1
M MMR
BY ANTHONY HOPE
Blmon Dole , the teller of th story , born
shortly nfter thD execution of < harles 1. .
I looked upon HH destined to gro.unens lip-
cause a xvl.tp womnn has prophesied tlmt
lie shall -I.OVP what the king loves , know
what th kins hldi > B , nr.d Orink of the king *
cup , " KnllltiR In love With lliii-.i.ii.v. O.-iUKh-
tcr of the pnrltli tnaglitrntf , I/onl Cjultilon.
his young nirerllon" ! nro diverted liy the
iippfnrniH'C of n mysterious London beauty
nnnifd rytl rln , who STrctly sojourns nt
Ilntchfttond. On Cydnrla's r-turn to Lon
don he n-celveg a commission In the King s
guards. HP ROCS to London , discovers
Hint Cydarh. ! i ronlly Nell llwynn , utiil
decides to losigii Ills commission liecauso
she procured It. Ho become * a fnvorlto or
the yoiins duke of Monmouth , nml Is at
tached to his sulto. Uoei to I > ivnr with
the duke , wliuro n reception Is Riven the ;
king's sister , queen of France. Tr.e iiu > en i
nml her sulti > arc received with iniirh pomp
nml I'uromoiiy , but the gioatnst IntcrcHt
centers In tbe nrrlv.il of M. dp Pcrrcnrourt ,
who comes by nlfiht from Calais. Secret
conferences arc held. .M. dp I errcncoiirt Is
very jMirtlnl to IJarbarn , nifit seems deter
mined to win her by tiny m.ans. At the
close of the conference D'lle U hurriedly
miimnoned Into the kind's pre.wnce nnil
cominaiidril "to drink of the klnc's cup. "
At thp first draught bis senses leave him.
The drlnU proves to be drugged wine went
to him bv I'hlncns Tate and offpred to the
king by Ills friend Unrrrll. Tatc U nprrc-
hendeil nnd confc scs his diabolical pur
pose and Is sentenced , Dale IH then at
tached to the suits of M. de 1'crrencourt ,
nt that gentleman's request , and ordered
to prepaid for the Journey to Franco Ills
ptppnratlons inn dp , he seeks to warn liar-
haru ( who Is also going ) of tli.'lr danger
nnd to devlso some way of eac.-ipe. At a
moment when tin- boat Is bec.ilmpd In a
dense fog , they 'Jump ovcrlnard Into the
pilot's boat , but before they push oft LouU
illHpnvniu tliHin and team In'o the bo.it.
Ualo overpowern him \\hllo Ilurbara rows
Rome distance from th ? Hhlp. The king
flmllnp himself at u llsatlvnntrnje. pra-
clously .ir < | iilesci'H nnd , having been rowed
to the ship , dismisses the yount ; pjople , who
row back to the Kngllsh co ist m.ur Hover.
Simon dl'-covora Unit he ha.s but a Hlngm
K'Jln-a. This hi- presents to Uarba.ni as a
token 01' his dosliu to servo her to the ut
most. Ir. a moment of temper ahe tlliiBs It
Into the sen. I'cnnlless nnd In danger or
npprclipnBlaii. Simon thinks of Mistress
Owyiin and , undpr cover of darkness , they
make their way In n boat to Dover. Mis
tress Ciwynn eordlnlly gives them p-iasage
to London. They start Immediately and
make thplr llrst stop at r-mterbury , where
th ? party attr.icts much attention and NM.
Is blchly applauded. Nell dls-crn-crs that she
has Klvcn offense by her conduct and hires
nn oui'ly coach , leavliiR the lovers her car-
rlnKO anil a purse for llielr Journey to Lon
don They make homo only to hear of
Lorn'Qulnton's depot-line , and a new plan
to beguile Hatbar.i Into the hands of the
French king.
L. CHAPTER XXII. Continued.
. ' "IJy my faith , " cried lioncst M. do Fontcl-
Ica. "this mat or Is altosether.past undor-
Btandlng ! "
A moment Mtcr Curford entered the room
and greeted him with great civility. M. do
Kontellcs lost no tlmo In coining to the
question ; his grievance was strong nnd
bitter , and ho poured out his heart without
reserve. Carford listened , saylng llUle , but
being very attentive atitl keeping his shrewd
eyes on the other's face. Indignation carried
I-'ontelks back nnd forward along the length
of the room In restless paces ; Carford sat
In a chair , quiet and wary , drinking in all
that the angry gentleman said. My lord
Carford was not 0110 who believed hastily
Jti the honor and honesty of his fellow men ,
nor was boxpiouo to expect a simple licart
rather than a Icng head ; but soon he pcr-
colvod that the Frenchman was In very
truth Ignorant of what lay behind his mis
sion and that Uarlura's usage of him caused
KNGACJHD IN TALK , WE HAD NOT NO
TICED TIIK VICAU'S AI'1'UOACII.
genuine and not assumed offense. The
revelation set my lord a-thlnldng.
'SAnd she sends for you to ailvlso her ? "
cried Kontclles. "That , my friend , Is good ;
you can mlvlne , but In ono fashion. "
"I don't know that , " said Carford , feeling
Ills way.
"It IK because you don't know all. I have
npnkcn gently to her , seeking to win her by
persuasion. Hut to you I limy speak plainly.
