Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-04-25
Mistress Wilding
By Rafael Sabatini
Author of "Searamouche," Captain Blood"
Copyright by Company
By Rafael Sabdtini
Copyright 1924, by Houshtou MifHin Company

something OF which until this mo-
ment she had not thought-sorne
thing connected with the ratefuI
matter of that letter. II haG stood
as a barrier between them, her
buokler. her sole defense against
him. 1t had been to her what its
sting IS to the bee-a thing which
if once used in self-defense is self
destructive. Not, indeed, that she
had used it as her sting-it had been
forced from her by the Vaccinations
of T'renchard-but used it had been,
and was done with; she had II no
longer that with il she might hold
him III defiance, and it did not occur
to her that he was no longer in case
to invoke the law.
Her face grew stony, a dry glitter
came to her blue eyes She cast
glance over her shoulder at Diana
and her servant "ilding observed
it and read what was passing in her
taken, no more than what is pass
ing in the mind of the recruit who
looks behind him in the act of charg
ing. His lips half smiled.
"Of what are you afraid?' he ask ed
her.
II am not afraid she answered in
husky accents that bclied her.
Perhaps to reasSure her, perhaps
because he thought of his companions
lurking in the thicket and cared not
to have them for his audience, he
suggested they should 80 Il little way
in the direction her cousin had taken.
She wheeled her horse and, side by
side, they ambled up the dusty road
THE thing ] have to tell you," said
he presently. concerns myself"
Does it concern me-" she ask cd
him coldly, and her GOODNESS was
urged partly by her newborn fears,
partly to counterbalanc such i'm
Iii hny Of
gladneSs at his safety might have
made upon his mind. He flashed her
"A Sdelong glance. the long white
fingers Of his right hand toying
thoughtfully with Il ringlet of the
dark brown hair that fell upon the
shoulders of her scarlet coat.
Surely, madam" he answered
dryly, what concerns j man may
well concern his wife,
She bowed her head. her eyes upon
the road before her. '-True,'' said
she, her voice expressionlees 81 had
forgot
He refined in and turned to look
at her. Her horse moved on pace
or two, then came TO n halt, appar-
emily of its own accord.
II do protest" said he, you treat
me less kindly than | deserve" He
come Gp with her again. and then
drew rein once more. II think that
/ may lay some claim to--at least
your gratitude for what / did TODAY"
1T is my inclination to be grateful, -
said she. She was very wary of him.
full"
but OF WHAT" he cried, a thought
! impatiently.
''Of you. What ends did you seek
to serve? Was it to save Richard
| that you Gamer
| nj
| save Blake" he said ironically.
What other ends do you conceive
| could have scrved?" She made him
! no answer. and SO he resumed after
pause. II rode to Taunton to serve
| you for two reaSonS-becauSe YOU
asked me and because l would have
! no innocent men suffer in my stead
| not even though. as these men, thew
were but caught in their own tolls
hoist with the petar1 they had
charged for me. Beyond these two
motives. / had no other thought in
| running myself"
! Running yourself@' she cried. Yes.
it was true; but she had not thought
of il until this moment; there had
! been so much to think of.
Us 1T not ruin to be outlawed, to
have a price set upon your head. as
| viii no doubt a price be set on mine
| when Albemarle's messenger shall
! have reached whitehall? Is it NOT
ruin to have my lands and all I own
made forfeit to the state. to find my
self beggar, hunted and prescribed?
Forgive me that l harass you with
this catalogue of my misfortunes
You'll say, no doubt, that ] have
brought them upon myself by com
pelling you against your will to
! marry me-"
I'll not deny that it is in my
mand," said she, and of set purpose
! stified pity.
He sighed and looked at her again
but she would not meet his eye, else
| it's whimsical expression might have
| intrigued her. Can you deny my
| magnanimity. l wonder?" said he
| and spoke almost as one amused
.AlI had I sacrificed to do your will
| to save your brother from the snare
| Of his own contriving against me
IL wonder do you yet realize how
much I sacrificed today at Taunton