The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

JOHN CLARK, Jr. The Beauty ()F Wall Paper Interesc allowed on Savings Bank de- posits of 31 and upwards. Prompt sttention and every facility sflordod customers living at a distance. A general Banking business trans. acted. Drafts issued and collections made on all points. Deposits re- ceived and interest allowed at cur- rent rates. MacFarlane 6: C0. UNDERTAKING PRICES CUT Also a First Class Hearse always in connection. Em- balming a speciaity. S. P. SA UNDERS Standard Bank at Canada. JACOB KRESS. Implement Agency! HAVING purchased the stock 01 Mr. Charles McKinnon, and rented hi4 warerooms, we beg re- Ipectfully to intimate to the public thet we will be found at the old "and with a full line of Farm Sup. plies including,”_ can -2” Agencies in all principal points in Or tario, Quebec, Manitoba, United States and England. For Furniture . . . JUST ARRIVED a large shipment of Cutters which we are bound to 8311 at right prices. Call and see us. FARM LABOBERS wishing employ- ment. can be put in communication with good {nrmors by enquiring of us. -. P. REID, Capital Authorized . . . 83,000,000 Paid Up ............ 1,000,000 Reserve Fund ........ 850.000 DURHAM AGENCY. HEAD OFFICE. TORONTO. Agricultural, Domestic and Dairy lmplemgfis of all kinds. Depends on the artistic taste of the designer. Our 1903 stock surpasses any line we ever handled in handsomeness, har- mony of color-blending and es- sential wearing qualities. A superb assortment at prices ranging from So per roll with ceilings and borders to match. Dmrmusm AND BOOK: All Paper Trimmed Free of Cost Machine Oil, Harness Oil, Axle Grease and H001 Ointment, go to Good horses at reasonable prices nlways at hand. That is sure to please can always be purchased here. THE SAVINGS BANK. d. KELLY, Agent. DEERING AGENT. The Harnessmaker -â€" MANAGER {SE LLERS DURHAM. ONT. “That sounds very much as though ‘ you cared to please me in any way.” ‘ Her lips parted. and she evidently had something unkind ready to say, but she held the breath she had taken to speak it with and after one or two false starts in as many ditt’erent lines continued: ‘ “ lut perhaps I deserve it. I ask you to forgive me. and hereafter desire you } three, upon all proper occasions, when a-.. A .... _- we are by ourselves, to treat me as one of youâ€"as a woman, a girl, I mean. Where is the virtue of royalty if it only means being put Upon a pinnacle above all the real pleasures of life. like fool- ish old Stylites on his column? The queen is always preaching to me about the strict maintenance of my ‘dignity royal.’ as she calls it, and perhaps she is right. But out upon ‘dignity royal,’ say I! It is a terrible nuisance. 0h, ; you don't know how difficult it is to be a princess and not a fool. There!” And she sighed in apparent relief. She was far more girl than'princess. and would have preferred to remain merely girl and let events take the course they were going. for she liked it. But there was the other part of her which was princess. and which kept saying. "Remember who you are.” so she was plainly at a loss between natural and artificial inclinations cou- tending unconsciously within her. Then, turning to Brandon: "You have taught me another good lesson. sir, and from this hour you are my friend. if you will he, so long as you are worthyâ€"no, I do not mean that; I know you will always be worthy---hut forever. Now We are at rights again. Let us try to remain soâ€"that is, I will,” and she langhingiy gave him her hand, which he, rising to his feet. bowed low over and kissed, rather fer- vently and lingeringly, I thought. “Your highness asked us to lay aside ceremony for the evening, and if I have offended I can but make for my excuse my desire to please you. Be sure I shall offend no more.” This was said so seriously that his meaning could not be misunderstood. He did not care whether he pleased so capricious a per- son or not. lland kissing was new to us in Eng- land, excppting in 03180 of the king and queen at public homage. It was a lit- tle startling to Mary, though she per- mitted llllll to lmld her hand much longer than there was any sort of need -â€"a fact she remmnizod. as I could easily see from her tolltnlo cheeks, which were rosy with the thought of it. ' Replying to Mary’s remark over J ane‘s shoulder, Brandon said: We sat a few minutes talking, Mary wearing an air of dignity. Cards were proposed, and as the game progressed she gradually unbent again and be- came affable and familiar as earlier in the evening. Brandon, however, was frozen. He was polite, dignified