Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-12-29
CHAPTER III.
JOHN LAW OF LAuRIsroN.

JOHN LAW OF LAURISToN.
Unconsciously the coachman obeyed
the unvoiced command of this man,
who stepped out from the shelter Of the
hedge. Travel-stained, Just awakened
from sleep, disheveled, with dress dis
ordered, there was none the less abun- |
dant boldness in his mien as he came |
forward, yet withal the grace and de-
ference Of the courtier. 1t was a good
figure he made as he stepped down
from the bank and came forward, hat
in hand, the sun, now rising to the top
of the hedge, lighting up his face and
showing his bold profile, his open and
straight blue eye.
Ladies'" he said, as he reached the
road, II crave your pardon humbly.
This, I think, is the coach of my lord,
the earl of Banbury. Mayhap this is
the Lady Catharine Knollys to whom
speak?"
The lady addressed still gazed at
him, though she drew up with dignity.
you have quite the advantage Of
u.s." said she. She glanced uneasily at
the coachman, but the order to go for
ward did not quite leave her lips.
II am not aware-I do not know"
she began, afraid of her adventure now
1t had come, after the way of all
dreaming maids who pirate of men and
conQuests.
81 should be dull of eye did not see
the knollys arms said the stranger,
smiling and bowling low. "And
should be i'll advised of the families
of England did not know that the
daughter of Knollys, the sister of the
earl of Banbury, is the Lady Catharine,
and most charming also. This might
say, though It's true never was in
London or in England until now"
As though it were another person,
Lady Catharine heard herself murmur,
"And you, sir?"
II am John Law, of Lauriston, Scot
land, madam, and entirely at your
service. That is my brother Will, yon-
der by the bank" He smiled, and the
younger man came forward, hesitating-
ly, and not with the address Of his
brother, though yet with the breeding
of a gentleman.
| The eyes of Mary Connynge took in
both men with the same look, but her
eyes, as did those of the Lady Cath
| arine, became most concerned with the
first speaker.
my brother and are on our first
journey to London" continued he, with
a gay laugh which did not consort
| fully with the plight in which he
showed. 1--WE started by coach, as. gem
tlemen; and now we come on foot, like
laborers or thieves. Twas my own
fault. Yesterday I must needs quit
1.-The Edinboro' stage. Last night our
&haise Was stopped, and we were asked
10 hand our money to pair Of evil
I Teiiuws who had made prey of us. In
short-you see-we Jared i'll enough.
Lost in the dark, we made what shift
we could along this road, where we
both are strangers. At last, not able
to pay for better quarters even had we
found them, we lay down to sleep.
have slept far worse. And it's lovely
i morning. Madam, I thank you for this
happy beginning Of the day."
The face Of Will Law hardly offered
complete proof of this assertion. He
had slept i'll enough, and in the morn
ing light his face showed gaunt and
pale. Here, then, was situation most
inopportune; the coach Of two ladies
unattended, stopped by two strangers
who certainly could not claim introduce
ton by either friend or reputation.
!, II did but wish to ask some advice
of the roads hereabout," said the elder
brother, turning his eyes full upon
those Of Lady Catharine. CAS- you see
we are in Ill plight to get forward tt
the city. II you will be so good as e
tell me which way to take, shall re
member it most gracefully. Once II
the city, we should do better, for tn,
rascals have not taken certain papers
letters which bear to gentlemen il
the city-Sir Arthur Pembroke / ma,
name as one-a friend of my father,
who hath had some dealings with hin
in the handling Of moneys. hav'
also word for others, and make sur,
!. that, once we have got into town, ",
! shall soon mend our fortune" :,
I'll Lady Catharine looked at MARY
3 Connynge and the latter in turn gazed
= at her. There could be no harm.
: said each to the other with her eyes
r "Surely it is our duty to take them II
A with us.
4 William" called the Lady Cath
: arine Knollys, "open the door for Mr.
: Law, of Lauriston!"
: The footman sprang to the grount
r and held open the door. Therefore
d into the coach stepped John Law ant
$ his brother, late of Edinboro', som
It time robbed and afoot, but now to com
q into London in circumstances wh1cl
t surely might have been far worse.
= So in the merry month OF May, wit
!, the birds singing in the trees, and tn
\ scent of the flowers waited coolly t
4 their senses, they came on apace to th
throng at Sadler's Wells. There
"a was that John Law, finding in poke
q coin that had been overlooke,
= reached out to vender and bought
rose. He offered his flower with
j, deep inclination of the body to tt
a Lady Catharine.
n 1t was at this moment that Maj
al Connynge first began to hate HI
n friend, the Lady Catharine Knollys.
= ITO be continued
Vi R-.s..s..EsIsss..s E.ol,sn . :