The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-25

broad principles thus subrnitted far his
cumsfances--allude to any passing liza
showed distinct desire that his mas
ter should talk less and come more
speedily to bed.
CHAPTER XXI.
The white Queen. "
Wessex after awhile was ready
enough TO dismiss the unpleasant SUBJ
ject. Perhaps he had no right to be
censorIous rbr to resent the Spaniards
somewhat unusual attitude. In Eng
neyer-except under very special cir
cumstances-allude to any passing liai-
son he might have with a lady Of his
S Swn RANK nIs,. That was 9 strict code of
memorial, even in the days of King
Harry's youth, when the virtue OF high
born women had been but little thought
Abroad. perhaps. IL was different.
Spaniards, just then, were noted for
the light way in which they regarded
the favors OF the fair sex. and Don
prompted him TO consult wessex's
wishes in the matter of his own In
trigue. Loyalty to their own sex is
perhaps on the whole more general In
men than is their chivalry towards
women. and perhaps the Marquis's
feelings Would have revolted at the
thought Of seeing a lady OF such light
virtue In the position of Duchess sof
Be that as IL may, His Grace had no
wish to probe the matter further; with
shrug Of his shoulders. he dismissed
II from his thoughts, whilst registering
a vow to chastise the young black
guard IL bis fmpertinence showed signs
OF recurrence. %l-.--.4 ss.----
He was on the point Of yielding to his
faithful Harry's canine appeals by al
his own distant lodgings when his ear
suddenly caught the sound Of a silk
dress rustling somewhere, not far from
where he stood.
him. a few steps led up to q gallery,
which ran along the wall, finally abut-
ting at door, which gave access to
the Duchess OF Lincoln's and other la
dies lodgings. The rustic Of the silk
skirt seemed to come from there.
Perhaps Wessex would not have
taken noticve of 1t, except that his ev-
cry thought was filled with a strange
excitement since the recontre of the
afternoon. At times now he felt as IL
his very senses ached with the long,
ing to see once more that enticing,
girlish figure, dressed all in white and
golden hair.--to hear once more the
sound Of that fresh young voice. that
merry, childlike laugh. through which
there viSratsd the thrill cf newly
Since he had met her ne was con.
scious Of wonderful change in him.
self. He did not even analyze his feel
ings: he knew that he loved her now,
that, in a sense, he had always loved
her, for his poetic and romantic tenn
permanent had ever been in search OF
that poetic type of womanhood. which
she seemed so completely to embody in
He had only spoken to her for about
half an hour, then had sat opposite to
her in boat among the reeds. in the
cool of the afternoon, with the lazy
xrnF~
and the water-birds for sole witnesses
OF his happiness They had hardly ex-
changed word then, for he had en-
joyed the delight-dear to every man
who loves--of watching the Bushes
come and go upon her cheek in re-
Spouse to his ardent gaze. What did
words matter? The music in their
souls supplied all that they wished
to say.
And he-who had been deemed so
tickle, who had made of love a pas
time. taking what joys women would
give him. with grateful yet transient
who had loved so often yet so incon-
stantly-knew now that the stern little
god. who will not for long brook def
ance of his laws had wounded him for
life or death at last,
And even now. when he heard the
rustic of a kirtle. he paused instinct
lively. vaguely. madly, hoping that
chance and the great, wild longing
her footsteps hither
The door above. at the end of the,
gallery was tentatively opened. Wes-
sex could see nothing, for those dist
ant corners of the room were in COM
plete darkness; but he heard a voice,
low and sweet, humming the little
ditty which she, his queen, had sung
this afternoon.
Forsake me not now for no new"
Refuse me not that am so true.
Mstrust me not till all be known.
oFrsake 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 SEEM
ed to be hesitating little. as If afraid
to venture farther into the large. DIM
ly-lighted hall.
The flicker of the tall wax tapers
now caught her dainty figure, casting
golden lights and deep. rudy shadows
on her fair young face, and on the
wilderness of her gown. In her arms
she held an enormous sheaf of pale
pink monthly roses. the spoils of the
garden. lavish in it's autumnal glory.
Never had Wessex-fastidious tickle.
insOuciant Wessex-seen anything more
radiant more exquisite. more poetic, ]
than this apparition which came to-
wards him like the realization of all
his maddest dreams.
For one moment more he fingered. his
ardent. passionate soul 10th to give up
tnese heaVen-Dorn SECONDS spent in
looking at her Her eyes shone darkly
in the CLEAN of the candle light and
had wondrous reflections in them. which
looked ruddy and hot; her delicately
chiselled 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 exhalarion OF youth and
womanhood, OF purity and soul stirring
passion.
Come down, sweet singer" said
WesseX to her az last.
She gave a startled little cry leant
over the balustrade. and the sheaf OF
flowers dropped from her arms. falling
in a long cascade of leaves and bios
SONS, rose-colored and sweet scented,
at hts feet.
(COntinued Tomorrow
SLOAN HELD FOR MURDER.