The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-06
tering the palace of the king at Hamp-

tering the palace Of the king at Hamp-
ton Court. Here probably awaited
stepmother with her children, and
Frances doubted the cordiality Of the
approaching reception. The ever in
creasing fear. Of her father, a sentiment
felt by nearly all those who encounter
ed him, mingled with hatred, usually,
| on their part, but with growing affec-
ton on hers. prevented the putting of
| the question whether or no Lady STRAIT
ford was now in London. Their jour-
| ney together had been silent since he
ceased the exposition of the difficulties
| which surrounded him, a man whom
all England regarded as being para
mount in the kingdom, yet in reality
| balfied and almost at bay.
| Looking back over the day now
drawn to its close, she marveled at her
own courage in approaching him as she
| had done light heartedly and confident.
Were her task to be re-enacted her
mind misgave her that she would not
possess the temerity to carry il through,
with her new knowledge of the man.
Yet il STAFFORD We're hated in the three
| kingdoms. he seemed 10 be well liked
! in that little despotism, his home.
where servants clustered round. for
! each of whom he had a kind word.
/ Whether they knew of his coming or
not, the house was prepared for his
! reception, Ares blazing, and a table
! spread in the room TO which he con-
! Quoted his daughter Outside the night
! was cold and damp and the inward
warmth struck gratefully upon the
! senses of the travellers.
Mrs. Jarrett" said the earl to his
| housekeeper, who looked with wonder
AT the newcomer he had brought, have
you aught Of woman's trsppings that
will fit my daughter Aere?"
Your daughter, my lord?'
Yes, and as you will be consumed
by curiosity until you know how it
! comes so. will add that she is newly,
found, having lived till now with her
grandfather in the north. and is the
child of my second wife, Frances War
burton, married by me some seventeen
years since. Any further particulars
my daughter herself will supply, If you
question shrewdly, as | doubt not you
will, but postpone inquiry / beg of YOU
until tomorrow. Meanwhile robe her
as best you may with the materials at
hand. and that quickly, for wish her
company at supper"
Frances was then spirited away to
the apartment assigned to her. and
when presently she reappeared she
was costumed more to her fathers lik-
ing than had hitherto been the case.
They sat down together to the meal
that had hastily been prepared for
them.
Tomorrow, if l remember Alright
what you said, is your birthday"
Yes. my lord" j
as it difficult for you to say fatherY
My other children pronounce the word
glibly enough. When you and l first
met, and even since then, you seemed
not backward in speech"
''Sir, find myself more afraid OF
you than was at the beginning"
STAFFORD smiled, but answered: II
assure you there is no need. / mSy
be an implacable enemy, but 1 have
the reputation of being as stanch
friend. So tomorrow is your birthday.
saddened by the fact that 1t is also the
date of your mothers death. That is
loss for which man in my onerous
position cannot even partially atone,
but it is loss which you perhaps have
not keenly felt. 1t seems heartless to
speak thus, but the fact remains that
we cannot deeply deplore the depar-
ture of what we have never enjoyed.
One thing I can covenant--that you
shall not hereafter know the lack Of
money, which is something TO promise
in city of shops"
II have never known the lack of 1t.
my lord" :
Have you indeed been so fortunate?
Well. there again you bear a resem-
blance to your father. Sir John was
reputed comfortably Off in the old days.
and l infer he harbored his wealth. a.
somewhat difficult task in times gone
by. Are you, then, his heir?"
Zone of two, my lord"
"Ah, yes. / had momentarily forgot
ten the brother who favors his grand,
father rather than his sire. / am like,
to be overbusy tomorrow to attend the
mart of either mercer or goldsmith
and IL / did / should not know what to
purchase that would please you. Buy
what catches your fancy and datter.
your father by naming it his gift. Il
am very tired and shall not rise early,
tomorrow. Do not wait breakfast for
me. Good night, daughter"
Good night, father"
Although he had said the last con.
ventional words of the day, he still
stood there as il loath to retire; then
he stopped and kissed her on the lips,
ruffiing her black wayward, curly hair.
SO like his own in texture, color and
freedom from restraint and patting
her affectionately on the shoulder.
You will not be afraid OF me frof1
this time forward, child?' he asked.
Indeed, Frances, / grow superstitious
as become older, and I look on your
strange arrival as in some measure
providential. There is none Of my own
kind to whom l can speak freely, as
did to you in the carriage. My daugh-
tiers my other daughters are too
young. My Lady STAFFORD takes much
interest in her garden and dislikes
this London house and this London