THE OMAHA DAILY 1J1SE : SUNDAY , SEPTEMHEH 5 , 1897 1 1 "SHREWSBURY" By STANLBY J. WHYMAN. CHAl'THIl XXXI CONT1NUKU. I did not remember that slic , nuiipoalng I hail Informed , and Ignorant of the ccno which Iiad hound me to the diiko of Shrews- hury.ould s c nothing surprising In my priscnce In his houpo ; and more deeply nnundcd than I can , now hcllcvc possible by her demeanor , I bent over her. "Don't JOH know ms ? " 1 whispered , "Mary ! " Klin shivered , but retained the Mine nttl- ludc , her cyca on the floor. "Can I do anything for jou ? " I persisted ; but thin tlmo I apoko more coldly ; her tllenco began to annoy me. She looked up then with a wan smile , and with lips eo dry that they ncarcrly licrfornied their olllce , tnokc. "You can let mo eecapn , " uhe said. "Thata \ Impossible , " I answered promptly , to put an end to such notions. And then to comfort her. "Ucsldc-H. what can they dote to jou ? " 1 said , confidently. "Nothing ! You ro not a man and they do not burn women for treason now , unless 11 la for coining. Cheer up ! They " "They will send me to the Comptcr , and will whip me , " nho muttered , shuddering o suddenly and violently that the chair crrnkcd under her. lAml then , "If vou can Ket away , " she continued , moistening her lips and r-poaklng with her eyes averted. " \\cll ! Hut If not , jou had better leave me You do me no good. " she added , after a Blight pause , and with a sob of linpa- tlcnco In her voice. I knew that It was not unlikely that the house of correction would be her fate and that ( inch a fate , even to a decent woman and she was a girl ! might bo le s tolerable than death. And 1 felt t > onicthliig of the horror and burning apprehension that parchpj her mouth and trained her eyes. The hall was growing dark round us. aifd the throng of persons of all sortti that filled It , poisoning the air with their breathing , and the odor of their clothes. I experienced an astonishing loathIng - Ing of HIP confinement and the place. I saw this , the beginning of the dreary road which ho had to tra\el , and. my heart revolting ftlib the pity of It and the future of It , I fell Into a passion and did a thin * I very seldom did. I swore. And then heaven knows lu-w I went on to n thing HO unwise and icoklrw ) and In every v/ay unlike mo ! Oitalnly It was not the mcro oppoi ( unity tempted me though a chance more favorable , the general attention being completely cngro scd by the two no blemen , could not have been conceived yet It was certainly not that , I say , for I did'It on the impulse of the moment. In sheer blind luirur. not inoKing 10 see wnoinnr I wan watched or not Nor did It arise from any farther suggestion on the glil'n patt. In fact , all I remember of It Is that , In a proxjam of pity , leellng rather than seeing that the people roi.nd us completely hid un , I touched the girl's shoulder , and that she looked up with a wild look In her ejea and that that determined me. So that without more I unlocked the door. In a trembling , fumbling Mirt of manner , and p.i'sed her through It and followed her , no one except Casscl , the prisoner who cat next her , being the wiser. Had I been prudent , or acted under anything but the Impulse of the mo ment , I should hav > j let her go through , and , trusting to her woman's wlta to get her clear of the house , have remained on guaul mjKeif , ii If nothing had happened ; and certainly this would have been the safer way. since I could have sworn , when I war challenged , that no one had passed through the door. But I had not the nerve to think of this or remain , and I went with her. The thing once done my llrot thought , and the natural. If foolish , Impulse on which 1 acted , was to take her to my room ; hereto to follow where I \ aTho passage beyond the door was dailc , but taking no thought of nllp or etumble , In a moment I had her up the small staircase , which led to the drat floor and through the door at the head of the flight Into the long corridor , which spa- clous , lofty , end comparatively llght--Iu every way the strangest opposite to the crowded liall below ran from the well of the great etalrcaoi ; Into the depths of the house. 13y involving her In this upper part of the house , whence escape was Impossible , and. where prolonged search muwt Inevitably discover her. \ was really doing a most foolish thine , but In the event It mattered nothing , for us we reached the corridor and paused to cast a wary glance down Its length this way and that I for my part shaking like an aspen , and I doubt not iw white as a sheet a dingle foottjtop lang on the marble floor that edged the matting of the pat-sage , and the next moment the duke himself , lebulng 'MY LOUD , YOU AUI3 WUUj CALLED TUB ICING OP UBAUTS. " from a doorway no more than flvo paces way , ciuuo plump upon un , The surprise was BO complete that wo tad no tlmo to move , and wo ttood as If turned to stone ; yet even then If I had re tained pei feet presence of mind and bethought , - thought mo that he might not know the Ulrl , and would probably deem her one of JilH household , a still-room maid , or a aeam- etrros , oil might have been well. Kor though ho tlid In fact know the girl , having questioned her not half an hour before , it was ,011 mo that his eye alighted ; and his first w'ords were proof that ho ( inspected nothing. "Arc you better ? " ho eald , pausing with the UliHliRKH and consideration that eo well lireamihim nay , that became no other man eo well. I am glad to eo that > ou are ebout. Wo shall want you presently , What IW88 It ? " And then , If I had. answered him at once I huve no doubt tlmt he would have paused on ; but my teeth chattered so pitiably thai I could only gape at him ; and on that , see ing In . moment that something was wrong , lie looked at my companion , und recognized her , I taw his eyes open wide with aston ishment , and hla mouth grew stern. Then , "Hut what what , sir , Is this ? " ho cried. "And what do you " He eald no more , for as ho reached that mord Iho door besidemo opened gently , and men slid round It looked , saw the duke , ml atood , his mouth