The Cairo bulletin., 1909-07-12


Bonifaees gossip came to my aid
And you are the runaway countess,
said eagerly. Small wonder the
earl was furious over your leaving
him."
And you will betray me-" she said
slowly. her marvellous sweet voice shot
through with leaden despair. You VIII
claim the reward
Am | a hound" asked angrily.
that YOU should insult me so? My
poor girl, honor you. But this is no
place for you. your groom may be
on your heels"
She wrung her hands.
Men are searching for me already
in the lower part of this village. Oh,
am lost--lost,"
As | looked on her wonderful face,
filed with a charm which no other
woman had ever borne for me, dar-
ing idea flashed through my mind.
Countess" | said eagerly. Il was
about to do a mad thing tonight. You
can make It a sane one ! was TO wed
woman of wax | will take one of
flesh and blood. If you will stand In
the great dolls place. Nay, look not
on me in such alright Plain am |,
but Of clean life and able to maintain
your honor with my sword. Nor saw
ever woman whose favor liked as
do yours Search my eyes with those
clear orbs of yours and read my soul.
You will find only pure intentions
there"
Search my soul she did. with that
anxious yet piercing gaze of hers
What she found there seemed not
amiss. for she suddenly dropped heI
head her cheeks flushing scarlet, and
murmured that | would think her toe
bold
took her hand Nay. sweet"
said "And be sure, dear heart, | will
teach thee to love me
When Boniface returned his waXeu
woman, had he but known It, was back
In her cage. In the shadowed corner
only family touched by the firelight
stood another figure, its very duplicate
In height and roundness, robed In the
waxen woman's brief wedding finery
and heavily yelled.
Boniface slid in smiling. Close on
his tread came a yilainously familiar
form
Il have here witness Of wit
nesses, said The innkecper, flourishng
his hand A"none other than the earl
himself, Sir Charles. He WAS here on
search for his bride, overheard me
telling your tale 10 the priest. and de
cared that he and his valet should suf
flee
"Gads llfe--yes." returned the ear
bowing his lean. shrunken stature try
ing 10 assume the pose of young gal
liant. "Nought has amused me so II
years as this idea OF thine"
let us hope II may continue tc
amuse you," ! said slowly And you
reverend sir, kindly begin at once
Boniface, have up Margcry TO make
the responses for my wife. who seems
somewhat dumb"
They all erinned as at an excellcn
Joke. while my poor waxen womaI
stood there bravely.
Margery seemingly made the re
sponses. but ]. standing with my swee
changeline's hand In mine, knew
that her voice. in whispers. mingled
with Margery's.
It was over. The earl broke into {
sharp fit of shrlll laughter.
"Zooks, Sir Charles, you have
strange taste in women I'd rathei
risk a spoilt gypsy like the bride ! an
hunting than TO rest content with Sc
cold piece MS yours"
Then my gentle "waxen woman.
exhausted with the pose she had beer
forced to keep, grew faint, and STUN
bling forward would have fallen, bu
that caught her in my arms.
Let me sit down" she gasped, "
can bear no more"
At the sound Of her voice Bonifac'
went white with terror.
"A miracle Of the devil'" he groaned
But the earl was not supcrstitious.
ftPfOft fbutu stay HlUl Nv nav
caught away ehe waxen woman's vel
and. to Judge by his howl of rage. wha
he found beneath did not please him
Eleanor - shameless mink" h
foamed "Gads my llfe, You shall pa,
for this--this mock marriage!"
no mock marriage. but n mos
substantial one" answered, thrustinI
him away. This lady IS my Lawful
wife. doubly welded because the re
spnnses were made twice over. by hcT
self and little Margery in chorus"
The earl lacked not for courage.
1T is no marriage" he squeakcd
Speak, priest"
thrust ten guneas into the priest
hand. whispering that ! would doubl
that.
"'Tis indeed true marriage h
averred boldly 20 the earl They ar
hard and fast. my lord-hard an
fast"
Ont flashed the old earl's sword. bu
7 gent it spinning by blow from min
IN its shaeath
Go home" said scornfully. "an
tell yonr friend who would have sol
his daughter that she hath exercise
woman's mos: sacred right-th
I right Of choice"
E,au,Ipp 34ytota,.t ~ ba+ru ue IN