The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-09

MY child he said at last, prlhsins
his voice down to q tone of the great
est gentleness, II would wish you 70
remember that ii is an old man who
speaks to you; one who has seen mucn
of the world, learnt much, understood
much. WIN you try to trust him.
What does your Eminence desire OF
me?" she rejoined, coldly.
Nay! tbs not a question OF desire
my daughter, i would merely wish 10
give you some advice"
81 am listening to your Eminence.
The Cardinal had taken the precau-
ton of placing himself with his back
to the light. which entered--grey ana
mournful--through the tall loaded WIN
dow above. He was sitting near ta-
BILE, covered with writing materials
and In a large high-backed tapestried
chair, which further enhanced the pom
derous dignity of his appearance. whist
helping to envelope his face in COM
plete shadow. Ursula sat opposite to
him on low stool, that same grey
light falling full upon her pale face,
which she turned serenely, quite Inn
passively. upon her interlocutor.
His Eminence rested his elbow on
the arm of his chair, and his head In
his delicate white hand. The purple
robes fell round him In majestic folds,
the gold crucifix at his breast sparkied
with jewels; he was past master IN
the art of mfse-en- scene, and knew,
the full value of impressive pauses and
of effective attitudes during momen-
tous conversation--more especially
when he had to deal with woman.
His present silence helped to set the
young girls aching nerves on edge,
and he noticed with a sense of inward
stisfaction that her composure was not
as profound as she would have MIN
think; there was q distinct tremor In
the delicate nostriIs, q jerkiness In the
movements OF her hand, as she
smoothed out the folds of her sombre
gown.
MY dear child" he began once more
and this time In tones OF more pro-
nounced severity, "a brave man, good
and chivalrous gentleman, is about to
suffer not only death, but horrible dis
grace. On the other side OF these
thin walls the preparations are ready
for his trial by a group Of men. whose
duty 1t will be anon to allow the Justice
OF this realm to take its relentless
course. The accused will stand self
convicted, yet. innocent, before them"
Once more the Cardinal paused; only
for a second this time; he noticed that
the young girl had visibly shuddered,
but she made no attempt to speak
Innocent, I repeat it," he resumed,
after awhile. His Grace has many
friends; not one of them will believe
that he could be capable of so foul
crime. But he his confessed to 1t. He
| will be condemned, and he-the proud
est man in England-will die felon's
DEATH
Il know all that, your Eminence." she
said quietly. why should you repeat 1t
now?"
only because said the Car
dinal with seeming hesitation, you
| e. oil nhf
. methought you loved His Grace
| of Wessex and :"
''Why does your Eminence pauseT
she rejoined. s.you thought that loved
His Grace Of Wessex . and ?"
"And yet, my child, through q strange.
nay. culpable obstinacy, you. who
could save him not only from death.
but also from dishonor. you remain
| silent?'
"Your Emsnence errs. as everyone
else has erred she replied with the
same cold placidity. lam silent be-
cause have naught to say"
The Cardinal smiled with kind indul-
gence, like q father who understands
and forgives the sins of his child.
LET me explain, my daughter" he
said. THAT fatal night, when the
Marquis de Suarez was killed, woman
was seen to fly from the part of the
Palace where the tragedy had just
1 taken place :"
"Well?"
"Do you not see that IL that woman
came forward fearlessly and owned the
truth, that 1t was from jealousy, or
| even to defend her honor, that His
eGrac killed Don Miguel, do you not
see that no judge then will find him
guilty of a wilful and premeditated
| crime?"
Then why does no that woman come
forward? she retorted with the first
sign of vehemence, noticeable in the
CULVER of her voice and the sudden
flash in her pale cheeks. why does
she not speak ?-she for whose sake HIS
Grace of Wessex not only took a mans
life, but is willing to sacrifice his
| honor"
"she seems to have disappeared"
said His Eminence softly; perhaps sh e
Is dead . Some say 1t was you,''
he added, leaning slightly forward and
dropping his voice to whisper.
"They lie" she replied. Il was not
there. It's not for me His Grace of
Wessex will suffer both death and dis
| grace in silence"
This time His Eminence did not smile.
| There had been a sudden flash in his
eyes at this quick, sharp retort--a sud
den flash as suddenly yelled again. Tn en-
his heavy lids dropped; once more he
1
| with a soupcon of sternness in his i'm
passave face, the aloofness of an aus
tere man towards the weaknesses of
| more mundane creatures.
| Never for a moment did he reveal to
the unwary young girl all that he had
guessed through her last unguarded
| speech.
| Her love for wessex! that he knew
already! Its depth alone was a revela-
ton to him. But her jealousy! How
her lid had trembled and her hand
| A woman's passion and a woman's
| jealousy! Two precious assets in His
Eminence's present balance. He pom
| twitched when speaking of another, an
| unknown woman, who had once called
| forth in Wessex that spirit of noble
self-sacrihce. that immolation Of his
own honor and dignity, which had
| finally landed him in a criminal dock.
/ dered oer' what he had learned. and
victory doomed more certain that be-
| fore. He loved this present situation,
the acute tension of this palpitating
| moment. when he seemed to hold this
/ beautiful woman's soul, bare and fet-
| tered writhing with agony and self
| torture.
To dissect a human heart! to watch
| its every culver, to note the effect OF
| every soaring iron applied with skill
| full hand! then to achieve success in the
! end through subtle arts and devices
| seemingly so full of benevolence, yet
instinct with the most refined, most
far-reaching cruelty! THIS was the
| form of enjoyment which more than
/ oil LA - a