Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-08
CHAPTER VII.
TWO MAIDS A-BRo1DERING.


"Now a plague take all created things.
Lady Kitty" cried Mary Connynge.
petuleHtly fiinging down silken pat
tern over which she had pretended to
be engaged. There are devils in the
skeins to-day. I'll try no more WITH"
"Fie! For shame, Mary Connynge,"
replied Lady Catherine Knollys, re-
provingly. $50 far from better temper
ance of speech, didst ever hear of the
virtue of perseverance? Now, for my
own part
| "And what, for your own part?
Have l no eyes to see that thou'rt put
tering over the same corner this last
half hour? What is it thou art making
| to-day?"
The Lady Catherine paused for a mo-
ment and held her embroidery frame
away from her at arms length, looking
at it with brow pickering into per-
picked frown.
II was working knight" said she.
"a tall one
Eyes. tall one, with yellow hair, I
warrant"
"Why, SO it was. was but seeking
| floss of the right hue, and found it
difficult"
"And with blue eyes?"
"True; OF perhaps gray. could not
state which. had naught in my box
would serve to suit me for the eyes.
| But how know you this, Mary Con-
nynge?" asked the Lady Catharine.
Because l was making some such
knight for myself" replied the other.
| See! He was to have been tall, of
good figure, wearing wide hat and
plume withal. But lest spoil him, my
knight-now plague take me if dc
not ruin him completed" So saying,
she drew with vengeful fingers at the
intricately woven silks until she had
indeed undone all that had gone be-
FORE
What pantomime might have fol-
lowed did not appear, for at that mo-
ment the butler appeared at the door
with an admonitory cough. eff you
please, your ladyship," said he, there
are two persons waiting. They-thai
is to say, he-one of them, asks for
admission to your ladyship."
What name does he offer, James?'
''Mr. John Law, of Lauriston, your
ladyship, is the name he sends. He
says, if your ladyship please, that he
has brought with him something which
your ladyship left behind, if your lady.
ship please"
Lady Catharine and Mary Connynge
had both arisen and drawn together
and they now turned each a swift
glance upon the other.
"Are these gentlemen waiting with.
out the street door?" asked Lady Cath.
arine.
mo, your ladyship. That is to say
before thought, allowed the tall one
to come within"
ooh, well then, you see, Mary Con.
nynge." replied Lady Catharine, with
the pink flush rising in her cheek, 'i
were rude to turn them now from oul
door, since they have already been ad
mitted. James, you may bring the
gentlemen in"
Enter, therefore, John Law and his
brother Will. the former seeming thu.
with ease to have made good his prom
Use to win past the door of the Earl O
Banbury.
Lady Catharine Knollys." said Joh1
Law, his voice deep and even, an,
showing no false note of embarrass
ment, I'VE come. as you may see, t,
make our respects to yourself and you
friend, and to thank you for your kind
ness to two strangers"
ITO two Srangers, Mr.. Law" sal,
Lady Catharine, pointedly.
"Yes"-and the answering smile wa
hard to be denied-"to two stranger
who are still strangers. l did but be
Think me it was sweet to have sucl
kindness. We were advised that Lon
don was cruel cold. and that all foil
of this city hated their fellowmen. Sc
Since twas welcome to be thus lsindl
entreated, / believed 1t but the act o
courtesy to express our thanks NOR
seeming than we might as that w
were two beggars by the wayside
Therefore, pay the first flower of M
perpetual tribute" He bowed and ex
tended, as he spoke, a deep red rose
His eye, though still direct, was a
much imploring as it was bold.
Instinctively Mary Connynge an
Lady Catharine had drawn together
retreating somewhat from this intru
sion. They were now standing, Xix
any school girls, looking timidly owe
their shoulders, as he advanced. Lad
Catharine hesitated, and yet she move
forward half pace, as though bidde
by some unheard voice. "Twas moth
ing, what we did for you and you
brother" said she. She extended he
hand as she spoke. GAS for the flower
think-I think rose is a sweet-prett
thing"
CHAPTER VIII.
CATHARINE KNoLLYS.
you mistake, sir! ] am no light {
love, John Law"
Thus spoke Cathar;ne Knollys. Sh