Evening star., 1924-05-15
Continued from Yesterdays Starr

nay, said Trenchard, us Soui
own duty that; Let me discharge the
Blake and tapped him briskly on the
shoulder. "Sir Rowland" said he.
you're a knave." Sir Rowland stared
at him. You're foul thing muck
ard amiably, "and you've been dts
courteous to a lady, for which may
heaven forgive you-1 can't.
Stand aside Blake bade him,
My affair is with Mr.. Wilding." !
Aye" said Trenchard, but mine is
with you. If you survive 1t, you can
settle what other affairs you please
including, belike, your business with
Mr.. SWiney.
Not so, Nick" said wilding sud
denly. and turned to Richard. Here.
Richard! Take her." he bade his
brother law.
Anthony. you damned shirk duty,
see to your wife. Leaye me. me to my ny
realinded the baronet, "rve called
yos a knave and foul thing, and
faith if you want it proven, you need
but step down the orchard with me"
He saw hesitation lingering in Sir
Rowland's face, and he uncurled the
lash of the whip he carried. "Fd
grieve to do violent thing before
the ladies'" he murmered deprecatingly.
I'D never respect myself again II l
had to drive a gentleman of your
quality TO the ground of honor with
a horsewhip. But. as Gods my life,
If you don't go willingly this instant
it's what will happen"
Richards newborn righteousness
prompted him to interfere. to seek
to avert this threatened bloodshed;
his humanity urged him to let mat
ters be, and his humanity prevailed.
! Diana watched this foreshadowing of
tragedy with tight lips, pale cheeks.
| 90 Il Ia
seemed, and as her frightened eyes
fell upon Sir Rowland she knew not
whether to exult or weep Her
mother, understanding nothing, piled
her meanwhile with whispered ques-
tions.
AS for Sir Rowland, he looked into
the old rake's eyes agleam with
wicked mirth. and rage welled up to
choke him. He must kill this man.
Come" said he. I'll see to your
| fine friend Wilding afterward."
Excellent" said Trenchard, and
led the way through the shrubbery
| to the orchard.
Ruth, revivtng, looked up. Her
glance met Mr.; Wildings; it quick
stirred. "Is it true? Is it really
true?" sn. cried. Il am being tor
| tured by this dream againV
| Nay, sweet, it is true; it is true.
l am here. Say, shall / stay?'
ycI are in no danger?"
II, none. sweet. I am Mr. Wilding
| of Zoyland Chase, free to come and go
as best shall seem to me-"
He begged the others to leave
them for a little while, and he led
| He set her at his side there and
/ told her the story of his escape from
the firing party and of the inspiration
that had come to him on the morrow
I l. l.. L.
which Sunderland had given him for
Monmouth in the hour OF panic.
Monmouth's cavalier treatment of
him when he had arrived in Bridg-
water had precluded his delivering
that letter at the council. There was
never another opportunity, nor did
he again think of the package in
| the stressful hours that followed.
1t was not until the following morn
ing that he suddenly remembered il
lay undelivered and bethought him
/ that 1t might prove weapon to win
| him delivery from the dangers that
| encompassed him.
1T was a slender chance" he told
her, but 1 employed it. / waited in
| London. in hiding, close upon a fort
| night ere I had an opportunity of
seeing Sunderland. He laughed me
to scorn at first and threatened me
with the Tower. But told him the
letter was in safe hands and would
behavior, and that did he have me
arrested it would instantly be laid
before the king and bring his own
head to the block more surely even
than my own. 1t frightened him; but
it had scarcely done SO, sweet, had
he known that that precious letter
was still in my boot, for my boot was
on my leg, and my leg was in the
room with the rest of me.
He surrendered at last and gave
me papers proving that Trenchard
and for I simulated for old Nick's
safety, too-were his majesty's ac-
loathed the title. But" He
spread his hands and smiled. 1T
was that or widowing you"
She took his face in her hands and
stroked it fondly. and they sat thus
until a dry cough behind them
reused them from their joyous 81
lence. Mr.. Trenchard was saunter-
ing toward them, his left eye tucked
farther under his hat than usual. his
hands behind him.
"'Tis a thirsty evening"" he in
formed them.
GO tell Richard So" said wiIding.
who knew naught of Richards al
tered ways
"I've thought of it; but haply he's
sensitive on the score of drinking
with me again. He has done it twice
to his undoing."
He'll do it a third time, no doubt"
said Mr.. Wilding, and Trenchard, TAX
ing the hint, turned with a shrug and
went up the lawn toward the house.
He found Richard in the porch,
where he had fingered fearfully.