I have direct orders from the king to bring
her nnd to suffer no man to stop me. In
deed , my dear lord , there Is no choice open
to you. You wouldn't resist the king's com
mand ! "
Vet Darbara demanded that ho should ro-
filHt oven tint king's command , Carford said
nothing and the Impetuous frenchman
ran on :
"Nay , It would bo the highest offense to
myself tn hinder mo. Indeed , my lord , all
my regard for you ctmlil not make mo suffer
It. 1 don't know what this lady ha.s
against me , nor who has set thin nonscnso
in bcr head. It cannot bo you ! You don't
doubt my honor ? You don't taunt mo when
I call in j self n gentleman ? "
Ho came to a pauno hefcco Carford , ex
pecting an answer ( o liU hot questions. Ho
H.IW ntTcnso In the muro fact tlmt Carford
\\ag fltlll slktit
"Como , my lord , " ho cried , "I do not take
( ilentu.ro in seeing you think so long. Isn't
your answer cusy ? " Ho assumed an air of
challenge.
Carford was , I have no d ubt , most plagued
and peiilcxeil. Ho could liavo dealt better
with u knave tban wlt'.i this flery gentle
man , llarba'.a had dcmandiHl of him that ho
ehauld rosin cvon the klng'it command. He
might csiopo tlMt perilous obligation by con
vincing Fontelles himself that ho was a tool
In hands ICES honorable than his own ; then
< ho Frenchman would , In all likelihood ,
abandon Ills enterprise , Hut with him would
go Clifford's hold on Bjrbsra and bis best
prospect of winning bur , for In her trouble
lay his chaiiro. If , on the other hand , ho
quarreled openly with Fontellos ho must face
tliu comequt'uco * ho feared or Incur IJar-
turn's unmeasured scorn. Ho could not eolvo
the ptuzlo and determined to seek a respite.
" 1 do tiot doubt your honor , sir , " ho said ,
I'Vntollej bowed gravely. "Hut tlioro Is more j
In this mittec 'than you know. I must beg ,
a few hours for oonsiJerutlou and then I will
toll you all openly. " .
" .My orders will not endure much do'.uy. "
"You can't take the lady by force. "
"I count on the aid of my friends and the
Icing's toiHTEuado her lo accompany me will-
Ingly. "
1 do not know whether Iho words brought
the Idea suddenly and ta If < ulth u flash Into
Carford'n head. It may have been there din )
and , vufc'uo before , but now It was clear. Ho
{ Miuo4 ou til * uay to tlio door aud turned
back with brightened eyes. He gave a care
less la'tgh , saying :
"My dear I-'ontcIles , you have mare thtu
tno to reckon with before you take her
away. "
"What do you mean , my lord ? "
"Why , men In love are lined to reason
with , and with fools In love there Is no
reasoning at all , Como. I'm your friend , al
though ( here Is for a moment a difficulty that
kettn iM apart. IX ) you chance to remember
our meeting nt Canterbury ? "
"Why , vtcy well. "
"And a youni ; fellow who talked Prrnr * . ! to
you ? " CarforJ laughed again. Ho disturbed
you mightily by falling out "
"II vlent ! " cried Kontellcs , all on the
alert.
" 1'roclj.cly. Well , ho may disturb you
again. "
"Hv hrnxcn , then he's here ? "
"Why , yes. "
" 1 met him last night ! He cried these
vorch to mo again. The Insolent rascal !
I'll make him pay for It. "
"In truth you have a reckoning to settle
with him. "
"Hut how docs he come Into this matter ? "
"Insolent still , he's a suiter for Mistress
Qulnton's hand. "
'Fontelles gave a scornful shrug of h's
shoulder. ? . I'arford , smiling aid more m
ease , watched him. The idea promised well.
It would bo a stroke Indeed could the quar
rel bo shifted onto my Rhouldcro , tnd Ji.
FontHlcs and I set by the ears. Whatever
the Issue of that vlffcrencc , Carford ntood
to win by It. And I , not he. would be the
man to resist the king's command ,
"Hut how comes ho hero ? " cried Foil-
lel.ca.
"The fellow was born here. Ho Is an old
neighbor of Mistress Qulnton. "
"Dangerous , then ? "
It was Carford's turn to shrug his shoul
ders , as he said :
"Kools are always dangerous. Well , I'll
leave you. I want 'to ' think. Only remem
ber , If you pk.jse to be on your giMrd ablest
me , why , he more on your guard against
Simon Dale. "
"He dares not stop mo. Nay , why should
ho ? What I 'propose Is for tbo lady's ad
vantage. "
Carford taw the quarrel he deslrcJ fairly
In the nmkltig. M. do Fontelles was honest.
' .H. do Fnntclles was hot tempered , M. de
Fontoltcs would be told that he was a rogue.
To Carford this seemed enough.
"You would do MiuiKolf good If you con
vinced him of that , " ho answered. "For
though aho would not , I think , become his
wife , ho has the Inlluencc ot.long acquaint
ance and might use It against you. Hut per
haps jou'ro too angry with him. "
"My July comes before my quarrel , " said
Fontelles. "I will seek this gentleman. "
"As you will. I think you're wise. They
will know at the Inn where to llnd him. "
"I will see him at once , " cried Foatclles.
"I have , It seems , two matters to settle ivith
this gentleman. "
Carford , concealing his exultation , bade M.
do Fontolles do as scorned best to him. Fen
telles. declaring again that the success of his
ni'lsslonwas nearest his heart , hue In ruth
eager to rebuke or chasten ray mocking dis
respect , rushed from the room. Carford fol
lowed more leisurely. IHo had at least tlmo
for consideration now , and there weVe the
chances of this quarrel all on bis side.
"Will you como with me ? " asked Fontelles.
"Nay , it is no affair of mine , lluf If you
need1 mo later " Ho nodded. If It came
to a meeting his services were ready.
