Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-06-06

added bitterly, "he had ways that en-
abled him to twist nine women out OF
ten around his fingers! Richard was
fond Of him; I liked him; we had
talked more than once OF how we
might advance his interests. And then,
like a thunderbolt on clear day, the
knowledge of his double dealing fell
upon us. We learned that he had been
seen talking with a known agent of
Gardiner, and this at a time when the
bishop was planning our ruin. We had
him watched, and just when the net
had all but closed round us we dis
covered that he had been throughout
in GARDENERS pay"
"Ah!" l said, viciously. The oldest
thing to me is the way he has twice es
capped me when l had him at the
swords point"
The third time may bring other
fortune, Master Francis" she answered
smiling. Yet be wary with him. He is
a good swordsman, as my husband
who sometimes fenced with him, will
tell you.''
He can be no common man." / said.
He is not. He Is well bred and has
seen service. He is at once bold and
cunning. He has a tongue that would
win most women and a hardihood that
would chain them to him. Women
love bold men," my lady added. naive
ly. And she smiled on me, yet hu-
morously, so that l blushed.
There was silence for a moment. The
sail tapped, then filed again. How
delicious this morning after that night,
sluggish channels! Far away in front
great barge, high laden with a
mighty stack of rushes, crept along be-
side the bank, the horse that drew it
covered by kind Of knitted rug.
When my lady spoke next it was alb
ruptly. rs it Anne?" she asked.
! knew quite well what she meant
and blushed again. | shook my head.
Il think 1t was going to be-" she said.
sagely, only Mistress Dymphna came
upon the scene. You have heard the
story of the donkey halting between
two bundles of hay, Master Francis? ?
And in the multitude Of sweethearts
there is safety"
Il do not think that was my case"
l said. Instinctively my hand went to
my breast in which Petronilla's velvet
sword knot lay safe and warm. The
duchess saw the gesture and instantly
bent forward and mimicked II. "Ha!
hal" she cried, leaning back, with her
hands clasped about her knees and her
eyes shining with fun and amusement.
Now ! understand. You have left her
at home. Now, do not deny II, or l will
tell the others. Be frank, and / will
keep your secret, on my honor"
she is my cousin" said, my cheeks
hot.
And her name?"
"Petronilla."
"Petronila?" my lady repeated,
shrewdly. THAT was the name of your
Spanish grandmother, then?"
Yes, madam"
"Petrorilla? Petronilla?" she re-
peated, stroking her cheek with her
hand. she would be before my time,
would she not? Yet there used to be
several Petronillas about the court in
Queen Catherine of Aragons days, l
remember There was Petronilla de
Vargas for one. But. there, | guess at
random. Why do you not tell me more
about yourself, Master Francis? Do
you not know me well enough now ?"
There is nothing to tell, madam" l
said in a low voice.
Your family?" You come, am
sure, of a good house.
Il did, but II is nothing to me now.
l am cut off from 1t. l am building my
house afresh. And" l added, bitterly,
Il have not made much way with II
yet"
She broke. greatly to my surprise.
into a long peal of laughter "Oh, you
vain boy" she cried. You valiant cas-
tie builder! How long have you been
about the work? Three months? Do
you think a house is to be built in a
day? Three months, indeed? Quite a
lifetimei"
Was il three months? 1t seemed to
me to be fully three years. / seemed
to have grown more than three years
older since that February morning
when l had crossed Arden forest with
the first light and looked down on
Wootton Wawen sleeping in its vale
and reused the herons fishing in its
bottoms.
Come, tell me about it," she said
abruptly. What did you do to be cut
Off"
Il cannot tell you," I answered.
A shade of annoyance clouded her
countenance. But it passed away al
most on the instant. Very we'll" she
said with little nod of disdain and
a pretty grimace. 80 be it. Have your
own way, but prOphesy you will come
TO me with your tale some day
| went then and took Master Ber-
ties place at the tiller and, he lying
down, | had the boat to myself until
noon and drew no little pleasure from
the placid picture which the moving
banks and the wide river presented
About noon there was general up
rising, and coming Immediately aft
erward to little island lying close tc
one bank we all landed to stretch our
confinement on board.
I'VE are over the border now and
close to Emmerich," said Master
Lindstrom, though the mere line OF
frontier will avail us little If the Span
ish soldiers can by hook and crook
lay hands on us. Therefore we must
lose no time in getting within the
walls of some town. We should be
fairly secure for a few days either in
WpSel or SantOn."
Il thought Wesel was the point we
I were making for" Master BERTHE said
in some surprise.
1T was Wesel l mentioned the other
day" the Dutchman admitted frankly
And it is the bigger town and the
stronger. But l have more friends II
Santon. To Wesel the road from EN-.
merich runs along the right bank. Tt
Santon we go by cross country road
starting from the left bank opposite
Emmerich, road longer anC
more tedious. But we are much
less likely to be followed that way thar
along the Wesel road, and, on seconC
thoughts, ] incline to Santon."
But why adopt either road? Why
not go by river?" l asked.
Because we should be overtaken
The wind is falling, and the boat" oul
late host explained more truly than po'
litely, with the women In ii, Is heavy.
II understand" l said. And yol
feel sure we shall be pursued?"
For answer he pointed with smile
to his plate chest Quite sure m
added. with that before them the!
will think nothing of the frontier.
fancy that for you, If the English gov
ernment be in earnest. there will be M
absolutely safe place short of the FREE
city of Frankfort, unless indeed yol
have interest with the Duke or CleVes
"Ah!" said the duchess, and sh'
looked at her husband.
"Ah!" said Master Bertie, and n
looked very blankly at his wife. s.
that / did not derive much comfor
from that suggestion.
Then it is Santon, is it?" said m!
lady.
THAT first, at any rate. Then, ]
they follow us along the Wesel road
we shall still give them the slip"
So it was settled, neither Van Ire