agape , a stifled oath on Ilia llpe. It was Cassel. Ills hands shackled , At this frc h appearance. Hie duke's as tonishment may be Imagined , and could scarcely be exceeded. Ho eturcd at the door M If ho questioned who utlll remained be- lilnd It , or who might bo the uext to Isuuo < rom 1U llut then , acclng I mpooee nom - thing whimsical and bizarre In the situation which there certainly was , though at the tlmo I wan far from discerning It and be ing a man who In nil circumstances retained a natural dignity , he smiled ; nnd recover ing himself before any one of us , took a tone between the grave and Ironical. "Mr. Gas- * cl' " he said. "Unless my eyes deceive mo ? The gentleman I saw a few minutes ago ? " "The rame. " the conspirator answered , jauntily , but his anxious cje roving beside and behind the duke belled his tone. "Then , pcrhapfl , " my lord answered , tnk- Ing out hit onuff box and tapping It with a good-humored air , "you will see. sir , thai your presence here needs some explanation' May I ask how you came here ? " "Tho devil I know or care , your gracol" Casscl answered. "Except that I came Into your house with no good will , and , If 1 could lia\e found tic door , should not have out- stovod my welcome. " "I believe U , " eald my lord , dryly , "It I believe nothing else. Hut you have lost the throw. And. that being so. may I beg that > ou will descend again' I am loth to use force In my own house , Mr , Caeacl , and to call the servants would prejudice your cuee. If you are wise , therefore , I think that jou will see the wisdom of retiring qulptly. " "Have no fear , I will go , " the mar answered , with sufficient coolness. "I should not have come up but that I eaw that square- t niia t linrn t * I tv trirttlt tllfl trlfl ft Till f\tt \ fit ont- was looking , It seemed natural to fol low. " " 0. " bald the duke , flashing a glance at mo that loosened my knee Joints. "Ho HiiuiRgled her out , did he ? " "Ho could not do much leas , " the conspirator answered. "Sho 6a ed hla life yesterday. " "Indeed 7" "Aye , when Ferguson would have hung hln like a dogl And not far wrong , either ! Hu mum ! I am talking. And save him or no , did not think the creature hod the spunk to do the thing. No. I did not. " "Ah ! " said my loid , looking at him at- tentlvelv. "N'o. And as for the wench , your grace ' and with the word Cas'el dropped hla voice "she Is no more than a child. You have enough. It la all over. Sacre nom do Dleu let her go. my lord. Let the girl go. " The duke raised hlc ejebrows "I KCC no glil. " said he slowlj. "Of whom arc > ou talking. .Mr Ca , = 8el ? " 1 do not know who wa * more astonlshci at that , Gnssel or I. True , the girl was gone ; for n , moment before , the duke's back being half tunned , ho had slipped Into a doorway a couple of paces away , nnd there I could hear her breathing even now. Hu that my lord had failed to detect the move ment I ( ould no more believe than that he had failed to see the girl two minutes before when na Llearly as I ever saw anything In my life I had seen him examine her fea turcs ! Nevertheless , "I see no girl , no rcpcaieu coollj. "Hut I BCC you , Mr. Carsel , and a the aletui may be given at any moment , am I do not choose to be found with you , I mus beg of > on to descend at once. Do you , fair , ' he continued , addressing me sharply , "g with him , and when jou have taken hln back to the hall bring me the key of th door. " "Well. I am d d ! " said Cassel. Kor the first time the duke betrayed sign 3f anger "Go. sir ! " he said. "And do jou this to me "bring me the key of tha door. " Gunnel turned as if to go ; then , will difficulty llftl'ig hla hands to his head , took off hla hat. "My lord , " he said , "you ar .veil called the King ot Hearts. For a whig you are a d d good fellow ! " CHAI'TCR XXXI. What was preparing or what my Ion Intended by conduct so extraordinary had no tlmo to consider. For though I go Cassel into the hall again undetected which of Itself was a marvel when It came to taking the key from the lock my ham shook so violently with ! fear and excllcmen that the first attempt failed. Before I ha succeeded the steward bustled up throug the ciowd. and seeing what I was about bade mo desist with some roughness. "Do jou want to escape that way ? " salt he , bursting with Importance , "Leave It t me. Here , hands oft , man. " And he drew me Into the hall and locked the door. So there I was , fixed as It were In th girl's empty place with Cassel grinning a mo nn one side and the steward grumbllnj on the other , and the crowd so thick anou ur that It was Impassible for me to budg an Inch. It amazed me that the glrl'a absence senco had not yet been noticed ; but I knew that In no short tlmo It must be , and m misery was in proportion. Presently , "Hal lo " cried the steward peeping first on on Bldo of me and then on the other , "Wher id that slut that was hero ? " "In with your master , " oald Cassel coolly "Hut Chainock Is with him. " "Well , I suppose he can have two at tlmo If he plecsrs , Mr. Puddlnghead Thousand devils ! Are wo going to be kep In this ciowd nil night ? " The steward sniffed his indignation , bu the answer pattsfled him for the tlmo ; intl the mcsengors and tipstaves belrg engagpc .it the farther end of the hall In ahepherdln thrlr prisoners on. the side of the house door anil being crowded upon beside by gcntlemei whom they featcd to offrnd , had no notion o what had happened or that their talc waj not complete. Some one had lowered am llehted a round lanthorn that hung In th mlddlo of the hall ; but. the light hangln low , and being intercepted by the1 heads o thouo before us. barely reached the oorne In which I stood. Still I knew that this wa but a respite and my relief and Joy wer great when a cry of "Price ! Price' ' " wa iaired ; and "Price ! Who Is he ? His grac wants Price ! " passing from Up to Up , th steward thrust me forward , and called t the nearest to make a way for mo ; and thl being done I was speedily passed throug the crowd to a door at the farther side o the hall , where two servants who stood 01 guard there having