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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 1898)
THE OMAILA DAILY REE : SUNDAY , JA2JTA11Y 1(5 ( , 1SJS. 10 5 I/A BY 'ANTHONY HOPE COPYRIGHT. 1597 A.KHAWKIH5 . - V5 * Simon 13alf . the teller of tli story , born Jhottly nftcr the execution of Charles 1. , li looked upon as destined to gre'iuness be came n wlp woman hn prophesied that lie shall "t.o\o whnt ths king loves , know w iat the king hlden , nnd drink of the kins s cup. " .tiling In love with Unrlmrn. dnURh- ti-r of the parish magistrate. I-ord Qulnton , his VOUHK nffectlons nre diverted ! > ' the appcnrnnco of a mysterious London benuty named Cydarla , who sicretly sojourns at llatchsteail. On Cydarln's rsturn to I on- don ho receives n commission In the kins 8 Kiiarda. He BOOB to London , discovers that Cydarla Is rcnlly Nell Gwynn , and decides to resign hla commission because she procured It. He becomes a favorite of the young Ouko of Monmoutli , nnd In At tached to his suite. Goes to Dover with the duke , where a reception Is given the UltiR'H sister , queen of Krance. Tne qu en and her nulto are received with much pomp nnd ceremony , but the greatest Interest centers In the arrival of M , do Porrencourt , who conies by nluht from Calais. Secret conferences arc held. M. tie 'I'errencourt Is very partial to Hnrbarn , and seems deter mined to win her by any mettns. At the close of the conference Dale Is hurriedly summoned Into the ktnp'H pres'nce and commanded "to drink of the king's cup. At the first draught his senses leave him , The drllita proves to be drugged wlno sent to him by I'hlnena Tale and offered to the king by his friend Darrcll. Tale Is appre hended nnd confesses his diabolical pur pose and Is sentenced. Dale Is then at tached to the unite of M. de I'crrcncourt , lit that gentleman's request , nnd ordered to prepare for the Jouiney to Krance. Hw preparations intide , ho seekw to warn Bar bara ( who Is also going ) of their danger Jind to devlso some way of escape. At n moment when the boat Is becalmed In a < lens ( > fog- , they jump overlnard Into the pilot's boat , but before they push off Louis discovers them and leaps Into the boat. Dala overpowerH him while Barbara rows * omo distance from the ship. The king flmllnp' ' himself at a disadvantage , gra ciously acquiesces nnd , having- been rowed to the ship , dismisses the young people , who ro\v back : to the Kngllsh coast near Dover. Simon discovers that ho has but a single KUlnca. This ho presents to Birbara as u token of his desire to servo her to the ut most. In a moment of temper she flings It Into the pra. Penniless and In danger of npprohensl in , Simon thinks of Mistress Gwynn nnd , under cover of darkness , they timkf lla'lr way In a boat ta Dover. Mis tress Gwynn cordially gives them passage to London. They start Immediately and make their llrst stop at Canterbury , where the party attracts much attention and NMI IH highly applauded. Nell discovers that she has given olfcnso by her conduct and hires an early coach , leavlnp the lovers her car riage and a purse for their journey to Lon don. Thry mnko home only to hear of l.orn QuIntonV departure , nnd u new plan to beguile Barbara Into the hands of the French king. ( Copyright 1W. by A. II. Itnvklna. ) CIHPTEII XX. 'Continued. ' There Is t.io sort -cf c-iylng that a mother speaks and a ton hears to his shame and won der ! Her Cieart WM all In me , while mine wus far away. Despondc-acy had got hold of mo. Fortune in her merriest mood , seeming bent on fee > ! ng mo fairly , InJ cpcned a door olid shown mo the prospect of line doings and high ambl ior.s realized. Tie glimpse had been but brief , and the iilcky creature shut the door In my face with a laugh. Hetty Nasroth'a prophecy was fulfilled , but Its ac complishment left mo Iti no foclter flta'le ' ; nay. I oculd bo compelled to count myself lucltyllf I came eft tohurtund were not pur sued by tlitvanger of these great folk wlioae v\\\s \ \ anil wnltns I hail crotned. I must lie quiet In Ilatchctiiitl , and to He quiet In Hatchstwul wau'Ii 1 to mo nye , h 1 , unless by florae miracle ( \\hcrcot there was but one way ) it should turn to heaven. That was not for me ; I was denied youth's sovereign bulm for Ill-starred hopca and ambitions gene awry. The vicar and I were aiono now , and I could not but humcr him by tcl'/ag what had poised. Ho hoard with rare enjryment ; and although his Interest decline ! from Ua zenith so scn as I had told the 1".U of ilio prophecy , ho lUtcno'l to the rest with twinkling eye. * , No commen : did he ranke , but took snuff frequently. I , my tale dene , tell aqain Into inc < l'Hatlon. Yet 1 had been flrciJ by the ic- h causal of my own story , and my thoughts wo"i ) loin dark ' hup. The nt'wa concern ing Lrd Qulutoa stirred mo ofresa. My aid might a&aln be needed ; my nifclancholy w.n tinted with nletAttnt pride ns I declared to mjaelf that 1. tuould not he laclc > s for all tKU I fcad been used ascno would not use x fali'hfnl dog , much lea ? a gentleman , who , doubtlron 'by ' no merit of I/a own , but yet mca' certiilnly hai'i been of uo small service. To con'cea the truth , I waa so persuaded of my valuetiat I locked for every moment to bring mo a summons , and practiced under my bro-ith the terms , rcspsctful yet resentful , In which I would again place my arm and aword jit IJartara'ii dlupogil. "You loved thU crca'turo ' Nell ? " asked -the vicar suddenly. "Aye , " raid I. "I loved her. " "You love her no more ? " "Why , no. " I answered , mustering a cool Amtlc. "Folly