Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-12-11

$50" continued Mary, evidently
somewhat piQued, che did not think his
presentation to me a thing worth men-
tioning? We had little passage at
arms, and, to tell you the truth, came
off second best and had to acknowledge
it too. Now, what do you think of this
new friend Of yours? And he did not
boast about having the better OF me.
After all, there is more virtue In his 81
lence than l at first thought" And she
threw back her head and clapped her
hands and laughed with the most con-
tagious little ripple you ever heard. She
seemed not to grieve over her defeat,
but dimpled as though it were huge
Joke, the thought Of which rather
pleased her than otherwise. Victory
had grown stale for her, although so
young.
"What do / think Of my new friend?'
I repeated after her, and that gave me
q theme upon which I could enlarge
eloquently. told. her Of his learning,
notwithstanding the fact that he had
been in the continental wars ever since
he was q boy. I repeated to her stories
Of his daring and bravery that had
been told to me by his uncle, the mas
ter of the horse, and others, and then
l. added what I knew Lady Jane had
already said. / had expected to be
brief, but to my surprise found close
and interested listener, even to the
twice told parts, and drew my story
out little. to the liking Of us both.
"Your friend has an earnest advocate
In you, Sir Edwin" said the princess.
'That he has," I replied. "There Is
nothing too good to say Of him."
knew that Mary, with her better.
clearer brain, held the king almost In
the palm Of her hand, so thought to
advance Brandon's fortune by timely
word.
81 trust the king will see fit to favor
him. and / 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 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
inc 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 laugh. "Ask him"
at would be none too much for his
deserts" | replied. falling in with her
humor.
ave will so arrange It, then." went
on Mary banteringly. Captain Bran
don no longer, but Charles Brandon.
uuhC vi OuhOlh. A1O" S0eHoS 49, N&>NS
ter Caskoden?"
Sweet in my ears" I replied.
81 really believe you would have the
kings crown for him. you absurd man
il you could get it. We must have SO
interesting a person at court. l 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 bel
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 heI
hands, q sort of climax to the soft, low
rippling laugh. she made picture OF
such exquisite loveliness that 1t Is nc
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 g
daily relapse wis my fair. sweet anti
dote, Jane. whose image rested In my
heart. Il lasting safeguard.
81 wonder if your prodigy plays
cards-that is. such as we ladies play?
asked Mary. You say he has live6
much in France, where the game was
invented, but |. have no doubt ht
would scorn to waste his time at 81
frivolous pursuit when he might bt
slaughtering armies single handed anG
alone"
81 do not know as to his dancing
and card playing, but dare venture
a wager he does BOTH" I replied. no
liking her tone Of sarcasm. She hat
vet to learn who Brandon was.
81 will hazard ten crowns" sale
Mary quickly, for she loved wager
and was borl 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. will have Jane there will
her lutte. which will not frighten yol
away know. and we will try his step
I will have cards, too, and we shall SCI
what he can do at triumph. Just W.
four. no one else at all. You and Jane
the new Duke of Suffolk and |. On
I can hardly wait" And she fairl!
danced with joyous anticipation.
The thing had enough irregularit!
to give it zest. for while Mary Otter
had few young people in her drawin;
room. the companies were never .;
small as two couples only. and lh'
n.7. aid quce.. |" .:.;.ne up Tor greater