Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-28
CHAPTER XX1I1,

see him Mt noon. The foreigner en-
gagged the envoy in long conversation,
the object Of which was to discover
whether or not the girl had said any
thing to him Of the excited conference
Of the day before. The unsuspecting
Scot, entirely off his guard, thinking
he spoke with friend, was read by
the other like an open book, and De
Courcy 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
when he last turned his back upon
the Crown inn. His buoyant nature
was quick to recover from depression,
and his malice, fed anew from his
late rebuff, set his alert mind ut work
to contrive some plan whereby he
might salve his wounded pride and
avenge himself on the girl and his
favored rival. even at some slight risk
to himself.
Although the danger of exposure
seemed imminent enough when he was
with her, he knew TINT as she grew
calmer and reflected upon the situa.
ton she would be more and more re-
luctant to wreck everything in order to
bring punishment upon him. He would
get them out Of Oxford that day If
possible, but he would instill 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
ut - o'clock, and they had now en-
tered the quadrangle of Christchurch,
which was deserted save for the guards
Mt 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 the spot Ill chosen for
what he had to say, invited the Scot to
his room. They went up 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 fatigue" ask
ed De Courcy indifferently.
"Well, as ! told you, / met her yes
terday for few moments only, and I
am sorry she was not In the highest
spirits, but she will lie the better for
seeing the green fields again. Like my
self, she is of the country, and does
not thrive within the walls of town."
eyes, i noticed that when she was in
London"
SIN London? Did you know her in
London?"
ooh, hasn't she told you of our re-
mentioned it . J"
what do you mean by your rela-
tionship? You are French; she is pure
English"
De Courcy threw back his head and
laughed, unheeding and indeed I'M
noticing the angry color mounting in
face that had grown suddenly stern.
"My dear comrade, there are other
relationships between young man and
n handsome woman than the ties of
Kinship. But those days are long past,
and should never have recalled them
had 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-
lationship was to which you have re-
ferred."
"First answer me question. Are
you betrothed to Frances Wentworth? 2"
mo I told you acted the brothers
part toward her in this Journey"
ooh, we all say that But am not
In the least curious. If you intended
to marry her, then were my mouth
Bealed. Very well, since you will have
1t, and take your word as gentle
man pledged that you will say nothing
to the girl Of this until you are clear of
Oxford. Know that was once her be-
trothed. She was to have been my
wife, and would have been my wife to-
day had her father not fallen"
"Your wifer
Eyes. Her father gave me permits
sion to pay my court to her. She could
not have been much more than sixteen
then, and was her first lover, per-
sonage that a girl never forsets. Her
fathers ruin changed my plans, and
refused to marry her. announced this
refusal to her In the seclusion of my
own room In Whitehall and
"Sir, you lle!
Armstrong; sword seemed to spring
Of its own will from the scabbard, and
his hand drew it u-swish through tho
air with the hiss Of n deadly serpent
The Frenchman shrugged his Shout
ders. but did not move. The three
words of his opponent had been spoken
very quietly, despite his impulsive ac-
ton. De Courcy did not raise his voice
us he asked:
(Which Of my statements do you
question:
mo matter for that We fight on
this phrase In Scotland. 10 man ever
called me liar and ived.''
"'Tis coarse phrase. admit, and
did l not represent my king-were l rs
free as you-you should have had my
response in steel ere this. But cannot
wreck the king in private quarrel of
my own. Whether you killed Inc or
you. 'twould be equally disastrous to
his majesty"
II care nothing for the king. Draw,
you poltroon, OR l shall kill you where
you Sit"
"My dear Armstrong, refuse to be
murdered under misrepresentation on
your part. have said nothing against
the girl. TITS all your own hot blood.
And indeed your brawllng is the girls
greatest danger; she might well trem-
BILE If she knew your present occupa-
ton. If you run your nimble sword
through me, you give the girl to the
fate that befell her father"
AT the first word of danger to Fran
ces the point Of Armstrong; blade
sank to the floor, and lie stood hesitate
ing. A CLEAN of triumph gllnted and
died in the eye of the Frenchman. He