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"HO OFFICE. TORONTO. G. P. REID, â€" â€" MANAGER A general Banking business ‘trans- acted. Drafts issued and collections made on all points. Deposits re- ceived and interest allowed at cur- rent rates. Interest allowed on Savings Bank de- posits of $1 and upwards. Prompt tttontion and every facility aflorded customers living at a. distance. DEERING Binders, Mowers, Rakes and Twines. Wilkinson’s Plows. Land Rollers and Diamond Smooth- ing Harrows. McGill Turnip Sowers. Dowsell’a Chums. \Vashers and Wringers, 1.7. S. Cream Separators, Cameron Dunn Hay Forks. lpncioi in all principal points in On- tario, Quebec. “tabs, United States and England. UNDERTAKING PRICES CUT Also a First Class Hearse always in connection. Em. halminu a speciaity. JACOB KRESS. Furniture . . . Snowball and Cbatham Wagons. Palmerston Buggies and Democrats. Also Grier Buggies,Londou, on hand. Also a Number of Horses for Sale S. P. SA UNDERS DURHA \I. Wool . . Wanted For /\ Custom Card‘ing and Spin: A LARGE assortment of Tweeds. Yerns. Blankets and Flannel: al- weys in stock. Reedy-made Cloth- ing of the latest design kept in stock. Cupital Authorized . . . 82,000,000 Psid Up....... 1.000.000 Reserve Fund ........ 850,000 S. SCOTT, Fresh Groceries always in stock st. the Lowest Prices. Wagons, Buggies, Etc. Farm _. . . Machmery DURHAM AGENCY. JOHN CLARK \ line of general repairs con- stantly kept on hand hero. PLOW POINTS and a full That is sure to please can always be purchased here. Machine Oil, Harness Oil, Axle Grease and H001 Ointment, go to THE SAVINGS BARK. d. KELLY, Agent. The highest price in Cash or Trade for tny quultity. ning promptly {mended t6 and satisfaction gnarmtoed. The Harnessmaker. 2 23.5 DURHAM. ONT. ONTARIO CHAPTER“ XII; A'roxnxnn'r. HAD not been long in the room h‘ at when a knock at the door an- ” nounced the girls. I admitted. 5:953 them, and Mary walked to the middle or the floor. It was just growing dark, and the room was quite dim, save at the window where Bran- don sat reading. Gods, those were ex- citing moments! My heart beat like a woman’s. Brandon saw the girls when they entered, but never so much as looked up from his book. You must re- member he had a great grievance. Jane and I had remained near the door, and poor Mary was a pitiable princess, standing there so full of doubt in the middle of the room. After a moment she stepped toward the window and, with quick coming breath, stopped at the threshold of the little passage. “Oh, don’t, I pray you! Let me tell you. and it may make a differonce. It must pain you, I know, to think of me as you do, afterâ€"aftorâ€"you know; 21ft- er what has passed hotwvon us.” “Your highness is very gracious and kind thus to honor me, but as our ways will hereafter lie as far apart as the world is broad, I think it would have been far better had you refrained from so imprudent a visit. especially as any. thing one so exalted as yourself may have to say can he no afl‘air of such as I-one just free of the hangman’s noose.” “Yes. that only makes it all the hard- er. If you could give your kissm”-â€":md she blushed red as bloo«lâ€"-“to one for whom you care so llttlelhat you could move him to die like A dog, when a word from you would have saved him, what reason have I to suppose they are not for every man ?” “Master Brandon, I have come, not to make excuses. for nothing can excuse me, but to tell you how it all happened â€"by trusting to another.” Brandon arose and, marking the place in his book with his finger, fol- lowed Mary, who had stepped back- ward into the room. ‘ “You know that is not true. You are not honest with me nor with yourself, and that is not like you. You know that no other man ever had, or could have, any favor from me, even the slightest. Wantonness is not among my thousand faults. It is not that which angers you. You are sure enough of me in that respect. In truth, I had almost come to believe you were too sure, that I had grown cheap in your eyes, and you did not care so much as I thought and hoped for what I had to give, for after that day you came not near me at all. I know it was the part of wisdom and prudence that you should remain away, but had you cared as much as I your prudence would not have held you.” This gave-Mary an opening of which she was quick enough to take advan- tage, for Brandon was in the wrong. She hung her head a moment in sl- lence, then, looking at him, almost ready for tears, continued: “A man has no right to speak in that way of a wo- man whose little favors he has taken, and make her regret that she has given a gift only that it may recoil upon her. ‘Little,’ did I say? Sir, do you know what thatâ€"flrstâ€"kiss w as to me? Had I possessed all the crowns of all the earth I would have given them to you as willingly. Now you know the value I placed on it, however worthless it was to you. Yet 1 was a cheerful giver of that gift, was I not? And can you find it in your heant to make of it a shame to