Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-09-08

! =, WIS i'' 'hc StTeetS gave point to
inc more sinister report. In the even
, ing his usual time of calling. the som
per Noll'ns came to the inn, chiefly. ms
he SAID, to urge the girl to quit the
turbulent city, where she could accom-
pllsh nothing and where she might be
III danger were IL once guessed that she
pore any relationship to the condemned
man, but to this good counsel the girl
would not listen.
nat she demanded impaticntly was
neWs' news. news, and this. with
eSasperating dclibcration. Nollins gave
iorth. 1T was quito 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 ana even the
house OF commons was ampycd ot This
betrayal, said Vollins. and the effect
OF the announcement had been soon on
the populace itself, for after certainty
came nome to the people they had dis.
persed quietly to their houses. and the
streets were almost empty.
no girl was mute with dismav. but
Noitins pointed out that the case was
| III reality no worse than it had been
on saturday or Sunday BY the cxcr-
| cise OF his prerogativc the king could
ut any moment free his minister az.
! mitigate tho sentence, Notwithstanding
the fact that tho commission had signed
! the bill Of attandcr in his name
tuesday, seemed TO bear ont these
surmiSes. Frances determined to see
the King once more and learn from his
OWN lips the fate of her father. Int
when she reached Whitehall she found
some cOmmotion there. for Charles was
taking his departure from the palace
ana people said he was on his way to
the house Of lords and that it was like
~ he had determined to let STAFFORD
30.
In the evening she learned authori-
tativcly 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 a rcpricve until Satur-
day, ANA this was so small a favor for
n king to ask that Nollns was sure it
would be granted and that many
things might happen in the intervening
days The confidence of n man so pon-
orally dcspairing as Nollins in the GER
tan'y of short rcprieve and in the
ultimate safety of Lord STAFFORD did
much to bring the girl to a like belief.
but she resolved nevertheless to see
the king next day if she could win her
way into Whitehall pa.ace.
ednesday saw no excitement on the
streets. People were going sobcrlv
about. each on his own affairs. and the
reprieve had provoked no outburst.
"hl'h IN itself was a hopeful sign.
Frances had grown TO fear the hue and
cry of the mob even more than she
feared the INDIGESTION Of the king If
he were left unterrificd. all his tcndon- !
cy was toward mercy and the keeping
of his oath
There WAS no crowd to distract the
atNniion of the guard at the palace |
gates opening on Whitehall. and they |
absolutely refused to grant her adnis-
sion without an order. She turned to
the captain of the guard and asked
how such an order could be Obtained
ana that official. apparently struck by
her youth and beauty az well as her cvi-
dent distress. said that if She knew any
one about the court who might lie sent
for and who proved willing TO vouch
Tor her he would allow her TO pass.
Eat the rule at the gate was strict be-
cause Of past disturbances. ana lie had
no option but refusal unless she went
iii under the convoy of some one I'm
authority. Frances pondcrod few
moments ana heSitatcd. but her need
was great, and she could not choose
when 1t came to finding security. At
last she said, with reluctance:
Il am acquainted with NJ. De Cour-
cy. Is he withini"
Il do not know, but twill be speed
lily asccrtained."
WITH that he invited her to 4 seat in
the guardhouSc and sent messenger
for De Courcy. knowing there would
he prompt response when the French
man learned that Il beautiful lady
awaited him. and in this lie was not
mistaken. De Courcy came AS debo
nair and as we'll groomcd as usual.
wiring ms liGht muSta I'D dotling
MS hat with a grand air he saw
who his petitioner was.
Il wish to see his majesty again."
said Frances. rising. "but they dctain
me AT the gate, and have no one to
'ouch for ne unless YOU will be so