The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-05-15
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER X
JUSTICE, o KING!
"a IUCH was the state of affairs
when / returned from France.
4S7EaI How I hated myself be-
le.e4cy cause / had not faced the
kings displeasure and had not refused
to go until Brandon was safely out OF
his trouble. 1t was hard for me to be-
iieve that / had left such matter to
two foolish girls. one of them as
changeable as the wind and the other
completely under her control. | could
but think of the difference between
myself and Brandon. and well knew.
had been In his place. he would have
liberated me or stormed the very walls
Of London single handed and alone.
Next to myself condemned those
wretched girls for leaving Brandon TO
perish-Brandon. to whom they both
owed so much. Their selfishness turn
ed me against all womankind.
I did not daily this time. I trusted
to no Lady Jane or Lady Mary. / de-
termined to go to the king at once and
tell him all did not care II the
wretched Mary and Jane both had to
marry the French king or the devil
himself. I did not care IL they and all
the host Of their perfdious sisterhood
went to the neither side Of the universe.
there to remain forever. I would re-
trieve my fault in so far as It was re-
trievable and save Brandon. who was
worth them all put together. ] would
<> 4 ~
them. and that should end matters be-
tween rs. I felt as did toward them
not only because Of their treatment Of
Brandon. but because they had made
me guilty Of grievous fault, for which
1 should never so long as l lived for
give myself. l determined to go to the
king. and go did within i've minutes
of the time heard that Brandon was
yet in prison.
found the king sitting alone at pub
lie dinner and. Of course, was denied
speech with him. l was In no humor
to be baked. 30 I thrust aside the
guards and, much to everybody's
fright, for / was wild with grief. rage
and despair and showed it in every fea-
ture, rushed to the king and fell upon
my knees at his feet.
Justice. o kingr' cried, and all the
courtiers heard. Justice. o king, for
the worst used man and the bravest.
truest soul that ever lived and suf-
feredr' Here the tears began TO
stream down my face and my voice
choked In my throat. Charles Bran
don, your majesty's one time friend.
lies in n loathsome, rayless dungeon,
condemned to death. as your majesty
may know. for the killing Of two men
I'm Billingsgate ward. I will tell you
all. / should be thrust out from the
society of decent men for not having
told you before ! left for France. but
| trusted II to another who has proved
false. l will tell you all. Your sister.
the Lady Mary. and Lady Jane Boiling
broke We're returning alone after dark
from visit to the soothsayer Grouche,
OF whom your majesty has heard. /
had been notified of the Lady Mary's
intended visit to him. although she had
enjoined absolute secrecy upon my In
formant- ! could not go. being detain-
ed upon your majesty's service-it was
the night of the ball to the ambassa.
dors-and I asked Brandon to follow
them. which he did without the knowl
edge OF the princess.
Upon returning the ladies were at
tackled by four rufiians and would have
met with worse than death had not tine
bravest heart and the best sword In
England defended them victoriously
against such fearful odds. He lefi
them Mt Bridewell without hurt or In
jury. though covered with wounds him
self. This man is Vbndemned to bs
hanged. drawn and quartered. but
know not your majesty's heart IL h'
be not ut once reprieved and richly re
warded. Think. my king! He savet
the royal honor of your sister. who I:
so dear to you and has suffered so ter
ribly for his loyalty and bravery. Th'
day left so hurriedly for France th'
Lady Mary promised she would tel
you all and liberate this man who hat
so nobly saved her. but she is a woman
and was born to betray."
The king laughed little at my We
hemence.
"what is this you are telling me. 81
Edwin? / know of Brandon's dealt
sentence. but much as l regret ii
cannot interfere with the justice of on
good people of London for the murde
of two knights in their streets. /
Brandon committed such a crime, an
understand he does not deny it,
cannot help him, however much
should like to do so. But this nonsens
about my sister! 1t cannot be true
Ii must be trumped up out of you
love in order to save your friend. Hav
care. good master, how you say sue
thing. If II were true, would no
Brandon have told 1t at his trialf'
1T is as true rs that God lives, m
king, If the Lady Mary and Lad
Jane do not bear me out In every wor
have said. let my life pay the forfeit
He would not tell of the great reaso
for killing the men. fearing to con
promise the honor of those whom h
had saved. for. as your majesty
aware. persons sometimes go
Grouche's for purposes other than
listen TO his soothsaying. Not In thi