meâ€"that of which I was so proud 1” She stood there. with head inclined a little to one side. looking at him in- quiringly as if awaiting an answer. He did not speak, but looked steadily at his book. I felt. however, that he was changing. and I was sure her beauty. nex or more exquisite than in its pres- ent humility. would yet atone for even so great a fault as hers. Err, look beau- tiful and receive remission! Such a woman as Mary carries her indulgence in her face. “Iâ€" how began to realize for the first time the wondrous power of this girl, and ceased to marvel that she had al- ways been able to turn even the king, the most violent. stubborn man on earth, to her own wishes. Her manner made her words eloquent, and already, with true feminine tactics, she had put Brandon in the wrong in everything because he was wrong in part. Then she quickly went over what she had said to me. She told of her great dread lest the king should learn of the visit to Grouche’s and its fatal conse- quences. knowing full well it would render Henry impervious to her influ- ence and precipitate the French mar- riage. She told him of how she was going to the king the day after the at- rest to ask his release, and of the meet- ing with Buckingham, and his promise. w§tiiiÂ¥3rhxiaon Said {nothing and stood as if politely waiting for her to with- Gravy. She remained silent a little time, waiting for him to speak, when tears. partly of vexation. I think. moistened her eyes. . “Tell me at least.” aha said, “that you know I speak the truth. I have :11- ways believed in you, and now I ask tor your faith. I would not lie to you in the faintest shading of a thought-â€" not for heaven itselfâ€"not even for your love and forum much u the! .are to me, and I want to know ‘that you are sure of my truthfulness, it you doubt all else. You see I speak plainly of what your love is to me, for al- though by remaining away you made me fear I had been too lavish with my favors-that is every woman’s fearâ€"I knew in my heart you loved me; that you could not have done and said what you did otherwise. Now you see what faith I have in you, and you a man. whom a woman’s instinct prompts to doubt. How does it compare with your faith in me, a woman. whom all the in- stincts ot a manly nature should dis- pose to trust? It seems to be an un- written law that a man may lie to a woman concerning the most important thing in life to her and be proud of it, but you see even now I have all faith in your love for me, else I surely should not be here. You see I trust even your unspoken word, when it might, without much blame to you, be a spo- ken lie; yet you do not trust me, who have no world-given right to speak falsely about such things, and when that which I now do is full of shame for me, and what I have done full of guilt, if inspired by aught but the pur- est truth from my heart of hearts. Your words mean so muchâ€"so much more. I think, than you realizeâ€"and are so cruel in turning to evil the high- est, purest impulse a woman can feel- the glowing pride in self surrender and the sweet, delightful privilege of giving where she loves. How can you? How can you ?” How eloquent she was! It seemed to me this would have melted the frozen sea, but I think Brandon felt that now his only hope lay in the safeguard of his constantly upheld indignation. ”our vvâ€"uuw -v... ._v When he spoke; he i said. Nun“. “You did well to employ my Lord of Buckingham. It will make matters more interesting when I tell you it was he who attacked you and was caught by the leg under his wounded horse; he was lame, I am told, for some time aft- erward. I had watched him following you from the gate at Bridewell and at once recognized him when his mask fell off during the fight by the wall. You have done well at every step, 1 to that old satyr. to he gloated over and feasted upon. No man can know the horror of that thought to a Woman â€"~to any woman. good or bad. To have one’s beauty turn to curse her and make her desirable onlyâ€"only as well fed cattle are prized. No matter how great the manifestation of such so called love. it all the more. repels a woman and adds to her loathing day by day. Then there was something worse than all"â€"-sh'e was almost weep- ing nowâ€"“I might have been able to bear the thought even of that hideous marriage~others have lived through the like-*hutâ€"but afterâ€"that-that dayâ€"when you-it seemed that your touch was a spark dropped into a heart full of tinder. which had been lying there awaiting it all these years. In that one moment the flame grew so in- tense I could not withstand it. My throat ached; I could scarcely breathe. and it seemed that my heart would burst.” Here the tears gushed forth as she took a step toward him with out- stretched arms and said between sobs: “I wanted you, you. for my husband- for my husband, and I could not bear the torturing thought of losing you or enduring any other man. I could not give you up after thatâ€"it was all too late, too late; it had gone