The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-08

denial of his wishes. which was not. after all, a denial, gave Leicester every | reason to hope that at the end of her l self-communing Elizabeth would raise him to the dizzy height at which he aimed. Retiring he gave orders to the attendants that the Queen was not to be disturbed.
 Elizabeth entered the nearest grotto, hear head bowed in deep thought. Sud-' | denly she became aware of a figure seated beside an alabaster column. It was the unfortunate Amy, who recos- nized the Queen at once in the stage ly figure approaching her. At first Elizabeth thought that she beheld one | of the performers in the pageants. l who had been placed in different situ- ations to surprise her with their hom- age. How now. fair nymph of this spellbound and struck dumb by some wicked enchanter? We can reverse the charm and bid thee speak. Clasping her hands, Amy dropped on her knees and looked up into the face of Elizabeth with such a mixture of agony and fear that the Queen was impressed What wouldst thou have, damse1?" she asked.
 ''Your protection. madam" replied Amy. T beseech, I implore your pro- lection against one Varney. I was his prisoner. He practiced on my life and l broke forth to-to-"
 Thou shalt have my protection. daInseli" cried the Queen. We will sift this matter to the uttermost. So thou art she who did deceive thy old father. Sir Hugh Robsart. who cheated Master Tressilian and married this Varney?'
 Amy sprang to Her feet. No" she cried. No! As there is a God above me am not the sordid wretch you take fAP I xxysf fa af temptible Villain
 "Why, God ha' mercy. woman" re- turned the Queen. T see thou canst talk fast enough when the theme likes thee. Now, tell me- madam" she con- tinued, the iApulse of curiosity now womah--for by Gods day will know whose wife or whose paramour art thou? Speak and speedily. Thou with Elizabeth" ."
 / Amy uttered a cry of despair and ter knows all "
 The Earl of Leicester" cried the Queen. Woman, art thou set upon this? The noblest hearted, the tr,iest gentleman In England But were he the right hand of our trust, or some thing yet dearer, thou shalt have thy nearing In his presence. Come with rne---instantIy.
 Grasping the trembling girl by the arm. she dragged her forth. and with long strides hurried from the grotto to where Leicester stood surrounded by group of lords and ladies. where is my lord of Leicester" cried the Queen. looking in her fury more than ever like the daughter of Henry, stand forth my lord of Leicester. Knowest thou this woman"
 AS if some mighty hand bent him to earth Leicester kneeled down before Elizabeth and prostrated his brow to the marble fiagstone on which .she stood.
 By Gods light" exclaimed the Queen. false lord. thou shalt answer me or thou diest My lord of .Shrews- bury. you are Marshal of England. At tach him of high treason" A.
 The nobles stood aghast. Amy throwing herself before the furious Queen and embracing her knees. cried out: He Is guiltiess, madam. He is guiltless!"
 Why. minion," replied Elizabeth. 'didst thou not say he was privy to thy whole historv?"
 If did" replied Amy. foully be- lied him. I believe he was never privy to a thought that would harm me-"
 Woman answered the Queen. q will know who has set thee on to this or my wrath-and the wrath of kings iF a Gaming fire--shall wither and con sumc thee like a weed in a furnace"
 As the Queen uttered this threat. Leicester who had risen to his feet raised his head with dignity and was stepping forward to speak wh en Var ney rushed into the presence with ev- cry mark of disorder on his face and apparel
 Pardon. my liege,' cried Varney. "let thy vengeance fall where 1t Is due. but spare my noble and innocent patron"
 Uttering q faint scream at the sight Of Varney. Amy besought the Queen to order her to be confined in tha lowest dungeon of the castle, but to spare her inc sight of that most shameless and unutterable villain. I shall so mad If look upon h i'm longer" cried Amy
 "Beshrew me, but think thou art distraught already answered the