Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-19

most powerful nobleman in the realm, l and this was the way of it:
 These parties of Mary's had been go- ing on once or twice week during the entire winter and spring, and usually included the same persons. It was sort of coterie, whose members were more or less congenial and most of them I very jealous of interlopers. Strange 1 as it may seem, uninvited 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 ha1berds were stationed at the door. Modesty, I might say, neither thr1Ves nor is useful at court.
 l When Brandon presented himself at the door, his entrance was barred, but he quickly pushed aside the halberds l and entered. The Duke of Buck1ng- ham, proud, self important individu- | al, was standing near the door and saw it all. Now, Buckingham was l one of those unfortunate persons who l never lose an opportunity to make mistake, and, being anxious to display l his zeal on behalf of the princess, step- ped up to prevent Brandon's entrance. 1 ..Sir, you will have to move out of this," he said pompously. "You are not at jousting bout. You have made a mistake and have come to the wrong l place."
 l My lord of Buckingham is pleased | to make rather more of an ass of him. self than usual this evening"" replied Brandon, with smile, as he started l 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 ly drawing his sword.
 l ''Now, by heaven, fellow, make but an- other step, and will run you through! he said.
 I saw it all, but could hardly realize what was going on, it came so quickly and was over so soon. Like fash Brandon's sword was out of it's sheath and Buckingham's blade was flying to- ward the ceiling. Brandons sword was sheathed again so quickly that one I could hardly believe it had been out at all. and, picking up Buckingham's, he said with a half smothered laugh, 1 My lord has dropped his sword" l He then broke it's point with his heel l against the hard floor, saying, "I will dull the point lest my lord, being unac- l customed to its use, wound himself" l 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 1t upon yourself to receive my guests? Who appointed you, let me ask, to guard my door? We shall have to omit I your name from our next list unless you take a 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 I say that he had often received worse treatment, but clung to the girls skirts all the more tenaciousIy. Turning to Brandon, the princess said:
 Master Brandon, | am glad to see you, and regret exceedingly that our friend of Buckingham should so thirst for your blood" She then led him to 
 his bow, and the pair continued their walk about the room. Mary again al- luded to the skirmish at the door and said laughingly:
 'T would have come to your help, but I knew you were amply able to take care of yourself. was sure you would worst the duke in some way. It was better than mummerya and I was glad to see it. Ifdo 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 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 observed and, per chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving Mary had drifted into a corner of the room back of a group of people and was talking to Wolsey-who was al- ways very friendly to him-and to Mas ter Cavendish, a quaint, quiet, easy lit tie man, full of learning and kindness, and a warm friend to the Princess Mary.
 It was time to open the ball, and from my place in the musicians gal lery could see Mary moving about among the guests, evidently looking for partner, while the men resorted to some very transparent and amusing expedients to attract her attention. The princess, however, took none of the bidders, and soon, noticed, she espied Brandon standing in the corner with his back toward her.
 Something told me she was going to ask him to open the dance, and re- gretted it, because I knew it would set every nobleman in the house against him, they being very jealous of the 'lowborn favorites," as they called the untitled friends of royalty. Sure enough, was right. Mary at once be- gan to make her way over to the cor ner, and heard her say, "Master Bran"