The San Francisco call., 1903-12-13

And in the food-bringings 1 could
neither make my lady stay nor answer
any question; this though / was hunger
ing to know what was going on beyond
the walls of my garret prison Indeed.
she would not even tell me how 1 had
been spirited away from the two SER
geants keeping watch over me in her
fathers strong room below stairs. That
is Scipio's secret" she would say, laugh
ing at me. "and he shall keep It,"
But in the evening of the third day
the mystery bubble was burst, and L
learned from Margery's lips the thing I
longed to know. Lord CORVALLIS had
decided to abandon North Carolina. and
in an hour or two the army would be in
motion for withdrawal to the southwark.
Now thanks be to GOdi' / said most
the good work, and we shall show Far
mer George thing or two he had not
guessed"
on this. my lady drew herself up most
proudly and her lip curled.
you forget. sir, you are speaking to
Mr.. Gilbert Stairs daughter"
True" said !; Il did forget. We are
at cross purposes in this. as in all things
else. crave your pardon. madam"
Her eyes were swapping by now.
Never tell me. my dears, that eyes Of the
blue-gray can not fash fire when they
will.
How painstakingly you will go about
to make me hate YOU she burst out.
And then. all in the same breath: But
you will be rid of me presently, for good
Nay. then. Mistress Margery. you are
always taking an ell of meaning for my
inch of speech. 'Tis 1 who should do the
ridding."
Mon Dieu!' she cried. in a sudden
burst of petulance; Il am sick to death
of all this! Is there no way out of this
coil that is strangling us both, Captain
Ireton?
Il had thought to make way three
days ago; did so make it. but you kept
me from walking in it. Yet that way Is
still open-if you will but drop a word
in my lords ear when you go below
stairs"
"Oh. yes-a fine thing the wife betray
the husbandW This with another lip
curl of scorn. Il have some shreds and
patches of pride left, sir. if you have
.Then free me of my obligation to you
and let me do it myself. 1 am well
enough to hang
And so make me consenting accom-
have most knightly soul, Captain Ire
l closed my eyes in very WEAKNESS.
You are hard to please. my lady"
You have not to try to please me, sir.
1 am going away-to-night."
Going away?' L echoed. whittier, If
may ask?"
MY father has taken protection and
we shall go south with the army. As
Lord Cornwallis says, Mecklenbur is q
hornets nest of rebellion. and in an hour
among your friends.
She made to leave me now, but
would not let her go without trying the
last blunt-pointed arrow in the CULVER of
expedients
stay a moment" I begged You are
leaving the untangling of this coil you
speak of to a chance bullet on battle
field Had you ever thought that the
church can undo what the church has
done?"
Again 1 had that bitter laugh which
was to ranlxle afterWard in memory.
"You are a most desperate. pertina-
cious man. Captain Ireton. Failing all
else, you would even storm heaven itself
to gain your end" she scOffed; then, at
the very pitch-point of the scornful out
burst she put her face in her hands and
fell a-sobbing as if her heart would
break.
knew not what to say or do. and end
ed. manlike, by saying and doing moth
ing And so. still crying softly, she let
herself out at the wainscot door, and this
moe oa1r 1oaVe-tal<inR