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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1903)
May 31, 1903. thrust to take advantage ot the comfort ing Are, and the blase showed her cheek a ruddier hue thun heretofore. "Sir," she said, "I was brought up with out a, mother's care In the ancient hall of a sour old grandfather, my brother my only companion. I can sometimes out fence him and, failing that, I can always outrun him. Any horae he can ride I can ride, and we two have before now put to night three times our number of the yokels of the neiKhborhood. As to education I have a mattering and can read and write. I have Studied music to some advantage and for eign tongues with very little. I daresay there are many things known to your Lon don ladies that I am Ignorant of." "We may thank Qod for that," muttered the earl. The conversation was Interrupted by a Servant throwing open the door, crying: "Ills majesty, the king!" The girl sprang instantly to her feet, while her father rose more slowly, assist ing himself with his hands on the arms of the chair. CHAPTER III. Majesty. There was more of hurry than of kingly dignity in the entrance of Charles. The handsome face was marred by an im perious querulousncss that, for the moment, detracted from Its acknowledged nobility. "Strafford," he cried, impatiently, "I have been kept waiting. Servants are at tills moment searching palace and park for you. Where have you been?" "I was In the forest, your majesty. I am deeply grieved to learn that you needed me." "I never needed you more than now. Aro you ready to travel?" Strafford's gloomy face almost lighted tip. "On the Instant, your majesty," he re plied with a sigh of relief. "That Is well. I trust your malady Is alleviated, in some measure at least, still I know that sickness has never been a bar to duty with you. Yet 1 nek no man to do what I am not willing to do myself for the good of the state, and I shall be shortly on the road at your heels." "Whither, your majesty?" asked the carl with falling countenance, for It was to Ireland he desired to journey, and he knew the king had no Intention of moving toward the west. "To London, of course; a short stent over bad roads. But If you are ailing and fear the highway, a barge on the river is at your disposal." "To London!" echoed tho earl, something almost akin to dismay In his tone. "I had hoped your majesty would order me to Ire land, which I assure your majesty has been somewhat neglected of late." "Yes, yes," exclaimed the king, brusquely, "I know your anxiety In that quarter. A man ever thinks that task the most im portant with which he Intimately deals, but my position gives me a view over the whole realm, and the various matters of state assume their just proportions In my eyes, their due relations to each other. Ireland Is well enough, but it Is the heart and not the Uaibs of the empire that re quires the physician's care. Parliament has opened badly, and Is like to give trouble unless treated with a firm hand." The hand of the earl appeared anything but Arm. It wavered as It sought the sup port of the chair's arm. . "Hove I your majesty's permission to be seated? I am not well," Strafford said faintly. "Surely, surely," cried the king, himself taking a chair. "I am deeply grieved to see you so unwell, but a journey to London Is a small matter compared with a march upon Dublin, which is like to have killed you In your present condition." Indeed, your majesty, the smaller Jour ney may well have the more fatal termina tion," murmured the earl, but the king paid no attention to the remark, for his wandering eye now caught sight of a third In the conference, which brought surprised displeasure to his brow. The girl was standing behind the high back of the chair In which she had been seated, in a gloomy angle where the firelight which played so plainly on Ove king and Strafford did not touch her. "In God's name, whom have we here? How comes this gtrl in my palace, so In timate with my Lord fitrafTord?" The slumbering suspicion of Charles was aroused. "She brings me proof, which I cannot deny, that she Is my eldest daughter." "Your eldest daughter!" cried the king, amaced. "Is your family, then, so far un known to you that such a claimant may spring up at any time?" "I was married privately to the daughter of Sir John Warburton. Circumstances separated me from my wife, and although her father Informed me curtly of her death, he said nothing of Issue." "Well," said Charles. "My Lord Straf ford," he continued, reverting to his sub ject, "you will go to London, then?" "Instantly, your majesty." , "I will consult with you there tomorrow. And have no fear, for on my oath as a man, on my honor as a king. I wilt protect you." The king rose a ad left tho room as Abruptly as be bad entered It. TIIE ILLUSTRATED BEE. Strafford ordered the coach, and fell Into a