Ballsded themselves tha I was the man , I was admitted. I knew that I was not yet out of th wood. Moreover. I had cause to ilotib how I stood In .ho duke's favor , or wha might bo his Intentions toward me , IIu at least I had escaped from the hall nm from the steward , whom I had begun t regard with a mixture of fear and hatred and J prepared to face the ordeal befor mt > with a coinage that now seems astonish Ing. However , for the moment my courag was not to boproved. . The room In which found myeclf wax large and lofty , lined fa the mobt part with books and adorned wit marhlo busts that gleamed ghoutly In th obscure corners , or stood out bright urn white where the radiance of the candles fel on them. In the mlddlo of the rich dark car pet that covered the floor stood a table fur nlshfd with papers , peno and bookd ; un < this , with three Inquisitorial chairs , e along the farther side ot It , had a formldabl air. Hut the three persons for whose ac coniiuo.latlon the chalra had been plarcd were now on their feet , standing In a grou before the hearth , and so deeply engroKjci In thu subject under discussion that If they were aware of my entrance they took no no ttco of It. The earl of Marlborough , the more hand BOIUO und courtly of the two noblemen when I had tfen para through the hall , a mat even then of n great and splendid prrsenc and address , though not what he afterwan bec&mi' , was speaking , when , finding luysel unheeded , I gathered my wits to listen "I ha\o no right to give advice , > our grace , ' ho was saying In suave and courtly ac ccnti" . "Hut I think you w'.ll ' be Ill-advised If you pay much attention to what thes rogues allege , or make It public. " "No man will bo safe ! " ureed his com panlon , with , U seemed to me , a note o anxiety In his voice. "Hotter hang them out of hand , " resumei the earl blandly , AiiJ he took enuff , act delicately dusted hla upper lip. "V t I do not know , " tniwcred the duke ho fitooil between the two \rth | h s tyca n the fire , and hla back towtrd me. * If e go too fa l , people ma/ Bay , my lord , ! al we fear what they might disclose " The earl laughed blandly "You hud little lain by Preston , " said he. "And you kept ilm long enough. " "My lord Devonshire Is anxious to go Into he matter thoroughly " "Doubtk-fs he has his reasons , " Lord Marlborough answered , shrugging his shoul- crs. "The question Is whether your grace las the tame. " "I kuow none why we should not go Into t , " the duke answered In measured tones , which showed pretty clearly that In fiplte ot its good nature ho was not to be led blind- old "They can have nothing to say that will reflect on me. And I am sure , " he continued , slightly Inclining his head In a courteous fashion , "that the came may be said of Lord Marlborough , " "Cela va sans dire ! " answered the earl n a voice so unconstrained and with a gesture eo proud and easy that If ho liked , 19 some ha\o been found ready to assert , ic showed n master ot that art nllke amar.- ng and Incredible. "And ot Lord Qodolphln also. " "Hy Q d , yes ! " that peer exclaimed , In such a hurry to asaeut that his words umbled over one another , "Just EO , I say so , my lord , " the earl repeated with a faint ring of scorn In his : enc , while Lord Oodolphln wiped hn ! foro- icad. "Hut Innocence Is no shield against calumny , and If these rogues can prolong : lielr lives by a Ho do you think that they will not tell one ? Or even ten ? " "Ay , by Q tl. will they ? " cried Godolphln. "Or twenty. I'll lay the long odds to that. " My lord boned , and admitted that It was possible. "So possible , ' Lord Marlborough continued lightly and pleasantly , "that It It ? not long since your grace , unless I am mistaken , suffered after that very fashion. I have no mind to probe your secrets , duke. God for- tild , I leave such tasks to my Lord Port land , Uut unless I am In error , when you left office advantage was taken of some " Ho paused , and then with an easy motion of his white bands "somo trilling Indiscre tion. U was exaggerated and Increased tenfold , and placed In a light so false that " liu paused again to take a pinch of enuft from "SO TELL Me ALL YOU KNOW , AND WHAT HEFGLL YOU YISTJ3nDAY. { " h's ' box "that for a time even the king was Induced to believe that my Lord Shrewsbury was corresponding with. France. Most amusing. " The duke did not answer for a moment ; then. In a voice that shook a lltlo , "It Is an ago of false witnesses , " he said. "Piccif-ely. ' Lord .Marlborough . answered , shrugging1 his shoulders with charming bon- hommlc. "That la what I say. They do j not greatly hurt you or me. We have clear consciences and clean hands , and can defy these ruffians. Hut the party must bo con sidered. " "Thero Is something In that , " said the duku , nodding and speaking In hlo natural tone. "And smaller men , as Innocent but more vulnerable. Ttey , too , should bo consid ered. " "True , " eald Lord Godolphln , nodding. "True , by God ! ' The duke assented thoughtfully. "I will bear It In mind. " he said. "I think It la a questionable policy. " t "In any event I am sure that your graces prudence will steer the matter to a safe issue , " Lord Marlborough answered In his courtliest fashion. "I thank heaven that you are here in this emergency , and not Portland or Auverquerque , who sec a foe to the king In every Englishman. " "I hhould bo sorry to bee any but an Eng lishman In the secretary's office , " the duke said , with a little heat. "And yet that is what we have to expect , Lord Marlborough answered placidly. "But wo arr- detaining your grace. Come , my lord , we must be going. I suppose that Sir John U > not taken ? " "Sir John Fenwlck ? ' "Yes. " "H has not been reported. " With that the two noblemen took a formal farewell , and the duke begging them to go out by his private door that they might avoid the press in the hall , they weiu crcss- ln the room In that direction when a sudden hubbub arose outside and a cry of alarm , and before they had more than raised their eye brows , asking one another politely what It meant , the door beside which I stood