New Britain herald., 1924-02-07

with his old friend, His Grace of AL lbemarle, whom he has not seen for !ten years. Aibemarle receives the
 colonel cordially and tells him that
 real soldiers are greatly needed in
 the English army.
 Holles offers his services to his
 country and is warned by His Grace that the name Of Randall Holes,
 rant for the execution of the late
 king. Therefore it is dangerous to
 assign an army commission to the
 colonel. Albemare asks Holes to
 dine with him and Holes accepts.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 Again he paused. and again his
 tone changed, shedding its faint note of bitterness.
 ''I do not say these things--which
 l say for your ears alone here in pri-
 Nate--to censure. or even criticize.
 the actions of His Ma. s.esty. It is not
 for subject to question too narrow
 iy the doings of his King. particular ly when that King is q son concerned
 to avenge what he considers. rightly
 or wrongly. the murder of his father.
 I tell you all this solely that you may
 understand how. despite my ardent
 wiEh to help you. I dare not for your
 own sake help you in the way you de-
 sire. lest, by bringing you. directly or | indirectly, under His Ma iesty's notice.
 I should expose you to that vengeance
 which is not allowed to slumber
 Your name is Randall Holes, and '1 could change my name.' the | Colonel cried, on sudden inspira- ton and waited breathessy. whilst Albemsrle considered.
 There might still be some who knew you in the old days. who would be but ready 10 expose the de- ception.'
 | "I'll take the risk of that" Holes 1 laughed in his eagcrness. in his re- action from the hopelessness that had been settling upon him during AL bemarle's lengthy exposition. I've lived on risks"
 The Duke eyed him gravely. And I?" he asked.
 Your,
 "i should he party to tha, de- ception ."
 For long moment they faced each ether thusf Holles striving the while 10 keep the despair from his face. Then slowly the Colonel sank back into his chair. moment he brooded, his eyes upon the polished floor, then, with a little sigh, a little shrug. little upward throw of the hands, he reached for the hat that lay on tho floor beside him.
 "In that case D" II. paused to swallow something that threatened 10 mar the steadiness Of his voice ". it but remains for mo 10 take
 No, no.' The Duke leaned across and set restraining hand upon his | visitors arm. We part not thus, l Randall"
 Holes looked at him, still inwardly struggling 10 keep his self-control. | He smiled a little. that sad irresst- ible smile of his. You. sir. arc a | man overweighted with affairs: the ! burden Of state at war is on your shoulders, .''
 None the less you shall stay to dine?"
 ''To dine?" said Holes wondering | where and when he should dine next | for a disclosure or the state Of his | affairs must follow upon this failure | 10 improve them. and the luxury Of | the Pauls Head could be his no longer.
 ''ro dine. as you were bidden. and to renew acquaintances with her 1.a, .f. chair. and rose. she will be glad To sec You, ] know. Come. then. The dinner hour is overpast already"
 Slodly. still hesitsting. Hollcs rose. Yet in the end he yielded. nor had occasion thereafter to regret it. In- decd, at the outset her grace's wei. come Of him warmed him. The massive. gaudy, untidy woman stared at him as he was led by Al- bemarlc into her presence. Then. skipping her thighs to mark her ID she bounced. and e me rolling toward him. f
 'As Gods my life. it's Randall Holles." she exclaimed. And hoist ing herself on tiptoe by grip of his shoulders she rcsoundingly kissed his cheek before he guessed her purpose Its lucky for Georg" hes brought you to excuse his latencss' she added grimly. "Dinner.s been standing this ten minutes. and cooling do spoil good meat. Come on. You shall tell me at table what good fortune brings you.''
 She linked sH arm through one Of his. and led him away 10 their frugal hoard. which Mir. ropys-wIio loved The good things Of this worJd-bas denounced as laden wiih dirty dishes and bad meat. II was certainly no, iucai. either in appuricnances or ser icc. But then nnisirr vas it's host rss. nor could any auman power have made her so. To the end she was Nan Charges. inc farrier's daughter and tho farrier's widow. Inc sonp- stress ~hO had been Monks mistress when he Eas a prisoner in the Tower some twenty years ago. and whom n an evil hour. ss vas generally be- ieved-he had subsequently married. | 0 iegitimize their children. She . sounted few friends in the great ! "orld in which her husband had his Jeing. wills, those she may have } sounted in her former station had ! ong since passed beyond her ken. Therefore did she treasure more dear ! Y the few-the very feu-wIom she ( lad honored with that name. Asd 2 # these was Randa1 Hoiles. Because { ,f his deep regard for Monk. and be- ( 'ause Of the easy good-nature that [ vas his own. fe had in the eafly days | # Monks marriage shown a proper esard for Monks wife, treating with