such as that goes by with youth. " "Your ago Is 21 ? " "Yes , I am 24. " "And you love her no ; longer ? " " 1 toll you no longer , sir. " The vicar opened his box and took a largo pinch , "Then , " said he. the pinch ibolng between his Jlnser and thumb and Jup.t lialf way on the road to his ii&o , "you love some other woman , Simon , " Ho spoke not ai a man who aska a ques tion , not oven au ono who hazards an opin ion ; ho declared a fact and needed no an swer to confirm him. "Yes , you love some other woman , Simon , " Bald ho , and there left the matter. "I don't. " I cilod indignantly. Had I told myself a hundred times that 1 was not In love to bo told 'by ' another that I was ? True , 1 might have been In love linl not "Ah , who gees there ? " exclaimed the vicar , cprliiglns nimbly to the window and looking out with eagerness , "I eeem to know the gentleman. Come , Simon , look. " I obeyed him , A gentleman , attended by two servants , rode rapidly past ; twilight had begun 'to fall , but the light rerved well enough to show mo who the utianger was , Ho rode hard and his horse's head waa to ward , the manor Rales , "I think It Is m > < Lord Carford , " said the vicar. "Ho gow to the manor , as I think. " "I think It U and I think he does. " said t ; and for a single moment I flood there lr the middle of the room hesitating , wavering , mUerable , j "What alls you , Simon ? Why shouldn't ray Lord. Carford go to the manor ? " cried the vicar. "Lot liln * go to the devil. " I cried , .and I flelrcd uiy hat from the table where It lay. , The vicar turned to mo with a smile on his lips. , "Go. lad , " said ho , "nnd let mo not hear you again deny my propositions , They are foundo on an extensive obaorvatlon of hu. manltv and " Well , I know not to this day on what be sides , lor I was out of the house before the i vicar completed hU statement of the authority that underlay hU prepositions. CHAPTER XXI. TUB STRANGI3 CONMUNCTUUD OF TWO < MSNTLRMI5.V. ' . I have heard It said that King Charlea' ' laughed most heartily when he heard ho v a certain gentleman had tricked i.\I. do I'erren court and carried off from hi ? clutches the lady who should have gone to prepare for the duchoM of York's visit to the court of Versailles. "This Uriah will not bo set In the fore-front ot the battle , " nald he , "and therefore David can't have his way. " 'Ho would have laughed , I think , even although my action had thwarted Ills own schemes , tut the truth U that he had so wrought on that eauio devotion to her religion which According to ' .Mlitreea .Nell Inspired Mile , de Quoroualllo that by the time the news came from Cub I a he had little doubt of aucceu for lilmsclf , although his friend , M. do I'er rencourt , had been baffled. Ho had made his treaty , he had got his money , and the lady , If she would not stay , yet promised to return. The king then was well content , and found perhaps some sly Katlafactlon In the defeat ot the great prince whose majesty and dignity made any reverse which befell him an amusement to less potent persons , In any case the king laughed , then grew grave for a moment while he declared that his best efforts should not bo wanting to re claim .Mistress Qulnton to a sense of her duty , and then laughed again. Yet ho set about reclaiming her , although with no great energy or fierceness ; and when ho heard that Alonmouth had other views of the lady's duty 'ho shrugged his shoulders , saying ! "Nny , If there bo two liavlJs , I'll wager a crown on Uriah. " It Is caay to follow a man to the door of p. liniwc , but It the door bo shut after him and the pursuer not Invited to enter ho can but stay outside. So It fell out with me , and being outside I did not know what passed within nor how my Lord Carford fared with Mistress Barbara. I flung my self In high chagrin on the grass of tl < manor park , cursing my fate , myself , and , If not Barbara , yet that perversity which was In all women and by logic oven In Mis tress Barbara. Yet although I had uo part In It , the play went on and how It proceeded I learned afterward ; let mo now leave the stage that I have held too long and pass out of sight till my cue calla me again. This evening then , my lady , who was very sick , being In her bed , and 'MUtrcss Bar bara , although not sick , very weary of her solltudo and longing for a tlmo when she could betake nemplf to the same refuge ( for thcro is a pride that forbids us to seek bed too early , however strongly wo desire It ) , there cnmo a great knocking at the door of the house. A gentleman on horse back and accompanied by two servants was without nnd craved Immediate audience ot her ladyship. Hearing that she was abed ho asked for Mistress Barbara and obtained entrance ; yet ho would not give his name. "THEN , " SAID SHE. "YOU LOVE SOME OTHER WOMAN , SIMON. ' but declared that ho came on urgent busi ness from Lord Qulnton. The excuse served , and Barbara received him. With surprise she found Carford bowing low before her. I had told her enough concerning him to prevent her welcome being warm. I would have told her more had she afforded me the opportunity. The Imperfect knowledge that le IIPU caiibedl her to accuse him rather of a timidity In the face of powerful rivals than of any deliberate design to set hla love below his ambition and to use her as his tool. Had she known all I knew eht would not have listened to him. Even now oho made some pretext for declining conver sation that night and would have with drawn at once , but he stayed her retreat , earnestly praying her , for her father's sake