Morris tribune., 1904-11-26
Deer the
Border a
CARR,
~ Author Of .'Jennis Baxter.
~~'"'S-. S,.&.. Journalist" Etc.
CHAPTER XIII.

zee him at noon. The foreigner en-
aged the envoy in long conversation,
ssale object of which was to discover
a>yhether or not the girl had said any
2 ling to him of the excited conference
ii the day before. The unsuspecting
cot, entirely off his guard, thinking
3.e spoke with a friend. was read by
ahe other like an open book, and De
t;ourcy was speedily convinced that
Frances Wentworth had kept her own
counsel. This gave the spy renewed
confidence, and as they walked down
the street together De Courcy held his
head higher than had been the case
~,7hen he last turned his back upon
ethe Crown inn. His buoyant nature
vas quick to recover from depression,
md his malice. fed anew from his
j! ste rebuff, set his alert mind at work
- contrive some plan whereby he
: light salve his wounded pride and
-s-enge himself on the girl and his
>2zvored rival. even at some slight risk
- himself.
Although the danger Of exposure
seemed imminent enough when he was
With her, he knew that as she grew
Aals,nr and reelected upon the sftua-
l.on she would be more and more re-
!actant to wrecs everything in order to
Dfing punishment upon him. He would
get them out Of Oxford that day if
possible. but he would instill a poison
in the young lovers mind that would
take all sweetness from the journey.
De COurcy had offered to show Arm
strong the way to the kings rooms, SO
that there should be no delay when
the Scot set out for his appointment,
at II o'clock. and they had now en-
tered the quadrangle of Christchurch,
which was deserted save for the guards
at the gate. Armstrong thanked him for
his guidance. and was turning away,
when the other. WHO seemed about to
speak, glanced at the soldiers on duty,
then, thinking tie SPOT ill chosen for
what he had 10 say. invited the Scot to
bis room. They went UP Il stair together
and entered De Courcy's apartment, the
host setting out wine and asking his
guest to seat himself.
HAS the lady WHO accompanied you
quite recovered from her fati1ue?" ask.
ed De Courcy indiferently. ~-
swell, as I told you, l met her yes
terday for a few moments only. and /
am sorry she was not in the highest
spirits, but she Will be the better for
seeing the green fields again. Like my
oh &c Of no rty.x
not thrive within the walls of town."
Eyes, l noticed that when she was in
London"
"teIn London? Did you know her in
London?
'Oh, hasn't she told you of our re-
mentioned it,
"What do you mean by your rela-
ionship? You are French; she is pure
English" j
De Courcy threw back his head and !
aughed, unheeding and indeed un- |
the angry color mounting in
4 face that had grown suddenly stern. !:
'My dear comrade, there are other i
between young man and I
4 handsome woman than the ties of
But those days are long past,
md I should never have recalled them
aad It not been that you two have been !
travelling about the country together,
make no doubt, with an innocence !
that recalls the sylvan days Of yore."
Tell me in plain words what this re-
vuoS RI vUbiob Won houo
ferred.''
"First answer me a question. Are |
y,eu betrothed to Frances Wentworth"
''No. l told you acted the brothers
part toward her in this journey"
"Oh. we all say that. But am not
IN thekleast curious. If you intended
b marry her. then were my mouth
sealed Very we'll. since you will have
4 and I take your word as gentle
man pledged that you will say nothing
b tie girl of this until you are clear Of
Oxford: Know that was once her be-
trothed. She was to have been my.
Hife. .snd would have been my wife to-
lay had her father not fallen"
""YouI wifev' -, i
"Yes Her father gave me permits
ION to:pay my court to her. She could
Dot have been much more than sixteen
lhen. and l was her first lover. a per-
homage that girl never forgets. Her
Rather's ruin changed my plans. and
Refused to marry her. I announced this
Defusai to her in the seclusion Of my
Dwn room in Whitehall and
Sir. you lier' .a-
sArmstrong's sword seemed to spring
r. its own will from the scabbard. and
kls hand drew 1t a-swish through the
6lr with the hiss Of deadly serpent.
The Frenchman shrugged his ssfioul-
2ers. but did not move. The three
words Of his opponent had been spoken
Eery quietly, despite his impulsive &C
ION. De Courcy did not raise his voice
% he asked:
(which Of my statements do you
.''No matter for that. We fight on
- 80 IL