Evening star., 1924-05-03
Mistress Wilding
Bv Rafael Sabafini
Author Of "Scaramouche," Captain Blood" ETC.
Copyright. 1924. by Houghton Mimin Company

dust-clogged in every pore. rode into
Bridgwater and made his way to the
Sign of the Ship, in the High street.
overlooking the Cross where Trench
ard was lodged. His friend was alb
sent-poSsibly gone with his men to
the sermon Ferguson was preaching
to the army in the Castle Fields. Hav-
ing put up his horse, Mr. Wilding, all
dusty as he was, repaired straight to
the castle to report himself to Mon
mouth.
He was informed that his majesty
was in council. Nevertheless, urging
that his news was of Importance. he
begged to be instantly announced.
After a pause, he was uShered into
lofty, roomy chamber where. in the
fading daylight, King Monmouth sat
in council with Grey and Wade, Mat
thews, Speke, Ferguson and others.
At the foot of the table stood sturdy
country fellow, unknown to Wilding.
1t was Godfrey, the spy, who was to
act as their guide across Sedgemoor
that night; for the matter that was
engaging them just then was the COM
pletion of their plans for the attack
that was to be made that very night
upon Feversham's unprepared camp
matter which had been resolved
during the last few hours as an alter
! native preferable to the retreat to-
ward Gloucester that had at first
been intended.
Wilding was shocked at the change
appearance during the few weeks
since last he had seen him. His face
was thin, pale and haggard, his eyes
were more somber. and beneath them
there were heavy. dark stains of
sleeplessness and care; his very voice,
when presently he spoke, seemed to
have lost the musical timbre that had
earlier distinguished it; 1t was grown
after disappointment, set down to Ill
luck, but in reality the fruit of incom-
petence, had served to sour him. The
climax had been reached in the seri-
Gus desertions after the Philips Nor
| ton fight and the flight of Paymaster
Goodenough with the funds for the
campaign. The company sat about
the long oak table, on which map
was spread, and Col. Wade was speak
| ing when Wilding entered.
On his appearance Wade ceased and
every eye was turned upon the mes
senger from London. Ferguson, fresh
| from his sermon, sat with elbows
resting on the table, his long chin
cleaning sharply under the shadow
of his wig. which was pulled down in
front to the level of his eyebrows.
1t was the duke who addressed Mr..
Wilding, and the latter's keen ears
| were quick to catch the bitterness
that underlay his words.
I'VE are glad to see you, sir; we
had not looked to do so again."
not looked TO DO so, your Sr
majesty" he echoed, plainly not
| understanding, and 1t was observed
| that he stumbled over the dukes new
title.
I'VE had imagined that the pleas
ureS of the town were claiming your
entire attention"
Wilding looked from one to the
| other of the men before him, and on
| the face of all he saw gravity that
| amounted to disapprova1 of him.
III AlE.rN- nf hn fnNIyT1
| he. frowning, and again-"the pleas
| ures of the town? There is something
in this 1 fear l do not understand"
do you bring US news that London
II would 1 could" said Wilding,
smilingly wistfully.
rs it a laughing NATTER" auoth
| Grey angrily.
swered Wilding, nettled. Your lord
ship will observe that old but smile.
"Mr. Wilding," said Monmouth
darkly, I'VE are not pleased with
you"
IN that case" returned Wilding.
more and more irritated. Your
majesty expected of me more than
was possible to any man."
You have wasted your time in
London. sir" the duke explained:
your loyalty and devotion to our
selves. What have you done?"
LAS much as a man could -
Wilding began, when Grey inter-
rupted him.
"As little as a man could" he an
swered Were his grace not the
most foolishly element prince in
Christendom, a halter would be your
reward for the fine things you have
Mr.. Wilding stiffened visibly. his
long white face grew set. and his
Sian ting eyes looked wicked. He was
not man readily moved to anger,
but to be greeted in such words as
these by one who constituted himself
the mouthpiece of him for whom
wilding had incurred ruin was more
than he could bear with equanimity;
that the risks to which he had ex-
posed himself in London-where, in
deed, he had been in almost hourly
expectation of arrest and such short
shrift as poor Disney had-should be ac-
knowledged in such terms as these
was something that turned him al
most sick with disgust. To what
manner of men had he leagued him
self? He looked Grey steadily be-
tween the eyes.
"I mind me of an occasion on which