The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-05-21

This gave Mary an opening of which
she was quick enough to take advan-
tage, for Brandon was in the wrong.
"You know that is not true. You are
not honest with me nor with yourself.
and that is not like you. You know that
no other man ever had, or could have.
any favor from me, even the slightest,
iWantonness is not among my thousand
faults. 1t is not that which angerS
you You are sure enough of me in that
respect. In truth, I had almost come
to believe you were too sure, that had
grown cheap in your eyes, and you did
not care so much as l thought and
hoped for what had to give, for after
that day you came not near me at ALL
know it was the part of wisdom and
prudence that you should remain away.
but had you cared as much as 1 your
prudence would not have held you."
She hung her head moment in ST.
fence, then, looking at him, almost
ready for tears, continued: "a man has
no right to speak in that way of a wo-
man whose little favors he has taken
and make her regret that she has given
a gift only that it may recoil upon her.
'Little,' did I say? Sir, do you know
what that-frst-kiss was to me? Had
l possessed all the crowns of all the
earth l would have given them to you
as Noingly. Now you know the value
l placed on it, however worthless it
was to you. Yet was cheerful giver
of that gift, was l not? And can you
find If in WI 70
shame to me-that of which I was so
proud?"
She stood there, with head inclined
little to one side, looking at him in
qulringly IS if awaiting an answer. He
did not speak, but looked steadily at
his book. felt, however, that he was
changing, and l was sure her beauty,
never more exquisite than in it's pres
ent humility, would yet atone for even
SO great fault as hers. Err, look beau
tiful and receive remsson Such q
woman as Mary carries her indulgence
in her face.
l now began to realize for the first
time the wondrous power Of this girl,
and ceased to marvel that she had al
ways been able to turn even the king,
the most violent, stubborn man on
earth, to her own wishes. Her manner
made her words eloquent, and already,
with true feminine tactics, she had put
Brandon in the wrong in everything
because he was wrong in part.
Then she quickly went over what she
had said to me. She told of her great
dread lest the king should learn of the
visit to Grouche's and it's fatal conse-
quences, knowing full we'll it would
render Henry impervious to her influ.
ence and precipitate the French mar
rage. She told him of how she was
going to the king the day after the ar
rest to ask his release, and of the meet
ing with Buckingham, and his promise.
Still Brandon said nothing and stood
as if politely waiting for her to with
draw
She remained silent a little time,
waiting for him to speak, when tears,
partly Of vexation. I think moistened
her eyes.
'"Tell me at least" she said, that
you know speak the truth. have al
ways believed in you, and now I ask
y
in the faintest shading of a thought
not for heaven itself-not even for your
love and forgiveness, much as they are
to me, and l want to know that you
are sure of my truthfulness. if you
doubt all else. You see speak plainly
of what your love is to me, for al
though by remaining away you made
me fear had been too lavish with my
favors-that is every woman's fear-1
knew in my heart you loved me; that
you could not have done and said what
you did otherwise. Now you see what
faith I have in you, and you a man,
whom 4 Woman's instinct prompts to
doubt. How does it compare with your
faith in me, a woman, whom all the in
stincts of a manly nature should dis
pose to trust? It seems to be an IN
written law that 4 man may lie to a
woman concerning the most important
thing in life to her and be proud of it,
but you see even now l have all faith
in your love for me, else I surely
should not be here. You see trust even
your. unspoken word, when it might,
without much blame to you, be spo-
ken lie; yet you do not trust me, who
have no world given right to speak
falsely about such things, and when
that which I now do is full Of shame
for me, and what l have done full Of
guilt, if inspired by aught but the pur-
est truth from my heart Of hearts.
Your words mean so much-so much
more, I think, than you realize-and
are SO cruel in turning to evil the high
est, purest impulse a woman can feel
the glowing pride in self surrender and
the sweet, delightful privilege of giving
where she loves. How can you? How
can you?"
How eloquent she was! 1t seemed to
me this would have melted the frozen
sea, but think Brandon felt that now
his only hope lay in the safeguard of
his constantly upheld indignation.
When he spoke he ignored all she had