The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-07

T intriguing for his own political ad-
 xancement. Mary Tudor's own avowed penchant for him was so well known
 that he had but to say the word and
 the crown of England would be his' T to share with the Queen.
 Yet since the deatn of Edward VI, he had not been seen at court Small wonder. therefore. that at sight of the Duke all four men seemed amazed
 "His Grace of Essex." they ejacula- ted ins one breath.
 | But already Lord EverIngham had put up his sword and gone to Wcssex | with hands outstretched.
 | "wessexr' he said. with unmjstakaA
 ble delight by our Lady, this Is I joyful surprise!"
 The other two Englishmen also shook l the Duke warmly by the hand.
 II did not know you were in Eng land, my Lord" said the one. Right glad are we to welcome you back" added the other.
 Well, Harry, my friend" quoth the Duke gaily. .'methinks you and are not to be spiked after all"
 Harry Plantagenet, however, was | looking doubtfuily at the young Span l lard. who had remained somewhat in I the background, regarding the first
 effusions of his friends with certain liiI-concealed impatience. With almost human intelligence the dog seemed to understand that here was person who was inimical to his master. and in
 his faithful eyes there came that un- mistakable furtive look and blink with which dogs Invariably show their mis- trust and dislike.
 l But Don Miguel de Suarez was above all a diplomatist. Capricious and fond 1 of adventure. not over scruplous as to | the choice of his pleasures. yet he l never allowed his dearest whim to fn- I | "A few seconds quick reflection soon | made 1t clear to him that a quarrel l with the Duke of Wessex, would at 1 this juncture, endanger his own pop ularity at the English court, and thereby minimize his chances of car l ryfng through the negotiations entrust- ed to him by King Philip of Spain. | Under the leadership of His Emir l nece the Cardinal de Moreno, he cer- tainly hoped to bring about the mar
 riage of Philip with the Queen of | England
 He know perfectly well that he and 1 his eminent colleague were opposed In
 thia design by the entire ultra English 1 faction here, and also that this fac | tion was composed of practically the whole of the nobility and chivairy of l the realm.
 l The Duke of wessex was the pride l and hope of this party, for Courtenay. | | partisans. What more natural than l that the most distinguished, most bril-
 liant of Queen Mary's subjects should share her throne with her?
 All this and more passed swiftly through Don MiguePs active brain. Therefore, as soon as there was Hull in the joyful welcome accorded to the Duke by his friends he, too. stepped forward, having, with vigorous self l will, curbed his ,unruly temper and forced his full. sensuous lips to
 smile. He had realized the expedieney
 of at any rate outward amiability.
 "A great name. my lord," he said, lowing with great ceremony to Wes-
 sex. land one familiar to me already. l though I have not yet been honored by seeing you at court"
 The Duke eyed him for the space of two brief seconds, whilst just the faintest touch of superciliousness
 the back of his neck. But he returned the Spaniards bow with equal cere- mony. Then he placed his hand on l the head of his dog.
 1 Nay, Sir" he said 'my friend here bears a prouder name than mine. Har- 1 " Plantagenet, make your bow to the envoy of His Most Catholic Ma jesty. call him Plantagenet Sir. after our King Harry V, who drove back the French at Agincourt. Nay! your pardon! this scarce interests you. You were not born then and Spain was not yet a Kingdom"
 He spoke lightly and none but Ever highlands devoted ears caught the slight tone of impertinence which un- derlay the bland. seemingly empty speech.
 "A beautiful creature, indeed" he said suavely, but you. milor Duke, do you return to Hampton Court with us fa V.fo
 "Ohw replied wessex. among so many brilliant diplomatists from Spain. there's scarce room for a mere idler like myself"
 "Yet we diplomatists are hoping to pit our pdpr wits against your Grace's," added Don Miguel pointedly
 Against those of my friends, per haps. my lord" rejoined the Duke dry ly. My own are incorrigibly idle.p
 Don Miguel, as was his wont, did not pursue the subject any further. He was trying to read the refined, distinctly naughty countenance. which was smiling down at him so pleasant ly just now, and taking mental stock of this antagonist, whom rumor had described to him and to his chief as the only serious obstacle to the pro- posed Spanish alliance.
 He saw before him a man full of pride of youth and manhood, tall and Woli-knlLs ana wearing WlIn easy grace the elaborate slashes and puffs. trunks and silk hose, which present fashion had decreed.
 The Spaniard's keen and critical eye took in every detail of this interest ing personality; the short, light brown hair worn close to the head the fair moustache and delicately refined hands, the richness of the doublet, the price, less value of the lace at throat and wrist
 "A flop and an idIer" he murmured mentally.
 Then he thought of the Queen of England! no longer young. with but little taste in ornament and dress. and, | certes, quite unversed in all those | wiles which might have drawn this | brilliant butterfly Into her net.
 The Spaniard longed to see these two together; the presence of this formid- able adversary gave additional zest to | the game he was playing on the politi- | cal chess board.
 An unwilling courier, a love-sick Queen. Carramba! It was irteresting.
 When do you return to the Palace. my lord?" Everingham was asking of i the Duke.
 Tonight" replied the latter. ''by our gracious Liege Lady's own command"
 Tonight. then?'
 without fail. Harry Plantagenet and I will present our humble re- spects to Her Majesty"
 '"Tis au revoir then. your Grace" quoth Don Miguel. We meet again tonight"