reverie that lasted till the servant an nounced that It was ready. Then he or dered a woman's cloak brought for Fran ces, and himself fastened It at her throat. Together they want down the dimly lighted steps. A cavalier stepped from the shadow of the arches and Frances recog nised him as the French spark whom she had so frankly characterised earlier in the day. "My lord," protested De Courcy, Jauntily, "you have your comrades at a disad vantage. "You have captured the woodland nymph. I do protest 'tis most unfair to us." "Sir," said Strafford, with severity. "I would have you know that the lady to whom you refer Is the Honorable Frances Wentworth. my eldest daughter." The Frenchman brought off his bonnet with an Impressive sweep that brushed Its ample feather lightly on the stones. "My lady, may I have the honor of es corting you to the carriage? The girl shrank closer to her father, and made no reply. The earl bowed stiffly, but offered no objection, and the foreigner tripped daintily by her side, chattering most amiably of the queen and her 'pro posed visit to London on the morrow. On their arrival at the carriage, the earl seated himself In the closed vehicle, and his daughter sprang nimbly In beside him, ignoring the proffered aid of Do Courcy. Nothing was said until the Jing ling procession of carriage and mounted guards was well clear of the park, when the girl exclaimed with a shudder: "I loathe that scented fop." Then, seem ing to fear a reproof, added. "I know I should not say that, but I cannot see what you have in common with mich a creature that yon are civil to him." "The earl laughed lightly the first time she had heard him do so. "When wo travel, Frances, safe out of earshot, you may loathe whom you please, but 'tis sometimes unsafe to give ex pression to your reelings within four walls. I may find little In common with a man, least of all, with such as De Courcy, but the time to crush him is not yet. He has the ee.r of my enemy, the tueen, and she has the ear of her husband. "Hir, what reason have you to suspect that the queen moves against your "One reason is that I am at this moment Journeying east when I would be traveling west. In truth, -my girl, you seem resolved unconsciously to show that you are your father's daughter with that uncurbed ton gue of yours, for a lack of lying Is like to be my undoing. If I had told the kins I must to London 'tis most like we were now on our way to Dublin." "But why does' the king order you thus contrary wise?" "I know the king. He ts not, as many think, selfish, but he Is weak and thinks himself strong a most dangerous com-" bi nation. Now, a weak monarch or a strong monarch matters little, England has been blessed with both, and has sur vived the blessing; but a monarch who is weak and strong by turns courts disaster. 'War with the Scots,' says the king. He will smite them with a firm hand. Very good; a most desirable outcome. But our captains are promoted by a woman's whis per and not by their own merit. Our army Is shattered. I am called ror God's sake from Ireland and I come, scarcely able, through illness, to sit my horse. "Very good. I cut up a portion of our Scotch friends, and the rest are on the run. What happens? An added title for me, you might suppose. Not so. A censure comes posthaste from London, 'Leave the Scots alone. The king is treating with them.' In the face of victory ha embraces defeat. I am left like a fool with a newly inspired army and no enemy. Tliey term It nego tiating In London, but I call It defeat. "Very well. I accept the censure In hum bleness and implore the king to call no Parliament till we have time to set our bouse in order and face lords and commons with good grace. Then I set forth for Loudon. "Pushing on through darkness in the sec ond night of my Journey, a man thundered by me. 'Good friend,' cried L 'what nejvs that you ride so fast?' " 'Great news,' he answered, breathlessly. 'A Parliament is summoned, und, as I am elected a member, I ride In haste. Pleas God, before tbe month is done we have Strafford's head In our hands and off bis treacherous shoulders.' " The girl gave a cry of terror, "Oh, 'twas but a braggart countryman, knowing not to whom he spoke so freely. When I met the king he was all panic and regret. He hud conjured up the Devil easily enough, but knew not how to allay him. "Tis my head they want,' I said. 