Morris tribune., 1904-09-10
Deer the
Border a ax;;
BARR,
..o- Author of ..Jennie Baxter
Frederic
"A .lfhor OF Jennie Baxter.
Journalist" Etc.

l did to you IN the carriage. MY uaugH
tiers - my other daughters - are too
young. My Lady STAFFORD takes mucf
interest in her garden and dislikes
this London house and this Londo1
town, for which small blame is to be
imputed to her. In you mans cOur
age is added to woman's wit. anG
who knows but my daughter may
prove the reinforcement l lacked III
my battling fight with the unseen?"
II hope l shall not disappoint you
sir though l am but country maid
with some distrust of this great city
and it's court"
"City and court are things we gel
speedily accustomed to. Well, again
good night, sweetheart, and SLEEP
soundly. l see those fine eyes are al
ready heavy with slumber.''
But sleep came not so quickly as he
surmised to the eyes he had compli
mented. The day had been too full of
rapid change and tense excitement
| The strange transformation of the
present, and the dim, troubled vista of
the future which opened out to her
cherished thought and discouraged
slumber. Was it possible that she was
thus to be transplanted, was to stand
by the side of the greatest man in Eng
land, his acknowledged daughter, his
welcome aid? God grant she might
not fail him if he had real need Of her.
And so she planned the days to come.
She would be as subtle as the craftiest.
She would cover all dislikes as the
cloak had covered her, and her lips
should smile though her heart revolted.
| Her tongue must measure what it said,
and all rural bluntness should disap-
pear.
She slipped from these medita tons in
to haZy, bewildering conflict; her ia
Their, somehow, was in a danger that
she could not fathOm, she lacking pow
er to get to him, restrained by invisible
bonds, not knowing where he was, al
though he called to her. Then it SEEM
ed there was turmoil in the street,
a cry for help, a grOan and silence.
and next Mrs. Jarrett was moving
about the room and had drawn cur
tains that let in a gray, misty day
light.
''Is my father yet risen" she cried.
ooh, good lack, no, your ladyship,
nor will he for hours to come"
The girls head fell back on her pill
low, and she said dreamily, Il thought
there had been trouble of some sort
and men fighting"
Indeed, your ladyship, and so there
was, rioting going on all the night.
I think the citizens of London are gone
mad, brawling in the street at hours
when decent folk should be in their
beds. Ills said that this new parlia-
ment is the cause, but how or why l
do not know"
Although the Earl of STAFFORD did
not quit his chamber until noontide,
he was undoubtedly concerned with af-
fairs that demanded attention from the
greatest minister of state. There were
constant trimmings to and fro, mes
sengers dispatched and ENJOYS receiv-
ed, with the heavy knocker of the door
constantly a-rap. 1t was two hours
after midday when STAFFORD sent for
his daughter, and she followed his mes
senger to the library, where she found
her father in big chair beside q table,
although he was equipped for going
forth from the house. There had been
seated before him De Courcy, but the
young man rose as she entered and
greeted her with one of his down reach
ing bows which set her a-quake lest he
should fall forward on his face
''My child. said the earl, 81 am
about to set out for parliament and it
may be late before 1 return. Yet 1
think you shall sup with me at if all
goes Well and debate becomes not too
but do not wait in case 1
should be detained. 1 counsel you not
to leave The house today, for there -,
seem to be many brawlers5 On the +
streets. Any shopman will be pleased !
to wait upon you and bring samples Of
bis Wafes' 81 Send a sefvaht FOR those
you wish to consult. My friend De
Courcy, here, begs the favor of some
with you and speaks with my
STAFFORD looked keenly at the girl,
and her heart thrilled as she read the
message with quick intui
ton. He had some use for De Courcy,
and she must be suave and diplomatic. !
Thus already she was her fathers ally,
an outpost in his vast concerns now
committed to her. The young man saw
nothing of this, for he had eyes only
for the girl. The broad rim of his !
feathered hat was at his smirking lips,
and his gaze of admiration was as I'm
as it was intent.
"Sir, shall obey you in all things
and hope to win your commentator"
said Frances, with an inclination of
the head
''You are sure Of the latter in any
case, my child" replied STAFFORD ris-
ing. "And now, De Courcy, think
we understand each other, and may
rely upon you"
"To the death, my lord" cried the