"I thank you , my lord , " said the French
man , understanding his offer.
They were now at the door and stepped out
on the teirace. Darbara , hearing their tread ,
looked up. She detected the eagerness In M.
de Fontelles' manner. Ho went up to her at ,
oiice. i
"Madame , " he said , "I am forced to leave
you for a while , but I shall soon return. May
I pray you to greet me more kindly when I
return ? "
"In frankness , sir , I should' ' bo beat pleased
If you did not return , " she said coldly. Then ,
turning to Carford , she looked Inquiringly
at him. She conceived that ho had done her
I bidding and thought that the gentlemen
j concealed their quarrel from her. "You go
with M. do FonteHos , my lord ? " she asked.
"With your permission I remain heic , " ho
answercJ.
She was vexed and rose to her feet as she
cried :
"Thon where is M. do Fontelles going ? "
Fontclles took the reply for himself. "
"I am going to seek a gentleman with
whom I have business , " said he.
"You have none With my lord Carford ? "
"What I have with him will wait. "
"He desires It should wait ? " she asked. In
a quick tone.
"Yes. madame. "
"I'd have sworn It , " said Barbara Qulnton.
"Hut with Mr. Simon Dale "
"With Simon Dale ? -What concern have
you with Simon Dale ? "
"He has mocked mo twlco and , I hcllovo ,
hinders me now , " returned Fontelles , his hot
temper rising again.
Harbara claspeJ' ' her hands and cried trium
phantly :
"Go to him , go tn him ! Heaven Is good tome
mo ! Go to Simon Dale ! " *
The amazed eyca of Fontelles and the sul
len , pniaged glance of Carford recalled her to
wariness , Yet the avowal ( Oh , that it had
plcused Goil I should hoar It ! ) must have Itn
price and Its penalty. A burning Hush spread
over her face and oven to the border of the
gown on her neck. But she was proud In her
fihamo and her oyca met theirs in a level
gazo.
To Fontellcfj her bearing and the betrayal
of herself brought fresh and strong confirma
tion of Carford's -warning. But he was a
gnntlomnn and would not look at her wheu
her blualios Implored the absence of hU eyes.
"I go to week Mr. Dale , " f/ald ho gravely ,
and without moro wcrdn turned on hU Jiecr.
In a auddon Impulse , perhaps a sudden
doubt of her judgment of him , Barbara
darted after him.
"For what purpose do you fleck him ? "
"Madamo , " ho answered , "I cannot tell
you. "
She looked for a moment keenly In hU
face ; her breath oimo quick and fast ; the
hue of hc-r cheek flashed from red to white.
"Mr. LMlD. " wld she , Uraw'ng herself up ,
"nlll not fear to meet you , "
Again Kontellcs bowed , turned and was
gone , Awlftly and eagerly striding down the
avenue , bent oa finding mo.
Barbara was left alone with Carford. Ills
heavy frown and surly eyes accused her. She
l.ad no mind to take the part of the guilty.
"Well , my lord. " aho said , "luvo you told
this M. ilo Fontcllcs whit hoimH fok would
think of 4ilm and his errand ? "
"I believe him to bo honest , " answered
Carford.
"You live UIP quieter for your belief ! " she
cried , contemptuously.
"I live the IMS quiet for what I Iavo : seen
just now , " ho retorted.
There woo a sllcnco. Barbara stood with
heaving brcftU , he opposite to her , still and
sullen. She looked long at htm , hut at last
seemed not to sco him. Then sho.npoko In
soft tones , as though to him , but rather la.
answer to her own heart , whose cry could go'
no moro unheeded. Her eyoi grew soft and
veiled fa a mUt of tears that did not fa'.l.
So I eeo It she told mo no more than that
she was near crying.
"I couldn't send for him , " she murmuroj.
"I wouldn't ' aesd for him. Hut now ho will
como ; yes , ho'll come now. "
Carford , driven half mad by an outburst
which his own device 1ml caused , moved by
whatever of true love ho had for her , awl by
bla great rage and jealwly agalcat me , fairly
ran at her and caught her by the wrist.
"Why do you talk of him ? Do you love
him ? " he eald , from between hU clenched
teeth.
She looked at him , half angry , half wonder.
Ing , Then she ealj ;
"Yea. "
"Nell Qwyn'iJ lover ? " aokcd Carford.
Her check flushed again and a sab caught
her voice as It came.
"Yes , " she aald , "Nell Qwyn's lover. "
"You love him ? "
"Alwajs , always , always. " Then he drew j
hTself near to him In a sudden terror. "Not
i word , not a word. " she crlsd. "I don't
know what you are , I don't trust you. For-
, ? l\o me. forgive me , but whatever you are ,
for pity's sake , ah , my dear lord , for plty'is >
oake. don't tell him. Not a word. " ; i
"I will not speak of it to M. de Foatellra , " , ,
saU Carford.
An amazed gMnce was followed by a laugh 1
that ssemod half n sob.
"M. do Fontellra ! M. de Fontclles ! No ,
no ; but don't tell Simon. "
Cnrford's lips bent In u forceJ smile , uglier
than .1 scowl.
"You love this fellow ? "
"You have heard. "
"And ho loves you ? "
The sneer was bitter and strong. In It
seemed now to Ilo Carford's only hope. Bar- '
barn met his glance an Instant and her an- ,
swcr to him was : I
"Oo , go. "
"Ho loves you ? "
"Leavo me. I beg you to leave me. Ah , .
won't you leave mo ? " '
lief face went white. For a while she
slid nolh'lng ' ; then In a calm , quiet voice ,
whence all life and feeling , almost all Intelll- ,
gence , seemed to have gone , she answered :
"I think not , my lord. "
Ho laughed. "Leave me , " she said again ,
and he. In grace of what manhood there was
In him , turned on his heel and went. She
stood alone , there on the terrace.