was opened and < i gentleman came In. Ho looked with a flustered face at the duke. "Your grace's pardon , " he eald hurriedly. "One of the pilsonore has escaped ! " "Eacapcd ! " said the duke. "How ? " "The woman has somehow slipped away. Tluough the crowd , It Is believed , your grace. The messenger " Uut at that moment the unfortunate official himself appeared In the doorway , looking reared out of his life. "What Is this ? " eald the duke sharply. The man whimpered. "Fore God It Is not my fault , " ho cried , "She never passed through the door ! May 1 die If she did , your grace. " "She may be etlll In the hall ? " "We have- searched It through and through , " the man answered desperately. "It icmalna only to search the house , your grace with jour permission. " "What ! " the duke cried , really or appar ently staitled. "Why the house ? " "She must have slipped into the house , for she never went out , " the man answeied doggedly. "She never went out. " The duke fhrugged his shoulders and turned to Lord Marlborough. "What do you think ? " said he. The earl raised his eyebrows. Uy this tlmo halt the concourse In the hall had prfbsed to the doorway and were staring Into the room. "Call Martin. " said the duke. "And stand back there a little , If > ou please , " ho continued haughtily. "Tlili is no public court , but my house , good people. " Itseemed to me but 1 , behind the door , was In a boundleis fright that the steward would never come. He did come at last , and pushing his way through the crowd pre- ccntcil himself with a bustling confidence that failed to hide tils appreh' slons. Nor was the duke's reception of him calculated to sot him at ease. "Stand out , man ! " he said harshly , and with a nearer approach to the tyrannical than I had hitherto seen In a man , who was perhaps the best natured of his t > pcclcft. "Stand out and answer me , and no evasions. Did I not give you an order of the strictest character to lock the Inner door and leave It for nothing , and no one while thb busi ness was forward , " Martin gasped. "May It please your grace , " he said , "I " "Answer , fool , what I ask , " the duke cried , cutting him Phort with the utmcst asperity "Did I not give you those orders ? " The man was astonished , and utterly terrified , "Yes , " he f > ald. "It la true , your grace " "And did you obey them ? " Poor Martin seeing that all the trouble wa. like to rest on his back , answered as in all probability thu duke expected. "I did , your grace , " he said roundly. "I have not been an arm's length from the door , nor has It been unlocked , I have the key here , " he continued , producing It and hold ing It up , "Has any cao parsed through the door while you have been on guard ? " The xteward had gone too far to confess the truth now , and uwore positively and re peatedly that uo one had pa&sed through tbo door or could have passed through the door ; that It WM Impossible ; that the door bad been locked all the time and the key In hla ptfse slon , fnally that it the girt had gone through the door she must tmtffgone through the kejhole , and was a lth. At which [ some present crossed themselves. "I am satisfied , " said the dufce addressing the messenger. "Doubtless eho slipped through the crowd , and sf J&u are respon sible and will have to an f c ? tor the girl , I would advise- you to IOPO no lime In search ing such of Mr. Fergusoft's haunts as are known to you. It Is probUble ! that she will take refuge In one or otMr of them. How ever , I will report the miller as favorably as I can to the council. Ybu cin go , Ixxlge ( the others according to th * < warrants and make no second blunder. See these people out , Martin. And for you , iffy lords 1 am sorry that this matter has1 detained you. " "La fille ne valalt pai-beaucoup ? " said the earl curiously. ' ' "Pas do tout ! " my loM answered , and smiling , shrugged his shoulders. "Illenl" CHAPTRH XXXII. With the least Inclination toward merri ment I must have laughed at the face ot horror with which Mr , .Martin , when he went a few minutes later to expel the last stragglers , came on me where I stood , trying to efface -m > self behind the door. Ho dared uot speak , for the duke was standing at the table a few paces from him ; and I would not budge. Fortunately I remem bered that a still tongue was all that ho need wish , and I laid my finger on my Hpa and nodded to him. This a llttlo en couraged him , but not much , and In his fear ot what I might , In spite of my promise , let out , If I wcro lett alone with his master , he was still In two minds whether he should eject mo or not , when the duke spoke. "Is Price there ? " he said , with his face averted and his hanJs still busy with the papers. "Tho man I sent for ? " "Yes , jour grace , " Martin answered , mak ing hideous faces at me. "Then leave us. Shut the door. " If my lord had spoken the moment that waa done and wo were alone , I think It would h.ivo relieved me. Hut he continued to search among the papers on the table , and left mo to sink under the weight of the stately room with Its ordered rons of books , Its ticking dial and the mute busts ot the great dead. The duke's coat lay across a chair , his embroidered star alltterlng on the breast ; his sword and dispatch box were 01 another chair , and a tlilngitliat I took to b the signet gleamed among the papers on the table. From the lofty mantelpiece of vclnei marble that , supported byViJiuge rampan dogs , towered high above me ( the work a I learned of tern aid of thu famous Inlgo Jones ) , the portrait of a tnan In armor with a warden In his mailed hand , frownei j dowu oil mo , and the stillness continuing unbroken , and all the thinks I saw speak Ing to me , gravely and yclghtlly , of a world hitherto unkijown to me i world wherein the foot exchanged the thlcl pllo of carpels for the/sbOndlng tread o Parian , and orders were obeyed unspoken and sable-vested servants went to and fro at a sign a woild of old traditions , old ob scrvanccs and old customs'revolvlng around this man still young , I'felt my spirits sink the distance was so great from the sphere I had