Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02

her go from him again. Everything was
forgotten. the world had ceased to be.
For him there was but one woman on this
earth, and she was his own.
CHAPTER XIII.
Check to the Queen.
How long they stood thus. heart to
heart. they themselves could never have
said. The sound Of many voices in the
near distance reused them from their
dream. Ursula started in alarm.
Holy Virgin," she exclaimed under
her breath. III it should be the queen!"
But Wessnx held her tight and she
struggled in vain.
NAY! then let the whole court see that
hold my future wife in my arms"
he said proudly.
But with an agitated little cry she 'con-
trived to escape him. He seemed much
amused at her nervousness: what had she
to fear? Was she not his own. to protect
even from the semblance Of Ill? But Jr-
sula. now fully awakened to ordinary.
everyday surroundings. was fearful lest
her own innocent little deception should
be too crudely. too suddenly. unmarked.
She had so earnestly looked forward to
the moment when she would say to him
that she in sooth was none other than
Lady Ursula Glynde. the woman whom
every conventionality had decreed that he
should marry. and whom-because Of these
Observation-Disclosures had secretly but GER
tainly disliked.
Her woman's heart had already given
her clear insight into the character and
fhn fnih1oS Of ho chn 1nvod His
passion for her now. sincere and great
though 1t was. was partly dependent on
that atmosphere of romance which his
poetical temperament craved for. and
which had surrounded the half-mysteri6us
personality OF exquisite. irresistible
FANNY
Instinctivelv she dreaded the rough hand
of commonplace. that ugly. coarse de-
stroyer of poetic idylls. few hastily
uttered words might shatter In an hour
the mystic shrine wherein Wessex had
enthroned her. She had meant to tell him
soon, tomorrow. perhaps. perhaps only
after few DAYS but she wished to find
her own time for this. when he knew her
inner soul better and the delicate cob
webs of his great love-at-frst-sight had
fallen away from his eyes.
She could not altogether have explained
to herself why sudden disclosure of her
identity at this moment would have been
weak. childish feeling. no doubt. But
such d 1t was 1t was real. and strong.
and genuine.
Barely a minute had elapsed whilst these
quick thoughts and fears went wildly
coursing through her mind. There was
no time to tell him everything now. The
voices came from the next room, within
the next few seconds probably the great
door would be open to admit group OF
people: the Duchess Of Lincoln and the
a. IA NOV
to chapel. And his grace Of Wessex
looked terribly determined.
mo! no! no!-not Just this moment.
sweet grace" she entreated. by your
love! not just this moment. The queen
would be so angry-oh! not just now"
She looked SO genuinely disturbed, and
SO tenderly appealing. that he could not
help but obey.
But you cannot send me away like
this, he urged. Another word. sweet
saint Faith. could not live without an
mo. no. no. I entreat your grace-not
tonight" she protested feebly.
He thought. however. that he detected
sign OF yielding in her voice. although she
was already beginning to mount the steps
ready for flight.
Gust one tiny word" he whispered hur-
riedy. when the queen has passed
through. linger up there for one brief min
ute only I'll wait In there!'
And he pointed to a small door close be-
hind him. which led to an inner closet at
right angles with the gallery. Before she
had time to protest-nay! perhaps she had
no wish to refuse-he had disappeared be-
hind its heavy panels, quickly calling to
his dog to follow him. But in that one
moments hesitation, those few brief and
delicious words, hastily exchanged, she
had lost her opportunity for escape.
The next instant the door at the further
end of the room was thrown open. and the
queen entered, followed by some OF her
ladies. She was accompanied by the
Duchess Of Lincoln and had his eminence
the Cardinal de Moreno on her left.
AS chance or ill-luck would have 1t, the
first sight which greeted her majesty's
eyes was the figure OF Lady Ursula
Glynde, midway up the steps. which led
to the gallery. some mysterious imp Of
mischief having contrived that the hight
from the wax tapers should unaccountabiy
and very wildly fall upon the whitehead
form of the young girl.
An exclamation Of stern reproval from
her grace of Lincoln brought Ursula to a
standstill
Flight now was no longer possible; she
could but trust in her guardian angel, or
in any of those protective genii who have
in their keeping the special care of lovers
In distress, who happened to be towering
nigh.
It was not seemly to be half way UP q
flight of stairs when her majesty was
standing on the floor below. Ursula with
her cheeks ananie with vexation. slowly
descended while encountering as boldly
as she could the artillery fire Of half
dozen piars OF eyes steadily fixed upon
her.
Mary Tudor looked coldly severe. her
grace Of Lincoln horror-struck. his emf
hence ironical, and the ladies vastly
amused.
.'Ah, child" said her majesty. in her
iciest tone OF voice. ''all alone? And in
this part of the palace?"
She looked the dainty young figure
disdainfully up and down, then her eyes
caught the sheaf Of roses lying in g. fra
grant tangle close to the foot Of the
stairs. There was a quick Hash OF anger
In her face then q frown. Ursula won
dered how much she guessed or what
she suspected.
But the queen. after that one quick
wave of passionate wrath, made an OBJ
vious effort to control herself. She turn
ed composedly to the Duchess of Lincoln
Your grace Is aware" she said, dryly.
that I deem it most indecorous for my
maids of honor to wander about the pal
ace alone"
The wrinkled old face Of the kindly