Ah , If God had let me bo there ! Then she
should net have stood desolate nor flung her
self again on the marble seat. Then she
should not have wept as though her heart
broke and all the world were empty. If I
had been there , not the cold marble should
have held her and for every sweetest tear
"I AM THR VICAIl OF THIS PARISH AT YOUR SERVICE. SIR. "
there should ! have been a sweeter kiss. Grief
should have been drowned In Joy , while love
leaped to love In the fullness of delight.
Alas for pride , breeder of m.sery ! Not life
Itself Is so long as to give atonement to her
for that hour , though she ha& said that ono
moment , a certain moment , was enough.
I CHAPTER XXIII.
A PLEASANT PENITENCE.
There was this great comfort in the vicar's
society , that , having once and for all stated
the irrefutable proposition which I have re
corded , ho let the matter alone. Nothing was
further from his thoughts than to argue on
I It , unless it might bo to take any action Jn
tegard to It , To say the truth , and I mean
I no unklndnoss to him In saying it , the affair
did not greatly engage his thoughts. Had' '
Betty Nosioth dealt with It the case would
doubtless have been altered and ho would
, have followed Its fortune with a zest as keen
as that he had bestowed on ray earlier un
happy passion. But the prophecy had stopped
short and all that was of moment for the
vicar In my career , whether iln love , war or
state , was finished ; I had done ani undergone
what fate declared and demanded and must
now live In gentle resignation. Indeed , I
.think that In his Inmost heart he wondered
a llttlo to find mo living on at all. This
attitude was very well for him and I found
some amusement In It , oven while I chafed
at his composed acquiescence In my mis
fortunes. Hut at times I grew Impatient and
would fling myself out of the house , crying ,
"Plague oa It ; Is this old1 crone not only to
drive me Into folly , but to forbid me a re
turn to wisdom ? "
' In such a mood I had left him to wander
by myself about the lanes , while he sat under
the porch of his house with a great volume
open on his knees. The book treated of vat
icination In all Us branches and the vicar
read diligently , being so absorbed in hla
study that he did not heed the approach of
feet , and looked upit last v/lth a atari. M.
do Fccitellcs stood there , sent on from the
Inn to the parsonage In the progress of his
search for me.
"I am called Georges de Fontclles , sir , " ho
began.
I am the vicar of this parish , at your serv
ice , sir , " returned the vicar courteously.
"I serve the king of France , but have at
this time the honor of betag employed by his
majesty , the king of England. "
"I truat , sir , " observed the vicar , mildly ,
"that Hie employment is an honor. "
"Your loyally should tell you so much. "
" \\'e are commanded to honor the king ,
but I read nowhcro that wo must honor all
that the king decs , "
"Such distinctions , air , lead to disaffection
and oven to rebellion , " said Fontelles se
verely.
"I am very glad of It , " remarked the vicar ,
complacently.
I bid told my old friend nothing of what
concerned Parhara ; the secret was not tnlno ,
therefore he had nothing agalnat M. do Fon-
tcllca ; yet It seemed as though a good quarrel
could bo found on the score of general prin
ciple ? . It Is etrango how many men give
their heads for thorn and how few can give
a reason ; but God provldc-j every man with
a huad , and since the stock of brain will not
supply all , \\o draw lots for a share In It.
Yes , a pretty quarrel prom'aed ; but a mo
ment laler Fontelles , seeing no proepect of j
sport In falling out with an oM man of sa
cred profession , and amused , In spite of lila
principles , by the vicar's whimsical talk ,
clioso to laugh rather than to storm , and Mid
with n chuckle :
"Well , klngu are like other men. "
"Very like , " agreed the vicar. "In what
wn I servo you , sir ? "
"I seek Mr. Simon Dale , " answered Fen
telles.
"Ah , Simon ! Poor Simon ! What would
you do with the lad , sir ? "
"I will tell that to him. Why do you call
him poor ? "
"Ho his been deluded by a hlgh-soundlm ;
prophecy and It haa come to lltllo. " The
vicar shook his head In gentle regret.
"Ho Is no worse off , sir , tlitn a man who
marries , " said Fontellca with a e.iille.
"Nor It may bo than ono who la born , "
said the \lcar , sighing.
"Nor e\en than ono who dies , " hazarded
the Frenchman.
"Sir , air , let us bo Irreligious , " Implored
the vlrur , smiling.
The quarrel was most certainly over. Fen
telles eat down by the vicar's sUo.
"Yet , sir , " said ho , "God made the world. "
"It Us full as good a world as we deserve , "
said the vicar ,
"Ho might well have made us better , sir. "
"There are very few of us 'who ' truly wish
U , " the vicar replied. "A man hugs his '
sin. " I
"The embrace , sir , -Js often delightful. " I
' 1 must not understand you , " said the I .
vicar. i
Fontelles' business was proceeding but
slowly. A man on an errand should not allow - '
low himself to talk about the universe , nut
bo was recalled to his task a moment later I i
by the night of a figure a quarter of a mlle
away along the road. With an eager cxcla- ,
matlon ha pointed his finger at mo , lifted '
his hat to the vicar and rushed off In puri i
suit. Tliu vicar , who had not taken hU
thumb from hla page , opened his book again , '
observing to himself , "A gentleman of some
parts , I think. " '
Ills quarrel with the v'car had evaporated
In the mists of speculation. Fontelles had no
mind to lose bis romplalnt against mo In any
such manner , but ho was a man of cere
mony and must needs begin with me much
as ho had with the vicar. Thus obtaining
my opportunity , I cut across his preface , saying -
ing brusquely :
"Well. I am glad It Is the king's employ-
ment and not M. do Pcrrcncourt's. "
Ho flushed red.