too far. I was lost. lost!” “Oh, God; to think of it! Had I but known! Buvkinghnm shall pay for this with his head: but how could I know? I was but :1 poor. (listrm-tod girl. surv to‘ make some fatal orror. l was in such agony-~3wmr wonmlsmhe-limw mv. I suffered morn from 1mm than 3m: could. Every min you t‘vlt Wu» :2 pair. for Inc-and tin-n that awful I!::1"2'3;2:.:(-I l was being sold like a wrotclml slave He sprang to where she stood lean- ing toward him and caught her to his breast. She held him from her while she said: “Now you knowâ€"now you know that I would not have left you in that terrible place had I known it. No, not if it had taken my life to buy your freedom.” “I do know; I do know. Be sure of that. 1 know it and shall know it al- ways, whatever happens; nothing can change me. I will never doubt you again. It is my turn to ask forgiveness now. ” “Let us step out into the passageway. Edwin," said Jane, and we did. There were times when Jane seemed to be in- splred. “No, no. Just forgive me. That is all I ask.” And her head was on his breast. When we went back into the room, Mary and Brandon were sitting in the window-way on his great cloak. They rose and came to us, holding each oth- er'a hands. and Mary asked. looking up to him: “Shall we tell them?” “As you like, my lady." Mary was willing, and looked for Brandon to speak, so he said. “This lady whom I hold by the hand and my- self have promised each other before the good God to be husband and wife it fortune ever to ("or n! that it he “Nonthat is not it.” 13mm MI. ’9 17. “Theronno‘lt'intt. Irma whether it In poulblo or not. Nothing Mpment." AtthillhOfl-Odlune and told be: how she loved her. and an me her ma. t9:- _he_r love wu Io F' v â€"' â€"'- â€"__, U treat within her that it overflowed upon every one. She. however. alwaya had a plenltude of love tor Jane, and. though aha might acold her and appar- ently manae her, Jane waa aa dear as ‘L,_ '_v' a aiater and was alwaya sure of her steadfast, tried and lasting anecdon. After Mary had said there should he no “it" Brandon replied: “Very well, Mme. Destiny." Then, turning to us. “What ought I to do for one who in willing to stoop from no high an estate to honor me and be my wife '1” “Love her and her alone wlth your whole heart as long as you live. That ls all she wants, I am sure,” volun- teered Jane sentlmentally. “Jane, you are a Mme. Solomon," said Mary, with a tone of her old time laugh. “Is the course you advise as you would Wish to be done by '2” And she glanced mischievously from Jane to me as the laugh bubbled up from her heart. merry and soft. as if it had not come from what was but now the home of grief and pain. C “I know nothing about how I should like to be done by,” said Jane, with a pout, “but if you have such respect for my Wisdom I will offer a little more. I ,9, think it is time we should he going,_. shoulder to see if J one and I were look- lng. lifted her face to him and run after US. We were a little in advance of the princess. and as we walked along Jane ' said under her breath: “Now look out i for trouble; it will come. quickly. and I fear for Master Brandon more than any one. 110 has made. anoble fight‘ against her and against himself. and it is no wonder she loves him." This made me fool a little jealous. “Jana. you could not love him. could “Now, Jane, you are growing foolish again; I will not go yet." and Mary made manifest her intention by sitting down. She could not bring herself to forego the pleasure of staying, danger- ous as she knew it to he, and could not bear the pain of parting, even for a short time, now that she had Brandon once more. The time was soon coming -â€"hut I am too fast again. you?" I asked. “No matter what I could do. Edwin; I do not. and that should satisfy you.” 1191' voice and manner said more than her words. The hall was almost dark, andâ€"I have always considered that 00- cash”) one of my lost opportunities. but thoy are not many. After a time Brandon said: “I think June’s wisdom remains with her. Mary. It is better that you do not stay. much as I wish to have you.” She was ready to obey him at once. When she arose to go she took both his hands in hers and whispered: “ ‘Mury.’ I like the name on your lips,” and then. glancing hurriedly over her The next evening Brandon and 1. upon Lady Mary’s invitation, went up to her apartments. but did not stay long, fearing some one might find us there and cause trouble. We would not have gone at all had not the whole court been absent in London. for dis.