Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-05-08
THE wINpHAM COUNTY REFoRMER FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1908

curious beyond the naming. At first
she was inclined to be distant and say
cutting things, but when Brandon be-
gan to grow FESTIVE under them and
showed signs Of turning back she
changed front In the twinkling Of an
eve and was all sweetness. She laugh
ed and smiled and dimpled. as only she
could, and was full Of bright glances
and gracious words.
She tried hundred little schemes to
get him to herself for moment-the
hunting of q wild dover or four
leaved clover or the exploration Of
some little nook in the forest toward
which she would lead him-but Jane
did not at first take the hint and kept
close at her heels. Mary's impulsive
nature was not much given to limiting
she usually nodded, and most en-
phatically at that-so after few fall
ures to rid herself Of her waiting lady
she said impatiently: "Jane. in the
name of heaven, don't keep 30 close to
US! You won't move out Of reach Of
my hand, and you know how often 1t
inclines to box your ears"
Jane did know. am sorry for Mary's
sake to say, how often the fair hand
was given to such spasms; 80 with this
emphasized hint she walked on ahead,
half sulky at the indignity put upon
her ana half amused at her whimsical
mistress.
Mary lost no time, but began the at
tack at once.
snow, cir, l want you to tell me the
truth. Why do you refuse my invita-
tons and 50 persistently keep away
from me? / thought at first would
simply let you go your way, and then
I thought IL would not. Don't deny
1t. know you won't. With all your
faults, you don't tell even little lies;
not even to q worhan-I believe. Now
there is q nne compliment-is 1t not?-
when I intended to Scold you" She
gave q Huttering little laugh. and, with
hanging lead, continued: "Tell me,
Is not the kings sister of quality SUI
ncient to suit you? Perhaps you must
have the queen or the Blessed Virgin1
Tell me nowT And she looked ~ at
him, half In banter, half In doubt
''My duties began Brandon.
"Oh, bother your duties! Tell me
the truth"
II will, If you let me-" returned
Brandon, who had no intention what
ever Of doing anything Of the sort.
aNF,v d,+;os pouv ocounv NV Tina IN the
evening"
"That will not d." interrupted Mary,
who knew enough of guardsman's
duty to be sure it was not onerous.
"You might as well come to it and tell
the truth; that you do not like our 90
ciety." And she gave him vicious
little glance without q shadow OF
smile.
"In Gods name, Lady Mary, that is
not it." answered Brandon, who was
on the rack please do not think 1t.
l cannot bear to have You say such
thing when it is SO far from the real
truth"
"Then tell me the real truth"
~ cannot; l cannot. beg Of you
not to ask. Leave me, or let me leave
you! / r<Iuse to answer further" The
latter half of this sentence was uttered
doggedly and sounded sullen and III
humored, although Of course 1t was not
80 intended. He had been SO perilous-
ly near speaking words which would
probably have lighted, to their destruc-
tonic his certainly-the smoldsring
flames within their breast that 1t
frightened him, and the manner in
which he spoke was but tone giving
utterance to the pain in his heart.
Mary took 1t as 1t sounded and in I'M
feigned surprise exclaimed angrily:
"Leave you? Do l hear Alright? l
never thought that 1, the daughter and
sister of king, would live to be dis
missed by a-by AMY one"
"Your highness''- began Brandon,
but she was gone before he could
speak.
He did not follow her to explain,
knowing how dangerous such an ex-
plana ton would be, but felt that 1t
was best for them both that she should
remain offended painful as the thought
was to him.
OF course, Mary's womanly self es-
TEEN, to say nothing Of her royal pride,
was wounded to the quick, and no
mopdor