The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-03-18

with surprise upon his lace The
with = sudden hesitation. he locke
sharply al the figure which he sa
awaiting him in the dingy room T.
breath came sharp. and ended In
sigh. For a half moment his fac
flushed. his brow showed question an
annoyance. Yet rapidly. after bis fash
ion. he mastered himself
"Will.r said he, calmly. TO hI
brother. kindly ask the coachDian {
wait for this lady"
He stood for moment gazing afte
the form of his brother as il disap
peared in the outer shadows.
Madam" said John Law. in dee
and vibrant tone. you will pardon m
II | say that it gives me surprise u
see YOU here
Yes; have come. said the girl. no
logically.
You bring. perhaps, some mes
saee?"
IL brought message"
at is from the Lady Catharine?"
Il came from the Lady Catherine, >
said Mary Connynge. slowly. but
bring no message from her of the sori
which perhaps You wished" 1t was
a desperate, reckless lie, lie almost
| certain of detection; yet 1t was the
only resource of the moment, and q
moment later it was too late to recall.
One lie must now follow another, and
all must make deadly coil.
Madam. l am sorry" said John
Law, quietly. yet his face twitched
sharply at the impact of these cut
ting words. did you know OF my let
ter to herr"
Am | not here" said Mary Con-
nynge.
True. and | thank you deeply. Bur
now, wny-pray you, understand that
would be set right. would not I'M
dergo more than is necessary. Will
you not explain?"
tie, though it may mean much. 1t
must be private. Your brother-he
must never know. Promise me not to
speak TO him of this"
This means much to me, I doubt
not, my dear lady" said John Law.
Il trust I may keep my counsel in
matter which comes so close to me-"
Eyes. truly" replied Mary Connynge.
IF you had set your heart upon a
kindly answer"
What! You mean, then. that
She
Gl~ x,1,x
Il promise" he cried. "And now,
tell me what answer had the Lady
Catharine Knollys."
"She declined to answer" said Mary
Connynge, slowly and evenly. De
clined to come She said that she was
i'll enough pleased to hear of your
Drawing. Said that she doubted not
the law would punish you, nor doubted
that the law was just"
John Law half whirled upon his
heel, smote his hands together and
laughed loud and bitterly.
MADAM" said he, Il had never
Iii fought to say 1t to woman, but in
very justice l must tell you that !
see quite through this shallow false
hood"
Sir" said Mary Connynge, her hands
at the. arms of her chair, |
this is unusual speech to LADY,"
But your story. madam, is most
TELL me, then. why should be i
Iere?" burst out the girl. What is it
o me? Why should care what the
lady Catharine says or 'does? Why
should risk my own name to come
If this errand in the night? Now let
ne pass, for shall leave you"
The swift jealous rage of Mary
yonnynge was unprecedented. yet
lothing had better served her real
purpose. The stubborn nature of Law
vas ever ready for challenge. He
aught her arm; and placed her not
upon the chair.
by heaven, half believe what you
ay is true!" said he, as though to
imself. /.
"Yet you just said twas false" said
be girl, her eyes flashing. ,
Il meant that what you add is true.
nd hence the first also must be be-
eyed. Then you saw my message?"
II did, since it so fell out.
but you did not read the real mes
age. asked no aid Of any one f6r :
ly escape. but asked her to come '
a sheer truth, wished but to see g
err" :
"And by what right could you ex-
ect that?" q
81 asked her as my affianced wife," I
,plied John Law. !,
Mary Connynge stood an inch taller, II
, she sprang to her feet in sudden a
.orn and bitterness. b
your af'anced w!se," cried she
What! So soon! Oh, rare indeed
ust be my opinion of this Lady
atharine!" u
1T was never my way to waste time .
] journey" said John Law. coolly.
Your wife. your affianced wife?' v
"As / said" I
Yes" cried Mary Connynge, bit. v
rly, and again. unconsciously and in /,
- |