Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-03


when he signed it he did so almost as
an act of anger. He had waited con-
fidently, from the moment that the
news of sentence had gone abroad, for
the return Of Mistress Johanna. In
deed, 1t was to bring her that he had
proceeded to trial and sentence OF her
husband. He had confidently hoped, in
his limited knowledge and lack of dis
cernment, that she would seek him in
such spirit that his signature to the
warrant OF execution might never be
required Because her continued alb
sence brought him a sense of defeat, he
signed at last in fury adding a note
that the sentence be carried out at day
break. Upon that he went to supper
without appetite. 1t was then that a
servant entered to say that Mistress
Johanna Danvelt was below, and begged
the governor to grant her audience.
Mistress Johanna" The governor
heaved himself up. His face lighted
with an evil satisfaction. He looked
across at the fool and laughed. Bring
her up"
The fool withdrew, Rhynsault poured
himself more wine, and laughed again.
The fool made his way to the hall
where Johanna waited with her serv-
ants. Jan and Peter. She stifened as
she might have done at the approach
of snake.
Come. mistress" he urged. "Take
heart. Here you have nothing to fear"
He approached her by another step.
you are come, as conceive. in the
upon your husband" He paused .
moment, to add rapidly: why should
you merely hope for that which It Is
within your power to govern?"
That stirred her to speach at last.
DO you mock me?" she asked him
witheringly.
Mock" He raised hands and eyes.
your friend and help you In your need.
Is there no one to whom you can turn
for aid?"
IT know Of none" she said.
Think now! Think" he urged her,
watching her keenly. What OF one,
hands me and radiant as a prince Of
faerie. a noble and puissant gentleman,
protector OF the oppressed? One who
once served your husband in his exc
tremity?"
Count Anthonvl" she murmured.
The fool chuckled Behold how
quickly he leaps to your mind. mis-
tressl"
She stared at him. deathlv pallor
III llEI IdCG, YGb SCIE1El1lAllS VA u1U1RKl8@
ton In her ewes. He laughed outright.
Not so auStere. this Count Anthony
of Guelders. as repute pretendsl Not
above treading a garden path on
Summers night with the lovely lady OF
q Flemish burgher. My Lord Rhynsault
had best go warilv with his exalted
chastity for rival"
She sat appalled,. So that indiscre-
ton Of hers was not buried as she
supposed in her own heart. This evil
creature had seen enough to infer
more. And as with him. so. no doubt,
with others. How much had thew seen,
indeed and how much in their vilenesS
Gid they s'Irmise? Indignation surged
up In her. but It was indignation on the
counts behalf.
you dare to insult one who is as
noble as you are abominable and evil"
But what self-betraying heat on
the pretty gentleman's behalf" he
Knocked her. 20 piety, thy name is
slvness!"
/ The door opened and Rhynsault
came SLOWLY into view from the Sfad-
ov's sbout thu doorway of his closet.
Il trust. mistress. that this malapert
fool Of mine has not been giving you
ANNOYANCE"
ooh. that that Is no matter,
/ sir" She was suddenly h~nathless.
You are too clement. Whatever be-
/ fall your husband there IS no charge
| sgainst you. and will have none Of
| fend you.' He let the fool go, neverthe-
less. II had hoped, mistress. that you
would have come before. Before we
we're constrained by duty to come tn
extremes where your husband Is cor.
cerned Still. better late than never,
as the proverb runs" He raised his
voice to rail-. who waits?"
An ofiicer clanked in BY the great
doors which stood open at the halls
end
ITO command. excellency."
The governor waved a hand toward
Johannes servants Conduct thess
knaves below and let them wait there
Johanna interposed. by your excel
lency's leave, should prefer them TO
remain"
He seemed surprised. Mistress, 1T Il
not my way to open my mind before
grooms They go hence alone or they
go hence with YOU, at your pleasure:
but they 60 hence at once
There was pause In which she
fought down her loathing and her
dread, a battle Of which the only sign
was the twisting and untwisting of her
hands. At last she yielded.
Very well" she said, as calmly az
she might. Go wait below for me,
Jan"
But Jan, that old and faithful serv-
ant. pervaded on her behalf with that
loathing and that dread to an extent
scarcely less than her own, ventured to
advise her. To him Philips life was
as nothing compared with the least
hurt to her.
Come away, mistress" he muttered
urgently. Come away home with u.s.
She was cold and stern with him.
60. JAM" she said shortly.
The servant made a mute gesture of
despair, half raising his hands and then
letting them fall heavily to his sides.
He shrugged despondently. and with
Peter stalked down the long hall Under
the officers escort.
(T0 he RIM. mad \