The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-04-12
THE
By Rafael Sabat;n;

I judged that the magic of the wine
had kindled a warmth in them, I chose
to thank them for having cleansed me
Of SANDER, and I told them that as I
might come to have some power in his
realm then would be my opportunity
to requite them"
He spoke in eve deepening irony.
"The Archbishop understood me, and
discoursed to them at length. That
man is so eloquent in wine that he
should never preach a sermon sober.
Having brought us to tears, with the
picture Of your Majesty's forlorn and
solitary state, he added, as it had
schooled him, that if your Majesty
should be moved to take to husband a
man who had served you as faithfully
as your poor Boutwell,, he was sur that
all present would lend the union their
support"
He laughed, with a flash of strong
white teeth behind his black spade
beard.
"Pardi! Some faces grew longer then.
But Argyle had a toast for them. The
reluctant ones may have bethought
them that the wine was good, that my
hagbutters were at the door, and that
this would end the matter. But when
a party of gentlemen came to an agree
ment, it's a fancy of mine to make it
the subject of a bond in proper FORM"
Again he paused, his bold glance
sardonic. She understood the allu-
sion to a bond he held, to which, at
Craigmillar. Argyle and Hunty, Matt
land of Lexington and Morton had
set their hands with his to rid the
world of Darnley. That was his way of
ensuring the loyalty of accomplices.
II had prepared that parchment"
he resumed, assumed of the love and
loyalty which they so flatteringly pro-
tested. I invited them to sign it.
Trapped in their W professions, they
signed, as you see, and are now pledged
to U.S."
He stood like an actor who expects
applause. She disappointed him. With
a sign she proffered him the parch-
ment again.
1T comes too late, my dear. Too
much is guessed, and this will turn it
all into conviction. Yesterday, as I rode
through the Grassmarket, the women
shouted after me: God save your grace
if We be sackless O the Kings death!'
And I, their Queen!" She quivered. do
you see, Jamie? What signify your sig
natures? The foul world will but dis
Germ in our marriage the motive for the
deed"
He thrust the parchment into the
breast of his doublet, and squarely fac
ed her. 'The motive! Gods death! Be-
cause I desired you, faith, I "a glad
to strike. But it was not because I de-
sired you that I struck"
"Ah! But the two have so grown to-
gether that they may not now be dis
entangled. Scotland believes you rid
me of a husband. Dare to marry me,
and Scotland will say it knows why
you killed him."
He became violent of tone and ges-
ture. LET Scotland say what it will
.....
But she continued, ~interrupting him:
whilst if I dare to marry you, Scotland
will say I helped the killing so that I
might become your wife. And then?
Do you see how caught we are? Do
you see the end?"
Dismay lent him a sulky ill-humor.
He raved a moment, blasphemously, at
this easy pricking of the lovely bubble
he had blown.
Moved to comfort him, she rose, tall,
stately, incomparably graceful, and set
her hands upon those stalwart should
erS.
"The crowns Of England, Scotland
and France may all roll in the mud if
I am to choose between them and you,
Jamie. With you I'll go to the end Of
the world in a white petticoat."
His strong arms coiled themselves
about her waist. He drew her close,
looking deep and hungrily into eyes
that smiled at him through q CLEAN Of
tears. He lowered his dark head.
IF it were urged by those men who
have signed that here was something
for the good of the realm; something
to which for the realms sake you we're
constrained?"
For the realms sake there are a
dozen husbands they would urge be-
fore you" She was frank, with a touch
of sorry mirth. "And Scotland knows
me by now; knows that I am not a
woman to c%onstrain. Constrain?" She
was suddenly white, her breast in tu-
mutt.
what is it?" he asked, in wonder at
this queer excitement.
"Constrain,' you said" And she be-
gan to utter her thought, slowly at first,
like who gropes.
His color darkened as he listened. He
swore, when she had done, that he
should have trusted to the wit that
made a queen of her, indeed. Uplifted
again, he kissed her eyes, her lips, her
throat, as much in wonder as in pas
sion.
O o
Next day he rode to his stronghold
of Dunbar, whilst the Queen went off
to Stirling to visit her infant son.
On the Wednesday of that week