The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-02-01

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He placed his hand on her shoulder.
II was the gesture of a master, ana
the tone In which he spoke to her was
one Of command.
II pray you go within" he added
curtly. this Is 50 place for women.
Wessex's whole soul writhed at the
words, the touch, the attitude OF the
man towards her; an hour ago, when
he stood beside her, he would have
bartered kingdom for the Joy OF tax
ing her hand.
She seemed dazed and her form
swayed strangely to and fro; sudden
~ she appeared to be conscious of her
garments. for with q certain shamed
movement Of tardy modesty, she pulled
q part OF her draperfes over her breast.
Il wish to speak with him." she
whispered under her breath to Don
Miguel.
But the Spaniard had no intention
OF prolonging this scene a second
longer than was necessary. 1t had
from the first been agreed between
him and the Cardinal that the Duke
should mot obtain more than a short
glimpse at the wench. At any moment,
after the first shock Of surprise, Wes-
sex might look more calmly. more
steadily, at the girl. She might begin
to speak, and her voice-the hoarse
voice of gutter-bred girl--would be-
tray the deception more quickly than
anything else. The one brief vision
had been ali-sufficient; Don Miguel
was satisfied. 1t had been admirably
staged so far by the eminent manager,
who still remained out of sight. IT
was for the young man now to play
his role skillfuily to the end.
Come" he said peremptorily.
He seized the girls wrist, whisper
ed few words In her ear, which never
reached her dull brain and half led.
half dragged her. towards the door.
Wessex broke into a long, forced
laugh which expressed all the bitter
ness and anguish of his heart.
Oil the humiliation of 1t ALI Wes-
sex suddenly felt that all his anger
had vanished. The whole thing was
SO contemplate, the banality of the
episode so low and degrading, that
hatred fell away from him like
mantle. leaving In his soul a sense OF
unutterable disgust and even of AFFECT
ridicule. His pride alone was left to
suffer. He who had always held him
self disdainfully aloof from all the low
intrigues fnseparable from Court life.
who had kept within his heart a
reverent feeling of chivalry and vener-
alton for all women, whether Queen
or peasant. constant or tickle, for him
to have sunk to this!-one of a trio
Of vulgar mountebanks, one of two as
pirants for the favors OF a wanton.
OF trickery, Of deception. he had not
one thought How could he have?
The events of the past hours had pre-
pared him for this scene. and he had
only a brief vision, in semi darkness.
whilst everything had been carefully
prepared to blind him completely by
this dastardIy trick
by our Lady" he said at last, with
LuA
"the interruption was most opportune,
and we must thank the Lady Ursula
for her timely Intervention. What?l!!
you and !, my lord, crossing swords
for that! e. and he pointed with
gesture Of unutterabIe scorn towards
the swaying figure of the woman.
"a farce, my lord, a farce! ! Not
tragedy r.
He threw his dagger on to the floor
and sheated his sword. just as Don
Miguel had succeeded in pushing the
girl out OF the room and closing the
door on her.
The spaniard began to stammer an
apology
II pray you speak no more of it,
my lord" said the Duke coldly, "'tis
owe you an apology for interfering
Eminence very pertinently remarked
just now. hospitality should forbid me
to fly my hawk after your lordship's
birds. My Congratulations, my lord
Marquis?' he added with q sheer,
your taste. perceive. is unerring.
Goodnight and pleasant dreamsg'
He bowed lightly and turned to go.
Don Miguel watched him, until his
tall figure had disappeared behind the
door. Then he sighed a deep sigh OF
satisfaction.
IAN admirably enacted comedy" he
unused, "a thousand congratulations to
his Eminence. Carramba! this is the
best nights work we have accom-
plished since we trod this land OF
fogs."