known hltnerto. Every moment tht silence grew more oppressive , the ticking of the clock more monotonous ; it was ai immense relief when the duke suddenly spoke , and addressing me In his ordinary tone , "You can write ? " said be. "Yes , your grace. " "Then sit here , " he replied , Indicating a seat at the end of the table , "and write what I shall tell jou. " And before I could marvel at the ease o the transition , I was seated , quietly writing what I can nu longer remember , for It was the first only of many hundred papers o pilvate and public importance which 1 was privileged to write for his signature. My hand shook , and It Is unlikely that I ex hlblted much of the natural capacity foi such work , which it has been my lot to manifest since ; nevertheless Ms grace , aftc glancing over it was pleated to express his batlsfactlon. "You Icaiiied to do this with Hrome ? " Mid he. "Yes , your grace. " "Then now , " he continued , seating him self 1 had risen icspecWully "Tell me wha happened to you yesterday. " I had no choice but to obey , but before I told my story , seeing that ho , was In a good humor and so favorably Inclined to me I spoke out what was In my mind ; and In the most moving termp possible I conjured hln to piomlse mo that I should not be forced to bean evidence. I would tell him all , I wouh be faithful and true to him and ask nothing better than to be his servant but be an In former In court I dared not. "You dare not ? " he said , with an odi look at me. "And why not , man ? " Hut all I could answer was , " I dare not. ' "Are jou afraid of these villains ? " he continued Impatiently. "I tell you , wo have them ; It is they who have to fear ! " Hut I still clung to my point. I wouli tell , but I would give no evidence ; I darei not. not."I "I am afraid , Mr. Price. " he said at that rnd with un air of &ome contempt , "tha you are something of u coward ! " I answered giovelllng before him , that 1 might be It might be but "Hut. who of us Is not ? " he arnvverei with a sudden gesture between scorn am self-reproof. "Do you mean that , man ? ' and he fixed his eyes on me. "Well It Is true. Who of us Is not ? ' he repeated slowly and turning from me ho began to pace the room , his linculs clasped behind him ; so tha before he made a single turn It was easy to tee that he had forgotten my preuciieo "Who of us Is not afraid If not of thcae scoundrels , still of the future , of the return of Jacobus Iracundus et logons of another 29th of May. To be wafo pof and to be safe then who la not thinking of that arid living for that , and planning for that ? " Ho was silent a moment , then with eomc thins llko anger In his volco. "My Lori Marlborough , dipped to the lips In 88 , who fhiill say that for all that he has not made his peace ? And haj good reason to urge us to Irt sleeping dogs IIu ? And Godolphln Is it only at Ntnvmarket he has hedged tint ho xajs , the Iran wo go Into thU the better ? And Sunderland , who tmstw no one and whom no onu trusts ? And Leeds- all things for power ? And Clarendon , once- pardoned ? And Itiwicll , all temper ? Who Know * what pledges tl ey have given , or may glvo ? Devonshire Devonshire only ha to Icse and n lamia to lose with me. Wltn mo1' As he epoko thus , ho.fiivemed | o bi st hiimai ; , and through tho.roliu of state am statellnffs In which he Ilvi-d thu heating o the poor human heart wa , < Gq plainly visible that my heart went out to him , and will an eagerncoa and boldntsn that now MirprUe me I spoke to him "Hut. your crate. * " said , "while the king llyts all gocu well and were anything to happen to him " "Yes ? " said he , staring at me , In no little astonishment at the Interruption. "Thero Is the Princess Anne ! She la here ; ehe would suc'ceed , and " "And my Lord Marlborough ! " raid he , sneering "Well , It may be. Hut who taught jou politics , Mr. Price ? ' "Mr. Hrome. " wld I , abashed. "What I know , jour grate , " "Ha ! I keep forgetting , " he answered gayly. "that I am talking to ono of the inak- cro of opinions the faimers of Uste. Hut there , jou shall be no evidence , I give jou my word. Bo toll me all you know , and what befell you jeuterday. " I bad no dcelro but U > do no oa those terms and ono * m ll matter cxcc-pted ; ami' ' not only to do that , but all things that could serve him. Ncvertheli 9 , and though 1 had high hopes ot what I might get by hta grace and favor , I was far from underitamllng that that was the beginning of twenty cars ot faithful labor at bis side ; ot a mst- I i er of 15,000 papers written under his eje , ] I f whole ledgera made up. or estateaccounts 1 Kilancc-d ami tallies collected ot many win * era and summers spent amont his books , Ither In the placid elinilcs of Bjford or In ho dignified quiet of St. Janice' sq Hut , AS I havosald * , though I did not , foresee all his , I hoped much , and more as , my tate iroeeedlng , my lord's generous emotion bc- came evident. When I had done he said I many kind things to me , respecting the | peril I had escaped , and adding to their alue by his manner of sajlng them and by ho charm which no other so perfectly pos-1 scssed , he left me at last no resource but 0 quit the room In tears. Treated thus with a klndncas S3 much above my deports as It as admirable In ono of his transcendent rank , and assured , moreover , by my lord's own mouth that icnceforth , In gratitude for the service I iad done him In Ferguson's room he would irovldo for me , I should have stood I ought o have stood In the seventh heaven of felicity. Hut as suffering moves unerring on the track of weakness , and no man en- oj-s at any moment perfect bliss , I had first to learn the fate ot the girl whose evasion I had contrived. And when a cau tious search and questions as crafty had satisfied mo that she had reallj- effected her cscapo from the house probably In n man s dress , for one of the lacquejs complained ot the lees of a suit of clothes I had still a care , and a care which gnawed more sharply with every hour of ease and saVty. Needless to say , the one matter on which 1 had been reticent , the ono actor whose presence on the