'Do with It as you please. If it Is useless to you, toss it to them; if useful, then send me to Ireland, where I shall be out of the way. yet ready to afford you what service Jies in my power. "He swore he would concedo them noth ing. He gave me permission to return to my post. That was yesterday. You heard hltn speak today. It ts still the firm hand, but I must to London. There, indeed, ex ists a Arm hand, but it is concealed, and so directed by hatred of me that it may project the avalanche that will overwhelm us ail." Tired with long conveise, Stratford sank Into a troubled sleep, from which he was awakened at last by the stopping of the carriage in front of his town house. CHAPTER IV. Proposal. The house was prepared for his recep tion, fires biasing and a table spread In the room to which he conducted his daughter. "Mrs. Jarrett," said the earl to his house keeper, who looked with wonder at the girl, "this Is my daughter, newly found, having lived till now with her grand father In the north. She Is the child of my second wife, Frances Warburtou." After supper, when she arose to retire, he kissed her on the lips, ruffling her way ward, curling black hair so much like his own and patting her affectionately on the shoulder. "You will not bo afraid of me from this time forward, child?" he asked. "Indeed, Frances, I grow superstitious as I become older, and I look on your strange arrival as In some measure providential. There Is none of my own kind to whom I ran speak freely as I did to you In the carriage; my other daughters are too young. My Lady Strafford dislikes this London house and this London town, for which small blame is to be Imputed to her. In you, a man's courage Is added to a woman's wit. Who knows? You may be tho rapier by my side." Long time Frances Wentworth lay awake after she had retired. Was It possible that she was to be thus transplanted, to stand by the side of the greatest man In Eng land? She planned the days to come. She would be as subtle as the craftiest. Her tongue must measure what Is said and all rural bluntnee should disappear. It was two hours after midday the next day when Strafford sent for his daughter. De Courcy was with him snd rose as she entered, to present her with one of his down-reaching bows. "My child," said the earl, "I am about to set out for Parliament and It may txi late before I return. Yet I think you shall -sup with me at 7 If all goes well and de bate becomes not too strenuous, but do not wait in case I should be detained. I counsel you not to leave the house today, for there seem many brawlers upon the streets. My friend, De Courcy here, begs the favor of some converse with you and speaks with my approval." Strafford looked keenly at the girl, and her heart thrilled as she read the un spoken message with quick intuition. Ho had some use for De Courcy and she must be sauve and diplomatic. Thus already she was her father's ally. "Sir. I shall obey you In all things, and hope to win your commendation." said Frances with an inclination of the head. No sooner was the earl quit of the room than De Courcy flung himself at her feet. Her first Impulse was to step quickly back, but she checked it and stood her ground. "O, divine Frances," he cried, "how im patiently I have waited for this rapt mo ment, when I might declare to you" "Sir, I beg of you to arise. 'Tis not seemly you should demean yourself thus." " 'Tis seemly that the whole world should grovel at your feet, my lady of the free forest, for all who look upon you must love you, and I adore you and do here avow it." "I Implore you to arise." The gallant seised her hand instead and pressed his lips on it. The tremor which passed over lier at this action was misin terpreted by his unquenchable vanity. The tension was relieved by a low roar from the street, a sound that had in it tho menace of a wild beast angered. "Good heaven! What is that?" she ex claimed, snatching away her. hand and run ning to the window. Her suitor rose to his feet, daintily dusted the knees of his silken wear with a film of lace that did duty for a handkerchief and followed her. Tho street below was packed with people, howling round a. carriage that seemed blocked by tho press. The stout coach man, georgoua la splendid livery, had some ado to restrain the spirited horses, mad dened and prancing with the Interference and the outcry. Cudgels were shaken aloft in the air, and there were shouts of "traitor! Tyrant!" and other epithets so degrading that Frances put her hands to her ears in horrified dismay. "Whom are they threatening so fiend ishly? she whispered. "That Is your father's carriage," an swered De Courcy. Before she could make further Inquiry, there came tip to them tho cold dominating tones of her father's voice, clear even above that tumult "Strike through!" Tho stout coachman laid about him with his whip and the curses for tho moment abandoned the head of Strafford to alight on the head of the driver. The homes plunged fiercely Into tho crowd. The cruel progress changed the tenor of the cries, as if a walling stop of a great organ had suddenly taken the place of tho open diapason. Tho press was so great that those In front could not make for safety and the disappearing coach was greeted with screams of terror and was followed by groans of agony. Men went down before It llko ripe grain before a sickle. "Oh! oh! oh!" moaned tho girl, all color leaving her face. "It serves tho dogs right," said Do Courcy. "How daro they block tho way of 11 a noble and the chief minister of state?" "I I cannot look on this," lamented Frances, shrinking back to tho table and loaning against It as one about to fulut, forgetting her desire to avoid further dem onstration from her companion In tho trepidation which followed the scene she had witnessed. "Indeed they were most mercifully dealt with, those scullions. The king of Franco would have sent a troop of homo to saber them bark Into their kennels. 