The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-24
= EDWIN CASlkO kODEN LCHARLES

hood UP had been graft fiei wfs6s9
cveIs yvhinf seemed to her : a para
mount necessity, would d&stop ut moth
Ing when the dearest wislsG woman's
heaft can coin was to be gained or lost.
Brandon's clement of prudence might
help him and might forestall any ef-
fort OH his part to win her, but Mary
had never heard of prudence, and
mans caution avails but little when
set against woman's daring. In case
they both should love they were sure
to try for each other and I'm trying were
equally sure to find ruin and desola-
tion.
few evenings after this I met the
princess in the queens drawing room.
She bcckoned me to her and, resting
her elbows on the top of cabinet, her
chin In her hands. said: 81 met your
friend. Captain Brandon, day or two
ago. Did he tell you?
NO" answered. "Jane told me,
but lie has not mentioned It."
1t was true Brandon had not said
word of the matter, and I had not
spoken of 1t either. wanted to see
how long lie would remain silent con-
cerning an adventure that would have
set most men OF the court boasting Mt
q great rate. To have a tilt with the
ever victorious Mary and to come Off
victor was enough, think, to loosen
, any tongue less given TO Dragging than
i Brandon's.
So continued Mary, evidently
somewhat piqucd, "he did not think his
presentation to me Il thing worth men,
tioning? We had II little passage Mt
arms. and, to tell you the truth, came
Off second best and had to acknowledge
1t 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 ut 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 fricnd?"
1 repeated after her, and that gave me
a theme upon which | could enlarge
eloquently. told her Of his learning.
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
been In the continental wars ever since
he was boy. 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
] added what knew Lady Jane had
nlrsady 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.
''Thnt he has," l 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, 40 l thought to
advance Brandon's fortune by timely
word.
II trust the king will see fit to favor
him, and hope that you will speak q
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 IL she were only q girl.
"The king has given away everything
that can be given already, and now
that the war Is over and men are CON-
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.
Ing to give unless 1t be the titles and
estate Of the late Duke Of Suffolk.
Perhaps the king will give these to
your paragon II You will paint him In
as fair light as you have drawn him
for me-" Then, throwing back her
head, with a laugh. "Ask him."
'Tt would be none too much for his
deserts" replied, falling In with her
humor.
1--WE will so arrange 1t, then" went
! OH Mary banteringly. Captain Bran
don 10 longer, but Charles Brandon,
duke OF Suffolk. How sounds Ii, Mas.
| ter Caskodenf'
Sweet In my cars" 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 person at court. shall
ut least see that he Is presented to the
| queen at once. I wonder IL ho dances
] suppose not. He has probably been
too busy cutting and tlrusting." And
she laughed again at her own pleas
antry.