Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

116 ‘“ What’s the matter?” Columbus cried. ‘“ Here you have been, for months, fretting to be permitted to return to Spain, and now, when there is most urgent need, you are reluctant—”’ “ But this is a most delicate mission,” Arthur interposed; ‘I am not a diplomat. Already you have learned that, to your grief, in connection with La Navidad. I am not fitted to execute this service, and—”’ But Columbus would not hear him out. He had made up his mind that Arthur was to go; and go he did, on the next ship, dressed like a Spanish grandee, and bearing various important documents for the queen, besides—most valuable of all—the vast store of knowledge which he had accumu- lated during his more than three years’ stay on the island. He endured a most tempestuous voyage, ’ and did not arrive in Cadiz for four months. When he did, it was the. last day .of May, and the court was at Valladolid. He hired a mule, and continued his journey overland. CHAPTER XLV. CAUGHT. Dox JUDITH MERTON had gone on from month to month, hoping always that the next boat would bring Arthur rather than a long letter telling how neces- sary he was to Columbus and the welfare of the faraway colony. The king’s infatuation for her continued; but, with the additional protection of her new duties as preceptress of the Princess Catherine, she found it easier to keep him from annoying her. The. queen still showed marked favor for the English girl, but a slight coldness had come into the attitude of Dona de Torres. It was not enough for Judith to complain about, but she felt the defection of her friend, and feared that it was because the nurse resented her appointment to a posi- tion almost as important as her own. One day Judith had been surprised to see a missive written in Arthur’s hand in the possession of Dofia de Torres. Both young women were in the queen’s presence at the time, and Judith had said nothing, THE ARGOSY. but she had seen that the missive was actu- ally directed to Dona de Torres! It could not be a letter for herself, sent, as always, in care of Dona de Torres, for it had been opened. At her first opportunity Judith demanded an explanation. The nurse showed great perturbation, and refused to surrender the letter. Almost tearfully she besought Judith to believe in her, declaring that she could say nothing without involving great names. “It concerns you in no way,” she pro- tested. ‘ You must believe me.” “But I must know wy he is writing to you,” Judith cried. ‘“‘ He will tell you some day,” Dona de Torres replied lightly, ‘‘ and you will laugh at all your fears. Do not be jealous of me,” she pleaded, “ it would be silly.”’ But Judith was jealous, and determined to write to Arthur about it; but when. the time came, she could not force herself to pen the question. Arthur had once told _her that he did not know Dona de Torres. To confront him with having written to her -would be to insinuate that he had told her a falsehood. She refused to believe such a thing, al- though there seemed to be proof of it— more proof than that one letter; for on two later occasions, Judith saw letters addressed to Dona de Torres in Arthur’s handwriting. Either Arthur was writing letters that were intercepted by Dona de Torres, or he ‘was carrying on a eunespondence with the beautiful nurse! - Judith was wretched. When she could bear with her suspicions no longer, she went to her friend and again sought an explana- tion. She was met by the same prayers for blind belief. The Spanish woman swore that Arthur Lake meant ‘nothing to her, nor she to him. ‘‘ Perhaps he doesn’t love me any more,” Judith faltered sadly. “You do not deserve his love,” Dona de Torres cried, ‘‘ if you doubt him so easily!” Judith remonstrated: “‘ Then why does he not return to Spain?”’ “ You know he cannot. de Torres stopped short. “What were you going to say?” But the friend would say no more, and He has—” Dona a ae MGOMMIGIOOKS a. An