Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-23

eyes" he said at last, cit could be
done; it would be difficult dangerous,
in fact, but it could be done-given a
sufficient incentive"
Am l sufficient-what is 1T you
say? I know not that word, think. !"
you are incentive enough for any,
thing. Shall try it?" he asked light
ly.
The Countess Anne leaned out
across the coping of the balcony, and
looked down. 1t was indeed a giddy
height Her brain reeled as she gazed.
She would like very much to put Sir
Philip to the test, but in the end she
decided not. He might be killed, and
that would be bitter end to their
little play. She recalled that Mon
sieur de Croisic had been thrown down
there after he had been caught in the
tower The height was appalling. She
was too fond of Sir Philip. So she
temporized. She was woman enough
for that, he thought. Indeed, he real
lied that she had developed marvel
ously in the month he had been with
her. She seemed years away from
dolls now. He wondered why.
mot to-day, Sir Philip; some other
time, perhaps, but not now," she an
swered him at last
"As you will, Mistress Anne" he
replied indifferently, and then as a
thought struck him he questioned
her: "Why is this place not guarded,
or the wall smoothed, SO that no one
could climb up AGAIN."
II suppose it was guarded once. AS
for the wall, the story I read said that
the lords of the tower left it just as
1t was, for they thought that the les
son they had given poor de Croisic
would keep everybody away. Would
1t keep you away?"
mot If you were here waiting for
me, Lady Anne. But why is it not
guarded now?" he persisted.
II can not tell. Nobody knows this
story except myself and Josette to
whom I told 1t, suppose l read it
the other day in some old papers !
found in the library room. I doub!
If even grandfather remembers it or
he would lock up the room. Besides
what need? There is no one who can
make use of it now" she answered
artlessly.
But it came into Grafton's mind that
II. 1t were difficult to climb up to that
balcony window, it would be less diff
cult to climb down from it, and the
idea of escaping sprang into his head
Indeed, 1t had often been with him
but he had seen no way whatever tc
bring 1t about until that afternoon
tower.
Beyond the rocky edges of the shore
to seward, the horizon was dark with
the sails Of ships. 1t was the huge
fleet of Boscawen lingering off the
coast in the vain hope that something
might draw the French out from Brest
at that time and general, engagement
might be brought about. If Grafton
could gain that window at night, de
scend the wall, seize the little boat il
the cove, he might reach the ships! He
stood in distracted silence gazing sea.
ward until the girl laid her hand light.
1y upon his arm.
"Have you forgotten me, Sir Philip
she questioned him jealousy; "were
you thinking Of
"Of home for a moment, my child
Of old England, and better-lovet
shore farther away Those are English
ships and-but never mind, we wer.
talking of the lady's lover. Yes.
can see how he might have como UT
the wall"
And of course will not let you dc
that now because-but would you dc
it for me some day?" she asked anx.
iously.
Some day, perhaps, I shall show
yo,l," he replied. 81 could do harder
things than that for you. But come
let us seek the dragons in the garden
beauteous dame. IT'S a long time
since we have had an adventure Of
any sort. Call Josette for your court
and after battle shall crown yor
Queen of Love and Beauty again.
can beat you down the STAIR" he added
as they raced away.