- eovery would have been a serious mat- ter to one of us at least. As I told you once before, Henry did not care how much Brandon might love his sister, but Buckingham had whis- pered suspicions of the state of Mary’s heart, and his own observations. to- gether with the intercepted note, had given these suspicions a stronger color- ing,. so that a very small matter might turn them into certainties. The king had pardoned Brandon for the killing of the two men in Billings- gnte, as he was forced to do under the circumstances, but there his kindness stopped. After a short time be deprived him of his place at court, and all that was left for him of royal favor was permission to remain with me and live at the palace until such time a! he should sail for New Spain. CHAPTER XIII. a man’s coxsEN'r. HE treaty had been agreed up- on. and as to the international . arrangement, at least, the mar- - °‘ riage of Louis de Valois and Mary Tudor was a settled tact. All it needed was the consent of an eighteen- yearâ€"old girlâ€"a small matter. of course. as marriageable women are but oom- modities in statecratt. and theoretically. at least, acquiesce in everything their liege lords ordain. Wolsey, whose manner was smooth as an otter’s coat. had been sent to fetch the needed “yes.” but he failed. Jane told me about it. Wolsey had gone prlvately to loo the princess and had thrown out a sea at 8W 11130 by Mr!!! “Km”: “Now you know”â€" UUII ' d 1. “Carry this to the king: That 1 will an see him and the whole kiumlnm smvk mp in hell before I will mmrx Louis of I it France. That is my answer mum and Jfor all. Good ewu. \lnstm Walsuf 5. EAnd she swept out of 1110 lumn xvi . on head 11p and dilating hustrils. Ilu- wry picture of doflamo. mmroundmnotmm‘oeunu- “You. you. my load of Lincoln. 1 know how beautiful I an. No one knows bet- ter. 1 know u: about my hnir. eyes. teeth. eyebrow: and skin. I tell you I am slot of them. Don't talk to me about them. It won't help you to get my consent to marry that vile old crea- ture. That is what you have come for. of course. I have been expecting you. Why did not my brother come '1" “I think he was afraid. and. to tell you the truth, I was afraid myself." answered Wolsey, with a smile. This made Mary smile. too, in spite of her- self and went a long way toward pu.» ting her in a good humor. Wolsey con- tinned: “His majesty could not have given me a more disagreeable task. You doubtless think I am in favor of this marriage. but I am not." Tile was as grert a lie as ever tell whole out of a his!" ,p’s mouth. “I have been obliged to (all in with the king's views on the minor. for he has had his mind set on it from the first mention by De Longueville." “Was it that head eyed little mummy who suggested it ?" “Yes, and it you marry the ,king of France you can repay him with usury." “ "l‘is an inducement. by my troth.” “I do not mind saying to you in con- fidence that I think it an outrage to force a girl like you to marry :1 man like Louis of France. but how are we By the “we” Wolsey put himself in alliance with Mary, and the mm'e was certainly 21d roit. to “How are we to avoid it? Have no fear of that, my lord; I will show you.” “Oh. but my dear princess; permit me. You do not seem to know your brother. You cannot in any way avoid this 111arriage. l believe he will im- prison you and put you on bread and w. ter to force your ('unsent. i am sure you had better do \\ illi11«,.l5' that whieb 5ou w ill eventuall5 be compelled to do .1115 \1 .15 , and. besides. there is another thought that has come to me. Shall I speak plainly before Lady Jane Boling broke ?” “I have no seerets from her.” “Very well. It is this: Louis is old and very feeble. lie 'annot live long and it may he that you ('1111 by :1 ready consent 11.1w exact 11 pronfise {111111 your brother to allow you your own ehoiee in the e\ ent of a seeond 111:111'i: 1 .re. You might in that 5'115'11111'thase “hat you could not bring about in any other way." Wolsvy thought he had won. and w ciinvl: the \‘lvtm‘y sal . in his fun-M12: manner; “Louis XII. will not live 3: your; let me carry to the king your consent. and I guarantee you his mum. lse as to a second marriage." “I do not know that you wish to pur- chase anything. but a woman’s heart is not always under her full control. and it sometimes goes out to one very far beneath her in station. but the equal of any man on earth in grandeur of Swill and nohleness of nature. It might be that there is suvh a man whom any woman would be amply justified in purehasing at any sacrificeâ€"doubly so it’ it were buying happiness for two." In an instant Mary's eyes shut law. and her face was like the Mau'kvst stormcloud. “How do you know that I want to purchase anght in any way. Mastor Wolsey? I most certainly do not in- tend to do so by nmrryim.r Franvo.” His moaning \'flS too plain own pretend to misunderstand. and Mary vyos flushed at him as her (are loi‘nl into n dinmling smile in spite of Lvr. After Wolsey had gone Jane said 1(- Mary: “Don’t you think it would hu‘ . been better had you sent a softer uz'. swer to your brother? 1 lwlieu- yum could reach his heart. even How i:' ~. were to make the vt'ful‘t. You in.» .