Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1914-Jan 1915)

64 MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE was going, and he interrupted vehemently : 1 ' Sire ! Think what you are doing, I pray you. You will raise a hotbed of conspiracies by this mad clemency. Monmouth is dead; Clanronald must pay as well " " Softly, softly," interposed the venerable Bishop; " remember, Jeffries, that Monmouth was the instigator of the conspiracy, as he has been instigator many times before — and escaped. Remember that this is Clanronald's first offense " "Openly," muttered Jeffries, sullenly. "And that," pursued the Bishop, calmly, "he is old and easily led; remember, too, my son, not to judge, that ye be not judged. ' ' "Who would judge between a Protestant dog — and a Catholic?" sniffed Jeffries, watching the Catholic James to see how near the thrust went home. The King's eye hardened, and Kate spoke eagerly: "Your Gracious Majesty, I have, besides my heart's prayer, five thousand pounds to be used by Your Highness for — sweet charity 's sake. ' ' James looked at her quickly and took the draft she pushed into his hand. Nearer still than a blue eye or a supple form, this draft went to his heart. Even a king may have his purchase price. "We will grant the pardon," he said, eyes averted from Jeffries, who had lapsed into an ugly silence. "Bishop, write the royal pardon for the Earl of Clanronald; his lovely daughter has given him his life. ' ' Kate 's eyes filled with grateful tears, then she went near to His Majesty again. Versed in the ways of woman, James noted the ebbing color, the catchy breath, the little, sudden tremble of the hands. ' ' Sire, ' ' she whispered, ' ' I have another favor to ask — and another draft. This time for the life of — Sir Harry Richmond. Sire, if you refuse me this, then shall the Lady Katherine be a murderess — alway. ' ' James took the draft and smiled knowingly. "Write also a pardon for Sir Harry Richmond," he directed the Bishop; then, as he handed the pardons to the tremulous girl, he said jocularly: "We are loath to let the Lady Katherine go without beholding the highwayman who could despoil our noble Richmond. We learn that you rode hither from Edinburgh clad as the said robber. We bid you, therefore, appear before our person at seven o' the clock, clad in your male attire. Moreover, your case, too, needs attention. It shall receive it then." Kate 's eyes brimmed again, and the brave head drooped at the fresh trial before her. General Feversham, who had interposed by word and gesture in her behalf during her pleading, signaled to her that assent was best, and, trustful, the Lady Kate curtsied to her King and promised to appear as he had bidden her. It was late that night when Master Car the w followed the road to Edinburgh again, bearing the royal pardons for the Earl of Clanronald and Sir Harry Richmond, and a third document — her own sentence for her part in the conspiracy. Somehow, it troubled her little. Her heart was weary with the stress it had undergone and the unwonted trials and shames it had been put to. She had not liked the look in James' eyes when she stood before him, the slender, blushing youth. She had shrunk from the pressure of his fingers on her arm and the laugh he gave as he released her and bade her go. There was something sinister in his manner ; some ugly thing lurking beneath his jocularity. Once more as Lady Katherine she sought the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, and there presented the hardwon pardons, and her own sentence to be delivered by him. It seemed to the tired girl a motley of tears and laughter that followed — the releasing of her father and Sir Harry ; the joy on their faces; the light in Richmond's eyes; then the reading of her own sentence of life imprisonment and the closing of the cell door, shut