"Wo know what wo know , sir , " said ho.
"If you have anything to say against M. do
Pcrrencourt. consider mo as his friend. Did
you cry out to mo as I rode last night ? "
"Why , yes , and I was a fool there. As for
M. do Perrencourt "
"It you speak of him speak with respect ,
sir. You know of whom you speak. "
"Very well. Yet I have held a pistol nt
his head , " said I , not , 1 confess , without
natural pride.
Kontellos started , then laughed scornfully.
"When ho and Mistress Qumton and 1 were
In a boat together. " I pursued. "The quarrel
then was which ono of us should escort the
lady , ho or I , and whether to Calais or'Eng '
land. And although I should have been her
husband had we gone to Calais , yet I brought
her here. "
"You're pleased to talk In riddles , "
"They're no harder to understand than
your errand Is to me , sir" 1 retorted.
l.-Io mastered his anger with a strong cf- <
fort , and In a few words told me his cr-
ranJ , adding that by Carford's advice ho
came to me.
"For I am lold. sir , that you have some
favor with the lady. "
I looked full and Intently In his face. Ho
mel my gaze unfl.nchlngly. There was a
erccn bank bv Iho roadside. I seated my
self ; ho would not sit , but stood opposite
to me. '
"I will tell you , sir , the nature of the
errand on which you come ! " said I , and sot
to the task with all the plainness of language
that the matter required and my temper en
joyed. '
He 'heard mo without a Word , with , hardly
a movement of his body ; his eyes never left
me all the while I w'as speaking. I think
I that there was sympathy' between us , so
j that soon I knew that'he ' was honest , while
i be did not doubt my truth. ' His face grew
I sot and stern as ho listened ; he perceived
i now the part he .had . been'set ' to play. 'Ho '
1 asked mo but ono question when I had
' ended.
I "My Lord Carford knew all this ? "
| "Yes , all of it , " said I. "Ho was privy
to all that passed' ' . "
I
I Engaged In talk wo liad not noticed the
vicar's approach. Ho was at my elbow be
fore I saw him ; the largo book was under
his arm. Fontclles turned to him with a
hnu * .
"Sir , " said he. "you wore right Just now. "
"Concerning the prophecy , sir ? "
"No , concerning the employment of kings , "
answered M. de Fontcllco. Then he said to
i mo : "Wo will meet again before I take
, leave of your village. " With this he set off
| at a round pace down the read. I did not
, doubt that he went to seek Mistress Bar-
bam and ask her pardon. I 'lot him go ; 'no
I ' would not hurt her now. I rose myself from
the green bank , for I also had work to do.
"Will you walk with me , Simon ? " asked
the vloar.
"Your irardon , sir , but I am occuolod. "
"Will It not wait ? "
"I do not desire that It phould. "
For now that Fontollos was out of the
way , Carford alone remolded. Barbara had
not sent for mo , but still I served her , and
to some profit.
It was now afternoon and I set out at
once on my way to the manor. I did not
know what had passed bclween IJarbara and
Carford , nor how his passion had been
sllrred by her avowal of love for mo , bul I
ccnjo3lured t'aat on learning how his plan of
embroiling me with Fontelles had failed he
would lose no time In making another effort.
Fontelles must have walked briskly , for
I , although I did not loiter on the road , never
came In sight of him , ana ( ho long avenue
was empty n'aen J rosaed the gates. It Is
strange that It did not occur to my mind that
the clew to the Frenchman's haste was to
bu found In his last question. No. doubt rae
would make his excuses to Mistreat Qulnton
In good time , but It was not that Intention
which lent his feet wlnga. His errand was
the same as ray own. Ho sought Carford ,
not Barbara , even as I. He found what ho
sought , I what I did ciot seek , but what , once
found , I could not pass by.
She was walking near the avenue , but on
the grass behind the trees. I caught a
glimpse of her gown through the leaves and
my quick stops were stayed as though by
OHO of the potent spells that Iho vicar loved
to read about. For a moment or two I stood
there motionless. Then I turned and walked
slowly toward her. She ww mo a few yards
off and It seemed as though she would fly.
Hut in the end she faced mo proudly ; her
eyes were very sad and I thought that she
iiad been weeding. As I approached she
thrust something It looked like n letter
into the bosom , of her KQWU , as If In terror
lest I should toe It. I made her a low bow.
"I trust , madamc , " said I , "that my lady
mends. "
"I thank you , yes , although slowly. "
"And that you havotaken , no harm from
your Journey ? "
"I thank you , none. "
It was strange , but there seemed no other
toplo in earth or heaven , for I looked first
at earth and then at heaven , and In neither
place found any. .
"I am Hocking my Lord Carford , " I said
at last.
I knew my error as soon as I had spokon.
She would bid mo seek Carford without
ill-lay and protest that thu last thing In her
mind was to detain me. { 'cursed mjaclf for
an awkward fool. Uuj , to my amazement ,
she did nothing of what I looked for , but
cried out In great agitation , and , as It
seemed , fear :
"You mustn't sec Lord Carford. "
"Why not ? " I asked , "lie won't hurt me ;
or , at least he should not , If my sword
could stop his. "
"It ls not. that. It U It is not that , "
she murmuied , and Hushed red.