and deferential to the ladies, but the spirit of the evening was gone since he had furnished it all with his free. offhand manner, full of life and brightness. After a short time, Mary’s warming mood failing to thaw our frozen fun- xnaker, and in her heart infinitely pre- ferring pleasure to dignity. she said: “Oh, this is wearisome! Your game is far less entertaining than your new dance. Do sonmthing to make me laugh, Master Brandon.” So it is when :1 woman goes on the defensive prematurely and without umse. It makes it hurdor to apply the check when the real need comes. Mary made no reply, and it looked as it Brandon had the worst of it. “I fear you must 'all in Will Som- mors,” he replied, "if you wish to laugh. I cannot please you in both ways, so will hold to the one which seems to suit the princess.” Mary‘s eyes flashed, and she said ironically: After a little card playing I express. ed regret to June that I could not have a dance with her for lack of music. “I will play, if the ladies permit,” said Brandon, and he took Lady Jane’s lute and played and sang some very pretty little love songs and some comlc ones. too, in a style not often heard in England, so far away from the home of the troubadour and lute. He was full of surprises, this splendid fellow, with his accomplishments and graces. When we had danced as long as we wishedâ€"that is. as Jane wished; as for myself, I would have been dancing yet -â€"Mary again asked us to be seated. Jane having rested, Brandon offered to teach her the new dance, saying he could whistle an air well enough to give her the step. I at once grew un- easy with jealous suspense, for I did not wish Brandon to dance in that fashion with Jane, but to my great relief she replied: “No, thank you; not tonight.” Then, shyly glancing toward me: “Perhaps Sir Edwin will teach me when he learns. It is his business, you know.” Would}? It a month, night and day. would conquer it, the new dance was as good as done for already. That was the first real mark of favor I ever had from Jane. ' We now had some songs from Mary and Jane; then I gave one, and'Brano don sang again at Mary’s request. We had duets and quartets and solos, and the songs were all sweet. for they came from the heart of youth and went'to the soul of youth. rich in its God given fresh dellxbt in .evemhhg Then we m a» “a talked, and Mary and Jane, too, with a sly, shy, soft little word now and then, drew Brandon out to tell' of his travels and adventures. He was a pleasing talker and had a smooth, easy flow of words, speaking always in a low, clear voice and with perfect composure. He had a way‘of looking first one auditor and then another straight in the eyes with a magnetic etrect that gave to everything he said an added interest. Although at that time less than twenty- flve years old, he was really a learned man, having studied at Barcelona, Sal- amanca and Paris. While there had been no system in his education, his mind was a sort of knowledge junkshop wherein he could find almost anything he wanted. He spoke German, French and Spanish and seemed to know the literature of all these languages. He told us he had left home at the early age of sixteen as his uncle’s es- quire and had fought in France, then down in Holland with the Dutch, had been captured by the Spanish and had joined the Spanish army, as it mattered not where he fought so that there was a chance for honorable achievement and a fair ransom now and then. He told us how he had gone to Barcelona and Salamanca, where he had studied, and thence to Granada, among the Moors; of his fighting against the pi- rates of Barbary, his capture by them, his slavery and adventurous escape and his regret that now drowsy peace kept him mowed up in a palace. “It is true,” he said, “there is a pros- pect of trouble with Scotland. but I “Sir. forgive me.” she said, putting her hand prottily upon his :‘ 'm. “I slmnhl have knuwu. Believe me, I would not lmvv hurt you intentionally.” would rather fight a pack of howling starving wolves than the SCUtt'il. They light like very devils which. of murse. is well. but you h: we nethi .;: after \011 have beaten them. not on en a gem] whole woll'skin." "Ah. my lady. the word was thought- lessly spoken and needs no f(_n'gi\'eness. lint your heart shows itself in the. ask- ing, and I thank you. I wanted but a moment to throw off the thought of that terrible day." Then they °ume back together, and the princess, who had tact enough when she cared to use it. soon put matters right again. In an unfortunate moment Mary said, “Oh, Mastvr Brandon. tel] 115' of your duel with Judson.” Thoughtful. considvx'nte Jane frown- ed at the princvss in surprise and put her finger on Mr lips. “Your ladyship. 