Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-02-28

? hcAAA SOA IA lAiH AD'Aii' y CNAiS ~
CHAPTER II.
The chancellor was lodged IN the
great chamber on the southern side OF
the courtyard, a room which we
called the tapestried chamber, and
In which tradition said that King
Henry vi had once slept. 1t
was on the upper floor, and for this
reason free from the damp air which
in autumn and winter rose from the
moat n hung about the lower range
OF rooms. 1t was besides of asy ac-
cess from the hall, a door in the gall
lery Of the latter leading into an ante
room, which again opened into the
tapestried chamber. while a winding
staircase, starting from a lark nook in
the main passage of the house. also led
to this state apartment, but by an
other and more private door.
reached the antechamber with a
stout heart In my breast, though a lit
tie sobered by my and feel
ing such a reaction from the heat Of
a few minute before as follows a
plunge into cold water. In the ante
room | was hidden to wait while the
great mans will vas taken, which
seemed strange to me, then unused to
the mummery of court folk. But be-
fore | a time to feel much surprise
the inner door was opened, and / was
told to enter.
The great room, which | had seldom
seen in use, had now an appearance
quite new to me. A dull red fire was
glowing comfortably on the hearth
stone, before which a posset stool was
standing. Near this, seated at a table
strewn with a profusion Of papers and
documents, was a secretary writing
busily. The great oaken bedstead, with
Its nodding tester, lay in a background
OF shadows. which played about the
figures broidered on the hangings or
were lost in the darkness of the cor
ners, while near the fire. in the light
cast by the sconces fixed above the
hearth, lay part Of the chanceIIor's
equipment. The fur rugs and cloak
of sable, the saddle bags, the dispatch
boxes and the silver chatting dish gave
an air of comfort to this part Of the
room. Walking up and down in the
midst of these, debating a sentence at
every other turn. was Stephen Gardi-
ner.
AS / entered the clerk looked up.
holding his pen suspended. His mas
ter, by a quick nod, ordered him to
proceed. Then, signaling to me in a
like silent fashion his that
| should stand by the hearth, the bishop
resumed his task of composition.
For some minutes my interest in the
man, whom / had now an opportunity
or scrutinizing unmarked and at my
leisure, took up all my attention. He
was at his time close on 20, but looked.
being still tall and stout. full 10 years
younger. His face, square and sallow.
was indeed wrinkled and lined; his
eyes lay deep in his head; his should
ers were beginning to bend. the nape
of his neck to become prominent. He
had lost an inch OF his full height. But
his eyes still shone brightly. nor did
any trace of weakness mar the stern
character of his mouth or the crafty
wisdom of his brow. The face was the
face of a man austere. determined, per-
maps crueI; OF a man who could both
think and act.
My curiosity somewhat satisfied, |
had leisure first TO wonder why | had
been sent for and then to admire the
prodigious number Of books and papers
which lay about, more indeed than |
had ever seen together in my life.
From this l passed to listening. div
at first and with interest a~fterward, to
the letter which the chancellor was
debating. 1t seemed from its tenor
TO be q letter to some person in au-
thority. and presently one passage at
tracted my attention, so that | could
afterward recall it word for word.
4 do not think" the chancellor pro-
nounced, speaking in a sonorous voice
anu llt measured tone or one whose
thoughts lie perfectly rranged in his
head, that the Duchess Katherine will
venture to take the step suggested as
possible. Yet Clarence's report may be
of moment. Let the house therefore
be watched if anything savoring of
flight be marked, and lake notice
whether there be a vessel in the pool
adapted to her purpose. A vessel trad
ing 10 Dunquerque would be most
likely, Leave her husband till I re-
turn. when | will deal with him round
ly."
l missed what followed. 1t was
upon another subject. and my thoughts
Jagged behind, being wholly taken up
with the Duchess Katherine and her
fortunes. | wondered who she was.
young or old, n what this step could
be she was said to mediate, and what
the jargon about the pool and Dun
querque meant. l was still thinking
of this when I was aroused by an
abrupt silence, and looking up found
that the chancellor was bending over
the papers on the table. The secre-
tary was leaving the room.
AS the door closed behind him Gardi-
ner rose from his STOPPING posture and
came slowly toward me. a roll of papers
in his hand. Now" he said tran
GULLY, seating himself in an elbow chair
which stood in front of the hearth. II
Will uiopoSS W your business, Master
Cludde."
He paused. looking at me In q
shrewd, masterful way, much as if
l thought at the time. little knowing
how near the truth my fancy went-I
We're a beast he was about TO buy.
and then he went on. Il nave sent
for you. Master Francis he said dry
~, fixing his piercing eyes on mine.
because / think that this ountry does
not suit your health. You conform.
but you conform with a bad grace. and
England is nc longer the place for
such. You incite the commonalty
against h queens allies, and Eng
land Is not the place for such. Do not
contradict me. / have heard you my
self. Then" he continued, grimly
thrusting out his jaw in a sour smile.
you misname those whom the queen
honors. and were DR.. Stephens-you
take me. Master Malapert such a
man as his predecessors you would rue
the word. For a trifie scarce weighticr
Wolsey threw a man to rot six years in
q dungeon. boy!"
l changed color. yet not so much In
iear-though Ii were vain to say / did
not tremble-as in confusion. had
called him DIR. Stephens indeed. hut
IL had been TO Petronilla only. / stood.
not knowing what TO say, until he. after
lingering on his last words to enioy
my misery. resumed his subject. THAT
is n good and sufficient rem son-