scene I had not disclosed to my lord , lay at the bottom ot my anxiety. Kind In action nndecneroiis In Intention as the duke had shown himself , his magnanimity had not availed to oust from my mind the terror with which Smith's threats had Im bued1 tt ; nor while confessing all else hadI been able to bring mj-self to denounce the conspirator , or detail the terms on which he had set me free. Though I had all the In ducement to speak which tlio certainty inai his arrest would release me could present , oven this and the security of the haven In which I lay failed to cncoure me to the point of hazard , so strong was the hold on mv fears which this man had compassed , and so complete the slavery to which he had reduced my will. But thouch at the time of confession J found It a relief to be silent about him , th's same silence presently left me alone to cope with him , and with the fears sufficiently colgnant , which his memory awakened ; the result being that with prospects more favor able and a future better assured than 1 had ever Imagined would be mine , or than nny man of my condition had a right to expect , I still found this drop of poison In my cup. It was not enough that all things nnd my natron favoring me. I sank easily Into the uosltlon ot his privy clerk , that I retained that excellent room In which I had first been placed , that I found mjsclf accepted by the household as a fact so that never a man saved from drowning by a strand had a right to pialse his fortune as. I had ; nor that , the wind fiom every quarter , seeming , at the same time to abate , the prisoners went for trial , and nothing said of me , while Fergu son , of whose complicity no legal pi oof couli' bo found , lay In prison under the suspension of the habeas corpus , and kept silence ; nor even that a ilotc came from Mary , ostensibly from Dunkirk , and without compromising me Informed me of her safety. It was nol enough , I cay , that each and all of these things happened bejond my hopes , for in the midst of my prosperity , whether I stood writ- lug at my lord's elbow In the stillness of the stately library , or moved at ease throug ! the corridor , greeted with u pect bv my fel low servants , and with civility by all , I was alike haunted by the thought and terror o Smith , and the knowledge that at any mo ment the conspirator might appear to hur me from this , paradise. The secrecy which I had maintained about him doubled his vower ; even as the ease and luxury In which I lived presented lit darker and fouler colors the sordid scenes and perils through which 1 had waded to tills eminence , and into which too. unless I was mistaken , his return mlgh plunge me again. CHAPTER XXXIII. I think that I had spent a week , or II may be more , In this situation of mingled ease and torment , when on coming down one morning after a hag-ridden night , 1 heard a stir In the hall ; and going that way to learn what It menat , met the servants returning In a crowd from the front acid talking low about something. Martin , who was foremost , cried : "Ha , j'oti are late. " And then drawing me aside , into a lltlo deu he had beside the passage. "They have taken him to the olllce , " he said. "But lord's sake , Mr. Price , " he continued , liftIng - Ing his eyebrows and pursing up his lips to express his astonishment , "who would have thought It ? Her ladjshlp will bo In a taking ! I hope there may be no more In It than appears ! " "In what ? " said I "In his arrest , " he answered , ej'clng mo with meaning , and then softly , closing the door on us "I hope it may end there. That Is all I say ! Between ourselves. " "You forget , " I cried with Irritation , "that I know nothing about It ! What arrest ? And wbo Is arrested ? " "Mr. Urldgcs' man of business. " "What Mr. Bridges ? " I cried. "Lord , Mr. Price , have jou no wits ? " he answered , staring at me. "My lord's mother's husband. The countess , to bo sure ! You must know Mr Smith. " It needed uo more than that ; although without a name , we might have goneon at cross-purposes for an hour. But the name the world held only cno Smith for me , and he , It seemed , was ant-rated. He waa arrested ! It was with the great est difficulty that I could control my Joy. Fortunately the llttlo cub , wheie wo stood was Ill-lighted , and Martin , a man too much taken up with his own consequence to bo ovcrobservant of his companions. Still for a moment I was perfectly overcome , the cffervoscenso of my bplrlts such that I could do nothing hut lean against the wall of the room , my heart bounding with joy and my head singing a paean of jubilation Smith was taken ! Smith was In the hands of justice ! Smith was anested and I vvcs free. free.Tho The flrft rapture past , however , I began to doubt , partly because the news seemed to bo ton good to bo true , and partly be cause , though Martin had continued to bab ble , I had heard not a word. Wild , there fore , to have the thing confirmed , I cut him short ; and crying , "Hut what Smith Ir It , def f > ay ? Who Is he ? ' I hi ought htm back to the point nt which he had left me. "WhjMr Price , ho answered , "I thought every one knew Mr , Smith , Mr. Smith , Mr. Urldgro' factotum , land steward , what jou will. Ho married the counters' fine madame madame they call her In the household , though she is no Fiench thing , but Hcrt- foidshlro born , aa I knew by her speech , when my lord first took up with her. But not every ono knons that. " "When my lord took up with her ? " I said , groping among lialf-i"cognised objects , and beginning so much light may couio through the least chink to fee day , Mr. Martin nodded confidentially. "That la how oho rame to bo with my lady. " ho said. "Ar < l Mr Smith , too' My lord met her somewhere when ho was young and gay and took up with her , and to pleat > e her got the place for Mr Smith , who had been her flame before. However , my lord soon tired of her , for though she wa a beauty she had common wajn and was as bold as brafn ; so when ho parted from her she went back to her old love , who had first made her the mode ; and married him. I have heard that my