- ' mu tried in this matter as you did iu the others." “Pegflmps you are right. Jame. I will go to Henry." Mary waited until she know the king; was alone. and thou wont 1n him. On entering the mom siu- sum: “Brother. I sent a hasty xnossugc- m 3w: by the biShop of Linvnln this Numb. and have come to ask your l'urgiw ness." “Ah, little sister. I thong, ht you “(mid change your mind. No“ you are u good girl.” UHL‘C. VV uvu suv \‘w--_ silks and taffetas and line cloths to consult about the trousseau. although the theme was one which would inter- est almost any woman. she would have none of lt. and when Catherine lnsllted upon her trying on a certain gown the called her a blackamoor, tore the car- ment to pleces and ondered her to leave the room. Henry sent Wolsey to tell her that thelBthdayotAugusthadheennxed avoid it?" Ix‘ thc way It came about: There had been 3 W between the duke “44891,:- do'n. m'whnch the latter had trted to con: the former Into a duel. the only my of course to settle the weighty utters between them. Buckingham however. had had a taste of Brandon'l nllnblo Iword play and. bearlng ln Inlnd Jndlon'n tote. dld not care (or In! more. They had met by accident. and Brandon. full of smiles and u po- llto as n Frenchnnn. greeted film. “Doubtleu my lord. having croued Iwords twice with me. will do me the great honor to grant that privilege the {bu-d time and will kindly tell 1 where my friend can wait upon friend of his grace." “There in no need for us to meet over that little aflalr. You had the best of it. and it I am satisfied you should be. to her ball." king, instructed the keeper of Newgate prison to contine me in an underground cell and prohibited communication with any of my friends. You so arranged it that my trial should be secret both as to the day thereof and the event, in or- der that it should not be known to those who might be interested in my release. You promised the Lady Mary that you would procure my liberty, and thereby prevented her going to the king for that purpose. and afterward told her that it had all been done. as promised. and that I had escaped to New Spain. It is because of this. my Lord Buckingham. that 1 now de- nounce you as a liar. a coward and a perjured knight. and demand of you such satisfaction as one man can give to another for mortal injury. It you refuse, I will kill you as I would a cut- throat the next time I meet you." “Your lordship ll pleased to evade." returned Brandon. “It is not the ball- room matter that I have to complain of. As you have rightly said. it you are satisfied I certainly should be. but it in that your lordship. in the name of the “I care nothing for your rant. fel- low. but out of consideration for the feelings which your fancied injuries have put into your heart. I tell you that I did what I could to liberate you and received from the keeper a promise that you should he allowed to escape. After that a certain letter addressed to you was discovered and fell into the hands of the king. a matter in which i had no part. As to your confinement and noncommunication with your friends. that was at his majesty’s com- mand after he had seen the letter. as he will most certainly confirm to you. I say this for my own sake. not that I care what you may say or think." This otter of confirmation by the king made it all sound like the truth. IO much will even a little truth leaven a great lie. and part of Brandon's sails came down against the mast. The whole statement surprised him. and most of all the interN-ptml letter. What letter could it ha ve been? it was pul- zling. and yet he dared not ask. A! the duke was about to walk away Brandon stopped him: "(me moment. your grace; I am willing to admit what you have said. for I am not now pre- pared to contradict it. but there is yet another matter we have to settle. You attacked me on horseback and tried to murder me in order to abduet two la- dies that night over in Iiiliingagate. That you cannot deny. I watvhed you follow the ladies from lit'icleweil to (ironehe's. and saw your fave when your mask fell off during the melee as plainly as I see it now. If other proof is wanting. there is that sprained knee upon which your horse fell. eansing you to limp e\'en.yet. I am sure now that. my lord will meet me like a man. or would he prefer that I should go to the king and tell him and the world the whole shameful story? i have con- cealed it heretofore thinki'x;.r it my per- sonal right and privilege to settle with you." Buckingham turned a shade paler :- he Npliod. "I do nut meet and: I! you on the field of lmnur, uud have no tour of your slander injuring uw.” saw us. “'0 soon met them. end the very leaves of the trees gave a loft. contented rustle ln response to WI low. mellow laugh of Joy. After perhaps half an hour w. OI- countel'ed Buckingham with hll law- yer-knight. Johnson. They hid ovi- “lie fol! flm urn ill the thought that tho girls did Imt kmm \\ ho had attacked tlwm. and mum! hut «orrolmmta Brun- don in his uu usntiuns. or Mary. surely. never would have appealed to him tot help. I was with Brandon-at a little dil- tauco. that isâ€"whc-u this occurred. and utter liuvkingham had left we went to find the girls in tho (west. “'0 knew they would be looking for us. although they would pretend surprise when they