"Well then , I will seek him. "
"No , no , no , " cried Barbara , In a passion
tint fear surely It was that and nothing
else made Imperious , I could not under
stand her , for I know nothing of the cou-
I'csslon which she hud made , bin would not
for the 'world should roach my ear ,
yet It was not very likely tlat ( Carford would
tell me , unless his rage carried him away.
"You are not so kind as to shield mo
from Lord Carford's wrath ? " I aakod , rather
scornfully.
"No , " eho said , persistently refusing to
inert my eyes. \
"What U ho doing hero ? " I asked ,
"Ho desires to conduct mo to my father. "
"My God ! You won't go with him ? "
For the fraction of a moment her darl :
eyes met mine , then turned away In con
fusion.
"I mean , " nalJ I , "la It wise to go with
hlmZ"
"Of course you meant that , " murmurcu
Darbnr.i
' 'M do Fontfllos will trouble you no
more. " 1 remark , d. In a tone ns caim < is
thuiiijli I ftated the price of wheat ! Indeed ,
much calmer than siuh a vital matter wns
wont to command at our village Inn.
"What ! " she cried "He will not "
"Ho didn't know the truth. 1 have told
him. Ho Is an honorable gentleman. "
"You've done that also , Simon ? " She
came n step nearer me.
"It wns nothing to do , " said I. Barbara
fell back again.
"Yet 1 am obliged to you , " said she. I
bowed with careful courtesy.
Why tell these silly things ? 'K\cry man
has such In his life. Yet eai counts hla
own memory a rare treasure , and It will not
be denied utterance.
"I had best seek my 1-ord Carford , " said
J , more for lack of another thing to say
than because there was need to say that.
"I pray you " cried Uatfcira again In
marked agitation.
H wns a fair , soft evening ; n breeze
stirred the treetops and I could scarce tell
when the wind whispered nnd whew liar-
bara spoke , so like were the carcsjlng
sounds. She was very dlftoreivt from the
lady of our Journey , yet like to her who had
for a moment spoken to me from her cham
ber door nt Canterbury.
" ' " said In a low
"You haven't sent for me , I
voice. "I suppose you have no need of me ? "
She made mo no answer.
"Why did ycu fling my guinea In the eco.1
I said , nnd paused.
"Why did you use me BO on the way ? ' I
nekcd. , ,
"Why haven't you sent for me ? " I whis
pered.
She seemed to have no nnswer for any
of these questions. There wns nothing In
her oyea now save the dcalro of escape. Ye-t
the did not dlsmlM me , and without dismis
sal I would not go. I had forgotten Carford
and the angry Frenchman , my quarrel and
her peril ; the questions I ha'd put to her
summed up all life now held.
Suddenly she put her hand to her bosom
and drew out that same piece ot paper which
I had seen her hide there. Heforo my eyes
she read , or seemed to read , something that
waii In H ; then she ohut her hand on U.
.In A moment I was by her , very close ; 1
looke , ! full in her eyes nnd Uioy fled behind
covering lids ; the lltllo hand , lightly
clinched , hung iby her side. WlUit had I to
lose ? Was I not already banned for for
wardness ? 1 would bo forward still and
Justify the sentence by an after crime. 1
took the hanging hand In both ot mine.
She started , nnd I loosed It , but no rebuke
cnmo , and she did not fly. The far-off stir
of coming vlclory moved In my blood ; uol yet
to win , but now to know that win you will
sends through a man an oxulutlou , more
Bwocl lhat It is still timid. I watched her
face It was very pale and again took her
hand. The lids of her eyes rose now an In
stant and disclosed entreaty. I was ruthless ;
our hearts are strange , and cruelty or tin-
< le < ; lro of mastery mingled with love In my
tightened grasp. Cno iby one I bent her
lingers back ; the crushed paper lay In a
palm that was streaked to red and white
With ono hand still I held hers , with tlio
other 1 spread out the paper. "You mt-utn't
read It , " she murmured. "Oh. you mustn't
read It. " I paid no heed , but held It up. .
A low exclamation , of wonder broke frcm me.
The scrawl tint I had seen at Cantcr-
bury now mot mo again , plain and unmis
taknblo In Its laborious awkwardnon * . "In
pay for jour dagger , " It had said before.
Were flvo words the 'bounds ' of Nell's accom
plishment ? She had written no more now.
Yet before she had seemed to nay much in
that narrow limit , and much she said now.
There was long silence between us. My
eyes were Intent on her veiled eyes.
"You needed this lo loll you ? " I said at
last.
last."You
"You loved her , Simon , "
I would not allow the T > lca. Shall not a
thing that has ( become out of all reason
to n man's own self Iheroby blazon Its ab
surdity to the whole world ?
"So long ago , " I cried scornfully.
"Nay , not so long ago..Hho murmured ,
with a note of resentment In her voice.
Even then we might have fallen out. Wo
were within * n ace of It , for I most 'brutally '
put this question : "You walled here for mete
to pau's ? "
I would have given my cars not to have
eaid It. What availed that ? A thing said
is a thing done , and stands forever amid the
irrevocable. For an Inctnnt her eyes llaehod
in anger , then she flushed suddenly , her lips
trembled , her eyes grew dim , yet through
the dimness mirth peeped out.
"I dared not hope you'd pa&j , Simon , " she
whlsperc.1.