p-i her own : o hear his message , and as sorting that she was In more danger tliau she was aware of. Thua he persuaded her to be seated. "What Is your message from , my father , my lord ? " ehe asked coldly , yet not un civilly. - "Madame , I have none , " ho answered with a bluntneas not 111 calculated. "I used the excuse to gain admtaslon , fearing that my own devotion to you would not sufllce , well as you know It. But although I have no message , I think that you will have one soon. Nay , you must listen. " For she had risen. "I listen , my'lord , but I will ILstcci stand ing. " "You're hard to me , Mlstross Barbara , " ho said. "But tnko the tidings how you will , only pay hoed to them " Ho drew nearer to her and continued , "Tomorrow a message will come from your father. You have had none for many days ? " "Alas , no ! " tald she. "Wo were both on the road and could send mo letter to ono another. " "Tomorrow one cornea. May I tell you what It will say ? " "How can you know what it will eiy , my lord ? ' "I will stand by the- event , " said he stur dily. "Tho coming'ot the letter will prove mo right or wrong. It will bid your mother and > ou to accompany the mesaenger " "My mother cannot. " "Or , If your mother cannot , you alone , with aorao waiting woman , to Dover. " "To Dover ? " cried Barbara. "For what purpose ? " She shrank from htm , as though alarmed by the very name of the place whence she had escaped. Ho looked full In her face , and answered slowly and significantly. "Madame goes back to Franco , and you are to no with her. " BarLara caimht at a chair ne < ir her and cank into It. Ho stood over hur now , speak. Ing quickly and urgently. "You must lls on , " ho eald , "and loao no time In acting , A French gentlemen , by tame M , do Fonteilos , will bo hero tomorrow ; he carrier your father's letter , and Is sent to bring you to Dover. " "My father bids mo come ? " Bbe cried , "His letter will convey the request , " an. swored Carford , "Then I will go , " &ild sho. "I can't come to harm with him , and when I have told him all , ho wm't allow mo to go to France. " For as yet my lord did npt know of what had befallen his daughter , nor did my lady , whose sickness made her unfit to be burdened with such troublesome matters , "Indeed , you would come ( o no harm with your father , It you found your father , " said Carford. "Oorue , I will tell you. Before you roach Dover my lord' will have gone from there. AH soon as his letter to you v\us gent the king made a pretext to dispatch htm Into Cornwall ; lie wrote again to tell you of hla journey and bid you not to come to Dover till liu'semla for you. Tbls letter be entrusted to a mene-ager of my Lord Arlington's , who Man MKIng the read for London , But the uecretary's messenger know when to hastra amlnvhon to loiter on the way. You are to have set out .before tl'e letter arrives , " Barbara looked at him In bewilderment and terror ; he v.aa , to all seeming , composed , and spoke with an air of hontat sincerity. "To speak It plainly , It Is a trick , " ho eald , "to Induce you to return to Dover , This M. de Fontellea has orders to bring you at nil hazards , and U armed with the'klag'a authority , In ca.se my lord's bid-1 iling should not be enough. " She eit for a while In helpless dismay. Carford Iwd the wisdom not to Interrupt her thoughts. He koew tlfcU sno waa seek. t Ing for a plan ot escape and was willing to let her find that there was none. "When do you wy that il. do Foatolles will bo hero ? " she usked at last. "Late tonight or early tomorrow. Ho rested a few hours In London , whllo iTodo through , else I shouldn't have been here be. fore him. " " nd why are you come , my lord ? " 8ho asked. "To servo you , raadamo , " he anaworcd simply. She drew herself up , saying , haughtily : "You were not so ready to servo mo at Dover. " Carford was not disconcerted by an at tack that ho must have foreseen. He had the parry ready for the thrust , "From the danger that I know I guarded you , the other I did not know. " Then , with a burst of wcll-tclgcied Indignation , ho cried : "By hoiven , but for mo > the French king would have 'been ' no peril to you ; he would have come too late. " She understood him and flushed painfully. "When the Is " he enemy mighty , pursued , "wo must fight him by guile , not force ; when we can't oppose wo must delay ; wo must check where wo can't stop. You know my meaning ; to you I couldn't put It more plainly. Yet now * have spoken plainly to the duke of Monmoutb , praying some thing from him In my own nairut as well -is yours. Ho to a noble prince , madamc , and hla offense should bo pardoned by'you ' who caused It. Had I thwarted him openly , ho would have been my enemy and yours. Now ho Is your friend and mine. " The defense was clever enough to bridle her Indignation. Ho followed' up his ad vantage swiftly , leaving h r no tlmo to pry for a weak spot la his pleading , "By heaven , " he cried , "lot us lose no time on past troubles. I was to blame , It you will , In execution , though not , I swear , In Intention. But hero and now Is the dan ger , and I am come to guard you from It. " "Then I am much la your debt , ray lord , " said fhc. still Doubtful , yet In her trouble eager to believe him honest. "Nay , " ho said , "all that I have , madame , Is youra , and you can't be In debt to your slave. " I do not doubt that In this speech his pas sion seemed real enough and was the more effective from having been suppressed till now , so that It appeared to break forth | _ , : , his will. Indeed , although ho was