Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-26
For the Love
of a Lady
By
Jeffery
Farnol

in the garden with Madame"
The visitors were grouped about Nine.
Ia Duchesse d'Estouteyille, q hook
nosed, sharp-chinned, formidable-s
ing lady she, Of very uncertain age,
complexion too wildly red and white,
but with glorious eyes, undimmed by
years. of wonderful blue, deep and
dark.
AS Helen approached the company
rose, the ladies rushed delicately to
kiss her, the gentlemen bowed, dut-
tered hat or handkerchief.
And now" said the duchesse, you
find us sitting in solemn judgment
upon a monster and villain, and, con-
sequently-'tis dying I am to meet
him!"-
"Him?" repeated Helen.
Himself, my dear, and his name Is
Richard Guyfford. These kind friends,
Helen, are come to warn us against the
villain. FIR instance, Sir John Par
eh, Sir John?"
True, madam" quoth Sir John.
and also being a neighbor and a jus
tice o. the peace, I hold it my bounden
duty to-hum-to advise you against
this"
"Person!" suggested his lady, frown-
ing.
Meaning Sir Richard Guynoro?" IN
quired Helen.
"The-ha-person in question en-
courages poaching! He harbours va
on his lands and thus Is viewed very
much askance by the neighboring
gentry"
But Is he not also highwayman?"
inquired Helen, and met the persistent
gaze of Capt. Despard, who smiled
slightly, shaking his head.
"And is he not forever drunk" in
quired Helen.
"And quarrels," piped the viscount.
Now If gentleman quarrels, he
should like gentleman-but this fel-
low! There's poor Julian laughing one
moment and the next-this fellow
thrashing him most vilely with whip
and a-would ha' murdered Julian but
the whip broke!"
Helen, glancing at the captain, saw
his persistent gaze was shifted from
her at last.
capt. Despard," said she. you are
thinking, perhaps, that some whips
break too readily"
"I think, my lady. that broken whip
doth surely presage battle, murder
and sudden death"
"Ha, and is it duel ye're meaning
now! lnQulTep Tie QuCIleSS.
Julian has challenged the fellow;
the duel's good as arranged"
"Och, me dear souls" exclaimed the
duchess, its moighty comforting to us
poor sinners to know Of some one more
sinful than ourselves. Sir Richard now
FOUNDER he comes, think, through the
herb garden" The company rose in
continent. Sir Richard stood a little
at loss and staring at them, one and
all, with his most sullen expression.
Then the duchess beckoned, whereupon
he stepped forward, hat in hand; but
as he advanced the company retreated.
so you are the ogTe| SAID the
duchess, looking up at him with her
strangely beautiful eyes. "a pariah
and outcast-eh. Sir Richard?"
which nothing grieves mel" he
answered, turning his back upon the
company. II am here, madam. in
answer to your strangely urgent letter;
pray how may serve you?"
First by sitting down. sir. Och, ye
greatly resimble your father, sir. Shure
he kissed me frequently long ago. It's
with the yes O. your mother you look
at meme dear, loved Barbara. She
was me dearest friend-I knew her years
ere she met your father"
IT pray you tell me OF her"
mot now, sir. You shall tell me Of
yourself"
But he sat mute, scowling down his
riding-boot. Then looking into these
strangely beautiful eyes, Sir Richard
began to talk, as he had never done
even to the faithful Gregory, speaking
from his very heart.
Thus, after the company having de-
parted, Helen approached the shady
"Ah, Helen!" smiled the duchess.
Make your riverince to Sir Richard
Guyford."
NAY, madam" sighed my lady, I'VE
ha' met before. I broke into Sir Rich
ards house to steal a letter-a letter
which may perchance explain how Sir
Richard broke his whip"
Sir Richard merely bowed.
Speak, misS-explain, child this
moment, nam, or I shall burst some
thing"
"There, there!" said Helen, taking
madams somewhat large hand and
patting it. SHALT not burst, dear heart,
no-here's the story. A year ago, Angela
met villain. A cold-hearted, calcu-
lating villain and the poor. sweet in
nocent scarce out o. the nurseryl Well,
she writes him foolish letters, and him.
But, two months ago, she meets my
lord Althorp and scarce is their be-
trothal announced than the villain re-
appears, threatening exposure Of the
letters. In London poor distracted
Angela flies to me in her terror. I
learn the villain is in Sussex, so to
Sussex we come"
AHA, so here's the reason ye ned
the town in such haste?"
Indeed, my love. But scarce are
we here, Angela writes the villain an
other letter, behind my back, a wild
letter full Of frantic supplications and
then tells me. borrowed Betty's cloak,
and crept to the williams house, slipped
through the villains window and met
| the villain"
And who was the wretch2"
"Sir Richard Guyfford."