The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-05
IN MAR YS REIGN
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Ry BARONESS ORCZY
ccpyraxht iso7 by Emmus oresy, rights reserved
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(Coatfnued.)
 His Grace has never seen me since I was so long" said Ursula, with short. impatient sigh. and stretching out a round arm decked with a sleeve of rich silk and fine lace. 'T had q red face then, and pap was stuffed into my mouth to keep me quiet. You see, could not have been madly al- turing then"
 And you are beautiful now. Ursula. But of what avail is 1t? You cannot wed His Grace of Wessex. for he.u never ask you to be his wife. hel III marry the Queen. All Enslano wisnes it."
 s"But I wish him to marry me-" quoth Ursula, with a resolute tap of her high eeIed shoe against the ground. "Yes. me! and I want that witch yon- der to ask the stars if he will fall in love with me when he sees me, or If he will yield to those who want 70 make of him tool for their political ambition, and marry an ugly, n.tem- pered. old woman who happens to be Queen of England" Ursula! !'
 Margaret,s horror, amazement and awe had rendered her almost speech less Ursula's utteyaLce was nearly sacrilegious in these days when kings and queens ruled by right divine.
 But the young girl continued quite unabashed by her friends rebuke.
 .'welf!" she said imperturbabiy. you can't deny that the Queen is oldi - and ugly! and ill-temperedF'
 Margaret. however. was prepared to deny these montsrous statements with the last breath left in her delicate body. The poor little soul was fright ened out of her wits. tE
 Suppose someone overheard! sand repeated the tale that two of the oueen'ss ladies' in- waiting had called Her Majesty old! sand uglys .and ili-tempered
 Nay! Ursula's madcap freaks were past bearing, and would lead her into serious trouble one of these days. Margaret" whispered the delin- ouent. who still seemed quite unaware of the enormity of her offense, hast thou ever seen His Grace of WessexT' I 'Nor, replied Margaret curtly. for she was still very wrathful, and vaguely felt that at this stage all references to the Duke was somehow reasonable.
 Nor since I was baby" sighed Ursula, "but see here . s'
 From beneath the folds of her cloak she drew chain and locket, and hold ing the latter before Margaret's un- willing eyes she said ecstatically:
 Thars nis picture. AshI he Haho some?"
 You've fallen in love with his pie ture.p
 'Madiyw
 s'Madly, indeedr retorted Margaret.
 Ursula once more hid the locket in- side her robe. She had regaiped all her courage. Once more dragging her weaker companion by the wrist she turned towards the witch's booth.
 Abra, the magician, tired out by his days excrtions, had settled himself down on a tattered piece of rug out side the tent; there he had fallen peacefully asleep, his venerable head thrown back, his lean shanks hanging over the edge of the platform, and snoring the 'snore of the just. Thus he had failed to spy the two hooded dainty figures who had all day kept within the shadows.
 Suddenly through his pleasant slum- bered he heard an eagaly wispered:
 Hey! friend" whilst the toe of his shoe was violently tugged from below.
 "Frtendl wakeY
 'They won't listen!" added an inpa tient, half-tearfu1 voice.
 But already Abra was on his feet, giving his humble henchman violent kick to wake him up. he began to