The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-20

II hear-yesi too weh. L comprehend
but too clearlyl And it is for this woman
that have brayed eYarything-cold hun
ger, faminel For her dear sake l have tray
eled fifteen days and highs, famished and
frozen--I have crossed the Prussian lines
without passport-at the risk OF impris-
onment or death, and the reward of my de
votion is to find the woman expected &c
make my wife posing as d model in public
cafel You would know, monsieur, who l
amp" Tearing the cloak from his shoulders
and pointing to the orders on his breast,
the now frelzed man shouted: He who
has been guilty Of this mad folly is Louis
Kantz, baron of Kot5aritz, in the service of
his majesty the emperor Of Austria, and he
acknowledges no allegiance
\ moan from Celie interrupted further
revelations, and Liotard, now thoroughly
alarmed, approached the baron and said in
low voice:
"Slencel As you value your life! You
have already said too much. Dresden is
full Of spies. Fly! you have not a moment
to lose"
'And do you think I still value life?
Death is indeed preferable goto meet it
gladly" and with despairing glance the
young man rushed from the room.
Like fash, the girl flung herself after
him. Swiftly she ran, but before she could
rejoin her lover Liotard's prediction was
fulfilled. \ spy, who had lurked unob-
served in a dark corner of the cafe, had
preceded her and denounced the baron for
treason. Already gandarmes were hurry
ing their captive to a common prison.
Pale, su1focated by tears, Celie returned
fn tor1v ant or
the feet Of Liotard related what had hap
pened. Between sobs and bitter reproaches
she implored his aid in behalf of her lover,
and the artist, who blamed himself for his
vanity, used every argument in his power
to soothe and reassure her, finally promis-
ing, as last resort, to see the king in per-
son and intercede for the baron's pardon.
Murmuring incoherent words of hope and
gratitude, the girl made a brave struggle
to control her tears, but alone in her room
she passed the night il bitter weeping and
heartbroken prayers for her lovers safety.
Slowly, interminably, it seemed, the
hours dragged by till nearly noon the next
day, when Liot&rd entered the cafe. a
glance at his downc2st face convinced the
girl that his mission had been unsuccessful,
and his first words fell like death knell
on her breaking heart.
My poor child | have done all I can,
and &c 7, fruitlessly. It remains with you
to make the final eifort-the last appeal.
Go yourself to the king, and where 1 have
failed your woman's beauty may prevail"
II go to the king! l, monsieur! OF what
use would be my poor words? You, Mon
sieur LOtard, who are of the same world as
my lover, must know what the king would
think of my love for Louis. How could l
find words to convince him that Louis, SO
true, so noble, SO exalted, has stopped to
me, a poor girl Of the people, and offered me
his hand and name in marriage? Alasl
monsieur, the king would misunderstood,
despise me-" and the sweet voice broke des-
pairingly.
Butt exclaimed Liotard, surprised and
distressed at this unlocked for resistance;
''can you hesitate a moment when Louis
life hangs in the balance? Is not your love
for him stronger than pride and dignity"
80 monsieur, do you think l really could
save him? OF what am l thinking? Let
US go at once"
''Ah! now we shall succeed, " said Lilo
tard gayly, anxious to encourage her. do
not waste another moment" and, without
hat or shawl, dressed in her ordinary work
ing garb Celie fastened to the palace.
A few words from the popular painter
served to introduce her to the king
Frederick the Great, seated on d low dais
strewed with papers, was engrossed in af-
fairs of state. Intent upon the parchment
in his hands, he allowed several moments
to elapse before &urning to the person for
whom an interview had been requested.
Celie stood before him, trembling with
emotion despite her efforts at self-control,
the delicate fingers clGspinG each other
nervously, her whole face AID figure an
appeal for grace.
Touched by her beauty, the king said
kindly:
well, mademoiselIe?"
The white hands were put forth in swift
appeal, the marvellous eyes raised full on
the monarch, and at the first words spoken
in a kindly tone all thought of self, pride,
fear, vanished.
"Ah! sire" and the story poured like
rapid torrent from her lips. The warm
color glOwed in her cheeks, her whole soul
shone from her eyes. The exquisite mouth
trembled with the ardOr of her speech, her
voice w2s tender, musical, impassioned-
her lovely figure Swayed toward the king.
She was eloquent with the force of he1
grief, but OH she was irresistible in the
power of her beauty.
Frederick scarcely heard the words. The
melody of the voice rang in his ears and
her charm touched his cold heart as moth
ing had ever stirred it before.
And she was here alone! She had come
to him of her own accord; and he was kingl
With pulses throb5ing and eyes afame
he started from the dais. His arms, trem-
bling with desire, were Observation-Disclosures
of passion broke from his lips.
But suddenly he hesitated, arrested By
glance-not of terror, pride, nor outraged
virtue-but the frank. limpid glance OF in
nocence which shines from the faces OF
children. So absorbed was she in her mis-
sion, so lost to thoughts Of self, that the
kings purpose failed to dawn upon her
consciousness. Clad in the armor of her
perfect purity she needed no defense.
Frederick paused, gazing long and ar
IDENTIFY into the tender eyes, and slowly the
fires IN his own paled.
The king acknowledged the dignity Of
the woman.
But a brief moment and the monarch's
habitUal calm returned. Then he said
quietly, "lIy child, go, What you ask is
yours Translated and adapted for Cur
rent Literature, from the French of Victor
TisSot, by Isabella Reid.
The Arnende Honorable.
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