a man In whom ambition held the place of I love , yet he loved her , and would have made- i her his for passion's sake , as well as for I thp power that he hoped to wield through l her means. I hesitate now to Judge him. I There are many men who take their color from the times , ns some Insects from tLe PU.HH thev teed on ; lei honest times thej\ \ would be honest. In debauched they follow the evil fashion , having no force to stand b > i oj u..v .3. I'urhaps the lord was one of this kidney. "It's an old story , thte love of mine , " said ho in gentler tonsa. "Twice you have heard It , and a lover who speaks twice musl mourn one at least ; yet the second time I think you came nearer to heeding It. Ma > I tell It once again ? " "Indeed , It Is not the time " she began in an agitated voice. "Bo your answer what It may , I am ypu servant , " he protested. "My hand and heiri are yours , although your's be another's. " "Thero Is none I ttia. free " slje raur- murod. His eyes were on her , and she nerved herself tp calm , saying : "There In nothing of what you suppose. But my dis. position toward you , my lotd , has not changed. " He let a moment go by befono ho answered her. Ho made It seem as though emotion forbade earlier speech. Then ho said gravely : "I am grieved from ray heart to hoar It , nnd I pray heaven that on curly clay may bring mo another answer. God forbid that I should press your Inclination now. You may accept my service freely , although you do not accept my lovo. Mistress Barbara , you'll come with mo ? " "Come with you ? " she cried , "My lady will come also , and wp three together will seek your father In Cornwall. On my faith , madame , there ia no safety but In flight , " "My mother lies too sick for journeying. Didn't you hear It from my father ? " "I haven't seen ray lord , ily knowledge ot his letter came through the duke ot Monraouth , and although ho spoke there of ray lady's sickness , I trusted that she had recovered. " "My mother cannot travel. It Is Impos sible. " Ho came a atop nearer her. "Fontelles will bo hero tomorrow , " he said. If you are hero then Yet If there bo any other 'Whose aid you could seek " Again he paused , regarding her Intently , She sat In sore distress , twisting her hands In her lap , One there was and not far away. Yet to send for hlra crpssed her resolution and stung her pride moat bitterly. We had parted In anger , she and I. I had blamed my share In the quarrel bitterly enough , It Is likely she had upared herself no more ; yet the more fault Is felt the harder comes its acknowledgment. "Is Mr. Dale In Hatchstead ? " asked Car- ford , boldly and .bluntly , "I don't know where ho Is. He brought me here , but I have heard nothing from him since wo parted. " "Then surely he Is gone again1 "I don't know , " said Barbara. Carford must have been a dull man Indeed not to discern 'how the matter lay. There Is no better time to press a lady than when she Is chagrined with a rival and all her pride U under arras to fight her Inclination. "Surely , or he could not. have shown you pueh Indifference nay , I must call it dis courtesy. " "He did me a service. " "A gentleman , madame , should grow more , , not lens , assiduous when he Is so happy as I to have put a lady under obligation , " He had said enough , and restrained him self from a further attack , "What will you do ? " ho wcnl on. "Alas , what can I do ? " Then she cried : 'This 'M. de Fcntcllcs can't carry uie off ' asalnst ray will. " \ "Ho has thp king's commands , " said Car- ' ford. "Who will resist him ? " I fho sprang to her feet and turned on him quickly , "Why , you , " she said. "Alone with you I cannot and will not go. But you are my > ou are ready to ccrve me. You wH rpslst M. de T"ontclles for my sake , ave , nnd for my sake the king's commands. " ' Canford stood still , amtficfl'fct the sudden change in her manner. lHo.nhad not con celvcd this demand , anil iU suited him very 111. The stroke was too hold for his temper The king was Interested In Oils' affair , and 1 might go hard with the man fwho upaot his plan and openly resisted 3 ls messenger Carford had calculated .on being able to carry 1ier off , and thus defeat the scheme under show of Ignorance. , " Thp thing done and done unwittingly , mlght""galn pardon To meet and defy the erieray , face to face was to stake all his fortune Jon a desperate chance. 'Ho ' was dumb. , . Barbara' * lips curved Into a smile thaterpressed , wonder and dawning contempt. . "You hesitate , sir ? " she asked. "The danger Is great , " ho' ' muttered. "You spoke of discourtesy Just nuw , my lord " "You do not lay It to my charge ? " "Nay , to refueo to face danger for n lady and a lady whom a man 'loves you meaiv that , my lord goes by another namo. : forgive discourtesy sooner than that other thing , my lord. " His face grow whlto with passlco. She ac cused him of cowardice , and plainly hlntod to him that If ho failed 'her she would turn to ono who was no coward , let him be as dis courteous and Indifferent as his sullen dis position made him. I am sorry I was not there to see Carford's face. Yet ho was In the not -of her challenge now , a bold front alone would serve. "By lieaven , madame , " ho cried , "you sfcal know by tomorrow how deeply you wren ? mo. If my head muatonswer for it , you shal have the prosf. " "I thank you , ray lord , " tald she with a llttlo bow , as though she asked uo more than her duo In demanding tha't ' to should risk his head for her. "I did not doubt your answer. ' "You shall have no cause , madame , " suK ho very boldly , although