Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02
IN MARY'S REIGN.

lery, was tentatively opened. Wessex
could-see nothing. for those distant cor
ners of the room were in complete dark
ness but he heard voice. low and sweet.
humming the little ditty which she, his
queen. had sung this afternoon:
| ..Disdaine me not that am your own,
/ Refuse me not that am SO true,
/ Mistrust me not till all be known,
Forsake me not now for no new"
She walked slowly along the gallery
and paused not far from the top of the
short flight of oak steps. She seemed to
be hesitating a little, as II afraid to ven
ture farther into the large, dimly-lighted
hall.
| The flicker of the tall wax tapers now
| caught her dainty figure, casting golden
lights and deep. ruddy shadows on her
fair young face. and on the Wilderness OF
| her gown. In her arms she held an en-
ormous sheaf of pale pink monthly roses,
the spoils of the garden. lavish in its
autumnal glory.
Never had Wessex-fastidious. tickle in
|souciant Wessex seen anything more
radiant, more exquisite, more poetic. than
this apparation which came toward him
| like the realization of all his maddest
dreams. =
For one moment more he fingered, his
ardent. passionate soul 10th to give up
these heaven-born seconds spent In look
ing at her. Her eyes shone darby In the
CLEAN of the candle light and had won
drous reflections in them. which looked
ruddy and hot; her delicately chiseled
features were suffused with a strange
glow, which seemed to come from within.
| and her lips were slightly parted. moist
and red like some ripe summer fruit.
From her whole person there came an
exhalation Of youth and womanhooo' OF
purity and souI-stirring passion.
"Come down. sweet singer said Wes-
sex to her at last.
She gave a startled little cry. leant over
the balustrade. and the sheaf OF flowers
| dropped from her arms, falling In
long cascade Of leaves and blossoms. rose
colored and sweet-scented. at his feet.
"Ah. your grace frightened me-! she
whispered with just touch of feminine
coquetry. 'I-I-didn't know you were
here"
but now-as I am here-come down
quickly ere I perish with longing for
a nearer sight of your dear eyes" !.
But my flowers she said. with a
forth by the thrilling ardor Of his
voice, Il had picked them for her mai
esty's oratory."
may! let them all wither save one
which 1 will take from your hand
| Come down."
| One of the roses had remained liked
in the stiff fold of her panier. She
| took it between her fingers and signed:
| oh. I dare not" she SAID sadiyt
| your grace does not know, canno,
guess. what dire disgrace would befall
me il I did"
"Perish the thought of disggace." re-
Joined Wessex gaily. Marry! the
saints in paradise must come down
would be consumed by Its own wicked
ness Come down." he added more
| earnestly. seized with a mad. ungov-
ernable desire to clasp her to his heart.
| come down or I swear that III orlns
| you down in my arms.
"No-no-no" she protested, alarmed
at his vehemence. "Il come down
with quantity mischievous gesture
the face, then fell: he had perforce to
| stoop in order to pick 1t up. when
he once more Strengthened bis tall hg-
| ure, she was standing quite close TO
| him.
| There she was. just as he had al
WAYS thought of her, even as a boy
| when first he began to dream. she!
the perfect woman whom one day he
would meet. and on that day would love
wholly. .passionately; humb NIL land ana
shei the most perfect product of ma
ture. with just that tone Of gold In
her hair, just those eyes. SO lnscruta-
BILE, SO full Of color, so infinite IN their
| slender. with her dainty head on a Level
with his shoulder, her fair young fore
head on a level with his lips.
| Now that she was so near. lie was as
The wild longing was still in him to
| clasp her in his arms, to hold her
| closely, tenderly to his heart, yet he
| would not have touched her for
kingdom.
hit as he looked at her he knew that
| she. herself, would come to him, IN all
| her purity, her innocence-soon-to
perhaps-but certainly one uay-and
| that she would come with every hoer
| in her entire being vibrating IN re-
| sponsive passion to him.
| She looked up at him shyly. tentative
| ly. His very soul went out to her as
| he returned her gaze. A great and
glorious exultation thrilled every fiber
of her being. She knew that she had
conquered, that the love which In her
| girlish heart she had kept for him had
borne fruit a thousandfold. Her heart
seemed to stop beating at the immensely
I of her happiness. -.
But Womanlike, she was more oeAA
! possessed than he was.
II must not stay" she said gravely
and with only an imperceptibie auiver
| in her voice; II am in disgrace. you
know-for that stroll on the river
| with youths afternoon
"Why, what happened?" ne ASKED
| with a smile.
| She held up her little hdho aho
| counted on her ringers.
"Number one, frown and colder
shoulder from her majesty! TWO. lee
| tire from her grace or Linco!h.!
twenty minutes!.! Three. four and five
pin pricks from the ladies. and lonely
supper in my room tonight.
| He loved her in this gayer mood which
made her seem SO young and cniiohke.
could you not have contrived 10 let
me know?"
| "Why? What would you have doneG'
| "Made 1t less lonely for you.
You are doing that now. thought
7 should be alone the rest Of the evening
| Her grace Of Lincoln and the otners are
at prayers with her majesty. l was con-
fined In that room up there. HOW Is IL
! your grace happened to De IN ttis nan
| Just when came out!
"A moth is always to be found where
the light happens to be- he replied
| gravely. ,s :.
here?'
! INV ewes. since this afternoon, see you
constantly where you are not; how could
| they fail to see you where you are!
1 ."Then. as your grace has seen me,
she added. with timid nervousness, see
| ing that he now stood between her and
the steps, you will allow me to go up
| again?"
| NO"
II entreat!'' she pleaded.
| 'Impossible.
Her grace of Lincoln will be looking
| for me-" -. -,
! does"
what to dor" she querted innocently.
| ITO make me happy.
| .Happy?' she laughed merrily. "Ho!
no! no! How can I, humble waiting
maid, manage to make his grace OF Wes-
sex happy?