"I am the greatest villain In the world ! "
I cried. "Barbara , you had no thought thai
I should pass. "
Again came silence. Then I spoke , and
softly :
"And you Is It Ions since you ? "
She held out her hands toward me , and In
an Irstant was In my arms. First she hid
her face , but then drew herself back ns far
as the circle of my arms allowed. Her dark
eyes met mine full nnd direct In a confes
sion that shamed me , but shamed her no
more. Her shame was swallowed in the
sweet pride of surrender.
"Alwajs , " said she , "always. From the
first Ihrough all ; always , always. " II seemed
as though she could not speak that word
enough.
In trulh , I could scarce believe It ; save
when I looked In her eyes I could not bo-
llevo it.
4
'IBtit I wouldn't tell you , " she said. "I
swore you should never know. Simon , do
you remember how you left mo ? "
It seamed that I now must play penitent.
"I was too young to know " I began.
"I was younger nnd not too young , " she
cried. "And all through those days at
Dover I didn't know. And when wo were
together I didn't know. Ah , Simon , when
I flung your guinea In the sea you must
have known. "
"On my faith , no , " I laughed. "I didn't
sco the love li > that , sweetheart. "
"I'm glad there wna no woman there to
toll you what It meant , " said Barbara. "And
even nt Canterbury I didn't know , Simon ,
what brought you to my door that night ? "
I answered her plainly , more plainly than
I could at any other time ; more plainly , It
may be , than even then I should :
"She bade mo follow her , and I followed
her so far , "
"You followed her ? "
MA ye. But I heard your volco through
the door and stopped. "
"You stopped for my voice ? What did I
say ? "
"You sung how a lover had forsaken his
love. And I , hearing , stayed. "
"Ah , why didn't you tell mo then ? "
"I was afraid , sweetheart. "
"Of what ? Of what ? " /
"Why , of you. You had been BO cruel. "
Barbara's head , still strained far as could
bo from mine , now drew nearer by an ace.
and then she launched at mo the charge of
most enormity , the Indictment that Justified
all my punishment.
"You had hissed her before my eyes ,
here , air , whore wo are now , In my own
manor park , " said Barbara.
I took my arms from about her , and fell
humbly on my knee.
"May I kiss so much as your hand ? " said
I , In utter abasement.
She put It suddenly , eagerly , hurriedly lo
ray lips.
"Why did she write to mo ? " she whis
pered.
"Nay , love , I don't know. "
"It could afford no reason If she did. And
I think "
"It would , and she does , Simon , of course
slio does. "
"I think rather that she was sorry for "
"Not for mo ! " cried Barbara , with great
vchomenco. "I will not have her sorry for
mo. "
"For you ! " I exclaimed , In ridicule. ( It
does not matter what I had been about to
say before. ) "For you ! How should she ?
She wouldn't dare ! "
"No , " said Barbara , Ono syllable can hold
a world of meaning.
"A thoiiband times , no , " cried I.
( To bo Continued. )
llllllNellOlll ( iOllM
The anclc.tt Greeks believed that the
Penateswero the gods who attended to tno
welfare and prosperity of the family. They
were worshipped as household gods In every
homo. The household god of today It Dr.
King's New Discovery. For connutriJtlon ,
coughs , colds and for all affections of Threat ,
Chest and Lungs It Is Invaluable. It 1ms
been tried for a quarter of a century and Is
guaranteed to cure , or money rctimied. No
household should be without this good angel.
It Is pleasant to take and a t/Jfe and sure
remedy for old and young. Free trial tot-
tics at Kuhn & Co.'u drug store. Regular
slio 50c aud (1.00 ,
requirements are
perfectly met in
Wool Soap.
There may be
more expensive
soaps but none
better. / / AS ab
solutely 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 WISM MINE must choose between
USED HAD.
tween
no soap and
DR. E. C. WEST'S
NERVE AND BRASN TREATMENT
THE ORIGINAL , ALL OTHERS IMITATIONS ,
laaolilunilcr positive Written CtinrniitCC ,
byanthorizod mont only , t euro Weak Memory ,
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donroNervousness , Lasoltudo , nil Drains , Youth ,
ful Errors , or KxcossivoUco of Tubiicun.Opluui ,
or Liquor , which lends to Misery. Consumption !
Insanity nml Dentli. At otoro or by intUI , gl n
box ; six for $5 ; with written Jiunrnntco to
euro or re I'u ml in oner. tMimiilo imcu-
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instructions , 25 conta. Ono painplo only sold to
each iioremi. At store or by mail.
J35 n.cd Label Special
Extra Strength.
For Impotency , LOBS _ ,
1'owar , Lost Mnnhoou ,
Hlerility or Barrenness. !
n box ; six for $5 , witlij-
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llltli nml I'Viriinsii SlH. . Oiiinhn , Neb.
WIIEV OTI1KHH l-'AHi COXStU/T
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SPECIALISTS
GiinruiKcu to cure Hpccillly nnil null-
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at
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SEMES SuEfllM
A SPECIALTY.
Primary , Secondary or Tertiary ULOOD
1'OIHON permanently
Cured in 15 to 35 Days.
You can be treated nt home for same
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to como here we will contract to pay rnll-
road ( are and hotel bills , and no charge
If wo fall to cure ,
IP YOU HAVE
taken mercury. Iodide potash and etlll
tmvo nclien and palru. Mucous Patches In
mouth , Bora Tlnuut , t'lmplrs , Copper Col
ored HotB , Ulccre on any part of the
body , lolr or Hychrows falling out , It Is
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We Guarantee to Cure
We Follclt the in pat cbstlnata catet nnd
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Address COOIC HHMUDY CO. , Mill
Mniuulu Temple , ClilciiK" , III ,
iniiant.Rrlier. fiirolnl5n T . Kcver returns
IIiTifA"Hii'iiiruN
and oll.t htomtu-li
julckly re.
