The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-05-18
cATIIARINE KNoLLYs

=
sYcu mistake, sir! ! am no light O.
love, John Law"
Thus spoke Catharihe Knollys. She
stood near the door of the great draw
ing-room of the Iknollys mansion, her
figure beseeming well its framing of
deep hangings and rich tapestries. Her
eyes were wide and flashing, her cheeks
deeply pink, the sweet bow of her lips
half a-quiver in her vehemence. Her
surprising personal beauty, rich, ripe,
enticing, gave more than sufficient
challenge for the fiery blood of the
young man before her.
1t was less than two weeks since
these two had met. Surely the flood of
time had run swiftly in those few days.
Not day had passed that Law had not
met Catharine Knollys, nor had yet one
meeting been such as the girl in her
own conscience dared call better than
clandestine, even though they met, as
now, under. her own roof. Yet, reason
as she liked, struggle as she could,
Catherine Knollys had not been quite
able to end this swift voyaging on the
flood of fate. 1t was so strange so new.
80 sweet withal, this coming of her
sutton, as from the darkness of some
unknown star, so bold, so strong, so
confident, and yet so humble! All the
old song of the ages thrilled within her
soul. and each day it's compelling mel
ody had accession. That this delirious
softening of all her senses meant dan
ger, the Lady Catharine could not de-
.ly. Yet could aught of earth be wrong
when it spelled such happiness, such
sweetness-when the sound of foot
fall sent her blood going the faster
when the sight of tall form, the ring
of vibrant tone, caused her limbs to
weaken, her throat to choke?
John Law looked at her calmly, but
said nothing. One hand, in gesture
customary with him, flicked lightly al
the deep cuff of the other wrist, an6
this nervous movement was the sole
betrayal of his uneasiness.
You come to this house time anG
again." resumed Catharine Knollys
as though it were an ancient right OF
your part, as though you had always
s
yet"
"And SO have been," broke in he,
sutton. my people were friends Of
yours before we two were born. Why
then, should you advise your servant
as you have, fairly to deny me admis.
'sion at the door?"
Il have done i'll enough to admit
you. Had dreamed of this last pre-
sumption on your part should never
have seen your face again."
"Tis not presumption" said the
young man, his voice low and even
though ringing with the feeling &c
which even he dared not give full ex-
Iressicn- II myself might call this
presumption in another, but with my.
self It's otherwise"
Sir" said Lady Catharine Knollys
'you speak as one not of good mind"
mot of good mind!" broke out John
Law. "Say rather of mind too good
to doubt or daily, or temporize. Why
it's plain as the plan of fate! 1t was
in the stars that l should come
TO you. This face, this form, this
heart, this SOUL shall see nothing
else so long as live! Oh, / feel my
self unworthy; you have right to think
me of no station. Yet some day !
shall bring to you all that wealth can
buy, all that station can mean.
Catharine-dear Lady Kstty--dear
Kate"
II like not so fast soothsaying In
any sutton of mine," replied Lady Cath
crime, hotly, "and this shall go no
further" Her hand restrained him.
Then you find me distasteful?
You would Danish me? could not
learn to endure it,"
Lady Catharine looked at him curl
ously. Actually sir" said she. you
cause me to chill. could half fear
you. What is In your heart? Surely,
this is strange love-makirg."
And by that" cried john Law,
know, then the better Of the truth.
Listen. l know! And this is what
know that shall s'lce eed, and that l
shall lore you always!"
.n,.' It's what one hears often from
Mn,