Evening star., 1908-01-19
CHAPTER XVII.
An Armed Truce.

So intent was his eminence In these COM
plicated musings that he scarcely noticed
how fast the shadows gathered round him.
He had gradually wandered down toward
the low wall which divided the palace gar
dens from the river beyond.
He had always been very partial to this
remote portion of the grounds, for 1t was
little frequented, and he felt that here at
least in his lonely walks he could lay aside
that mask of perpetual blandness which
he was obliged tos wear all day, whatever
his moods might be.
1t was seldom that he met ANYBODY
when his footsteps led him thus far
Great was his astonishment therefore
when he suddenly spied a figure. leaning
over the wall. evidently intent on pryinT
into the darkness below
The cardinal drew near and recognized
Lord Everingham. the closest friend. the
most intimate companion. his grace Of
Wessex was known to have.
The young man had not heard his emf
nences footsteps on the sanded path; he
started on hearing his name.
"Ah! my lord Everingham." said tho
cardinal lightly. Il little thought to SEQ
any one here. / myself am fond Of COM
muning with Nature In these gathering
shadows. but you are young man. there
are gayer attractions for you within the
palace
1t was too dark by now even for his
eminence's keen eyes to read the express
sion on Lord Everingham's face. The
astute diplomatist, however, more than
guessed what the young mans purpose
was in thus scanning the river. His
grace of Wessex had not yet returned to
the palace and it was generally known
throughout the court circle that her mai
esty was furious at his absence.
The cardinals ruse in the early part OF
the afternoon had been the subject OF
universal gossip; sundry rumors had also
been current that the duke had been seen
In the company of the queens most beau
tiful maid of honor.
Verify. thought his eminence, his grace's
partisans must be on tenterhooks. All
along they must have dreaded this meet
ing which chance and diplomacy had SO
Unexpectedly brought about.
Was not Wessex's position with regard
to the Lady Ursula a peculiar one? Tied
to her and yet free. aff1anced yet not nee
essarily bound, his own attitude toward
her was sure to be Influenced by the girls
own personality.
And every cavalier and diplomatist now
at Hampton Court readily conceded that
the daughter of the Earl of Truro was
the most beautiful woman in England.
and the most likely to captivate the row.
ing fancy of his grace.
No wonder that my lord of Everingham
was anxious for the dukes return, before
the queens access of pique and jealousy
had found vent in sudden revenge. But
the young Engishman had no desire to
uiSpidy lHiS dHAICty pCioAO aAo
ant opponent.
Like you eminence," he said carelessly.
II was lured into the garden by the soft.
ness of the air. The river looked so cool
and placid, and 'tis not often one can
hear the nightingale in October"
NAY, your sudden fancy for the even
ing breeze is entirely my gain. my dear
lord" rejoined the cardinal In his most
suave manner; "as matter or iact l
was even at this moment, meditating
how best / could secure an interview
with you
with me?' - r-.t
"Yes. Are you not his grace OF Wessex's
most intimate friend?'
Il have indeed that honor" replied Ev-
eringham stifiy, but do not quite un-
derstand how
How the matter concerns me?" inter
rupted his eminence, pleasantly. An you
will allow me. l can explain. Shall we
walk along this pafh?. i thank you," he
added, courteously, as the young man,
after moments hesitation, turned TO
walk beside him.
Have l been misinformed." continued
the cardinal. ''or is it a fact that your
lordship is about to quit Hampton CourtT'
''Only for a very few weeks" rejoined
Everingham. Her majesty has intrusted
me with an amicabie mission to the
Queen Regent of Scotland. start for
town tomorrow on my way north'
"Ah. then l am only just in time" said
his eminence
I'm time for what?"
'In time to correct what we poor NOR
tails are liable to make. ny JORDAN
error"
"Indeedr' said Everingha-1, with q
touch of sarcasm. Your eminence must
make so few
May, but the error this time is none of
my making. my lord. 'Tis you. / think,
who look upon me as an enemy"
"Oh. your eminence," protested the
young man.
We'll! an antagonist. il yor will Con-
fess that you thought-and still think
that I have been scheming to bring the
Duke OF Wessex to the feet of Lady
Ursula Glynde, his promised WIFE"
"A scheme in which your eminence sue
ceeded over well, / fancy" retorted Ev-
bitterly.
But that Is where you are in error. my
dear lord, for. believe me, that, at the
present moment, my sole desire Is to put
an impenetrable barrier between his grace
and that beautiful young lady"
Your sole desire. my lord?
IS the night was dark Everingham
could see nothing of his eminence's ex-
preston of face. If he had, he probably
would only have seen the same mask Of
polite blandness which the cardinal usU.
ally wore.
CTo be Continued Nsyt Sundayl