' ' " ' " " " " liurt' < 1 ! 'y
*
, .
WI . ( III * 111 vvt u o . "I"
I'J.JIHAI'LKXION. Pariit.ln Itoltlo Tri'i ) by
mall ur UrureUW. Krcry drop U wurlli flu
weliiht.In . K"IU wlii'U you mitU II , ililr a ,
I'ruiihiiu Jllnrt , Uei < t. jJ Nv\v Vurli ,
WllUN < S)1N ( ( ! TO NKW YOltK OK
i'iinAiii.i'iiiA
TitAVii. VIA THIS
LEHICH VALLEY RAILROAD.
Solid Trains , Superb equipment ,
Dliiln ; ; Tni-s ti li : < 'nrlc. hx-iu-ry
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Itoulinr tlio
BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS ,
lIunilsDincsl TniliIn I lie World.
1'or AdrrrlloliiK Unttrr nml Otbi-r
Jiifiirinatlun wrllo to
j. . \ . ft. niriv. : . t > . A ,
VMH sixilli Cliirtt St. , ClilniRo , III.
A. A. IIIAUIv. : . i > . A. , itnimhi , \ . > .
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Ily PurelniNliiix ooiln Jlmle ut < lic Kol-
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lmlni ? AVIinmkn
AWNINGS AND TKNTS.
OMVIIA TK.Vr AMI HUllllKll CO.
( Successors Oinnlm Tent nnil Awnlnir Co )
irhnufacturcrs tcnt , nwnlnus : Jobbers I"1" " . ? " ?
cents' Mncldntoslics. Touts for runt. 1311 1'ur-
natu St. , Omaha. .
OMAIIV UHKWIXO ASSOCIATION.
Carlonil fhlpmcnts mode In our own "fr'S" '
erator cars. Huc ! Hlbbun. Cllte Import. Vienna
Kxport mid Family Import UelUercJ to nil patli
ot the city.
"COUNICI :
COKXICK AVOKKS.
HooniiB. Asent for IClnntmr'a
108-10-12 North Klovcnth street.
CllACKKH P-ACTOU1ES
AMI3IUCAV IHSCIJIT AX11 .MKfl. CO-
Wliolcsalc Cracker Manufacturers.
OMAHA. NCI ) .
DYI : wonics.
SCIIOIJIJSACK'S TWIN CITY IJYtJ
WOIIICS , 1.1 Kill-Hum St.
Dyelne nnil cleanlns of Barmcnts nnd poods of
every description. Cleaning of line garments a
specialty. _
FLOUR MILLS.
S. K. filLMX. .
Flour Meal , Feed , Hran , 1013-13-17 North 17th
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Telephone 692.
' .HON WOIIKS.
DAVIS .t COWCIMi IltO.VVOItlCH. .
Iron mill limns Founder * .
Manufacturers and Jobber * of Machinery. Gen.
einl repairing a peclnlty. 1M1 , 1103 and 1005
Jud'.son etiect , Omulia. Ncl ) .
UNSHED OIL.
WOODMV.V M.VMII > onVOHK.H. .
Manufacturer * olil procesn raw llnxeeil oil. IPt- (
tlo boile.I . linseed oil , olil proccBH C'oun.l llimoeil
cnkra , srouna nnd eviccniU llux ceil for Urug-
yjbts. OMAHA , NI.IJ.
I
I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . .
i , . ( ; . DIMM * .
' Manufacturer I ounqos , Coucli < , Mnttresres. Job
ber of Spring DeJs nml Keutlicra. 411-413 South
j 10th rilrcct.
I OMAHA lliilI.\i CO.
ManufncturTs of hlKli nrade .MiitliCiBCj. 1302-1-I
OVHHALL AND SIIIHT PACTOUIKH.
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, Clotlilmr. I'nnts , Hblrls , Chcralla.
OMAHA , NI3II.
SIUHT FACTOIIIUR.
| J. II. I4VA.VS ,
NiiUtASKA SIIIIIT COMI'AXV.
HxclUBlvo cuttoin Klilrt tnllora. I'M Furmun.
| VINROAH AND J'lCKLKS ,
. . .
,
I IIAAHMA.NX VIVHfiUl CO.
Miuiufncturcrs of Vlnecnr , I'lcklea , CntBUpH ,
Mustards , Celery nnd Worcestcmlilro Haucc
AVAQONS ANU CAHIUAOIW ,
WILLIAM I'KKiri'lCK.
For a good zut.atnntlal vehicle of nny doscrlp.
tlon , for repainting or lubber tire * on new or < > M
w heeU tliu belt place U 27tli und Lcivi > iiworlli
ktrectv ,
imi.MMo\n ; CAHIII.UIJ co ,
Cheap , medium priced nml tony carriage ! .
Any think' you wnnt , mcond briml or new. Head.
( lUJltu-u for lubber tlrm , wutiunteil. ISdi unj
Harnry , opposltu Court Houne.
A. .1. .SIMI'SOX ,
HO1I , 1111 Dndivi- .
Full line of CarrlaKO , Dufc'Bles. riiueloin , PJIIJT
Curt * . WliccU rubber tired. Tliu best In Ilia
vlieupjit.
CldAU MANUFACTUIIK11H.
IIKMO .t CO ,
Largett factoiy In tlio well. Leading jobber *
it Oiiialiu. Kama * City , Lincoln and HI , Joneyfc
UaiiOle our good * . IWi Furnam HticcU