he could not con trol the signs of his uncatocss. " 'Again I thank you , " eald ahe. "It grows late , ray lord. iBy your > 'kindness I sliai : sleep peacefully and without fear. G-ooc nlg-at. " Sho- moved toward the door , but tuined to him again , saying : " 'I pray your pardon , but even hospitality must give way to sickness. I cannot entertain you suitably whllo my mother lies bed. Jf you lodge at the Inn , they will tend , you well for my father's sake , and a message from me caa reach you easily. " Ourforii had strung M.ineelt 'to ' give tiio promise ; whether ho would .fulfill . It or not lay uncertain In itho future. Yet for so much a * ho had dcue he bid a mind tobo paid. He came to her , and' kneeling , took her hand. ( io suffered him to kiss U. "There lo nothing I woqjdn'.t do to win my prize , " ho aald , fixing his. eyes ardently on her face. "I have asked nothing7 but what you seemed to offer , " she answered coldly. "It It be a matter of bargain , my lord < " "No , oo , " ho cried , seeking to catch again at her band as she drew It away and with a curtsy passed out. Thus she left him without eo much as a backward glance to promise- further favor. So may a lady , If riie play her game well , take all and promise nothing. Carford , refused oven a lodging In the house , crossed In the plan by which he had reckoned on getting Barbara Into his power , driven to an enterprise for which he had small liking , and left In utter doubt w'.iothcr fno success for which ho ran so great a risk would profit him , may well have sought the Ian to which Barbara commended him in no cheerful mood , I wager he swore a round cath or two , as ha and his servants made their way thither through the dusk and knocked up the host , who , keeping country hoiits , was already In bed. It cost them some minutes to rouse hlrn , and Carford beat moat angrily on the door. At last -they were ad mitted and I turned away. For I must cccifcss It ; I bad dogged their steps , not ablei to rest till I saw what would become of Carford , Yet we must give love bis duo. If ho takes a man Into strange Places , sometimes ho shows him things worth his knowing , If I , a lovesick fool , had watched a rival Into rny mistress' house and matched him out of It with devouring jealousy , aye , If I had chosen to spend ray tlmo be neath the manor windows rather than In my own 'comfortable chair , why , I had done only what many who are now wise and sober gen tlemen have done in tfoelr time. And If once In that same park I had declared my heart broken for the sake of another lady , there are revolutions in hearts as In states , and after the rebels have had their day the king comes to his own again , Nay , I have known some who nro very loyal to King Charles yet said nothing hard of Oliver , whose yoke they once had worn. I will ay naught against my uauroer , although the queen may have come to her own again. Well , Carford should not have her. I , Simon Dale , might be the greatest fool In the king's dominions , and Ho sulking while another stormed the citadel on whlc',1 I longed to plant my flag. But the victor should not be Carford , Among gentlemen a quarrel IE easily come by. Yokels may mouth their blowsy sweetheart's name and flght openly tor her favor over their mugs of ale ; we quarrel on the state ot the kingdom , the fall of the cards , the cut of our ccats , what you will. Carford and I would find a causa without much search- Ing. I was so hot that I was within an ace of summoning him then and there to show by what right he code ko boldly through my na tive village ; that offense would serve as well as any ether. Yet prudence prevailed. The closed doors or the tgn hid the party from my sight and I went on ray way , determined to be about by cock-crow lest Carford should steal a inarch. ' But ' vicar's dear. ai < J wont I passed''the Ho stood on the threshold , smoking his long pipe ( the gcoJ man loved Virginia and give hla love free rein In the cveii'lng ) and Earing at the sky. I tried to slink-by htm , tea rim ; to bo questioned , but ho ca'ught sight cf ray flgurn and called mo to him ; yet ho made uo reference to the inatihtV ot our last parting. "Whither away , Simon ! lip fctkcd. "To b < * - , sir , " said I. ' "U IH well , " sail he. Ahd whence ? " "From a wall : , olr. " i i- Hla oyea met mine , and I MW them twin- Id" . Ho waved the stem of li'fl pipe In the air ana tr\-\ \ : ' ' Love , Simon , la a dlv ne alrc per ot the wind , wherein it p Mis Tl'ca | iU woo'o r.allcuo aa1 r-co ht , vcu from hell. " "You borrow from the poet * , sir. " said surlily "Nay , " he rejoined , " the poeU from me or from any man who IIAS > or has had ft hear in him. WhM , Simon , you leave mo ? " Fo I hail turned away. "It's late , sir , " said I , "for the making o rhapsodies. " * "You'vo made yours , " ho smiled. 'Hark what's that ? ' " As ho Rpoko there came iho found o homes' hosts. A moment later the figures of two mounted men emerged from the dark ties' . By , omo Impulro , I know not what , run behind the vlcnr and shclterr-d mysel In the porch at his "hick. Cartord's arrlva had set my mind stlr again nnd new event ; found ready welcome. The vicar steppe < out a pace Into the road with hlj hand over his e > cs and peered at the strangers. "What do you call this place , sir ? " came In a loud volco from the nearer of the riders U started at the voice ; It had struck on mj oars before and no Englishman owned It. "It is the village of Hatohstead. at your service , " answered the vlwir. 