Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-15
tcopyrisht ma b. Imsrson Houeh.,

see you here" |
Eyes; have come" said the girl, not
logically.
"You bring, perhaps, some mes
sage?"
IL brought message" /
ut is from the Lady Catharine?"
Il came from the Lady Catherine"
said Mary Connynge, slowly, "but I
bring no message from her Of the sort
which perhaps you wished" It was
desperate, reckless lie, lie almost
certain of detection; yet it was the
only resource of the moment, and al
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 I not here?" said Mary Con-
nynge.
TRUE, and thank you deeply. But
how, why-pray you, understand that
l would be set right. I would not I'M
dergo more than is necessary. Will
you not explain?"
There is but little to, explain-lit-
tie, though 1t 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, doubt
not, my dear lady" said John Law.
II trust l may keep my counsel in
matter which comes so close to me-"
Eyes, truly" replied Mary Connynge,
IF you had set your heart upon
kindly answer"
What! You mean, then, that
She"
do you promise?"
II 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
Ill enough pleased to hear of your
brawltng 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, II had never
thought to say it to woman, but in
very justice l must tell you that I
see quite through this shallow false
hood.''
Sir" said Mary Connynge, her hands
clutching at the arms of her chair,
this is unusual speech to lady!"
"But your story, madam, is most
unusual
Tell me, then, why should I be
llere?" burst out the girl. What is it
to me? Why should l care what the
Lady Catharine says or does? Why
should risk my own name to come
of this errand in the night? Now let
me pass, for shall leave you"
The swift jealous rage of Mary
Connynga was unprecedented, yet
nothing had better served her real
purpose. The stubborn nature of Law
was ever ready for challenge. He
caught her arm, and placed her not
unkindly upon the chair.
by heaven, half believe what you
say is true!" said he, as though to
himself.
yet you just said twas false" said
the girl, her eyes flashing.
II meant that what you add is true,
and hence the first also must be be-
lieved. Then you saw my message?"
81 did, since it so fell out"
"But you did not read the real mes
sage. l asked no aid of any one for
my escape. but asked her to come
In sheer truth, l wished but to see
her."
And by what right could you ex-
pect that?"
81 ASKED her as my affianced wife,"
replied John Law.
Mary Connynge stood an inch taller,
as she sprang to her feet in sudden
scorn and bitterness.
"Your affianced wife!" cried she.
What! So soon! Oh, rare indeed
must be my opinion of this Lady
Catharine!"
ut was never my way to waste time
on Journey" said John Law. coolly.
"Your wife, your afianced wife?"
CAS- said."
EYES," cried Mary Connynge, BIT
terly, and again, unconsciously and in
sheer anger. falling upon that course
which best served her purpose, "And
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