1 fear 1 cannot,” he anmwrml. and left his svat. going ovor to tho window. whom» he stood. with his hark tm'ard us. looking out into the darkness. Mary saw what she had douo. and hor «yr-s grow moist, for, with all her faults, she had a warm. tomlor heart and a quiok. rosponsive sympathy. Aftvr a row sooonds of painful silence she wont softly over to the window where Brandon stood. I started to tell one of my best sto- ries in order to cheer Brandon, but in the midst of it Mary, who, I had noâ€" ticed, was restless and uneasy, full of blushes and hesitancy and with a man- ner as new to her as the dawn of the first day was to the awakening world, abruptly asked Brandon to dance with her again. She had risen and was standing by her chair, ready to be led out. “Gladly.” answered Brandon as he sprang to her side and took her hand. “Which shall it beâ€"La Galliard or the new dance?” And Mary, standing there, the picture of waiting, willing modesty, lifted her free hand to his shoulder, tried to raise her eyes to his, but failed and softly said, “The new dance.” This time the dancing was more so- berly done, and when Mary stopped it was with serious, thoughtful eyes, for she had felt the tingling of a new, strange force in Brandon’s touch. A man, not a worm, but a real man, with all the irresistible, infinite attractions that a man may have for a womanâ€" the subtle drawing of the lodestone tor the passive ironâ€"bad come into her life. Doubly sweet it was to her in- tense young virgin soul in that it first revealed the dawning of that two edged bliss which makes a heaven or a hell of earthâ€"of earth, which owes its very existence to love. . I do not mean that Mary wuin love. “Sir, UHUI'I‘C me.” but that she had met‘ and tor the hrst time felt the touch. yes, even the sub- tle, unconscious, dominating force so sweet to woman. of the man she could love, and had known the rarest throh that pulses in that choicest or all God’s perfect handiworkâ€"a woman’s heartâ€" the throh that goes before, the John the Baptist, as it were, or coming love. It being after midnight. Mary filled two cups of wine, from each of which she took a sip, and handed them to Brandon and me. She then paid me the 10 crowns, very soberly thanked us and said we were at liberty to go. The only words Brandon ever spoke concerning that evening were just as we retired: “Jesu, she is perfect! But you were wrong, Caskoden. I can still thank Go] I am not in love with her. I would fall upon my sword it I were." I was upon the point of telling him she had never treated any other man as she had treated him, but I thought best to leave it unsaid. Trouble was apt to come of its own accord soon enough. \Ilainmed the' door and lacked it. The CHAPTER V. AN nonoa AND AN ENE“. DAY or two after this Bran- don was commanded to an audience and presented to the . king and queen. He was now eligible to all palace entertainments and would probably have many invita- tions, being a favorite with both their majesties. As to his standing with Mary, who was really the most impor- tant figure socially about the court, I could not exactly say. She was such a mixture of contradictory impulses and rapid transitions, and was so full of whims and caprice, the inevitable out- growth ot her blood, her rank and the adulation amid which she had always lived, that I could not predict for a day ahead her attitude toward any one. She had never shown so great favor to any man as to Brandon, but just how much of her eondescension was a mere whim, growing out of the im- pulse of the moment and subject to reaction, I could not tell. I believed, however, that Brandon stood upon a firmer foundation with this changing, shifting (llliCkSillltl of a girl than with either of their niajesties. In truth, I may as well tell you that when the princess asked me to bring Brandon to her that she might have t little sport; at his expense she looked for a laugh, but found a sigh. One afternoon a day or two after Brandcm’s presentation a message ar- rived from Mary notifying me that she would have a little fete that evening in one of the smaller halls and direct- ing me to be there as master of the dance. Accompanying the message was a note from no less a person than the princess herself, inviting Brandon. Of course most of the entertainments given by the king and queen included as guests nearly all the court, but Mary often had little fetes and danc- ing parties which were smaller, more Selm't and informal. These