The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-11-19
OVER THE
BORDER
By Roberf Barr,
Aufbe- Of Jennie Ba-rfsr. Jour
naH5f." Ere.
Copyright, 1905, bp Frederick A. stokes Co.
CHAPTER VIII.

had done nothing of the sort But as
night drew on the rising jubilation Of
the crowds in the streets gave point to
the more sinister report. In the even
ing, his usual time of calling. the SOM
Der Vollins came to the inn, chiefly as
he said, to urge the girl to quit the
turbulent city, where she could accom-
plish nothing and where she might be
In danger were it once guessed that she
bore any relationship to the condemned
man, but to this good counsel the girl
would not listen.
What she demanded impatiently was
news, news, news, and this, with
exasperating deliberation, Vollins gave
forth 1t was quite true that the bill
was signed, not by the kings hand, but
by the hands of four commissioners
whom he had appointed for that pur-
pose. The house of lords and even the
house of commons was amazed at this
betrayal, said Vollins, and the effect
of the announcement had been seen on
the populace ITSELF for after certainty
came home to the people they had dis
persed quietly to their houses, and the
streets were almost empty.
The girl was mute with dismay, but
Vollins pointed out that the case was
In reality no worse than it had been
on Saturday or Sunday. By the exer-
else of his prerogative the king could
at any moment free his minister or
mitigate the sentence, Notwithstanding
the fact that the commission had signed
the bill of attainder in his name.
Tuesday seemed to bear out these
surmises. Frances determined to see
the king once more and learn from his
own lips the fate of her father, but
when she reached Whitehall she found
some commotion there, for Charles was
taking his departure from the palace.
and people said he was on his way to
the house of lords and that 1t was like
ly he had determined to let STAFFORD
go.
In the evening she learned authori-
tatively the object Of the kings visit
to the house Of lords. He had pleaded
earnestly for the life of his minister.
promising If he were released never
again to employ him even In the mean
est capacity. He implored them at
least to grant reprieve until Satur-
day, and this was so small a favor for
king to ask that Vollins was sure II
would be granted and that many
things might happen in the intervening
days. The confidence Of man so gen.
orally despairing as Vollins in the GER
tainty of short reprieve and In the
ultimate safety of Lord STAFFORD did
much to bring the girl to like belle (.
but she resolved nevertheless to see
the king next day If she could win her
way into Whitehall palace.
Wednesday saw no excitement on the
streets, People were going soberly
about each on his own affairs, and the
reprieve had provoked no outburst
which In itself was hopeful sign
Frances had grown to fear the hue and
cry of the mob even more than she
feared the indecision of the king. II
he were left unterrifed, all his tenden-
cy was toward mercy and the keeping
of his oath.
There was no crowd to distract the
attention of the guard at the palace
gates opening on Whitehall, and they
absolutely refused to grant her admis
sion without an order. She turned tc
the captain of the guard and asked
how such an order could be obtained
and that official, apparently struck by
her youth and beauty as well as her EVIL
dent distress, said that If she knew any
one about the court who might be sen,
for and who proved willing to vouct
for her he would allow her to pass
But the rule at the gate was strict be
cause of past disturbances and he had
no option but refusal unless she went
In under the convoy of some one III
authority. Frances pondered a few
moments and hesitated, but her need
was great. and she could not choose
when 1t came to finding security. Al
last she said. with reluctance:
II am acquainted with NJ. De Cour
cy. Is he withinY'
Il do not know. but twill be speed
fly ascertained."
With that he invited her 20 a seat n
the guardhouse and sent messenger
for De courcy, knowing there would
be prompt response when the French
man learned that beautiful lad,
awaited him, and IN this be was Do'
mistaken De courcy came as debo
nair aud as we'll groomed as usual
fwirlipE his Hight mustaehe and dOiiina
bis hat with grand air when be saw
who bis petitioner was,
y Wish " see BIS majesty again
SAID franoes, rising, but fhey detail
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