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

Aem, and waiting patiently, sat Mistress
johanna, attended by her servants Jan
end Peter and her waiting-woman,
Grieta. Her outward composure be-
trayed little OF the anxiety and dis
treSs within.
Above the subdued hum of converse
ton a voice broke suddenly, cawing an
evil song. The impish fool surged into
the hall and sang his way through the
crowd of suitors, who fell away before
him.
He reached the governors closet and
passed in. The governor sat consider
ing a list which had been placed before
him by the usher. He looked up at the
unceremonious entrance Of the fool.
"You are inopportune," he greeted
him.
so perceived as crossed the ante
chamber" He leaned upon the table
and ran q finger down the uSher's list
until he came to the name of Johanna
Danvelt. There the finger paused. II
should begin there, since this Is the
only case that offers complexities and
may delay you. The others are easily
disposed off,
The governor and the fool looked into
each others eyes. Rhynsalt yielded to
the suggestion and the usher was In
structed.
Johanna came, the usher withdrew.
the fool retired into the background to
lounge unnoticed on the window seat,
set in a deep embraSure. She began by
thanking his excellency for admitting
her 30 promptly. He was graciouSness
itself. He assured her that to keep her
waiting was a discourtesy OF which ne
could never be guilty.
She had brought him. she announced,
vet some further letters, letters written
to herself by Philip on the eve Of their
marriage. so that he might compare
the hands.
$50 much was hardly necessary. The
letters you left with me last night SUI
nee abundantly."
"You have made the comparison al
ready?" she cried eagerly.
NAY, nay. That win follow in the
proper season"
IN the proper season? The implied
poStponement dismayed her again.
And then came aid from an unex-
pected quarter. Said the fool from the
background, almost peremptorily:
What season more proper than the
present."
"Eh?" browning, the governor turned
20 stare at him.
THANK you, sir. Thank you'll" cried
Johanna.
MAY, mistress: no thanks but
preach my philosophy Of life; which
Is to seize ever what the season sends"
II the answer mystified her, 1t was
clear to Rhynsault. He spoke again OF
his eagerness, his ardent desire to serve
her In all things.
"Your husband claims Count An
ti1ony Of Guelders for his friend, and
desires me to send letter to him" he
said.
He watched her intently as he spoke.
Momentarily Johannes eyes dilated.
A sudden dread, a horror swept through
fhnfl61f nf 0NfN0aIiI1O tn
Count Anthony had already presented
itself to her, had been weighed and
finally dismissed because Of q terrible
fear lest. yielding to an overwhelming
temptation to remove the obstacle that
stood between them the counts inter-
vention now might have the result OF
precipitating her husbands doom. Her
confidence in the counts honor might
not really permit her to believe this
thing. Yet not even in the last ex-
tren1ity would she dare to put it to the
test: and the suggestion now that
Philip himself should be the agent Of
0uGh thing appalled, her.
Yet her bearing revealed nothing Of
ehiG. She looked steadily at Rhyn-
eeult, and shook her head.
MY husband overstates the case
chen he claims Count Anthony as his
friend Once Count Anthony be-
friended him, just out Of chivalry. He
had no previous knowledge of him, and
has had little since; certainly no knowl-
edge that would enable him to speak
10 my husbands character and pursuits;
nor, can I suppose, sufficient interest
% bring him to intervene"
Rhynsault appeared relieved ut is
as we'll" he said. For Count Anthony
Is with the army investing Liege, and
there would be delays in reaching him"
All to no purpose even then" she
Aepeated And fortunately not neceS-
eary, since you have these letters. II
RDu will compare the signatures
He unfolded one of the letters and
glanced at it. Whats this? MY
iewel!" he read.
tan him. "Begone!" he roared. out
q this! I'll have no ribaldries Of
Te&rs."
Provide your own, then" said the
fool. as he made for the door Of an
inner room.
The smile with which the governor
turned to Johanna was invested with q
kresh meaning for her, now that her
senses had been awakened by the fool.
my jewell" he read again, "A jewel,
hdeed," he agreed. "On my soul too
tar a jewel for any loutish burgher."
She repressed all show of the indig-
Aation that consumed her, save the
SCARLET flame that swept across her face.
1T +. it is the signature, my lord,
that I desire you to consider"
"Oh. yes, the signature. But there's
more than signature to be considered,
mistress"
He sank his voice to a gentle, wooing
note. He set a hand on the back of
her chair and leaned over her as he
spoke. Only the knowledge of his
power and that her husbands life lay
In his hands and might be blotted out
at his pleasure il he were provoked
prevented her from using the weapons
of righteous anger to break this evil
Gsll he wove about her.
Abruptly he pushed the letters back
INTO her hand. Here, take you these"
But but you have not compared
Che writing"
'Pish! What shall the writing sig
Mify to me?" Never a patient wooer.
Ne drove now straight to his ends.
ssYour husbands life doesn't hang on
3 row of pothooks 1t hangs on my
belief in what you tell me"
But there is more than that. There
are many who can testify ~; ..-.
nothing for their testimony. Your
word Is enough and I'll accept your
word that the reasonable letter is not
IN your husbands hand"
You'll accept my word?"
Even though I did not believe 1t.
Followed a pause in which she could
1t&r the thudding of her heart. IF
did that" he resumed, your husband
would be delivered from his peril. And
st Is q very mortal peril, / can assure
you"
But how can that be, since he Il
Annocent?"
Rhynsault Strengthened himself agar