parties were 1' ‘ally with the consent and encourage- ment ui’ the king, to avoid the respon- sibility of not inviting everybody. The larger affairs were very dull, and smaller ones might give otfense to those who were left out. The latter, therefore, were turned over to Mary. who cared very little who was oflend- ed or who was not, and invitations to them were highly valued. In fact, I thought he rested upon her heart itself. But to guess correctly what :1 girl of that sort will do or think or feel would require inspiration. Jane rose,- picked up the note and ot- tered it to her mistress, who snatched it with one hand while she gave her a sharp slap with the other. Jane ran out. and Mary, full of anger and ehnme. This ‘as an honor indeedâ€"an auto- graph invitation t‘rmn the hand of Mn- ry! But tho lnastvrt'ul rascal did not semn to (fOllSitit'l‘ it anything: unusual. and when I handml hini 1h<- nut" upon his rvturn from thv hunt lw simply read it Ctli't'lt‘ssiy (H't‘i' mum. lx-i't‘ it in pieces and inssmi it. :‘.‘R':l.\'. l In-iivve the Duke of Htu-kingham would have given 10.000 crowns tn rmw‘in‘ s‘m'n a note and would (ionhtiwss haw Shawn it to half tlw court in triumphant mu- fidencv before the lniddlv ut’ thv night. To this grvat captain of the guard it was but a scrap of paper. lie vas glad it. nevertheless, and with all his zwtti'aint and stoicism would not rum-val his pleasure. Mary did not destroy Brandon's note, despite the fact that her sense of dig- nity had been disturbed by it. but after she had read it slipped 03 into her pri- vate room, read it again and put it on her escritoire. Soon she pit ked it up. reread it and, after a little hesitation, put it in her pocket. It remained in the pocket for a moment or two. when out it came for another perusal. and then she unfastened her bodice and put it in her bosom. Mary had been so in- tent upon what she was dOIng that she had not seen Jane. who was sitting quietly in the window, and when she turned and saw her she was so angry she snatched the note from her bosom and threw it upon the floor, stamping her foot in embarrassment and rage. “How dare you watch me. hussy ?” she cried. “You lurk around as still as the grave, and I have to look Into every nook and corner wherever I go or have you spying on me.” ' “I did not spy upon you. Lady Mary." laid Jane quietly. lirandon at once accepted the invita- tion in a personal note to the princess. The boldness of this actually took my bt'cntll. and it seems at first to have startled Mary 11 little also. As you must know by this time, her “dignity 1°03 al” was subject to alarms and quite i1rc most troublesome attribute-very apt to receive damage in her 1eiations with Brandon. “Don’t answer me! i know you did! I want you to be less silent after this. Do you hear? Cough or sing or stum- ble; do something. anything. that I may hear you.” a partner. while the men resorted to some very transparent and amusing expedients to attract her attention. The princess, however. took none of the bidders, and soon. I noticed, she espied Brandon standing in the corner with his back toward her. Something told me she was going to “www.mydonaamllro- note. being the cause or an the troume. she impatiently threw to the door again and went over to the window bench, where she threw herself down to pout. In the course of live minutes she turned her head for one fleeting instant and looked at the note. and then. after a little hesitation. stole over to where she had thrown it and picked it up. Going bad: to the light at the window she held it in her hand a moment and then read it once. twice. thrice. The third time brought the smile, and the note nestled in the bosom again. J ane did not come ofl so well. for her mistress did not speak to her until she called her in that evening to make her toilet. By that time Mary had forgot- ten about the now in her bosom; so when Jane began to array her for the dance it tell to the floor, whereupon both girls broke into a laugh. and Jane kissed Mary’s ban» shoulder. and Mary kissed the top of June's head. and they were friends again. So Brandon accvpted Mary's invita- tion and went to Mary'- dance. but his going made for him an enemy of the most powerful nobleman in the realm. and this was the way of it: These parties of Mary’s had been goo ing on once or twice a week during the entire winter and spring. and usually included the same persons. It was a sort of coterie. whose members were more or less congenial and most of them very jealous of interlopers. Strange as itmay seem. uninvited persons of- ten attempted to force