Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-19
CHAPTER XIV.
IF THERE WE'RE NEED.

of England. The tramp of troops
echoed in the streets. and the fleets Of
Britain made ready to carry her sons
over the seas for wars and for adven-
lures. The intrigues of party against
party, Of church against church, Of
parliament against king; the loves.
the hates, the ambitions, the desires
of all the city's hurrying thousands
went on as ever. Who. then, should
remember single prisoner, waiting
within the walls Of England's Jail?
The hours wore on slowly enough for
chat prisoner. He had faced a jury Of
his peers and was condemned to face
the gallows. Meantime he had said
farewell to love and hope and faithful
ness, even as he babe farewell to life.
Since she has forsaken me whom
thought faithful" said he to himself,
why, let 1t end, for life is a mockery
l would not live out" And thence
forth. haggard but laughing. pale but
with unbroken courage, he trod on his
way through his few remaining days,
the wonder OF those who saw him.
AS for Mary Connynge. surely she
had matters enough which were best
kept secret in her own soul. While
Lady Catharine was hoping, and pray
ing, and dreaming and believing, even
as the roses left her cheek and the hol-
lows fell beneath her eyes, she saw
about her in the daily walks Of life
Mary Connynge, sleek and rounded as
ever. They sat at table together. and
neither did the one make sign to the
other of her own anxiety, nor did that
other give sign Of her own treachery.
Mary Cnnnynge, false guest, false
friend, false 1oman, deceived SO per-
fectly that she left no indication of de-
ceit She herself knew, and blindly
satisfied herself with the knowledge,
that she alone now came close into the
life Of Beau" Law, the convict;
"Jessamy" Law, the student, the
financier, the thinker; John Law, her
lord and master. Herein she found
the sole compensation possible in her
savage nature. She had found the
master whom she sought!
Into the heart of Catharine Knollys
there came no mere mad selfishness Of
desire, yearn though she did in every
fiber of her being since that first time
she felt the mastering kiss of love.
There was born in her soul emotion Of
higher sort. The Lady Catharine
Knollys prayed, and her prayer was
not that her lover should die, but that
he might live; that he might be free.
Nor was this hope left to wither un-
nourished in the mind of the high bred
and courageous English girl. Alone.
with no confidant to counsel her, with
no woman friend to aid her, the Lady
Catharine Knollys backed her own
hopes and wishes with resource and
energy. There came a time, perilously
late, when faint rose showed once
more in her cheek, long SO worn, q
family brighter light glowed in her
deep eye.
When Sir Arthur Pembroke received
message from the Lady Catharine
knollys advising him that the latter
would receive him at her home. it was
left for the impulses, the hopes, the
imaginings Of that modest young noble
man to establish reason for the mes
sage. Puzzling all along his rapid way
in answer to the summons, Sir Arthur
found the answer which best suited
his hopes in the faint flush, the bright
ened eye of the young woman who re-
ceived him.
Lady Catharine," he began, impet-
uously, II have come, and let me hope
that It's at last to have my answer. l
have waited-each moment has been a
year that / have spent away from you. y
Now. that is very pretty said"
but am serious"
And that is why do not like you."
But, Lady Catharine!"
Il should like 1T better did you but
continue as In the past. We have met
on the Row, at the routs and drums,
in the country; and always have felt
free to ask any favor Of Sir Arthur
Pembroke. Why could 1t not be always
thus"
lou might ask my very life, Lady
Catharine."
"Ah, there it is! When man offers
his life. tbs time for woman to ask
nothing"
She turned from the open window
her attitude showing an unwonted
weakness and detection. Sir Arthur
still stood near by, his own face frown-
ing and uncertain
Lady Catharine,'' he broke out at
length. "for years. as you know, / have
sought your favor. have dared think
that sometime the day would come
when-my faith! Lady Catharine, the
day has come now when feel it my
right to demand the cause of anything
which troubles YOU And that you are
troubled is plain enough. Ever since
this man Law"
There" cried Lady Catharine, rails
ing her hand. II beg you to say nc
more
But will say more! There must
be reason for this"
The face Of the young woman flushed
in spite of herself, as Pembroke strobe
closer and gazed at her with stern
ness.
Lady Catharine," said he, slowly
i am a friend of your family. Per-
haps now ! may be of aid to you
Prove me. and at the last, ask who was
indeed your friend
I'VE have had misfortunes. we OF
the family Of the Knollys." said Lady
Catharine. This is. perhaps, but the
fate of the house Of Knollys. 1t is my
fate"
Your fate!" said Sir Arthur, slowly.
Your fate! Lady Catharine, l thank
you. 1t is at least as well to know the
truth