Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21


spoken. to him then wise, grave, sister Mary?
But he has learned to love another so now he is the
wicked man, and it is shame to be under his
roof From what see of my good pious sister and
her cavalier it is sin for another to ride at night
with at your side, but it comes easy enough
to you. Look at your eye, good sister, ere you
would take the speck from that of another"
Mary stood rresolute and greatly troubled,
holding down her pride and her anger, but uncer-
tain how best to deal with this strong hayward
spirit. " 1t is not a time for bitter words, dear
sister, said she, and again she laid her hand upon
her sisters sleeve. g All that you say NAV be true
There indeed time when this friend
to us both, and | know even as you do the power
which he may have to win woman's heart. But
| know him now, and you do not l know the evil
that he has wrought, the dishonOr that he has
brought, the perjury that lies upon his soul,
the confidence betrayed, the promise unfufl1ed-
ali this | know Am to see my own sister caught
in the same we1l-used trap? Has it shut upon you,
child? Am l indeed already too late? For
Gods sake, tell me, Edith, that it is not so?"
Edith plucked her sleeve from her sister and
made two swift steps to the head of the table
Paul de la Fosse still sat silent with his eyes upon
Nigel. Edith laid her hand upon his shoulder.
This is the man l love, and the only man that
have ever loved. This is my husband, said she.
At the word Mary gave cry of joy. And is it
so?" she cried. Nay, then all is in honor and
God will see to the rest. If you are man and wife
before the altar, then indeed why should l, any
other, stand between you? Tell me that it is in
deed so, and l return this moment to make your
father happy man."
Edith pouted like a naughty child. 1--WE are
man and wife in the eyes of God. Soon also we
shall be welded before all the world. We do but
wait until next Monday when Paul's brother, who
is priest at Saint Adams, will to wed us.
Already messenger has sped for him, and he will
come, will he not dear lover"
He will come" said the master of Stafford,
still with his eyes fixed upon the silent Nigel
1t is lie; he will not come" said a voice from
the door 1t the old priest who had followed the
others as far as the threshold He will not come,
he repeated as he advanced into the room. "Daugh-
ter my daughter, hearken to the words of one who
is indeed old enough to be your earthly father This
lie has served before. He has ruined others before
you with it. The man has no brother at Saint Al
bans. know his brothers WE'LL and there priest
among them Before Monday, when it is all too late,
you will have found the truth as others have done
before you. Trust him not, but come with us!''
Paul de la Fosse looked up at her with quick
smile and patted the hand upon his shoulder. Do
you speak to them, Edith, said he
Her eyes flashed with scorn as she surveyed
them each in turn, the woman the youth and the
priest L have but word to say to them"
said she. " 1t is that they go hence and trouble
more. Am | not free woman? Have l not
said that this is the only man ever loved? have
loved him long. He did not know it, and in despair
he turned to another. Now he knows all and never
again doubt come between us. Therefore I
will stay here at Stafford and come to Cosford
no more save upon the of my husband. Am
l SO weak that l would believe the tales you tell
against him? Is it hard for jealous and
wandering priest to agree upon lie? No, no,
Mary, you go hence and take your cavalier and
your priest with you, for here stay, true to my
love and safe in my trust upon his honorl'
Well spoken, my faith, my golden brdl'
said the little master of Stafford LET me add
my own word to that which has been said You