The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-19
IN MARY,S REIGN
B. BARONESS ORcZY
.sss1sns .s si - .i

watchfui dragon, would catch the rair mfscreant in flagfante delicto. eh7 continued His Emtnence.
 Mechanically he turned to walk along the path recently followed by the night watchman. His Enninence would nave scorned the idea of any superstition influencing his precise. eaicuIatins mind, butt. nevertheless, he had a strange belief in the guiding nand of Chance, and somehow at the pres ent moment he had an unaccountabie presentiment that this gossip anent some young girls froiic would in some way exercise an influence on his pres ent schemes
 As if in immediate ansyer to these very thoughts woman'sN frightened scream was suddenly heard close Dy, followed by muttered curses in the watchman's gruff voice.
 "what was thatf' exclaimed Ever fngham invomntarily.
 "The lady in flagrante delicto. me- seems" rejoined the Cardinal quietly.
 And both men began to walk more rapidly in the direction whence mad come the woman's scream. The next few moments brought them upon tne scene, and soon In the gloom they dis tinguished hhe figure of the old watch : man apparently struggling with wo- man, whose head aid shoulders were enveloped in some sort of veil or hooo' The lanthorn, evidently thrown on the ground, had rolled down ihe path some little distance from utis group.
 The woman was making obvious and frantic efforts to get away. whist the old watcfiman exerted all his strength to keep tight hold of her, wrists.
 "What is it to thee, man, what l am doing ere." he woman gasped in the midst of her struggles. Let me go' sayl"
 Sshe was evidently not very strong for the old watchman, shrivelied ana shrunken though ne was, had alreauy mastered her. She had lost her pai- ance. was soon down on her knees. With a vigorous wrench the man con trived to force her arms behind ner back; he held them there with one hand, and with the other was grop- ing in his wallet for length of rope.
 'Not before thou hast given a gooo account of myself before the Duchess of Lincoln, my wench, ne saiq. as nee ? threw the rope round her shouiders and very dexterously contrtved to pinlon her arms behind her.
 Na7er Grace?" she murmured con temptuously "I hawe naught to do with Her Grace = . Let me go. man, thou hast no right to tisNme thus"
 Now then, my girl, get up, VIII ye? and come along quietly Wltn me I'll not hurt ye IT ye come along quietly"
 The man helped her to struggle to her feet. Her veil or cloak had evi- dently fallen from her head, Afor the Cardinal and Lord Eyeringham, wno were silently and with no amall meas ure of curiosity watching the rstrange spectacle, caught the glint of wo- mans face and of bright golden hair.
 The watchman was trying to lead her towards the Palace.
 "Let me go, tell thee." mutterea the girl with persistent obstinacy, have important business here, and
 But the old man laughed derisiyely.
 Important business?" ana prithee with whom, wench?"
 with the Duke of Wessexs :" she retorted aftera eight Hesitation, "There! now wilt let me goT'
 But the watchman laughed more im- moderately than before.
 "Oho! . ho! hol hol that's like ly tale, my wench, there's many a young woman has business with HIS Grace, I'll warrant But thou st best tell that tale to the Duchess of Lincoln first Business with tns ~.
 sAdy friend" here interposed a gen- tie, very urbaae voice, "meseems hhy zeal somewhat outruns they discretion. If this child hath indeed business witn the Duke of wessex, His Grace might prefer that thou shouldst keep quiet CT tongue in thy head"
 The Cardinal at sound of the Duke name. had gradually drawn nearer to the group. ~Lord Everingham, tmpelled by the same natural curosity had foi- lowed him.
 ''You would wish to speak with HIS Grace. child?" continued His Eminence with that same gentle beneVolence which inspired an infinity of confluence in the unwary, do you know nim
 The watchman, astonished, aoasneo' very highly perplexed at this unex- pected interference, was rendered ap- soiuteIy speeches.. The girl hae i. med defiantly on her new interloc- utor, whose outline she could ou' vaguely distinguish in the darkness
 'FWhat's 1t to you?" she retorted Wltn obvious suspicion and mistrust.
 Mot much, I own," replied the Car dinal with impeturbable kindliness; T only thought that being alone anc perhaps frightened you would be glad of some help."
 Your Eminence ." stammere' the yatchman, who was trying to re- cover his speech.
 "Silence," commanded His Eminence