Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-04-26
CHAPTER XXI.

Had she been ghost, Mistress Mar
gerry would scarce have startled me
more when she swung the door to let
me see her. She was gowned in her
best; there was a heightened color in
her cheek: her eyes were like stars.
Truly do think l never saw her SO
beautiful as she appeared at that mo-
ment, standing under the massive arch
of the doorway with her candle held
high to light the inner gloom
This way, Scipio,' she said. tripping
ahead of the mulatto to point out the
madeira bin. I'VE shall give my Lord
and his gentlemen the best the Apple
by cellar holds to speed their parting !"
Wherewith she stood aside to wait
whilst he filled his basket with the
straw cased bottles.
At this l saw why she had come.
Lord CORVALLIS and his gentlemen
were about to take the road. and the
wine was wanted fer the stirrup-cu
Trusting my fate to no hand less loyal
than her own, she had come herself
with Scipio to stand betwixt me AMI
possible discovery And her word 10
the serving man was also a word 70
me to let me know my Imprisonment
was near an end.
/ thought it a most generous thing in
her: the last of all her many wisely
Royalties; and I would have given much
for leave to stand forth and tell her SO.
Indeed, when tire mulatto had poised
his basket upon his head and vanish
ed. and she was lingering to take last
look around befora she followed him, |
was upon the point of speaking
But whilst l hesitated 1 saw her
start back with little cry of terror
Standing in the archer doorway
through which the mulatto had but
now passed was man cloaked, hated.
booted and spurred as for the road. At
her cry he dotted his hat and
My dears, / shall never be able TO
draw for you the hideous death ask
this man was wearing for a face. Seam
ed and SCARED, shriveled and llvid in
purple and crimson welts. you would
think nine -thonged whip of fire had
scourged out every semblance of come
illness, leaving only the skeleton frame
on which to hang this CHASTITY carica-
ture of a human face. Fearing him not
at all. l could scarce forbear shudder
at the sight of this walking death-mask
Of the libertine. Sir Francis Falconnet.
And if his face were terrying in repose.
twas fair demoniac when he laughed.
sHa," he said, bowling again in a
mockery of politeness. You are sur
prised, Mistress Margery; you heard
my Lords order and thought l would
be by now some miles on the road 20
Salisbury ~
IF YOU were the loyal soldier you
should be. sir" she said. drawing her
self up proudly. you would be at the
head of your troop. as his Lordship
directed" And then, with a gesture
that was most queenly: Stand aside.
sir. and let me pass"
His answer was another mocking
laugh. and he stepped within to close
the door and lock il. When he turned
to front her again his face was the
face of a tormented demon.
He fell face downward at her feet as
suddenly struck him. and | set my
him whilst l could drive the point OF
the Ferara between his ribs. But my
dear lady would not have it so,
no. no. not that. Monsieur John"
she cried; and for the moment her fiae
/ courage was al swallowed up of pity
and she became a compassionate WON
an pleading for life
| But now my blood was up. You are
my wife, 1 said. coldly. If he had a
dozen lives l should take them.
''But not that way-oh. not that way,
l DO beseech you." she begged. Trims
OF what it will mean to you--and-and
10 me For your own sake, Monsieur
John"
Your wish is law to me. dear lady.
But your way is clear now you may
GO
You viii not kill him when / an,
gone. Monsieur John ,"
BY the name he bears he was doubt
less born a gentleman: since you wish
Ii, he shall die like one"
saw she did not take ray meaning.
that when she was gone / should lei
him have his chance to die sword in
hand.
Remember. I have your promise
she said. turning to do The army il