'Ma there in Inn In It ? " "Ride for half a mile and you'll find a good one. " "I thank you , sir. " I could hold mygnlf no longer , but pushci the vicar Aside nnd ran out Into the ro.id The horsemen had already turned their heads toward the Inn nnd walked along slowly , as though they were weary. "Goo < night , " crlwl the vicar whether to them or to mo or to all creation , I know not. The door closed on him. I stood for an instan watching the retreating form of the man who had Inquired the way. A spirit ot high excitement came on me ; It might bo tha all was not finished and 'that Betty Nas- roth's prophecy should not bind tlu > future In fetters. For there at the Inn was Car- ford , and hero. If I do not err , was the man whom my knowledge ot French had so per plexed In the Inn at Canterbury And Carford knew Fontelles. On what er rand came ttiey ? Were they friends to OHO another cr foes ? If friends , they should flm an enemy ; It foes , there was another to share their battles. I could not tell the meaning of this stratiRo conjunction , whereby the two came to Hatchstead ; yet my guess was no far out , and I hailed the > prospect that i give with a fierce exultation. Nny. I lauEhei aloud , but first knew that I laughed when suddenly M. de Fontclles turned In hli saddle , crying In French to his servant : "W'.iat was that ? " "SoniPthlnc ; laughed , " answered the fellot In an alarmed voice. "Something ? You mean somebody. " "I know not. H sounded strange. " I had stepped In under the hedge- whet Fontelles turned , but hla puzzle and the servant's supcrstltltlous fear wrought en mj excitement. Nothing would serve mo but ti play a jest on the Frenchman , I lauguci again , loudly. "God Eave us ! " cried the servant , nnd nuke no doubt he crossed himself mos piously. "It's some madman got loose , " said M. ds Fontcllcfl scornfully. "Come. lot's get on. " It was a boy's trick a very body's trick Save that I sot down everjthing I would not tell It. I out my hands to my mouth nnd bel lo.vcd : "II vlcnt. " An cath broke from Fontelles. I darted Into the middle of the road , and for a momenl siood there , laughing apaln. Ho had wheeled his horse around , but did not advance toware' me. I take It that ho was amazed , or It may be , searching a bewildered memory. "II vlent ! " I cried again In my folly , and , tinning , ran down thp road at my best speed , laughing still. Fontelles made no ef fort to follow me , yet on I ran , till I came to my mother's house. Stopping there , panting and breathless , 1 cried In the exuberance of triumph : "Now she 11 have meed ot mo ! Certainly t'ao thing the vicar spoke of Is a dhteir.per. Whether dlvino or of what origin I will not have judged by that night's prank of mine. "They'll do very well together at the Inn , ' I laughed as I flung myselt on my bed. CHAPTER XXJI. THE DEVICE OF LOUD CAUFOUD. It Is not my desire to assail , nor Is U my part to defend , the reputation of the great Thcro Is no such purpose In anything that I have hero written. History la their judge and our own weakness their advocate. Some said , and many believed , that madame brought the young French lady In her train to Dover with the Intention that the thing should happen which happened. I had rather hold , If It ibo possible to bold , that a prin cess so gracious and so unfortunate meant Innocently , and was * cajoled or overborne by the persuasions of her kinsmen , and per haps by some specious pretext ot state pol icy. In llko manner I am reluctant to think that she planned harm for Mletress Barbara , toward whom , she had a true affection , and 1 will read In an honest sense. If I can , the letter which M de Fontelles brought with him to Haitchstead , 'in It madame touched with a light discretion on what had passed , deplored with pretty gravity the wayward ness ot men and her own simplicity , which made her a prey to their devices and ren dered her less useful to her friends than she desired to be. Yet now she was warned , her eyes were opened , she would guard her own honor and that of any who would trust to her. Nay , he himself , M do Perrencourt , was penitent , oven as wcs the duke of Monmouth - mouth , and had sworn to trouble her and her friends no more. Would not , then , her sweet Mistress Barbara , with whom ( aho vowed ) she had fallen so mightily In love , como iback to her and go with her to Franco , and bo with her umtil the duchess of York came , and. In good truth , as much longer as Barbara would linger , and Barbara's father In hl < 3 kindness suffer ? So ran the letter , and It seemed an honest letter. Yet I do not know , and If It were honest , yet who dered trust to It ? Grant madame the best of will , where lay her power to resist M , do Porrencourt ? But M. de Pprrencourt wao > enltcnt. Aye , his penitence was for having let her go , and would last until she should : > o In his power again. Let the intent of the letter be carried to what It might , M. < le Fontelles , a gentleman of courage and high honor , believed his er rand honest. Ho had not been at Dover , and knew nothing ot what had passed there , [ f ho were an Instrument In wicked schemes 10 did not know the mind of fhoso who em ployed him , lie came openly to Hatch- stead on an honorable mission , as ho con ceived , and bearing an Invitation whloh should glvo great gratification to the lady : o whom It was addressed. Madame did Mistress Qulnton the high compliment ot desiring her company , and would doubtless recompense her well for the service nho asked. FoutollPs saw uo more nnd apkod no nore. In perfect confidence and honesty ho iet about his task , not Imagining that