'Strike through!' cried his lordship, and. k 'tis a good phrase, most suitable motto for a roat-oNarma, a hand grasping a dagger abovo It "Strike through!' I shall not forget It But 'twas a sorter an 1 rooro endearing theme I wished to" "Sir, I beneecli your polite consideration. I sm nigh distraught with wltat I have seen and am filled with a fear of Lndoa. Tio not the courtly city I expected to be hold. I ani not myself." "But you will at least bid mo hope?" "Surely, surely, all of us may hope." "Why, 'twas the last and only gift loft In Pandora's caket and London wen grim Indeed to be more bereft than the re ceptacle or that deceitful woman. May I make my first draught on Mmo. Pandora's box by hoping that I am to see you at this hour tomorrow?" "Yes tomorrow tomorrow," gaped tho girl faintly. But that tomorrow was not to cone. He fore night the great house was barricaded and the lights were put out to show no beam through the heavy shutters. Like a phantom army, the servants of the house hold stood In the gloom of tho wide hall, with bared swords ready for tho worst should the mob be it In the doo s. For hours they hud been waiting for news of Strafford, and none had come. Only his tre.murer had ion to the house, alter muoh mishandling by tho mob, with the news that all London was crying thut Strafford had been arrested in Parliament und taken " to the Tower. At last there was a timid knock at tho door during a lull In Ihe street. If was an envoy from the earl himself, and ho brought a letter addressed to Mistress Frances Wentworth.. It reaa: Sweetheart: You have heard before this what hath befallen me, yet trust thou In the goodness of God that my enemies shaH do me no hurt. I am troubled that you should -be In Ixmdon at this time where I can be of no help to you. It would please me to know that you were safe In the home where you have lived until this present time. Think not that you con assist me other than by obeying, for I trust In God and the king, and in the assurance that I am Innocent of the charges malice hath brought against me. Therefore, be In no way alarmed, but betake yourself straightway to the north, there to watt with thy brother as hereto fore, until I send a message for yon which I hope to do right speedily. Travel In comfort and security, snd take with you such of my household as will secure both. My treasurer, John Votllns. will give you all moneys you require, and this letter to his assurance to fulfill your wishes In thhi and every respect. Trust In God; give way to no fear, but bear yourself sa my daughter. Your loving father, 8TRAFFORDE. Tho young woman folded the letter with out a word except to the secretary, to whom he said: "My father writes In good confidence, seeing no cause for alarm, having assur ance of his Innocence and faith In Ood and the king." (To be continued.) The Retort Classical The two rival candidates for office were holding a Joint discussion. Tho one they called the Judge had a mattering of learning. The one they called tho colonel had no learning, but he could talk tho bark oft a tree. "My opponent," says the colonel, "says I'm against the Chinese exclusion law. Now, for my own part, I don't cars tho nan of my finger whether tho Chinese aro allowed to come to this country or not. They've iever done me any harm, and I'd just at lief they'd come be re as tho Turks, or tho Japanese or the Persians or any of them Asiatics." "Do gustlbus non dispttandum." Inter rupted the other candidate. J "You're another!" roared the coloneL Ho got the applause. Chicago Tribune. Storks as Messengers A German nobleman of experimental turn of mind, curious as to tho migratory habits of the storks which return each spring to his park, caught one last airtut&n and at fixed to Its neck a silver plats on which were engraved tho words, "This stork comes front Germany." The tlrd has just returned to his summer haunts, still wear ing the silver nock piece, on which had boon engraved beneath tho original inscription the words, "India returns Mm with a gift to his Gorman owner." Attached, to tho collar was a small parcel wrapped la water, proof containing a ring of wMaiatakablo Indian workmanship. When tho lord flies out this autumn ho wfil bo tho hearer of a moasago of Inquiry as to tho identity of tho donor of tho ring. Minneapolis Tribune,