lord was In a pretty taking when ho found her planted at the countebx. Hut I have nothing to ay agalnft her. " "Does my lord sco her now , ' I hald with un cffoit "When ho does ho looks pretty block at her And I fancy that there IB no love loit on frer side " "What did you say that they called her ? " I asked. " .Madame Mmo. Montercj- . " I remembered where I had beard the name bcfoio and who had berne It ; and naw to much light that I was dazzled. "And my lord's mother who married Mr. Bridges ? Shu ! n a papist ? " "Hush1 ! he said. "Tho ICVH said about buch things the better , Mr. Price. " Hut I pemlsti-d , "It wan she who ran off with my Lord llucklngham In King Charles' time. " I cried , "and held his horse while he killed her hiicband : And who had Mr. Kllll- grew itabbed In the btreets. and " In a panic he clapped his hand to my mouth , "God , manJio cried , "do jou know * hf > re you are , or l your head turned ? Do you think that this bonce la a fit place to give tongue to such thlnge ? Lord , jou will be but a nhort tlmo hero , and to the pillory when you go , It you throw jour touguc that way ! I have not blabbed as much In twenty jcAfu , and would not for a kingdom ! Who are jou to talk ot such aa my lady ? ' ( To He Continued. ) U AA Dltr.AMS Ari.OVT. S 1'onell In Truth Under the willows and aiders aeleam , Hrlght with the dew , Cnlmly nnd peacefully down the broad stream , Btcndji and true. j Flecked by the sun where It ste ? through the trees , Lapped toy the ripples and kl ed by the bi ceze , Heralded sweetly by thrushes nnd bees , Glides the cnnoe. Out from the.bnnk where the current runs 1 fust I Over the s > ho.il , Joyfully rocking and hurrying past Illpple and toll I Into the silent nnd shadowy mere , I Stnrrod with white ll'les afar nnd nnenr , lint-bored- Init vvlttiln sound of the weir , Under the knoll. O thnt my life Avcra n , voyage like thl ? . Only to lie illent and peaceful and Imppj' , I VT ! , Nobody nigh ; N'o one save she who sits there In the bow , Jreainlng ah , what ? I would give much , I vow. To know if we're dreaming the same dreams Just now , Phxllls nnd I. DR. POWELL Publicly Indorses Dr. Chiircot's Koln Nervine Tablets as the Host UcincJy Kver Ollcrcd for Nervous Diseases. Union Bl'k , Cor. Fourth and Cedar Sts. , St. 1'aul , Minn. , Jan , 14 , 1897. Gentlemen For nearly a year I have been glylng your l\ola ( Unnicots ) Tablets to my paMcnts. Am now prepared to submit the nauus and addresses of thirty-seven cases cured of nervous maladies * , twenty greatly benefited mid e\cnteen upon which the lUlucdy acted as a tonic. I consider jour ( Charcot's ) Kola Tablets the best rem edy ever offered to the public as a propile- tary medicine , and far superior to the pie- ecrlptloiis of the average doctor In cases of Nervous Debility or broken down constitu tions from excesses and o\erwork. This being an unsolicited endorsement , based upon the use of the Tablets for almost a year , jou may use It as > nu like. Yours truly. D. FRANK 1'OWCLL. M. I ) . Hundreds of phjslclaiia arc prcecilblng Dr. Charcot's Kola Nervine Tablets with great success for Nervous Debility , Slecplefis- nc , Nervoua Dyspepsia , Neuralgia , Impaired Vigor and all other conditions resulting from a debilitated nervous system. Dr. Char- cot's Tablets cure where man > othci medi cines fall. A trial will convince you. Fifty cents and $1 per box. Write for testimonials menials of cures. Eureka Chemical & Mfg. Co. , I i Cros e , WIs. ( Oil SVrillLIS ) A. Written Oiinrnnlcc to ClTItr. KVEUY CASE or .MO.NKV IM'.rtJ.MIKII. Our cure N ppnnnin nt ami not a patching up Cuseo treated tenytarnnno have ntcr Hen a sjlnpton finer. UvcletcilblnByoui cHxefullj vrcnntruu juuliynull. BiHlweirlvctliBpumeBtHiiiBKliaiantfetoiuicoi ulliml nil mnnej flioso who nreftr to come lieu- for trial- liirnt ( nil do nu anil w will pnj inllioail Iniv bolli n ) und hotel bills nhllp here If c fall to cure. Wcchal- IUIKU th1oild toracaxu tlmt our Mllizlc Itemnly Kill nit cutf Wiltc fur lull pmtlculai * and ( -ct the e\liltnee Wcknow that jouaretktptlial Ju tl > boloo , ai the inoul eminent phjcklanM hate ne\t l > ien Able to irtvo more than temporary relief. In our U113ears piaitlccwlth thl * .tliielc llcmedy It lias been moKt dlnicult too\eix < omethc prejudices against all KO called Hpecltlcs. Uut under our Mltmt ; iruanilileejou rhoutd not hetlutc to try tl l lenicduii t Ue no chance ol io lnff jour money We KUarantee to cure or refund every dollar and an we ua c a reputation to protect , also llnanclnl ImtklnK of S5OO.OOO. It In peifeclly fare to all ho lll try the treatment , llcrdofoie jou ha\e bein puttlnir up and pajlntr out jour monej lor dllferent trcatmentrand althoiiRh you an- not yelcured no one hai paid back jour money. lu not waete any rnoi e inonej' until you try us. Old , chronic , o > et > cated case ! " uned In thlity to ninety daj . IntcrllicMe our flnnnrial rtandlriK. our reputation as buMi > e > s men. Write us for uanicn and addreh > of thorn ne lia\e cured , uho ha c glten permlti lon to refer to them It coftByou only po.lage to ( lo tills ! It "HlMvoyonn world of tuffeilntf from mental strain t andlf jouuio man led what may j our oir > prlng eufftr thi ough your ownmKllffince ! If join i > yniptomi areplmpIeHoti face , pore throat , mucous tiatchca In mouth , rheumallnm In bones and Joints , Imlr railing out , rniptlona on any Eart of the body. fe < line of KI ncral deprenxlon , | ialni In cad or boned , jou have no time touafte. Thosewho ar > < constantly taking mercurj and polatb rliould dirt- continue It. Constant li e of theM drug" will urely brln twreBand eating ulcen In the end. Don't fall to write. All corretpondence cent sealed In plain emol. opeNoInvlte the moot rigid inrtKtieatlou and will do all In our | x > wer to old you in It. Addi et , COOK REMEDY GO , , Chicago , III. OMAHA MEDICAL And Surgical Institute 1C05 Hedge St. . Omaha. Neb. CONSULTATION l'HiK. _ _ _ _ _ Specialists In treatment of Chronic , Nervous and Private Dise.iss. iimi \VI.VICM.VS ami uis < minns of HYDnOCCLB nnd VAHICOCit.B peimancntly nnJ fclicci'tsfully cured In every