ho lad been sent on an errand with which any man could reproach him or with a purpose that gave any the right of questioning his actiona. Nor did my cry of "II vlent" change this mood In him. When he col- octed his thoughts and recalled the Incl- lent In which these words had before played a part , ho saw In them the challenge of eomeono who had perhaps penetrated a itato secret and was ill-affected toward the king and the king's policy , but ibelng un aware of any connection between Mistress iarhari and M. do Perrencourt , he did no't associate the silly cry with the object o lU present mission. So also , on hearing tat a gentleman was at the IDJI ( Carford had not given lito name ) , and had visited the manor , he was in no way disquieted , but -eady enough to racet any number of gen- tomen without fearing their company or heir scrutiny. Oayly and courteously ho presented him , self to Barbara , Her mother lay still IK jed and she received him alone In the room ookliiR out on the terrace , With a low bow and worda of deference ho declared his er rand and delivered to her the'letter ho bore rom inadamo , making bold to add his. own lepers that Mistress Qulnton would not send ilm back unsucccss-rul , but let him win the iralse of a trustworthy messenger. Then ho wlrled his mustache , smiled gallantly and valted with all composure while she read ho letter. Indeed , he deserves some pity , or wpmen are not wont to spend much t'rno ' on reasoning In such a erne. When a man comcj on buslnen-s which they suspect to ) e evil they make no ado about holding him a party to It , end that without Icqulrlng vhether ho knows the thing to which he Is ettlng his hand. Barbara read her letter through once and second , time ; then , without n word to Fon- elleu aye , not to much as bidding him < bo catod , ho wununonod a servant and dU- atc'ued him to the Inn to summon Cirford o brr. Fhe spoke low and the Frenchman did pot hoar. When hey \vro again alone ' tiwthrr I-nrVrj w > Ike-l to tbn window and , s > ocd th-"e lcokl' < s out. FortPilej , grow'oK puclrj end ill at uscc , waltoJ . " 3rue mo-j requirements are perfectly met in Wool Soap. There may be more expensive soaps but none better. / / is nb- solntcly pure. For the bath it is pleas ant , soothing and delightful. There's only one soap that won't shrink woolens. You MY MAMA I WISH MINE must choose between USED HAD. tween no soap and \VIIF.N ftOINO TO Ni\V YOltlC Oil 1MIILADKL1MIIA TUAVEI. VIA. T1IK LEHICH VALLEY RAILROAD. Solid. Trnlns , ,8nperb Kqul | > iuont , DlnliiK Cnr a In Curtc. Scciuiry lliivquaU'd. Itouto of tlio BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS , Iliuidsnincst Trnln In the World. For Ailvortlnlncr ? Iuttrr unit Utlinr Information write to J J. A. 8. nKltl ) , \ . W. I' . A , Vlti boiilli Clnrk HI. , riilriiKi ) . III. A. A. IH'.MUI , AV. I' . A. , lIilfTillii , \ . Y. C11AS. H. Mil : , Cm. PnnnriiKiT Aecnt , i I'hllndclpliln , 1'n. ' . . IMAKT-IHJHN ! nml ull < Btnnmch I Troubles quickly ro- 1 lloxcil nnu curcil by VJ.OIIAPLEXION. Bamplo bottle fvco by mall or lirugulsta. Every drop In worth Its weight In gold when you nerd It. Adilrrns , ifraiilcllu Iart , Uept , J\T Kcw XurK. monts "before " ho ventured to address her ; her air was not such sis to encourage him ; her cheek was reddened and her eyes wcro Indignant. Yet at last ho plucked up his Uounago. "I trust , madame , " said ho , "that I may carry the fairest of answers back with mo ? " "What answer Is that , sir ? " she asked , half turning to him with a scornful glance. ( "Yourself , madame. If you will so honor mo. " he answered , bowing. "Your coming would bo the answer best pleasing to mad ame , nnd the Ibest fulfillment ot my errand. " She looked at him coolly for a moment or two and then said : "I have sent for a'gentleman who will ad- vlso mo on my auswer. " M < Jo Fontelles raised his bro e and an swered somewhat etiniy ; "You are free , madnme , > to consult whom you will , although I had hoped that the matter needed but llttlo consideration. " She turned on him in a fury. "I thank you for your Judgment ot mo , sir , " she cried. "Or Is It that you think mo n fool to Tie .blinded by this letter ? " "Before hevavcn " began the puzzled geii- tloman. "I know , sir. In what esteem a woman's honor Is held In your country , and at your king's court. " "In as high , madame , as In your country , ind at your court. " "Yes , that's true. God help mo , that's true. But wo are not at court now , sir. Hasn't It crossed your mind that such anl orrantl OB yours may be dangerous ? " "I had not 'thought It , " he said with if smile and a shrug. "But , pardon mo , I do not fear the danser. " "Neither danger nor disgrace ? " she Mieered. Fontelles ( lushed. "A lady , madame , may say what she pleases , " ho remarked with a bow. "Oh , enough of pretenses , " she cried. "Shall wo speak openly ? " "With all my heart , madame , " said he , lost between anger and bowJldorment. For a moment It aeeraed as though she would speak , but the shame or open speech was too great for her. In his Ignorance and wonder ho could do nothing ) to aid her. "I wc 't speak of It , " Bho cried. "It's n man's part t tell you the truth and to osV account from you , I won't soil my lips with It. " Fontclles took a atop toward her , Becking low ho could asauago a Jury that ho did not understand. "As God llvus , " he began gravely. IMr- > ara would < nat glvo him opportunity. 'I pray you , " she cried , "ntand aBldo and suffer mo to pass. I will not stay longer wltti you. Let mo paes to the door , sir. I'll send a gentleman to speak with you. " Fontollca. deeply offended , utterly at a ICBS , flung the door open for her and stood aside o let her rasa. 