themselves in. and all sorts of schemes and maneu- vers were adopted to gain admission. To prevent this two guardsmen with halberds were stationed at the door. Modesty. I might say. neither thrives nor is useful at court. It was time to open the bail. and from my place in the musicians’ gal- lery I could see Mary moving about among the guests, evidently looking for a few minutes, with the floor entirely to herself and partner. It was the hou- or of the evening to open the hall with her, and quite curious to see how men put themselves in her way and stood so as to be easily observed and. per- chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving Mary had drifted into a corner of the room hack of a group of people and was talking to Wolseyâ€"who was al- ways very friendly to himâ€"and to Man- ter Cavendish. a quaint. quiet. easy lit- tle man. full of learning and kindness. and a warm friend to the Princess When Brandon presented himself at the door. his entrance was barred. but he quickly pushed aside the halberds and entered. The Duke of Bucking- ham. a proud. self important individu- al. was standing near the door and saw it all. Now. Buckingham was one of those unfortunate persons who never lose an opportunity to make a mistake. and. being anxious to display his real on behalf of the [il'inm-ss. step- ped up to prevent Brandon's entrance. "Sir. you will have to lllOVt‘ out of this." he said pompously. “You are not at a jousting hunt. You have made a mistake and have come. to the wrong i saw it all, but could hardly realize what was going on. it came 80 quivkly and was over so soon. Like a flash Brandon’s sword was out of its sh unit and Bucklngham's blade was {lying to- ward the ceiling. Brandon‘s sword was sheathed again so quickly litat ntll‘ could hardly believe it had lawn «ml It all, and. picking up Buckingham‘s. he said with a half smothered l:l::::ll. “My lord has dropped his award" He then broke its point with his lu-al against the hard floor. saying. "I will dull the point lest my lord. [wing illum- cuslmned to its use. wound hinm'll'." This brought peals of laughter from everybody. including the. king. Mary laughed also. but. as Brandnn was handing Buckingham his blade. canw up and demanded: “Master Brandon, I :11): mm to 896 you, and regret exceedingly {halt ()U'.’ friend of Buvkinghmn sump? -n 11.33% for your blood." She tlwn ‘ ! ‘m In the king and queen. to Winn. « :.-.:u!u his bow, and the pair comi ‘..:<"l' walk about the room. Mar) :12: ul- luded to the skirmish at the - ,r am] said laughingly: “I would have come to your l.- I knew you were amply ublv care of yourself. I was sure )1)" worst the duke in some way. . better than a muulmery, and I w; to see it. I do not like him." The king did not open these private balls, as he was supposed at least not to be their patron. and the queen. who was considerably older than Henry. was averse to such things. So the prin- cess opened her own halls. dancing for “My lord of Buckingham is pivasod to make °athor more of an ass 01’ lzim snif than usual this evening” :‘t'piivd Brandon. vith a smile. as ln- started across the room to Mary, \Viinrlv vyi- he had caught. She had soon and hoard it all. but instead of coming to his re. lief stood there laughing to lwrsvif. At this Buckingham grow furious and ran around ahead of Brandon. valiant- ly drawing his sword. “Now, by heaven. fellow. make but an- other stop. and i will run you tin-owzht“ he said. "My lord. is this the way you Inks lt mum yoursqu to rem-ivv my guvsts? \Vlm :leilllOd you. lvt mo ask. to arm! my door? We shall have m (mm y-nzzz mxxw from our next llst nulc-ss x w :32» :l few lessons in good man .u ' ' This was striking hllu lm‘rd. " .- '-lt:llll}‘ of the man will at um'v :s' :i:: to you when I say that :..-I: l‘(‘(‘(‘iVPd worse troatnwm m the girl‘s sklrts all lln more tonaclous‘ly. Turmng 3 ".rm son. the princess said: 11 CO . it n . but 1:! k», mud ‘-.'~' a h {rind netted“: because I knew it would not every nobleman in the house W him. they being very jealous of the “lowhorn moi-1m" am they called th- unlitled friends of royalty. Bun enough. I wurlght. naryatoncahe- gan to make her way over to the cor- ner. and I heard her say. “Master Bran- don. will you dance with me?” It was done prettily.