The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-07-07

@ Eouis. Eon A"'' ''''e 10 ''
Mary wanted to send message at
once to Brandon. telling him his life
would be spared and that she had
made no delay this time-a fact OF
which she was very proud-but the
Tower gates would not open until
morning. so she had to wait. She COM
pensated herself as well as she could
by writing letter, which | should like
to give you here. but il is too long. She
told him of his pardon. but not one
word upon the theme he so wished yet
feared to hear Other promise never
to wed any other man. Mary had not
told him of her final surrender In the
matter of the French marriage. for the
reason that she dreaded to pain him
and feared he might refuse the sacri-
fee
1T will almost kill him. / know"
she said to Jane that night, "and
fear IL is a false kindness | do him.
He would. probably, rather die than
that should marry another. | know
that should rather die or have any
thing else terrible TO happen than for
another woman to possess him. He
promised me he never would. but sup
pose he should fail in his word, as
have today failed In mine? The thought
of it absolutely burns me-" And she
threw herself into James arms, and
that little comforter tried TO soothe
her by making light OF her fears
''Oh. but suppose he shouldT
well, there Is no need to borrow
trouble. You said he promised you. and
you know he Is one who keeps his
word"
But / promised. too. and think of
what l am about TO do. Mary in heav-
en-. help me! But lie Is made OF differ
ent stuff from me. | can and do trust
his word. and when think of all my
troubles and when 1t seems that i can
not bear them the one comforting
thought comes that no other woman
will ever possess him-no other woman
10 other woman. ! am glad that my
only comfort comes from him"
Il hoped that ! might have beer
some comfort to you. | have tried
hard enough" said Jane. who was jeal
i Gus.
"oh. yes, my sweet Jane. You dc
comfort me. You are like a soothing
balm TO an aching pain" And she kiss
ed the hands that held hers. This wa:
all that modest little Jane required
She was content TO be a humble balm
and did not aspire To the dignity OF al
elixir.
The girls then said their prayers ii
concert. and Mary gently wept herself
TO sleep. She lay dreaming and toss
ing neryously until sunrise. when sh'
got up and added more pages TO he
letter until called to take it.
was on hand soon after the Towe
gates had opened and was permitte,
to see Brandon at once. He rea,
Mary's letter and acted like every 9th
He was quick to note the absence o
the longed for but not expected assur
lance. and when he did not see ii wen
straight to the point
she has promised to marry tn
French king to purchase my life. 1
that not trueY"
Il hope not" I answered evasively
II have seen very little OF her. and sh
has said nothing about it."
You are evading my question, / see
Do you know nothing of itF'
Nothing" l replied. telling an ur
necessary lie.
"Caskoden. you are either a liar or
blockhead."
MAKE IL n liar. Brandon" said
laughingly. for l was sure of my plac
in his heart and knew that he mean
no offense.
never doubt n friend. One woul
better be trustful OF ninety nine friend
who are false than doubtful of one VIII
is true. Suspicion and supersensitive
ness are at once the badge and tn
bane OF little soul.
did not leave the Tower until nooI
and Brandon's pardon had been dcliN
cred to him before left. He was gla
that the first news OF il had come fror
. Mary.
He naturally expected his liberty q
once. and when told that he was to l
honOrably detained for a short tim
turned to me and said: Il suppose the
are afraid to let me out until she is o
for France. King Henry iiatters me.
looked out Of the window up Tow,
1 street and said pothins-
III When I left. took n letter to Mar.
which plainly told her he had divine
IL all. and she wrote tear stained nj
swer. beggiu. him to, forgive her Z,
having saved his life at a cost create
than her owI.
For severa, days I was kept bus
> carrying letters from Greenwich TO Il
Tower and back again. but soon lette
y ceased to satisfy Mary, and she mat
o up her mind that she must see hiI
q Nothing else would do. She must II,
could not and. in short. would not
another day without seeing bim-n
not another hour. Jane and 1 JppOs
her all we could, but the best we cou
accomplish was TO induce her for Bra
don's sake-for she was beginning