The Washington times., 1913-05-14

betrothed his wife.
She thought him still q pretty boy
but she saw with eyes grown older tn
marks that were set on him by his wa!
of Life in Oxford. and she was no longe
In awe before his little manner Of com
plete and wearied world-experience.
A little later Thomsine, with Joan
the sour -vfsaged and faithful. wa,
ushered up the wide staircase to tn
chamber set in readiness for her In tn
She found herself in a vast panelet
room, the windows Of which looked
upon the graveled court, with 9
glimpse beyond Of walls that weighed
upon her heart. She saw the room
furnished with huge four-posted
curtained bed that stood against the
dows, a smaller table by the bed. an
aEnchair, and three carved stools and
a chest that stood by the hearth.
On impulse she raised the lid Of the
chest and saw 1t crammed with fnery
against her wedding. Then she let fall
"Ah, Joanw she said between laugh
ing and crying. IF here is not all to
do again. as twas aforetime at the
stationer's house"
Then, like a bit from that best-for-
gotten past. she saw her two sisters
that should be come to pay her greet
ing.
Eleanor asked how she had Jared
upon the journey and regretted that
one must be nested 30 high. But the
house was passing full, and guests
were still to come, and for the cham
ber OF state, in the second story. she
must be content to wait until her mar
riage.
And send thou art not walked on
thy marriage morn to the hunts up OF
great guns" said Eleanor lightly.
Bob Ayskew haply will have told
thee how we dwell here In the midst oi
alarums.''
"They say now" spoke Charlotte In
a tone that should have blighted all
the ranks OF the rebels, that that low
fellow Cromwell is like to lead his pray
ing rabble against our walls"
Joan Laycock, who was herself OF the
praying profession. sniffed as she shook
out the garments from her mistress
"Ah, WE'LL" said Eleanor, tits good
we sit behind walls. Ere now that
praying rabble hath made our fellows
to skip And It's good that horse-troops
come to US this day."
Then, as the talk turned on matters
neafer home, Thomsine asked how II
Jared with the little babe. and could
she see her?
"Henrietta?" Charlotte questioned
as she had spoken of the
child since the luckless hour when she
er Of = sen.
Nay, she is at nurse at Bedlnigton,
three leagues away. But In good case.
/ saw her four-or was 1t five weeks
agone? A pecvish brat! She squaIled
end clutched her nurse and would have
rome Of me-"
"Oh, this Kings staversham is a
dreary place!" thought Thomsine.
And II Carlsford seek to put a babe
Of mine three leagues away at nurse, /
VOW I'll make him wish he'd died I'M
wedded."
And haply she would have. For her
h1ir had a reddish cast, and In her
csrdly years she had been called by her
father little Vixen.
Three hours later, in the great hall OF
the ancient dwelling, with the screened
gallery for musicians, and the little WIN
dows set high In the walls, Thomsine
made her crusty and was formally well
ccmed by her guardian and father soon
TO be. my lord of Staycrsham.
A tired man he looked, with the lines
OF WEAKNESS deeper graved about his
eyes than a year before. But he fiashe
a glance of interest over Thomsiae's 5
head with what were perhaps best read
as kindliness
But in the midst Of Staversham's well
come there came through the open case
ments a ciang Of hOrse-hoofs. wheTeat
he turned quickly with the gesture Of Il
man who lives not knowing what the
next moment may bring.
Almost In the same breath. however,
came messenger to say that Colonel
Erisey reported that Colonel Fielding 8
troop was riding In, and not a man nor
horse the worse for the forced, march
from Wynslade Priory.
The strength of horse We looked
for" Flea nnr said IN ThoypSina ..C-,,n
we forth to view them?"
So Thomsine. at Eleanor's side. saun-
tered out upon the eastern terrace In
the lilac light of the evening that closed
upon them. and family, at the far side
Of the valley. saw a line Of mounted
men file by at a slow pace. the horses
droopin2 their heads, the men Stacking
IN theip saddles after the hard ride.
Man after man Thoms.ne saw them
pass. and she felt her eyes rest no
onger on one than on anothsr. But
when she went to her bed that night
uhA ARNA mad ~