The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-22
vantage-ft set toward the direction II
which she wished to 90.

S~NoSASAA oNAOohO, lu0 UTOdu avenue OF
square Of Whitehall might be likened
to the lake into which they emptied.
1t was packed mass of humanity.
surging to and fro, as If Influenced by
mysterious tides, but making no prog
ress. Way through it in any given
direction might well seem an impossi-
bility, but an alert atom, by constantly
watching opportunity, could edge here
and there, through chance openings,
and, by a constant devotion to a given
direction, ultimately attain any chosen
point.
Thus the girl, buffeted about often
well nigh exhausted and breathless,
came by the entrance to the palace that
; stood next the banqueting house. The
gates, however, were tightly closed and
guarded on the outside by double row
! of soldiery who stood the hustling of
the mob with great good humor, being
evidently cautioned not to exasperate
the populace by any hostile act The
crowd itself seemed good natured
enough, although constant fighting took
surface, but the great bulk of those
present appeared to be out on larking
holiday, although they all riotously lent
breath to the unceasing roar, calling
for justice on STAFFORD. Occasionally
there were shouts for the king and de-
mands that he should speak to them,
but the windows of Whitehall palace
were blank and gave no sign Of hui
man occupancy.
Suddenly Frances found herself in
new danger through one Of those un-
explainable heaves of the many throat.
ed beast at whose mercy she stood
ITO the gatesv' went up a shout
"We will make the king hear" And a
great human wave, overwhelming the
soldiers, struck against the shuddering
| portal. The mere pressure Of the null
titude was deadly and irresistible.
There were shrieks and appeals for for
bearance. but the unreasoning mass
behind pressed on, unheeding, cheering
and showing. A crash Of rending tim
bers and the gates flew inward. Then
the mob, as If frightened at what it
had done, paused, giving the soldiers
time to collect themselves and help the
wounded. There was as yet no malice
in the crush; 1t was more like con-
!, glomeraton of irresponsible children
bent on mischief Of any kind, but tenn
| porarily scared at the breaking Of
something.
This fact seemed to be recognized by
a man in authority who came through
the gate and with some difficulty secur-
ed a precarious footing on one Of the
stone pillars which stood in row be-
tween the pathway and the road, thus
giving him a position which lowered
over the heads Of the assemblage. He
held up hand for hearing, and the
crowd cheered him, not In the least
knowing who he was or why he was
there. Comparative silence followed
the cheer, and the nobleman spoke.
"My good people," he said, there is
little use in the breaking of gates that
the king may hear you, for the king
has heard and is taking the requests
Of his faithful subjects into his august
consideration
"Where is the king?" demanded an
auditor.
"His majesty is in the banquet1ng
house, where as you know. he is In
touch with his people. IT'S prayerful
subject he has to mediate on, and l
beg of YOU not to disturb his devotion
by further
.Is the queen at her devotions too!
In that hall she began masked revels
on a Sunday, and six good men were
done to death for protesting against
tbe Dissertation, each life more valu-
able than the wicked earls. Let the
king say that he will sign, and we VIII
dispersed"
These and other cries more or less to
the purpose baff1ed the orator, ana the
air ouiyered with denunciat1ons OF
STAFFORD. The man on the stone post
had cast his eyes behind him several
times. as If to see what progress was
| being made with the readjustment OF
the gate, and from this his hearers
onickIy OWNED that be was but delud-
| ing them to gain time. which was more
than likely his purpose, so the snout
went ND to move through the breach
and surround the hall. Meanwhile re-
endorsements had been summoned from
within and a hand to hand fight en-
sued with the encroachers.
| Frances. painting and nigh worn OUT
| in the struggle. nevertheless saw ner
onnortunity. There were few women
in the throng and such as came near
them the soldiers sought to protect.
She attempted appeal to the officer, out
that harassed dignitary could narKen
70 none and thrust her rudely but Ell
/ fectually through the opening, saying
| lyon will find egress at one OF the
| o+hor gates. Take care OF yourself
| cannot help you.
breathing sigh Of thank fufness. she
covered and ran along the end OF the
nandueting hall, turned at the corner
+han down the side. entering an arch
-sv that let her into a passage She
Snsw that she must turn to her right
Int where after that she had not the
SLIGHTEST notion. The tumult at the gate
| 9~>c~- fhof Sho QYnoct0d ev-