Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-05-25
THE MASTER OF APPLEBY
BY
BY Franci. Lyndo.

other times-as now-so soft and gem
tie. And though l thought 1t cruel
that I should have to fight my battle
for the losing of her over again | had
not the heart to chide her
You could have done much less
dear lady" said. taking her hands in
mine; much less. and still be blame
less. You have done too much for me
already. would you had not done so
much. would to God l had been
hanged before you went upon your
knees to that"
She freed one hand and laid finger
on my lip-nay, 1t was her palm. and IL
l took dying mans fair leave ana
kissed 1t softly think she knew 1t
not
"Hush." she commanded "Is this
a ,lme to harbor bitter thoughts?
thought you might have other things to
say to me. Monsieur John"
There Is not other thing that I may
say"
Not anything at all'"
"Naught but parting hope for you.
hope you will be true and loyal to
yourself. Margery mia"
To myself? do not understand"
II think you dol think you must.
but do not"
I turned 1t over more than once IN
my mind IL should tell her all had
feared; should tell her how came
to kill a man and was fair set to Kill
another had found wedding afoot
In the great fore room. l could not
bring myself to do 1t. and yet thought
1t would go hard with me II l should
leave her still unwarned.
III l should try to make you I'M
derstand. you will be angry. as you
We're before"
The wicker chair was close beside
the table and she sat down And when
she spoke she had her hands tight
clasped across her knee and would not
look at me.
rs it-about-Sir Francis?"
1T is" said l. pausing once more
upon the brink OF full confession.
She waited patiently for me to speak
further: waited and let me fight 1T out
In slow pacings up and down before her
chair. Without, the night was calm
and still. and through the opened case
ment came the measured beat OF foot
falls on the gravel where the outer
sentry kept his watch beneath the
window. Within. the single candle
battled feebly with the gloom and
lighted naught for me save my dear
ladys face, pensive now and SANITY
sweet as 1t had been that morning
when had dwelt upon 1t and the while
she knew 1t not. And In the back
ground stood the sleepy ti.e-woman.
giving no sign of life save now and
then tortured yawn behind her hand.
/ think my lady must have known
how hard 1t was for me to speak. for,
when the silence had grown overlong.
she said gently: II bought these fly
ing minutes of the sentry. Monsieur
John. Will you not use them"
"If l should say the thing ought
to say. you'll think the minutes dearly
bought. fear"
NO. that 1 shall not. If 1T will ease
your mind"
Then tell me why you sent for Fa-
Their Matthew"
The light was dim. as l have said,
from neck to cheek.
You are not of the church. Mon
ieur John. You would not understand
If I should tell you
II think understand without your
telling You said Sir Francis Falcon
net had asked for YOU
Twas you who drove me to say It,"
because tried to warn you?"
"Because you would be vengeful
when you should have been forgivIng"
Twas not revenge. just them
though while live shall have ample
to hate this man."
What was 1t. them"
Ut was lONe. lONe lOT you duu-dnu
Richard Jennfer.'
She rose, and I could see her eyes
ashine for all the half gloom of the
candle light.
You are loyal friend!" she said,
and there was that within the words
to make me glad. whatever fate the
dawn should have in store for me.
You always think of others first: you
think OF others now. when-when
Inhnf N-h n
do for you? Say quick! The man is
coming to the door,"
Now. l have told you this. there Is
but one other thing. Margery, dear;
one little thing that will not let me
die In peace. II might have ten words
with Richard Jennifer"
She left me in a fever tlutter of ex-
element. whipped to the door, and had
word with him who stood without.
heard the clink of coin. and then she
FASTENED back to me, all eagerness and
tremulous impatience.
Tell me--tell me instantly what
must do. am not afraid. Shall ride
down to Jennifer House and fetch Dick
here?'
He is prisoner, and If
he were not. they would
not let him see me. Besides, I would
not let you go on such an errand. And
yct--tiod help me. Margery. there is
many an innocent life hanging on this:
the lives of helpless women and little
children. Have You ever messenger
to send man who VIII risk his life
and can be trusted fully"
Yes yes" she cried. Write 1t down
for me and Dick shall have It, Quick;
for our Lady's sake be quick about
1t. o Sancta Maria. mater Del"
The low impassioned chant OF the
Roman litany was ringing In my ears
as ! sat down to the table to write my
message to Richard Jennifer. There
We're quilts and an ink-pot at hand, but
not paper. | felt in my pocket and
found. not some old letter. as | hoped
but the crumpied parchment map
snatched and hidden when Captain
Stuart had WINGED and dropped 1t at
the bidding of the whiStling sword
about his ears.
How 1t was they had not searched
me for 1t. know not: though happy the
captain did not guess how he had lost
1t. he that as II might. had 1t safe.
and Dick should have 1t safe. and use
IL. too. to some good purpose, as
tond.y hoped.
You'd hardly think from the slow and
clumsy spinning of this tale that
could crowd the narrative of all that
! had seen and heard into a niggard
three score words or less. But this
did. writing them upon the margin of
the captains map. and noting in an
added line the pricking of the powder
conveys route. And while my pen was
looping on the flourish to my name, my
eager little lady seized the pounce- box.
sanded me the heavy trailings of the
qulll. snatched and hid the parchment
in her bosom. and was gone.
And but for this. that | heard the
door latch click behind her. and then
the heavy wooden bar fail into place.
| might have thought the happenings of
the hour the unsutstantial tancies of d
dream