cape. BIvOOD AND SKIN Dlsenseu , Sores SpotB. PlmplcH , Scrofuln , Tumors. Tetter , Uizeina and Illooil I'oUon thoroUKhly cleansed from the n > a- tern NKHVOUS Debility , fipermntorrliea , Seminal iMffte , Nlsht UinlmlonB. l > ss ot Vital Powers permanently and speedily cured. AVHAIC Jinx. ( Vitality A\'enk ) , made BO by too close appli cation to biifilne H or Htuily , urxere mentul struln or Rrlof ; SiXITAI > RXCKBHKS In mlJdlo life or from the effects of youthful follies. Call or write them today. Box 277. Oinalia Medical and Surgical Institute HlioMgfh Increased In ono week , full devel opment mid portimiimit euro In ono month. I * iMi-ur's ( iie.it 1'ronuli Itonmily , " 1'AhTKl'U- INK , " will ( lo the biiHlnuhS. Uiuil siici'obsfiilly by tbo men of I'nincu for piist ulno yo.irs. Wo have roci'iitly olititlnnd the American agency. To rnuko Its morlts ipilcMy known wo wlllsund A SIO BOX OF I PASTEURINE i" Wrlti ) today if you want thin fnmoiiH nmieily fri'o , > ( ) O. O. I ) . I'AKi : Oil 1MI.UII ) . Mcdlclnu hunt by mall HKCUIIKLY SKALKD. Address PASTEUR REWEIJY CO. , in I * . O. Sii'mrr , JiMVII , MIIXN. Oblcliutcr'i l lnnii/ud HmnO. TNflYROYAL PILLS Original and Only flr nalne. AFC , tlwtji rtllabU. IADICB tik , Uruiclil lor CMeHtitir IWii * Hla i mon/CranJ In lied " ! ' ' ' < ' ' DiculllcV boin. tctlM with tluo MbMn Tnle . _ fnootlivr.Tfi dan3prcutu6ftfu. V lfonl nUfn < ( auonl At l > rUKilllorMD4 & In it rnr > t ftr i > Arllcul ri , IritlmooUU " Krllef for Ladlct. " In l l" . tj rclora Mill. lO.OOI ( T."ln.onliliTMIIVJIM - , * " ' * " " old b , l a firutiiu "ruiLMiV.rPft - uth . . -JlitloKl nffe tlon , mor futlal t lnl . flc Mun jon's Htmtdlrt , a tepuriU' " cute for rftch Ol m e. for , lair nl all < miKglst Mort- | ly J5c , When In ilonbl " wiltp lo ITof Munnn , r S Anh Street , I'lilU nilflphlo , r , , for free tnp < lrrl JxKe. KiTHKIl NKX , Thin remedy being In- Jcrtcil tUrortly to tlio ncnt of thoio dlariuicB of the ticnlto-llrlnarjr OrgnnR , ronulroR no linn no of tllot. Cure nnrnntcrit lit 1 to 3 um j. Miunllnlnlnimok * nc" l-v mn'1' ' Mcts-Dltlon Drue Co , P. 13. Cor'ICth and Far * nam Streets. Omaha , NrU Patronize Home Industries I'uriMiiiHliiK ( JiMulK Clinic nt the I'ol- ' > oliritNkii r'n A.WNINOS AND TUNTS. WOIjK llltOS. .V CO. , Miimifitcturcrti tnt : nunlnBu , tiinmullns , cor- cr tif nil kliiilo , llns Immici * and T03-70S S 16th 81 , Oinnlm OAIAIIV TijvrMI lu'iinnii ' co. ( Successors Omnlia Tent niiJ Aw nine Co. ) Manufacturer * tentj. II\MIIIR | Jobbem ladlei * unit Kcnta1 inuckintoslics. 'icnls for r nt. 1311 rarnntn SI. , Omnha. nninvcitius. OMMIV IllttUVI.VC \ . .stHM't'IO. > . Cur load chljmcnts mnilo In out own rctrlff- frutoi curs , llluc Hlbbon , iilic : lAporl. Vienna i.xpoit nnd runillj import dellxerod to all parli of the ollv. WITH MSI.i. linos. , v. S IITII co. rn\lnpr , Boner niul lltilUIIng iiitiric. Cnpnrll ) " 100.000 per diiO.ltce niul jnrj. ! 2J nnd lllchoi } St Telephone " > Omnha , Neb. COItNIC'iOI1KS. . o. li1. lU'nMvrnu , r.viii.r ronvion wouics. Iifnnufncti.rt" ' "f Gnlvunlzed lion Cornice * . On'- vnnlred Iron Sk > llnlit . Tin. lion nnd Plnl IloolliiRKcnt for Klnncn's Steel Cclllnir. 10S-1U-12 Nuith Klevcntli btrnl CKACKKK r.\rTomis : .ltIC VN 1IISCI ITMJ MKS. CO. , Wholesale Crackei Mnniifartiircr * . OMAHA. Neb. UYI : SCHOIODSACIC'.S T\V1. > CITY UY13 WOltlvS , 15 1 Kltriinm St. Djclni ; niul clonnlliK of Knnncnts und goods ot e\crj iliMrlptloii Clcnnlnt ; of line garments a tpclilty. FLOUU MIU S , S. l \ CIL'MVN , riour. Menl. Feed ami Jlfnn , 10l3-ir.-17 North 17th Street , Omaha , Neb. C. 12 lll.ick , nmnaecr. Tcleplmnc 592 ) IRON WORK9. DAVIS .t COWfilM , 1HON AVOU1CH. Iron ami Ilraxx Foiiiiilcrn. Mnnufncturers nnd Jotit > r * of Machinery. Gen eral repnltlne a epeclaltv. 1201 , 1503 and 1501 Jackgon street. Qmana Neb. I'AXTOX A VIKHMXn I1IOX AVOHK9. Manufacturers of Architectural Iron Work. General Toundr > . Machine anil IllaclcEinlth work. Engineers and Contractors for rirp Proof Build- Ing" . Olllce anil works : U. I * , lly. ani South ITIli street , Omnlia. LINSEED OIL. \ VOODMi.ixsr.nn OIL \vonics , Mnnufncturers old procen law linseed oil. kettle bnlled Unseed nil , uM process Around lln- cnke , er jund and &crt cned flaXBecd for . OMAHA , NED. LOUNOEH-MATTIIESSHS L. n. noui > . Manufacturer Lounccs. Couchec , Mattreases. Jobber of Spring Herts nnd reathers. 1307-11 Nicholas Btrc't. o > i\ii\ iii'ini.Nfi ro Manufacturers of high prnde Mattresses , 1302-1 NIchnlaR Ftreet , Omaha. OVERALL ANn SH1HT rACTOUlE3. KAT7-M-JVHNS COMPANY. Mfers. Clothing , PantF , Shirts nnd Overalls. OMAHA , 811IUT TACTOniES. J. II. HVA.VS. MIIIItASICA Hlllirr COJIPANV. Hxcluelvc cUFtom shirt tailors , 1C1S Farnara. TI.VWAIli : . W13STIJUN TINWAHIJ COMPANY , IMeccil , Hlnmped ami Japanned Tinware , Gran ite Iron , Hollow Ware , etc. 1001 Knrmim Ht. OMAHANEIl VlNiOAH ANI ) TICKLES IIAAHMANN VIXHOVH CO. , Mnnniifacturcrs of Vlnegur. Tickles , Cnt up , MuutnrdK , Celery and Wortrsleishire Sauce. WAOONH AND CAHHA(3n.S ( , WILLIAM prmi'Kin. Kor a good nulmlantlal vehicle of any descrip tion , for icnuintlne or rubier tires on new or old wheels , the best place. U 2T'.h and LvuvcnwortU Etrd'tu. nilllMMOM ) CAKKlACi : CO. Cheap , medium priced nnd tony carriage * . Any thine y u want Kcnml liand or new. lleailiiunrlera for Ituhher 'In-K , warranted , llth and llarncy , opposite Court House. " A. J. SIMPSON. 1-KIU , 1111 DoilBf. Tull line of Carriages , IlusslcD , I'lmetoni , Pony Carts. Wheelu rubber tlitU. The best U th chenoest. DC TO AND SPECIALISTS I Vonrii Hxporjrne * , Trioitmunt l y Mull , Kiiiinlimllon uml CoiiHiiltiitloii I're Uuitrnntcu to euro * | > ceillly unit riiillcully all dUeuim or Ilia SYPHILIS , IMP TEHCY < " LOST MlKflOOD , i.ortifiiitiKi : , . * , tJI.ICI'.T , HTIlICTimit , VAIUCOCItf.IC IIjdiouolcanndNlgbl HinlRtidiiH , llloo < l,8kliinnil Kidney DlHOusos , I'lUm. Hitulft am Hcctnl Ulcers nnd all klndroil ulffctlonn , uvon when all other * have failed. Metuoi ntivv. Cull on or addrcus with vtaitip. DR8. 8EARUE8 & 8EARLE8 , ofSSS. . Wn SJ.Ioi . ? . EBii omce , 119s0 , MIH si , , OMAHA , NEB