The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-31

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Now, by heaven, fellow, make but an.
other step, and will run you throughw
he said.
l saw 1t 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 its sheath
and Buckingham's blade was flying to.
ward the ceiling. Brandon's sword
was sheathed again so quickly that one
could hardly believe it had bccn ont
MT all, and. picking up Buckinghams,
he said with q half smothercd laugh,
MY lord has dropped his sword.'
lie then broke its point with his heel
against the hard floor, saying. 81 will
duli the point lest my lord. being unac-
cu5tomcd TO its use, wound himself"
This brought pcals of laughter from
everybody, including the king. Mary
laughed also, but, as Brandon was
handing buckingham his blade, came
up and demandcd:
My lord. is this the way YOU take If
upon yourself to receive my guests?
Who appointed you. let me ask. TO
guard my door? We shall have to omit
your name from our next list unless
you take few lessons in good man.
ncrs.' This was striking him hard,
and the quality of the man will ut once
appear plain to you when | say that
lie had often received worse trca tment,
but clung to the girls skirts all the
more tenaciously. Turning to Brandon,
the princess said:
Master Brandon, am glad to sec
YOU, and regret exceedingly that our
friend of buckingham should SO thirst
for your blood" She then led him to
tho king and queen, to whom he made
his bow, and the pair continued their
walk about tho room. Mary again al-
ludcd to the skirmish at the door and
said laughinGly:
II would have come to your help. but
| knew YOU were amply able to take
care Of yourself. was sure YOU would
worst the duke i'm some way. 1t was
better than a mummcry. and was glad
to see 1t. ! 90 not like him.
The king did not open those private
balls. as hc was supposed ut least not
TO be their patron, and the queen, who
was considerably older than Henry,
cess opened her own balls, dancing for
few minutes, with the floor entirely
o.herscn and partner. 1t was the hon
OF ofsthe eveuing ts,epeII, tise ball sssith,
her, and quite curious to see how mSis
put themselves in licr way and stood
so as to be easily observed and, per.
chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving
Mary had driftCd into n corner of the
room back of Il group Of people and
was talking to Wolscy-who was al
ways very friendly TO him-and to Mas
ter Cavcndsh, quaint, quiet easy lit
tie man, full Of learning and kindness,
and a warm friend to the Princess
Mary.
1t was time to open the ball, and
from my place in tho musicians gal.
lcry l could see Mary moving about
among the guests, evidently looking For
n partner, while the men reSorted to
some very transparent ana amusing
cxpedients to attract her attention. The
princess, however, took none of the
bidders, and soon, noticed, she cspicd
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.
grcttcd it. because I knew it would set
evcry noblcman in the house against
him, they being very jealous Of tho
"lowborn favoritcS," rs 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
don, will You dance with mc?'
1t was done prettfly. The whole girl
changed as soon us she found herself in
front Of him. In place of the old time
confidence, strongly tingcd with AFRO.
gance, she was almost shy, and bluslcd
and stammcrcd with quick coming
breath, like n burghCr maid before her
new found gallant. At once ihc court.
iers made way for her, and out she
walked, leading Brandon by the hand.
Upon her lips and in her eyes was a
rare, triumphant smile as if to say:
look at this handsome now trophy
of my bow and spear"
was surprised and alarmed when
Mary chose Brandon, but when | turn
ed to the musicians to direct their play
imagine, If you can, my surprise when
the leader said:
Master, we have our orders for the
first dance from the princess"
Imagine also, If you can, my double
surprise and alarm nay, almost my
terror-when the band struck up James
Sailor Lass" | saw the look of sur.
prise and inquiry which Brandon gave
Mary. standing there dcmurcly by his
side, when he first heard the music,
and heard her nervous little laugh as
she nodded her head. YES" and step
ped closer to him to take position for
the dance. The next moment she was
In Brandon's arms, flying like a sylph
about the room. A buzz of astonish-
ment and delight greeted them before
lal Il