Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-04-24
CHAPTER VIII.


AS the day went on. therefore. I
looked eagerly for Mistress Anne's re-
turn, but she appeared no more. though
| maintained "A close watch on the cab
in door. All the afternoon, too, the
duchess kept away from me, and 1
feared that | had seriously offended
her, so that IL was with no very pleas
n anticipatio8s that, going into that
part of the deckhouse which served us
for a common room, to see If the even
ing meal was set. / found only the
duchess and Master BERTHE prepared to
sit down to 1t. | suppose that some
thing of my feelings was expressed In
my face, for while l was yet half way
between door and table my lady gave
way to a peal of merriment.
Come, sit down and do not be
afraid" she cried pleasantly, her gray
eyes still full OF laughter. Il vow the
lad thinks shall eat him. Nay, when
all Is said and done, | like you the bet
ter, Sir knight Errant, for your
scruples. | see that you are determined
to act up TO your name. But that re-
minds me" she added in a more seri-
ious vein. w have been frank with
you. You must be equally frank with
us. What are we TO call you, pray?"
/ looked down at my plate and felt
my face grow scarlet. The wound
which the discovery OF my fathers
treachery had dealt me had begun to
heal. In the action, the movement, the
adventure OF the last fortnight, had
well night lost sight of the blot on my
escutcheon, of the shame which had
driven me from home. But the ques-
ton, What are we TO call you?' re-
vived the smart, and revived II with an
added pang. II had been very well, In
theory, to proudly discard my old
name. 1t was painful in practice to be
unable to answer the duchess: Il am
a Cludde OF Cotton. nephew of Sir An
thony, formerly esquire of the body TO
King Henry. | am no unworthy follow
er and associate even for you" and to
have instead to reply Il have no
make and win" Yet this was my i'll
fortune.
Her woman's eye saw my trouble as
I hesitated, confused and doubling.
what / should reply. Come" she said
good naturally, trying to reassure me.
You are OF gentle birth. OF that we
feel sure"
birth, madam" l answered hurriedly.
name that | can be proud of. Call me
call me. IL Ii please you, Francis
Carey"
1T Is a good name" quoth Master
BERTHE. pausing with his knife Suspend
ed In the air. "A right good Protestant
name!"
But l have no claim to It," I re-
Joined, more and more hurt, II Rave
all to make. l am a new man. Yet dc
not fear." / added quickly as l saw
what l took TO be a cloud OF doubt
cross by lady's face. II will follow
you no less faithfully for that"
Well" said the duchess. a smil,
again transforming her open features
II will answer for that, Master Carey
Deeds are better than names. and a.
for being a new man. what with Paget,
n Cavendishes and Spencers. we hav,
naught but new men nowadays. S,
cheer up" she continued kindly. "Ans
we will poke no questions at you
though / doubt whether you do no
possess more birth and breeding tina
you would have us think. And if. whei
We return to England, as / trust w
may before we are old men and women
we can advance your cause, then let u
have Your secret. No one can say tina
Katherine willoughby ever forgot he
friend
'Or forgs.ve her enemy overquickly.
Gucth her husband raivciy
She raped his knuckles with tn
back OF her knife for that. and unde
y OF this small diversion I had tim
to regain my composufe. But the mat
ter left me sore At heart and more tina