‘ The whole ctr! changed as soon as she found herself in faint of him. in place of the old time confidence. strongly tinged with arro- gance. she was almost shy. and blushed and stammered with quick coming breath. like a hurgher maid before her new found gallant. At once the court- lera made way for her. and out she walked, leading Brandon by the hand. Upon her lips and in her eyes was a rare. triumphant smile, as if to say: After a little time the dowager Durh- . es: of Kent. first lady in waiting to the iqueen. presented herself at the must- 1 cians’ gallery and said that her majes- i ty had ordered the music stomwd. and ithe musicians, of course, ceased play- ;lng at once. Mary thereupon turned § quickly to me. “Look at this handsome new trophy of my bow and spear." I was surprised and alarmed when Mary chose Brandon. but when I turn- ed to the musicians to direct their play imagine. it‘ you can. my surprise when the leader said: “Master. we have our orders for the first dance from the princess." Imagine also. if you can. my double surprise and alarm â€" nay. almost my terror-when the band struck up J ane's “Sailor Lass.” I saw the look of sur- prise and inquiry which Brandon gave Mary. standing there demurely by his side, when he first heard the music. and I heard her nervous little laugh as she nodded her head, “Yes,” and step. ped closer to him to take position for the dance. The next moment she was in Brandon’s arms. dying like a sylph about the room. A buzz of astonish- ment and delight greeted them before they were half way around and then a great clapping of hands. in which the king himself joi'ned. It was a lovely sight, although I think a graceful wo- man is more beautiful in La (billiard than any other dance or. in fact. any other situation in which she can place herself. “You did go to several others before you thought of coming to me.” answer. ed June. pretending to he piqued. Now, that was the unkindest thing I ever knew a girl to doâ€"â€"refuse me what she knew I so wanted and then put the re- fusal on the pretended ground that I did not care much about it. I so told her. and she saw she had carried things too far and that l was growing angry in earnest. She then made another false though somewhat flattering ex- cuse: “I could not bear to go through that dance before so large a company. I should not object so much it no one due could seeâ€"that is. with you. Edwin.” “Edwin!" Oh. so soft 1nd awed! Tho little jade! To think that III. ”I “You got yourself into it. Get out of It as best you can. I have often told you to let her alone. She has sharp claws." The king was really tired of Catherlne’s sour frown before he mar- ried her. It was her (lower of Spnnlsh' gold that brought her a second Tudor husband. “I thank you. Edwin. but there are others who are more anxious to loam than I, and you had better teach them first." "‘Vi“ 3'0“? majesty permit me to be thus insulted in your very presence?” “Shall I not have what music and dances I want at my own balls?" asked the princess. “That you shall. sister mine; that you shall." answered the king. “Go on. master. and if the girl likes to dance that way, in God‘s name let her have her wish. It will never hurt her. W0 will learn It ourself. and will wear tho ladies out a-danelng." “But I want to touch you. When I wish to teach them. I will go to them." “Master. are our musicians weary that they stop before we are through?" The queen turned to Henry. who wan laughing, and angrily demanded: After Mary had finished the opening dance there was a great demand for Instruction. The king asked Brandon to teach him the steps. which he soon learned to perform with n graee per- haps equaled by no living: ereature oth- er than a fat brown hear. The ladies were at first a little shy and inclined to stand at arm's length. but Mary had let the fashion and the others soon followed. 1 had taken a fiddler to hit l‘t'finil :tllfi had learned “l0 dant‘e from Brandon and was aide in l ;.ell it also. though 1 lilt‘lx't'ti ;;l‘tl«'13"' ‘ - make my step pet'l’evt. 'l'ite 9::‘2 - -' .ml needed no Iii'flt‘lit’t'. lm‘ lzzui «inn» ! lu-atttiful- ly from the first. her Sil'nli; young limbs and supple body laid“: as nat- urally to anything requiring gram of movement as a eymlet to water. This. thought i. is my upmll‘l unity to teach Jane the new danee. i wanted to go to her first. but was afraid. or for some reason did not. and took sev- eral other ladies as they eanne. After I had shown the step to them I sought out my sweetheart. Jane was not a prude, but i honestly believe she was the most. provoking girl that ever lived. I never had succeeded in holding her hand even the smallest part of an in- stant. and yet I was sure she liked me very muchâ€"almost sure she loved me. She feared I might unhinge it and car- ry it away. or something of that sort. I suppose. When i Went up and asked her to let me teach her the new dance. she said: