The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-15
c.eyrxbL 1908. by
Frederick II. Stokes c.
CHAPTER vi.

the country ablaze with excitement
Is.orse Of it. The world would go
Iii once STAFFORD was laid low. He
ssd daluded and misled the good king,
- buckingham did before him. Buck
.nohsm had fallen by the knife; STRAIT
1ord should fall by the ak. Then the
nntrammeled king would rule well;
ouiatness and industry would succeed
tbis unhealthy period Of fever and un-
rest.
The girl was appalled, to meet every
where this intense hatred Of her ia
thor and in her own home she was sur
ronnded by it. Even her brother could
not be aroused to sympathy, for he re-
carded his father not only as traitor
to his country, but as domestic de-
lnouent also, who had neglected and
deserted his young wife, leaving her to
die uncontrolled without even a mes
soce from the husband for whom she
had almost sacrificed her good name,
hearing accomplishing his absence and
her fathers wrath.
During the winter Frances saw little
of her brother. Thomas Wentworth
was here and there riding the country,
imagining. with the confidence Of eX-
IRENE youth, that he was mixing in
great affairs, as indeed he was, al
though he was too young to have much
influence in directing them. The land
was in ferment, and the widest ru-
mors were af1oat. STAFFORD had
Escaped from the Tower and had
Inken fight abroad, like so many of his
friends who had now scattered in fear
TO France or to Holland. Again it was
said the kings soldiers had attacked
the Tower liberated STAFFORD, and the
Black Man was at the head of the wild
Irish, resolved ON the subjugation Of
England Next, the queen had called
on France for aid, and an invasion was
imminent.
So there was much secret prepara-
ton, drilling and the concealing Of
arms against the time they should be
urgently needed, and much galloping
to and fro; stirring period for the
young, an anxious winter for the old.
and Thomas Wentworth was in the
thick of it all, mysteriously departing,
Unexpectedly returning, always more
foolshly important than there was any
occasion for. Yet had he in him the
making Of a man who was shortly to
be tried by fire and steel when greater
wisdom crowned him than was at pres
ent the case.
Since the letter she had received on
the night Of his arrest, the daughter
heard no word from the father. Had
be again forgotten, or We're his mes
rsages Intercepted? She did not know
and was never to know. She had writ
! to him, saying she had Obeyed him,
on there was no acknowledgment that
her letter had reached its destination.
Thus she waited and waited, gnawing
mpatence and dread chasing the rose
from her cheeks, until she could wait
no longer. Her horse and the south
ern road were at her disposal, with
none to hinder, SO she set forth for
London, excusing herself for thus in
spirit breaking her fathers command
L oy the assurance that he had not for
Oldden her return.
Sne avoided her fathers mansion,
knowing that Lady STAFFORD and her
children were now in residence there,
ana went to the inn where she had for
merly lodged. She soon learned that it
II was one thing to go to London and
qulte another to obtain entrance to
1 westminster hall, where the great trial,
now approaching it's end, was the fash
H Nnable magnet of the town. No place
VI amusement ever collected such audi
enceS, and, although money will over
VVlne many difficulties, she found 1t
0uiu not purchase admission to the
uiai through any source that was avail
'oie' Perhaps if she had. been more
.OnVersant with the ways Of the me-
sOpollS the golden key might have shot
oach The bolt, but with her present
knowledge she was at her wits end.
! almost in despair happy thought
Wcurred in her. She wrote a note to
'Onn Follins, her fathers treasurer,
a. auo asked him to call upon her, which
good man did at the hour she set.
1our father would be troubled to
NuoW You are in London when he thinks
'ou safe at home" he said.
= could not help it, Mr.. Vollins. l
va Sas In fever Of distraction and must
saVe come even if ! ID walked. But
~ iather need never know, and you
~. enoer he wrote that you were to
sp me. wish a place in Westmin-
a.sf nall and cannot attain it by any
,nu uer means in my power than by ask
- ~ difficult of attainment I ad-
sh tse you not to go there, for if his lord
n happened to catch sight Of you
n,,.. "at throng who knows but at a
fo. eai moment it might unnerve him,
IN ne Is a man fighting with his back
ao. e wall against implacable and IN
'uupulous enemies"
~, ooulo You not get me some station
&C., ere might look upon my father I'M
seats in the hall are not to be
Aeo or chosen. If a place can be
w II will be because some person