Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-06-01
When KnighthOOd
Was In Flower
on. ne I0re Siorv ~ Charles Brnndon
and M1ru Ttfdor. ths Kings sister,
and Happening IN INC Reign II
HS august Majesty King
Hcnrp the Eighth
Rewritten and Rendered Into Modern
English Prom Sir Edwin Cas-
koden's Memoir
BY Edwin CaSkOden Charles MaIorl
BY Edwin CaSkOden Charles Major
Copyright. 1875 and 1901.
bu the BOtncn- Merrill Company

tnvited 10 settle n wager and to help
Mary 20 little sport.
As 90 the former. had an interest
there myself. although | dared not set
ale the question by asking Brandon II
be played cards and danced. and. as to
the matter OF Mary's sport, felt there
was but little IL any danger OF her
having too much OF ii at his expense,
Brandon being well able TO care for
himself in that respect.
The next evening at the appointed
time we wendell our way by an unfre-
quented route and presented ourselves
as secretly as possible at the drawing
room OF the princess.
The door was opened by Lady Jane.
and we met the two girls almost at the
threshold | had told Brandon Of the
bantering conversation about the title
\ and estates OF the late Duke OF Suffolk,
N and he had laughed over II In the best
OF humor. II quick TO retaliate for an
intentional offense, he was not thin
. skinned at a piece OF pleasantly. and
had none OF that stiff, sensitive dignity
30 troublesome TO oneself and friends.
Now, Jane and Mary were always
bantering me because was short and
inclined TO be. I'm fact, round. but l
did not care. II made them laugh, and
their laughing was so contagious IL
made me laugh. too. and we all en-
1oyed II. ] would give pound sterling
nny time for a good laugh, and that,
rhink, is why ! have always been
Pound.
SO. upon entering, I said:
Ills grace the Duke of Suffolk. la
tles"
They each made sweeping courte-
fy, with hand on breast, and gravely
baluted him:
Your grace. good even"
Brandon's bow was as deep and
graceful, II that were possible, as
fheirs, and when he moved on into the
foom II was with a little halt I'm his
ftep and big blowing out OF the
checks in ludicrous imitation OF his
ate lamented predecessor that sent the
girls into peals OF soft laughter and put
ls all at our ease Immediately.
All, what thing ii is to look back
npon-that time Of life when Que finds
bis heaven In ready laugh!
BE seated. ALL" said the princess.
This is TO be without ceremony and
pnly we four No one knows a word OK
L Did you tell any one. Sir Edwin"
Perish the thoughtr' exclaimed.
She turned her face toward Brandon.
But / know you did not. I've heard
bow discreet you were about another
natter. Well, no one knows II, then,
Ind we can have a famous evening.
iou did not expect this. Master Bran
on, after my reception OF you the 9TH
Er morning? Were you not surprised
when Sir Edwin told youY
81 think | can safely say that was
repaired not to be surprised at any
hing your highness might gracious'y
onclude to do-after my first expert
nce." he answered. smiling.
"lndeedF" returned Mary. with ele-
ated eyebrows and a rising infection
n the last syllable of the word. 1t
as now her turn for little surprise.
We'll, Wen try to find some way to
lrprise you one OF these days" And
be time came when she was full of
lrprises for him. Mary continued:
But let us not talk about the other
aS7 Before the evening Is over, Mas
Brandon, we want you to give US
bother Sermon" And she laughed. set
ng Off three other laughs as hearty
hd sincere as II she had uttered the
rest witticism on earth.
The princess had told Jane and Jane
I'd told me of the Sermon In the
hrk." as Mary called It.
Jane needs II as much as l." said
e princess.
Il can't believe that" responded
fandon, looking at Jane with a sof-
ming glance quite too admiring and
mmendatory TO suit me- for / was a
hlous little devil.
The eyebrows went up again.
'0h. you think she doesn't7 Well, in
nth. Master Brandon, there Is one
ling that cannot be laid at your door
Fou are no hatterer" For answer
andon laughed. and that gave us the
G. and away we went in a ripping
prus. all about nothing. Some per-
hs may call our laughter foolish, but
ERE are others who consider IL the
ght OF all wisdom. St Georgel I'd
e my Garter for Just one other laugh
e that. for Just one other hour Of
uth's dancing blood and glowing soul
lrmth, OF sweet, unconscious, happy
hrt beat and paradise creating joy
everything!
After a few minutes OF gay conversa-
p, in which we all Joined. Mary ask
What shall we dor Will one OF
suggest something's"
ane sat there looking so demure you
uld have thought mischief could not
within a league OF her, but those
demure girls are nearly always
gerous. She said, oh, so innocently:
Would you like to dance? II so.
play" And she reached for her
which was by her side.