The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-22


devious and labyrinthian passages,
turning now to the right, now to the
left, sometimes ascending few steps
and sometimes narrow stairway, I'M
til at last the guide came to a door,
which he pushed open.
IF you will wait here for moment,
1 will go and fetch the king" He
bowed gracefully as she passed
through the doorway, entering square
room, the walls Of which were deco
rated by groups of swords and rapiers
Of various sorts; veritable armOry.
A table occupied the center, and there
were several chairs, with a lounge
against the wall. A door opened upon
an inner room. De Courcy, instead of
taking his departure, stepped in quick
~ after the girl, closed the door, and
turned the key in the lock. With the
grating of the key came the first sus-
picion to the mind of Frances that her
guide was treacherous. Much as she
had always distrusted him, it seemed
incredible that, knowing her to be the
daughter Of the Earl of STAFFORD, any
thing disastrous might befall her here
in the very palace Of the king, the
sworn protector of his people. The
leer on De Courcy's face and his words
speedily disillusioned her.
eff you will be seated, my dear, we
may have some converse, interesting
and entertaining to US both. You can
scarcely imagine my joy at seeing so
lovely a visitor in my poor apart
mentS."
"Sir, you said you would bring the
king A gentleman keeps his word"
ooh, the king in good time my pref
ty one. Charles is but a dOleful COM
panion just now, and we are well quit
Of him. AS for a mans word, the
fashion seems to be the breaking of it,
example being set us poor gentlemen
in the highest places. For instance,
our last discussion related to marriage,
but times have changed since that day,
and you will not be so cruel as to ex-
pect me to carry out the good domestic
intentions I then expressed"
"Sir, am very glad l shall hear no
more or tnem.
Truly? Then so much the better.
1 expected tears and reproaches, but
am pleased you are not given to COM
planning. By my honor, I love you
the more for it. So, then, I'll steal
kiss from those ripe lips to seal the
new compact we are to make, and l
warn you that a scream is not likely
to be heard from this chamber"
Il need not your warning. You
shall neither hear me scream nor see
me weep"
"By ST. Denis, I like your spirit.
all end by clinging."
''Sir, warning for your warning.
Approach not another step nearer me.
Stand aside, rather, and allow me quit
lance of this place as freely as l ig-
norantly came hither"
"And if l cannot consent?"
''Then twill be the worse for you"
"You. spur an inclination already
highly mettled Still would treat you
with all courtesy You are a name
less woman, and many Of the highest
danes in England are proud to call
me their friend"
THAT I believe to be as untrue as
your saying l am nameless woman"
Nevertheless one is as true as the
other. Your father never acknowl-
edged you"
"He has been burdened with more
important affairs, but he will do so
when he is free"
During this dialogue the participants
had been constantly changing their
positions, De Courcy advancing and
Frances retreating, keeping the table
between them. The girls design was
plain enough. She desired to hold him
in conversation, gradually shifting her
position, until she got between him and
the door, when a sudden dash might
give her freedom But he easily faith
omed this design and laughed as he
checkmated it. At her last words,
however, he drew himself upright, a
look of genuine amazement overspread-
ing his face.
when he is freev' he echoed. "Pow-
orS OIL heaven. Inch you nave HOl
come to reproach the king, but to plead
with him.
"Why should l reproach him?'
ct would surely be useless enough,
but feminine. Why? Because Gregory
Brandon, with one good stroke, severed
the kings word and Strafford's neck
on Tower hill this morning."
The girls face went white as the
kerchief about her throat, and, sway
ing half an instant, she leaned against
the table for support. Something in
the brutal method of the announce
ment convinced her of it's truth more
surely than if he had spoken with all
the sOlemnity of which he might be
capable. Yet she struggled not to be-
lieve
"You are lying to me-" she gasped.
Far from it, my little lady. How
could l imagine you did not know
You are surely the only person in Lon
don who is ignorant Of it. Why is
everything so quiet near Whitehall,
where the generous citizens have been