Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
CHAPTER VI.
The LADY Ursula.

She was only nineteen then. Not very
tall, yet perfectly proportioned, and with
that small. oval face of hers which de-
lighted yet puzzled all the artists of the
epoch.
The dark hood of her cloak had faller
back at the impertinent gesture of the
young Spaniard: her fair hair, Slightly
touched with warm gold, escaped in q
few unrulv curIs from beneath the stiff
Golf of brocade which encircled her pretty
head.
The neck was long. the shoulders, rich
yourg and firm. cleaned like ivory be-
meath the primly folded kerchef of lace
of dead. blush white. a striking note OF
harmonious contrast.
Have not all the rhymSterS Of the pc
Rod sung the praises of her eyes? What
shall the poor chronicler add to these po-
etical effusions, save that Ursula's eyes
were as changeable in color as were her
moods, her spirits, the expression of het
face and the infections of her voice.
And then there was the proud little toss
of the head. that contemptuous curl OF
the lip which rendered her more desirable
than any of her more yielding compan-
ions.
Indeed, Don Miguel felt in luck His
arm was still round her waist. He felt
the young figure stiffen beneath his ad-
miring chances.
The fair one was half mad with rage
and quite adorable in her wrath.
MY lord MARQUIS. this is an outrage,
she said at last. land here in Eng
land"
NAY. fair one rejoined the Spaniard,
with a slight accent of irony, even in
England when two ladies. masked and
alone, are held prisoners at nightfall, and
in a public place. by their ardent adorers,
flfai-
lease What say you, my lord?" he add
ed turning gayly to where his friend held
pretty Margaret not too unwilling pris-
oner
"'Tis but Justice assented Lord Ever
ingham. land yours the first prize. mar
duis Fair oner' he said. looking down
into Margaret's shyly terrified eyes, wilt
pay toll to me the while?'
Gentlemen" proudly protested Lady
Ursula. IAN there's any honor in YOU
NAV! honor lies in snatching a kiss
from those sweet lips" rejoined Don Mi
guel, with a graceful fourlsh OF ms
plumed hat.
This act of gallantry. however, almost
cost him the price of his victory. Ursula
Glynde. born and bred in the country,
was the daughter of sturdy Cornish
nobleman Accustomed to ride unnamed
foals. to have bouts at the broadsword or
the ponard with the best man in the
country, she would not yield a kiss or
own herself vanquished quite as readily
as the Spaniard seemed to expect.
With a vigorous jerk of the body She
had once more freed herself from the
MARQUIS grasp, and, running up to Mar
garet she snatched her by the hand and
dragged her away from Lord Everingham,
readiustng her hood and mask as she
flew toward the booth, vaguely hoping
for shelter behind the folds of the tent
But once more fate interposeu relent-
lessly between her and her attempts al
escape Two gallants, seeing the episode
eager to have a hand in the adventure,
friends no doubt. too, of Don Miguel and
Everingham, laughingly barred the way
to the steps just as the two girls had
contrived to reach them. With cry OF
disappointment, Ursula, still dragging
Margaret, after her tried to double back.
But it was too late. Don Miguel and
Lord Everingham were waiting for them
on the other side. They We're two to one
now. and all chances of escape had hope,
lessly vanished.
Never had Ursula Glynde felt SO morti
fed in her life.
MANY thanks, gentlemen for this time
" interference" came in hooking accents
from that odous Spaniard; 1.-The ransom,
sweet one" he added. as the chase 'twixt
eral and the girls at last felt themselves
quite helpless and surrounded.
Ursula's pride alone prevented her from
bursting into tears.
by my faith! here is strange sportv'
said a pleasant, slightly hooking voice
suddenly. What say you, Harry Plantag-