The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-17
IN MARYS REIGN
B. BARONESS ORcZY
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: swsr to your master. and is shah be There was quick, sudden Hash In the Cardinals eye, look of astonish- : ment. perhaps. at this unexpected phase Of feminine jealousy. Be that as 1t pression of pronounced sarcasm.
 "As a trophy for the vanity of Ills Grace of Wessex7'' he asked pointedly.
 "Nos-merely as revenge against your interference. So. look to 1t, my lord Cardinal; the tahgle in the skein was made by your hand, see that you un- ravei t. or you and the Spanish Am bassador leave my court tomorrow" With curt nod of her head she dis missed him from her presence. He was far too shrewd to attempt another word just now. Perhaps for the first time In his life he felt somewhat baf1ied. He had allowed his own. impatienee to outrun his discretion an unpar- donabie fault .n dipiomatist. He blamed himself very severely for his attempt at bruseuing Fate. Surely time and the Dukes own fastIdious dis- position would have parted him from Mary quite as readily as this sudden meeting with beautiful Lady Ursula. The Cardinal had withdrawn from the Queens presence after an obeiance marked with deep respect. He wished to be alone to think over this new as- pect of the situation. Through the tall bay windows of the Great Hall which he traversed the last rays of the sets ting sun came slanting in. His Emi. hence glided along the smooth oak floors. his crimson robes making but a gentle frou-frou of sound behind him, a ghostlike, whispering accompa aniynent to his pertured thoughts, Somehow, the softness of the evening air lured him towards the terrace and the gar dens. There lacked an hour yet to supper time. and Mary Tudor was scarce likely to be in immediate need of Hts Eminence's company.
 He crossed the Clock Tower gates and soon found himself once more on the terrace. The gardens beyond looked tenderly poetic in the fast gath ering dusk. The Cardinals shrewd eyes wandered restlessiy over the par terres and bosauets, vainly endeavoring to spy the silhouettes of two young people whom his diplomacy had brought together and whom his shrewd wit would have to part again.
 He descended the terrace steps and slowly walked towards the pond where, but an hour ago, a sweet and poetic idyll had been enacted. There was nothing to mark the passage of . fair young dream. born this lovely October afternoon, save . few dead margue. rtfes. and the scattered flakes of their snow-whste petals.
 The Cardinals footsteps crushed them unheeded. He was thinking how best he could dIspel that dream. which he himself had helped to call forth.
 "Womanl woman" he sighed tmpa- tientiy as he looked back upon the graceful outline of the Palace behind him. thy moods are many and thy logic scant."
 "A tangled sksln. indeed" he unused. which will take some unraveliing. If Wessex weas the Lady Ursula the Queen will say No to Philip. out of revenge for my interference. She'll turn to Noailles mayhap and wed the Danphin to spite me, or keep him and Scheyfne dangling on awhile whilst trying 10 re-conquer the volatile Dukes allegiance. But fl WesseK does not wed the Lady Ursula what then? win his friends prevail? Yet there's more obstinacy than indolence in his composition. I fancy, and the dubious position of King Consort would scarce suit his proud Grace, still, if do not succeed In parting those two young people whom my diplomacy hath brought together. then Mary Tudor sends me and the Spanish Ambassador back to Philip tomorrow"