not speak to her until she
called her In that evening to make her
toilet. By that time Mary had forgot
ten about the note in her bosom; so
when Jane began to array her for the
dance it fell to the floor, whereupon
both girls broke into laugh. and Jane
kissed Mary's bare shoulder. and Mary
kissed the top of James head. and they
were friends again.
So Brandon accepted Mary's invita-
ton and went to Mary's dance, but his
going made for him an enemy Of the
most powerful nobleman in the realm,
and this was the way Of it:
These parties Of Mary's had been 60
ing on once or twice a week during the
entire winter and spring, and usually
included the same persons. 1t was
sort Of coterie. whose members were
more or less congenial and most Of them
very jealous Of tnterlopers. Strange
as it may seem, unlimited persons Of
ten attempted to force themselves in.
and all sorts Of schemes and maneu-
vers were adopted to gain admission.
To prevent this two guardsmen with
halberds were stationed at the door.
Modesty. I might say, neither thrives
nor is useful at court
When Brandon presented himself at
the door. his entrance was barred, but
he quickly pushed aside the halberds
and entered. The Duke of Bucking-
ham. q proud. self important 1ndividu-
al, was standing near the door and
saw it all. Now. Buckingham was
one of those unfortunate persons who
never lose an opportunity to make a
mistake. and. being anxious to display
his zeal on behalf Of the princess, STEP
ped up to prevent Brandon's entrance.
"Sir, you will have to move out Of
this" he said pompously. you are
not at jousting bout. You have made
q mistake and have come to the wrong
place."
my lord Of Buckingham is pleased
to make rather more of an ass of him
self than usual this evening"" replied
Brandon, with q smile, as he started
across the room to Mary, whose eye
he had caught. She had seen and heard
it all. but instead of coming to his re-
lief stood there laughing to herself.
At this Buckingham grew furious and
ran around ahead of Brandon, valiant
" drawing his sword.
"Now. by heaven. fellow, make but an
other step. and will run you throughv'
he said.
saw it all, but could hardly realize
what was going on. it came so quickly
and was over so soon. Like a fash
Brandon's sword was out of it's sheath
and Buckingham's blade was flying to-
ward the ceiling. Brandon's sword
was sheathed again so quickly that one
could hardly believe it had been out
at all, and, picking up Buckingham's.
he said with half smothered laugh,
my lord has dropped his sword"
He then broke its point with his heel
against the hard floor, saying. II will
dull the point lest my lord. being unac-
custOmed to its use. wound himself"
This brought peals Of laughter from
everybody, including the king. Mary
laughed also, but, as Brandon was
handing Buckingham his blade, came
up and demanded:
MY lord. is this the way you take it
upon yourself to receive my guests?
Who appointed you. let me ask, to
guard my door? We shall have to omit
your name from our next list unless
you take few lessons in good man.
ners." This was striking him hard.
and the quality Of the man will at once
appear plain to you when l say that
he had often received worse treatment,
but chung to the girls skirts all tn
more tenaciously. Turning to Brandon,
the princess said:
Master Brandon, l am glad to see
you, and regret exceedingly that ou1
friend Of Buckingham should so thirst
for your blood" She then led him to
the king and queen, to whom he made
his bow, and the pair continued their
walk about the room. Mary again al
luded to the skirmish at the door and
said laughingly:
II would have come to your help, but
l knew you were amply able to take
care Of yourself. was sure you would
worst the duke in some way. It was
better than mummery, and was glad
to see it. do not like him.
The king did not open these private
balls, as he was supposed at least not
to be their patron, and the queen, who
was considerably older than Henry,
was aVerse to such things. So the prin-
cess opened her own balls, dancing for
a few minutes, with the floor entirely
to herself and partner. 1t was the hon
or Of the evening to open the ball with
her, and quite curious to see how men
put themselves in her way and stood
so as to be easily obaerved and, per
chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving
Mary had drifted into a corner of the
room back Of group Of people and