The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-06
CeoyriSbE. 1908. by
Frederick n. yfokes.
-S

am, you did not lack for holiness. but
the force of the fiattery Of your father
is lessened by my knowledge of your
relationship, hitherto concealed from
me-
Your majesty, it has hitherto been
concealed from myself" said the earl
YEARLY
Has the girl no tongue? 1t wagged
freely enough in the forest. Come,
masquerader. what have you to say
for yourself?'
Your majesty, l humbly crave your
pardon. The words l used yesterday
We're not mine. but those of a gypsy in
the north, who told me l was the
daughter Of the Earl of Strait at a
time when such tale seemed so alb
surd that laughed at her for connect
ing my name of Wentworth with one
so exalted as the Earl of Stanford.
Later when 1 received proof that such
indeed was the case, her words re-
turned to me. 1 had no right to use
them in your august presence, but the
encourage of the Lord STAFFORD pre-
vented my meeting him. Thus baff1ed,
/ sought to intercept him in the forest
and was willing to use any strategy
that might turn his attention steward
me in the hope of getting a private
word with him."
Il knew you had tongue. Well, it
matters little what you said Your
mission seems to have been success
full. Do not think l placed any weight
upon your words, be they gypsy spoken
or the outcome of spirit of mischief
My Lord STAFFORD, you will to London
then?"
INSTANTLY. your majesty"
81 will consult with you there to-
morrow And have no fear for on my
oath as man, on my honor as king,
l will protect you"
The king rose and left the room as.
abruptly as he had entered it.
For some moments STAFFORD lay back
in his chair, seemingly in a state of
collapse. The girl looked on him in
alarm.
"Sir, is there anything L can do for
your she asked at length.
Call a servant. Tell him to order a
coach prepared at once and see that it
is well horsed, for l would have the
journey as short as possible"
"My lord, you are in no condition Of
health to travel to London. l will go
to the king and tell him So"
DO that requested you and trouble
me not with counsel. There is enough
of woman's meddling in this business
already"
Frances obeyed her fathers instruc-
tons without further comment, then
came and sat in her place again. The
earl reused himself, endeavoring to
shake off his languor.
What think you of the king" he
asked.
He is a man corroded with selfish
ness"
tut, tut. Such things are not to be
spoken in the precincts Of a court. No.
nor thought. He is not selfish mon
arch. other than all monarchs are
selfish but discussion on such a theme
is fruitless, and l must be nearing my
dotage to begin it. 1 am far from well,
Frances, and so, like the infirm, mhst
take to babbling."
do you fear parliament, my lord
How can it harm you when you have
the favor of the king?"
Il fear nothing, my girl, except fool
ish, unseen interference, interference
that may not be struck at or even
limited against. Did they teach you
the history of France in your schoolY'
NO, my lord
"Then study it as you grow older.
I'll warrant you'll find it interesting
enough. Ruined by women. Ruined
by women. Seven civil wars in seven
teen years, and all because of viperish,
brainless women. Well, we have one
of the breed here in England, and God
help us!'
You mean the queen, my lOrd?
Hush! Curses on it, will you be as
! outspoken as another Of your sex is
spiteful and subtle? Mend your man.
ners, huzzy, and guard your tongue.
Could you not see you spoke too freely
to the king moment since"
"Sir, am sorry"
"Be not sorry, but cautious"
Stra ford fell into a reverie, and there
was silence in the room until the serv-
ant entered and announced that the
coach was ready, whereupon his mas
ter rose unsteadily.
Sir" said the girl, will you not eat
or drink before you depart?'
No Then, looking sharply at his
daughter, he inquired, Are you hun
gry?"
Yes, my lord"
Bring hither some refreshments,
whatever is most ready at hand, and a
measure of hot spiced wine. l had
forgotten your youth, Frances, think
ing all the world was old with me-
When the rejection came she ate but
| sparingly despite her proclamation, but
coaxed him to partake and to drink a
cup of wine. He ordered a woman's
cloak brought for her, which when she
had thrown it over her shoulders he
himself fastened at her throat.
There" he said when the cloak en-
veloped her, THAT will protect you
somewhat, for the night grows cold"
STAFFORD himself was wrapped in
| warm furs. and thus together they
| went down the stairs to the court. now
dimly lighted. A cavalier who seemed
to have been standing in wait for them