Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-12-01
CHAPTER K.-CoNr1NuEp.

CHAPTER N.-CoNrINUED.
For the first time Kathleen looked
full into his face. Let it be forgiven
her when recorded that the curious
completely which we call a woman's
heart throbbed strangely. No woman
was ever really the lover of two men at
the same time; but many a woman has
believed that she could have loved land
passionately and truly 1oved) some man
whom she has known while still loving
the object Of her first allegiance. Per-
haps it was this way with Kathleen;
perhaps the fact of Clarimond's great
rank wrought with her more than she
would have wished to tell. Women are
shaped from Standardization, not be-
cause they are in the main weaker than
men tit will some day be scientifically
disclosed, no doubt, that they are
strong where men are weak and weak
where men are strong), but because
millions of years have 1apsed in which
they have served as slaves to the al
legged lords of creation. Yet is this,
after all, true philosophic view of
things, and is not a stern wrong done
to Kathleen, when we assert of her that
she felt one whit more disarrayed than
like environment would have rendered
one of the other sex, this nearness of
sovereignty being feminine, not mascu-
line? Few men, il history does not err,
have resisted the Establishments of
queens. And Clarimond, if he dealt in
no Establishments, bore himself at all
times with that magnetic demeanor
which would have made his greatness
quite secondary in the eyes of not
few women on whom he might have
chosen benignly to beam.
Lightly he now pursued, with his
gaze fixed upon Kathleen's face in
way that somehow belied the levity of
his words: "Oh yes, the weather here is
my only rebel and my only traitor. I've
an idea about it; I've decided that it is
only endurable when we don't think of
discussing it. Am I not right, and do
we not respect 1t most when, like
Caesars wife, it is above suspicion?"
Laughing, enjoying the pleasantly,
Kathleen threw back her head. Now
for the first time had she moment of
real, vivid social distraction.
ST resent this rebellion, monsieur"
she said, ION the part of your Saltravian
weather. Still, as yet, I've no personal
grudge against it. When a rainy day
comes 1 shall ask you to give me some
preliminary edict, that may read it to
the insurgent elements, signed with
your royal seal"
''Have you as much faith in my power
as that, mademoiselle?' he asked, draw
ing closer to her. ST assure you am
very small sort of king"
you're the first that I've ever met
she answered, gathering boldness. eff
they are all like you, monsieur,
shouldn't be afraid to meet any Of
them-not ever the tsar of Russia
'.Russia?" he said, his sunny face
clouding little. "Do you care for that
country?"
''It's romantic to us who do not
know it. It's SO far away, monsieur,
and So
''Barbarous," be replied, a little harsh
ly. Eyes, being the most uncivilized Of
European countries, Russia is hence the
most romantic. Her very patronymics,
with their bristling thickets of con-
sonants, seem like lairs for the imps of
assassination; and one need only hear
the words 'Masco' and Odessa and
'Volga' to feel as if one had been as
sisting at a conspiracy of nihilists."
He ended these words almost sternly,
but at once his face lightened and his
voice grew kind.
Pardon me, mademoiselle," he pur-
sued. ST try to be without rancors.
Usually succeed in showing none. Of
all times this is the last when I should
remember them. Shall tell you why?"
'If you wish, MONSIEUR"
'tThen my reason is this: That read
in your face, in your manner-wi1 you
pardon me for saying so?-the evidence
of a sorrow which does not consort
with your unquestionable youth, and
will you still pardon me?-with your
very extraordinary beauty"
"a sorrow?'' faltered Kathleen, droop-
ing her eyes. Then, in another minute,
she lifted her gaze and said firmly:
"You are right, monsieur. 1 have a
sorrow-a great sorrow"
For what seemed to Kathleen a
strangely long time there was silence
between herself and the king. She
waited for him to speak, and at last he
did so, in voice full Of somber repres-
sions:
'If it were a sorrow that / could
tighten, or in any way appease, mademoi-
selle, would so gladly do my best to
help your
Once more their eyes met, and Kath-
Teens lips tremDled.
"You-you are SO goodv' she hesi-
tated. Then flood of memory swept
over her and she continued: 1--WE only
came here, mamma and /, for a short
visit. We are going tomorrow. Yes,
tomorrow. We are going to-"
''Going?" shot in Clarimond, with an
information that was at once hattery
and reproach.
Eyes, monsieur; to Vallambrosa-
Tomorrow he gave an impatient
frown and tossed his head. Then, as if
desire to control undue overplus of
ardor, he went on: MAY not induce
you to change your mind, mademoi-
selle? May 1 not induce your" And
for an instant he touched her wrist
with his hand.
kathleen shook her head. ''Ah!
monsieur" she murmured, you will be
good and not try to persuade u.s."
'sUs" he echoed. "Ah-your motheri
had forgotten her. And you, mad
emoiselle? You are bent on leaving Salt
ravia?'' His face had flushed and his
gray eyes had kindled. "You must stay
for a little while yet. You must stay!''
Kathleen smiled. 'Is that a royal
commando" she asked. ''They tell me