The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-05
those who addressed him.

luOSe VINO hin.
If the girl had made a thorough
study of his character she could not
have better attuned her manner to his
prejudiceS. Her attitude throughout
was imbued with the deepest respect
and if the eye refused to be advocate
for her the ear could not close itself
to the little thrill of affection that
sOftened her tone as she spoke to him.
He raised his head abruptly as one
who has come to a decision.
November is the stepmOther of the
months, and the air grows cold. Come
with me to the palace In world of
lies l lind myself believing you. thus
l am not grown so old as | had feared.
Come
The girl tripped lightly over the rus
Ting leaves and was at his side in an
instant. then slowed her pace in unison
with his la5ored mode of progression.
Sir, will you lean upon my Shout
der?'
NO. l am ailng. but not decrepit."
They walked together in silence, and
if any viewed them the onlookers were
well concealed, for the park seemed de-
serted. Entering the palace and arriv-
ing at the foot of a stairway, solicitous
menials proffered assistance. but STRAIT
ford waved them peremptorily aside
and. accepting now the support he had
shortly before declined, leaned on his
daughters shoulder and YEARLY mount
ed the stair.
The room on the first floor into which
!, l.NI Il
full fire burned on the hearth and cast a
radiance upon the somber wainscoting
of the walls. A heavy oaken table was
covered with a litter of papers, and
some books lay about. Into Il deep arm
chair beside the fire STAFFORD sank
with a sigh of fatigue, motioning his
daughter to seat herself opposite him,
which she did. He regarded her for
some moments with no pleased express
sion on his face. then said, with a trace
of petulancy in the question:
Did your grandfather bring you up
lady, or are you an ignorant country
wench?'
She drew in quickly the small feet
outthrUst to take advantage of the
comforting fire, and the blaze showed
her cheek a ruddier hue than hereto
fore
Sir" she said, 1.-The children of the
great, neglected by the great must per
force look to themselves. l was brought
up, as you know, without mothers
care, in the ancient hall of crusty
grandfather. a brother my only com
panion. We played together and fought
together, as temper willed, and he was
not always the victor, although he is
the stronger. l can sometimes out
fence him and, failing that, can always
outrun him. Any horse he can ride
can ride. and we two have before now
put to flight three times our number
among the yokels of the neighborhood
AS to education, l have a smatterins
and can read and write. have studied
music to some advantage and foreign
tongues with very little. l dare say
there are many things known to your
London ladies that l am ignorant of. ,
I'VE may thank God for that" NUT
tered her father.
IF there are those in London, saving
your lordship, who say 1 am no.
a lady, l will box their ears for then
an they make sighting remarks in my
presence"
"a most unladylike argument! The
tongue and not the hand is the cour
ladys defense"
Il can use my tongue, too, if need be
my lord"
Indeed, I have had evidence of it
my girl"
Queen Elizabeth used her fists, ant
surely she was a lady"
Il have often had my doubts of it
However, hereafter you must be edu
Gated as doth become a daughter OF
mine"
II shall be pleased to obey any com
mands my father places on me-
The conversation was interrupted by
| a servant throwing open the door, cry
ing:
His majesty the king"
The girl sprang instantly to her feet
while her father rose more slowly, as
sisting himself with his hands on thu
arms of the chair.