The menace., 1917-07-21

which characterized the moment Lady
Beth turned to sideboard and poured
three glasses of wine, and lifting hers
high, requested the others to do the
same. The clink of the goblets made
fitting climax to what had been
said.
"In this wine, red as the blood of
hereto, we pledge our mutual de-
termination to root up, fiber and leaf,
that plant of perdition which has
made its appearance in the earth,
fruited with blasphemy against the
pope. May the veins of all who rise
against God and his church flow as
the fruit of the vine. In this we make
our vows, and pledge that we will
overthrow heresy in England or
perish in the attempt!"
They turned off the wine together.
1t was done. The dream of Lady
Chester was we'll begun. Her desire
to figure prominently in the affairs
of state looked rosy enough of full
fillment. The man she had chosen as
her companion in what she had
schemed had unconsciously taken the
place she desired. To what it might
lead she could not tell. Other women
less beautiful than she,n had reached
places at court and from behind the
throne dictated the policies of states.
Why could not she do the same? All
this was nebulous enough, and in the
event of failure in that line a union
of lands and castles with such a one
as Percy Heatherly was not to be de.
spised.
1t was the signal for departure and
the knight bowed and turned toward
the door. The Dona glided ahead OF
him down the passages, bidding him
farewell with hunger in her DARK
eyes which brought a feeling of heavi
ness to his heart. With the same
swift movement she returned to Lady
Chester, whom she found still stand
ing as if lost in thought.
Mother of God! How grand h,
isl" the girl calculated, clasping hel
hands agitatedly. "He is noble
man, prince, king all in one!
would follow him to the end of tn,
world! For him / would leap int,
hell, or throw myself into the seal
Lady Beth raised her hand with ;
gesture of disgust: Don't be foolish
Maria," she admonished. "You ar
only Spanish girl. Think you tina
Sir Heatherly would look upon yov
with eyes of love. England boast
too many beautiful and titled womel
for that. Keep your heart for tina
handsome grandee who waits per
, mission to kneel on the sacred step be
, fore the altar of your breast, lest yo
, have much cause for tears"
The eyes of the girl flashed:
"Ah, your words are cruel enough
? madam, but remember l, too, am i
+ my own land what you are in your.
My father was a nobleman. Thin
n you that could be first lady-in-wait
. ing were / not of Eigh estate? Ar
! | not beautiful? See my hair, it
!. like a cloud; my cheeks are smoot
= as the Madonna's, my hands white a
= pearl. A king would smile upon m,
. why should not an English knight?
: Enough of that, | do not care t
= hear it. We must talk of other thing
| wanted to save you from wretchec
. ness, that is all. You are beautiful
; Maria; very beautiful, and deserve [
= be queen somewhere, for your heal
is full of affection. You and /, how
- ever, must not think of those thing
, for we are brides of the church an
n of Christ" Lady Beth endeavored
q mollify her companions mood wit
4 confidential commonplaces. She ha
~ no desire to break with the fiery gi
8 $ for she might prove very necessar
' to the working out of her plans.
The Dona stood for some time, HI
q eyes moving over the face of her con
y panion with a scorching scrutin
& then as if she had made a discover
. she turned and went swiftly from Il
II room. The things to which she ha
- listened ranking in her heart, tn
3 woman, in her English pride, had s.
N ~ at naught; had held her in contemp
= = she would not forget.
a (Tolbe continued next week.
-