The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-20

E IT killed him 7" repeated M.-rae with strange persistence. T killed him he would not let me go to thee-Y
 A nadwoman and a wanton." here protested the Cardinal with all the vigor at his, command, Surely your Majesty will not believe that miser- able creafure's calumaies."
 No. my lord" replied Mary with aaiet dignity. we'll believe nothing until we have heard what Lady Ur- sula Glynde has to say, Lady Alicia. she added, turning to one of her maids of honour. ''I pray you find the Lady Ursula. Tell; her what has happened. and lid her come to me" s
 Tn the meanwhile. however. Mirrap senled 10 have become aware of the consciousness. of her vehement confess sion Her wandsring wits came slow ! fy back to her terrified. she looked from ore to saes etser of the grave faces wticE were exed upon her.
 What wi,. they do to nie7'. she nnrmured. turEisg appealing eyes on the one mar wkon. she dared to trust
 'Nas Mlrrab have mo fear.'' said Wessex kindly as he took her rough hands iE his. ard tried to soothe her scared spirit, with gentle touch Once by chancesI saved thy life {. ,. i. but thou in return hast now restored to nies that which is far dearer than life itself am eternally thy debtor, Mirrah. and I pledge thee the honor of Wessex that no harm shall come to thee. for I. myself. will beg for thy pardon of Her Majesty on my Knees.
 Nay. my lord" rejoined Mary Tud- or .earncstlty. for he had turned to the Queen. prepared to proffer his request on his knees. "meseenas grieVous wrong has been done to you if un- wittlHgly-by your Queen and coun- stry. Let the wench be free. to pray to the Holy Virgin for her great sin. |. myself will care for her. and she shall enter any convent she may choose. and be honoured there as If she had brought with her the richest dowry In the land But she added, tnrning to Lord Chandos. T desire her to make fun confession once more before you. by lord. in writing, and to swear to 1t and sign 1t with her name. You may, go. wench.'' she said. finally turning to Mirrab. . your Queen has pardoned yan. May you he happy in the peace of the convent. see that joy shall always be in your life"
 Slowly. as the Queen spoke, Mirran sunk upon her knees. It seemed to the poor girl as If Gods angels were whispering words of comfort in her ear. Two servitors now came close to her. ready to lead her back to the Palace. there to place her under the charge of waiting women until her confession had been duly written and sworn to.
 But before she finally allowed her. self to be led away, she once more | turned to Wessex.
 May kiss thy hand2r she mur. mured gently
 He gave her his hand, and she GOV. cred 1t with kisses. and then she pass. ed out of his life. ever remembered by him. ever comforted, happy in tn, | peaeeful and silent home which the l Queen had so royalty provided fol her.
 I But this little interlude had rouset the Cardinals feverish impatience ts boiling point Already he had tortured his astute brain for some sort of is | sue out of this tangled web. He woui. not own defeat so readily, certainI,
 not before he had made final strug
 gle to reassert the dignity of his posi- l tion. He forced his face to expres 1 nothing but delicate irony his eve
 not to betray the slightest hint o
 fear
 Truly, this is somewhat curiou justice" he said, as Mfrfabs stranR figure disappeared behind a turn Q
 the tall yek hedge. surely your Ma
 jesty will not condemn unEieard | (COneIuded TemorrOw.)