'Madame , " ho faid , "It must bo that you nlBepprehcnd , " "MUappichond ? Yes , or apprehend too learly ! " "As I am a gontlcman " "I do not grant It , sir , " she Interrupted. Ho was silent then ; bowing again , he drev/ pace further back. She stood for a nomont , looking scornfully at him. Then , with a courtesy , she bade 'ilm farewell mid assed out , leaving him In as sad a condition a ever woman's way left man since the world began. Now , for reasons that have been nut cut , Carford received bis Riimrarns with SUM 11 plo'flure , and obeyed It so leisurely that M , do Fontcllos had more tlmo than enough n which to reck hla brains for the mr-inliiB of Mistrres Barbara's taunts. Yet ho came no noirer the truth , and was reduced to taring Idly out of window till the gcritlonwn vbo was to make the matter plain should arrive. Thus he HEW Carford coming up to ho house on foot , alowly and heavily , ulth a gloomy face and , > nervous ulr. FontellcB uttered an exclamation of joy ; he had known Jarford , and a friend's lid would put him Ight with this habty damsel who denied ilm even the cUnnce of oelf-dcfunao. Ho MB aware also , that In oplto of Ills outward devotion to the duku of Monrnouth , Carford was In reality of the French party. So h ? was about to run out and welcome him , when his Hteps wore stayed by the sight of Mistress Barbara herself , who fle-w to meet the newcomer with every nlgn ot oigerncw. Carfprd saluted hpr. and the pair entered Into conversation on the terrace , Fontolloa watching them from the window. To hU frcdh amazement , the Interview seemed hardly less fierce , than his own had been. The lady appeared to pre&i Homo course on her adviser , which the adviser wag loath to take ; the Instated , growing anfery In manner ; ho , having fenced for nwlillo and protested , iml- lenly gave way ; he bowed acquiescence whllo his.demeanor .jOTertcd disapproval ; she made nothing of hli disapproval and received hla acquiescence with a acorn llttlo dUgulicd. Oirford piceed' on to the house ; Barbara did not follow him , but. flinging heruelf on a marble scat , covered her face with her lianda and remained there in an attitude which epuko of deep agitation , ted misery. 'To be Continued. ) patronize Home Industries 11 - I'lirrlinxliiKT Coinl fllmlo nt tlio Fol lowing \cliniNkn 1'uotorleii. ATCNINQS AND TENTS. OMAHA TI3NT AXU KUllllKIl CO. ( Successors Omaha Tent nml Awnlnc Co. ) Manufacturers tents , nwnlnss ; Jobbers Indies and penis1 MacklntoBlics. Tents for rent. 1311 K r- iium St. , Omaha. nnmvnuiES. OMAHA llllUWIXC ! ASSOCIATION. Carload shipments nmdc In our own roMs- crntor cars. Hluc Illbbon. Ullta Export. Vienna Import nnd Family EM > ort delivered to nil pattg ot the city. _ COHKICU WORKS. , FA M : COKXICIS AVOHICS. Manufacturer of Oalvnnlzed Iron Cornices , Qal- vanlred Iron Skylights. Tin , Iron and Blato RoofliiR. ARcnt for Klnncnr'B Sti-el Cellini ; . 108-10-12 North Eleventh street , CRACKER TACTORinS AMISH1CA.N HISCriT ANH .MFG. CO. Wholesale CrncUer Manufacturers. OMAHA. NED. DYE WORItfi. SCHOKIISACIC'S TWI.V CITY 1JYM \VOHIvS , 1521 Kiirnuiu St. Dyclnpr nnd cleaning of Garment' * and goodn of every description. Cleaning of flue garments a specialty. FI.OUII MIU.S. S. V. GILMAX. Flour. Meal. Feed , llran. 1013-15-17 North 17th Street. Omaha , Neb. C. E. niack , Manager. Telephone 692. IRON WOUKS. DAVIS .fc C01VGIM ; IIIOX WOIIICS. Iron nnd IlriiNN Founder * . Manufacturers nnd Jobbers of Machinery. Gen. era ! repairing a specialty. 1001 , 1 03 nnd 1003 Jackson street , Omaha. Neb. LINSEED OIL * WOODMAN M.VSHKI ) Oil , \VOKKS. Manufacturers old proccis raw Unseed oil. kettle - tlo boiled Unseed oil , old process K'ound llneced cakes , tiound and screened nnxeccd fur drug gists. OMAHA , NE11 , U3UNOES MATTRESSES. i , . ( i. noir. Manufacturer lymnses , Couchtu , MnltrCEfcs Job ber of Spring llcdb and Feathers. 411-413 South 10th Street. OMAHA DKDDI.VG OO. Manufacturers of hlBh grade Math tries. 1M t-t Nicholas Streat , Oinalin. OVERALL , AND HHIIIT FACTORIES. KATZ-XH VRXH COMI'AA V. Mfgra. ClothliiK , 1'nntn Shlils , Overalls , OMAHA. NEU. BIURI' FACTORIES. .1. II. HVA.VS , M5IIIIASICA SIIIHT COMI'AXV. Exclusive custom shirt tullorn. Ills Fartinm. VJNECJAR AND TICKLES. HAAHMA.W VIVKRAIl CO. Manufacturers of Vlnc.'Kur , I'lcklfs. Cnt Mustards , Celery and Worcestershire Sauce. WAGONS AND CARRIAGES. WILLIAM l'l''iiKKiit , For n good substantial vehicle of any descrlp , lion , for rc-palntlng or iiihbcr tires on new or eli ) ulioels the beet place In 27th and Ixuvi ? > mvorti ! streets. DRl'M.MOM ) CAHHIAGK CO , Cheap , medium prlcrd and tony caiiliiees. Any thing you want , EOCDIH ! Imnd or new. Head , cjunrtora for rubber tlrcu , warranted , llth anil lluincv. opposite Court House , A. , T , .SIMI'SO.V , J.I01) , I'll ! Dollar. Full llni > of Carrlai.'CH , UUKglcu , I'hoetoni , Pony Carts. U'htclu rubber tired , The best Is tha vhcapist. CIGAR MANUFACTURERS , HUMS .t CO. Largest factory In the wctt. Leading jobbers it Omaha , Kansas City , Lincoln and Ht. Joirpli handle our goods. lOOi Fnrnam Stirct , A D. T. Co. ; nioHengcra furnished , bug * gage delivered , 1302 Douglas St. Te ) . 177 , UrcUBlne. JTlrti Week. UwwoTtVeik. WEAK MEN Instant Relief. I will gladly i envelope | * Ji Moat fur a quick , private cure for Lett VJnhpM Nljiht ( .duel. Nervous Dthllllr. KinUlVfnl 1'trti , Varleocclr.rlc. O. II. WrUht. Iu i * ijpjlirf. Itm l4Hft. MWiall. OlW