Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1908-03-05
Francis Cludde
Romance Of Queen Mary's Reign.
BY STANLEY J. wEYMAN.

followed.
For an hour I enjoyed this triumph
and did all but brag of 1t. Especially
I wished Petronilla had witnessed 1T.
AT the end of that time-finis, as the
book says-l was crossing the curt
yard. one-half of which was bathed In
a cold splendor of moonlight. and "a
feeling the first SOLDERING touch of the
night air on my brow, when I heard
some one call out my name. I turned
to ind one of the chancellor's servants.
a sleek, substantial fellow. with a SNUG
mouth. at my elbow.
VIVA Is it?" / said.
Il am hidden to fetch you at once.
Master Cludde." he answered, a CLEAN
OF SLY malice peeping through a grav-
tty OF his demeanor. THE chancellor
would see you In his room, young sill"
CHAPTER II.
The chancellor was lodged in the
great chamber on the southern side Of
called the tapestried chamber. and
In which tradition said that King
was on the upper floor. and for this
reason free from the damp air which
In autumn and winter rose from the
moat and hung about the lower range
OF rooms. 1t was besides Of easy ac-
cess from the hall, a door in the gall
lery OF the latter leading into an ante
room, which again opened into the
tapestried chamber, while a winding
staircase, starting from q dark nook in
the main passage Of the house, also led
20 this state apartment, but by an
other and more private door.
reached the antechamber with a
stout hear IN my breast, though a lit
tie sobered by my summons, and feel
ing such q reaction from the heat Of
q Few minutes before as follows a
plunge into cold water. In the ante
room l was hidden to wait while the
great mans will was taken. which
the mummery of court folk. But be-
fore l had time to feel much surprise
the inner door "a opened, and I was
told to enter.
The great room. which I had seldom
seen In use. had now an appearance
quite new to me. A dull red fire was
glowing comfortably on the hearth
stone, before which a posset stool was
standing. Near this. seated at a table
strewn with a p%rofusion of papers and
documents. was q secretary writing
busily. The great oaken bedstead. with
us noddin tester. lay in a background
q shadows. which played about the
ngnres nroidered on the hangings or
ners. while near the fire. in the light
cast by h fixed above the
hearth. lay part OF the c%hancellcr's
equipment. The fur rugs and cloak
OF sable. h saddle bags, the dispatch
boxes and the silver chafing dish rave
an air Of comfort to this part Of the
room. Walking up and down IN the
midst Of these. debating a sentence at
every other turn, was Stephen Oardi.
ner.
As I entered the clerk looked up.
holding his pen suspended. His mas
Ter. by q quick nod. ordered him to
proceed. Then. signaling to me in q
! K silent fashion his command. thai
I should stand by the hearth, the bishop
resumed his task OF composition.
For some minutes my interest In the
man, whom I had now an opportunity
OF scrutintzing unmarked and at my
leisure. took up all my attention. He
was at this time close on 20, but looked.
being still tall and stout, full 10 years
HIS face. square and sallow,
was indeed wrinkled and lined: his
eyes lay deep In his head; his should.
ers weee beginning to bend. the mans
OF his neck to become, prominent. he
mad LOST an Inch Of his full height. But
MS eyes still shone brightly, o did
trace OF weakness mar the stern
character Of his mouth or the crafty
Wisdom OF MIS- brow. The face was the
haps cruel: Of Q man who could hofh
think and act.
MY curiosity somewhat satisfied.
nA0 leisure drst to wonder why I had
been sent Tor and then to admire the
prodigious number Of books and naners
Wnicn lay about, more indeed than
mad ever seen together In my life,
From this I passed to listenins. idly
ct nrst and with. interest afterward. "a
tho letter which the chancellor was