Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-15

know how it would all turn out.
CHAPTER XII.
AToNEMENT.
1871 had not been long in the room
t%I when a knock at the door an
lSSSssa nounced the girls. admitted
(eG:& them, and Mary walked to
the middle of the floor. 1t was just
growing dark. and the room was quite
dim, save at the window where Bran
don sat reading. Gods, those were ex-
citing moments! My heart beat like
woman's. Brandon saw the girls when
they entered. but never so much as
looked up from his book. You must re-
member he had great grievance. Jane
and had remained near the door, and
poor Mary was pitiable princess.
standing there 30 full Of doubt in the
middle Of the room. After a moment
she stepped toward the window and.
with quick coming breath. stopped at
the threshold of the little passage.
Master Brandon, have come, not to
make excuses, for nothing can excuse
me. but to tell you how it all happened
by trusting to another"
Brandon arose and, marking the
place in his book with his finger, fol-
lowed Mary. who had stepped back
ward into the room.
"Your highness Is very gracious and
kind thus to honor me, but as our ways
will hereafter lie as far apart az the
world Is broad. think 1t would have
been far better had you refrained from
30 imprudent visit, especially as any
thing one so exalted as yourself may
have to say can be no affair Of such as
lone just free of the hangman's
moose"
"Oh. don't, I pray you! Let me tell
you. and it may make difference. 1t
must pain you. I know. to think Of me
as you do after-after-you know; aft
er what has passed between U.s."
"Yes. that only makes 1t all the hard
er. If you could give your kisses'-and
abe blushed red as blood-''to one for
whom you care so little that you conld
,eave him TO die like dog. wnen =
word from you would have saved nm,
what reason have to suppose they aru
not for every man,?
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.
Wantonness Is not among my thousand
faults. 1t Is not that which angers
you. You are sure enough Of me In that
respect. In truth. had almost come
to believe you were too sure. that had
grown cheap In your eyes. and you did
not care 80 much as thought and
hoped for what had to give, for after
that day you came not near. ME at all.
| know 1t was the part Of wisdom and
prudence that you should remain away.
hut had you cared as much as your
prudence would not have held you"
She hung her head q moment in 81
ience. then. looking at him. almost
ready for tears. continued: "a man has
TO right to speak in that way Of wo-
man whose little favors he has taken.
and make her regret that she has given
a gift only that 1t may recoil upon her.
Little did l say? Sir, do you know
what that-first-kiss was to me? Had
| possessed all the crowns of all the
earth l would have given them to you
as willingly. Now you know the value
l placed on 1t. however worthless 1t
was to you. Yet was q cheerful giver
Of that gift. was l not? And can you
find it in your heart to make Of 1t
shame to me-that Of which l was 30
proud?"
She stood there. with head inclined q
little to one side, looking at him In.
quiringly as If awaiting an answer He
did not speak, but looked steadily at
his book. felt. however, that he was
changing and | was sure her beauty,
never more exquisite than In Its pres.
ent humility. would yet atone for even
so great fault as hers. Err, look beau.
tiful and receive remission! Such q
woman as Mary carries her indulgence
In her face.
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 its fatal conse'
auences, knowing full well it would
render Henry impervious to her inhu'
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 II politely waiting for her to with
draw.
She remained silent 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. I have al.
ways believed in you. and now l ask
for your faith. would not lie to you
In the faintest shading Of a thought
not for heaven itself-not even for your
|.aove and forgiveness. much az they are
to me. and | 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
thoupb nv remaining away you made