The Washington times., 1913-05-09

Send this. pray thee. unto Mr..
John Aubrey, in Merton Close. she
bade.
Captain Aubrey. is it7" queried the
that he lies this hour in ward at the
castle, and His Grace Of Lewchester
thereto consenting. like a very Ro-
man? For the provost had wind of a
duel that was to be fought-
How should that be?"' puzzled
Thomsine. She knew that she had not
borne tales to those in authority
though sorely she had been tempted.
and who else could have followed q
course Of such dishonor?
"Ah, how indeed? smiled the Of
dcer.
For that smile Thomsine felt that
she hated him.
Pray thee. dispatch these writings
unto Captain Aubrey, wherever he
may He," she bade, with such dignity
as she could muster, under the handi-
cap of Carisford's sorely bedraggled
garments.
She saw the officer, turn from the
room with the packet in his hand.
and. being quite beyond thought or
apprehension. she then tucked one leg
beneath her, adjusted her head against
the back of the chair. which she did
not find SO comfortable resting place
as Won Kerstenbrook's shoulder. and
fell peacefully asleep:
ed with boggy roads and Japping dogs.
there broke the sound OF voices. She
dug her knuckles into her heavy eyes
and sat up. to confront the beautiful
Mr.. Erisey.
"WeII. lad" said he. with emphasis,
for the benefit OF. the too knowing young
officer, who turned his head and dis
creetly bestowed grin upon the unre-
sponsiye wall, :" tbs pretty fright thou
has set thy kindred in. a-playing thus
the truant Now come thy ways home!
An thou vert brother O. mine thou DIST
come by tuffing for thy pains"
Thomsine rose and mastered the trem-
bling In her legs, lest thereby she move
this EFi1ex to put hand upon her. for
she Questfoned now II he were so beau
she fancied blond men, and che was
we'll assured that she liked his eyes not
at all.
In silence she limped at his side to the
coach that awaited them. In silence
she snuggled into a corner and closed
her eyes.
She was past asking even how It Jared
with the beloved Walter. She had saved
him. That was enough. All that she
now asked was to rid herself of those
uncomfortable garments and execrahle
boots, and go to bed.
So, through the gray streets OF Ok
ford, in the early hours Of that mistful
spring day, Thomsine Musgrove jolted
slumbering, while Erisey, at her side.
looked at her and shrugged. and then
smiled wryly to himself. For he knew
well the manner OF tempest that In few
moments was to break upon this little
artful wagtail
A young maiden, and she with E10. 200
q year in her own right. may not van
ish overnight from her guardians house,
and no questions asked. Least Of all
may she vanish with decorum. when
synchronically there disappears a suit
of clothes Of her bethrothed husband.
And twas the russet that most af-
feet" young Carisford had made his
plaint.
That the crazed country hussy should
disappear, in the confusion attendant
on Wat Musgrove's unlucky challenge,
was misfortunate. That the world of
Oxford should learn Of her disappear
ance was calamitous..
Yet such calamity had come to pass
Who could say how? Charlotte had
only whispered one word to the friend
of her bosom. Lady Cecily Latham,
Carisford had only let fall one hint to
his good counselor, Lord Mostyn. Serv-
ing-folk, too