The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-11-04
CHAPTER vn-CoNr1NUED.

complished she broke IN upon civil
commonplace which her son was ad-
dressing to Blanca. So filled with Bit
terness were her words that Bianca's
mild waxen eyelids lowered themselves
as if in gentle sorrow.
The king heard and bit his lips 81
might have had larger guard of sol
diers to greet you," he said, IF your
coming had not been so precipitate and
unexpected"
"Precipitate! Unexpectedr' echoed
the princess, with the tips of her lips.
''And a king speaks that way to his
motherl One might fancy, Clarimond,
that some member of the petite noblesse
no, of even the common, vulgar herd
itself lately raised to power-had pre-
scented this piteous excuse!'
Il did not mean it for an excuse"
came Clarimond's cold answer, and he
threw himself back against the cushions
of the carriage, disheartened, disguised.
From this ambuscade of shadow he
could watch his mother, on whom the
lamplight fell with somewhat cruelty
telling ardor. She had not markedly al
tered during the long interval which had
preceded their last meeting. Her figure
was still of that fine if somewhat too
masculine molding which had won her,
years ago, many a compliment at the
court of her imperial cousin. Her face
was Just as firmly chiseled as Of old,
with its aquiline arc of nostrl and its
overfull eyeballs too closely set togeth-
er. implying both narTowness of judg-
ment and a voluble art of defending it.
Her hands, now cased in somber travel
ing cloves. Just as her form was robed
in dark travelling gown of perfect fit,
retained their happy grace of gesture,
not too reposeful. not too emphatic. Il
kiss the most beautiful hand in Europe"
a famous corqucror had once said to
her. and the courtesy had echoed from
c0urI to court. But on her chill lips
dwelt Tie old insolent curve, though
few subtle little wrinkles had crept in
dainty mocllery about their corners.
Her hair, once abundant and dar1-shin-
ing, was visibly thinned and silvered at
the temples. Otherwise she continued
20 be the princess of Brindisi, distin-
guished in every movement of her frame,
an incarnate quintessence of the aris-
tocratic idea, redolent of pride, intoler-
ance and the most vicious aims which
caste has created in spite of Christianity,
and preserved in spite of all human
progress.
Her reception at the palace displeased
her more than the previous welcome
had done. She had really been delayed
in her journey to the frontier by an ac-
cident on one of the trains. but this fact
seemed to her no possible reason why
royalty should not have immediate and
Sumptuous means at its command for
treating her with the same homage by
night as by day. "A king" she said to
her son, when at last they were alone
together in n suite of chambers which
even she, prepared to cavil and to damn
with faint praise. could not but frankly
admire for their simple yet noble SPLEEN
dor, "a king. my dear Clarimond, should
never be caught without his magnifi
cence"
If I were in any sense a great king"
began Clarimond, with laugh.
But the princess stopped him, frown-
ingly. You're a very notable and rich
one" she said, almost as rich as the
emperor himself"
We'll. grfnted."
Almost as rich" she went on with a
bitter laugh. las an American.
''Oh, they're not all so rich, by any
means. And you hate them as much as
ever?''
They are barbarians," announced
the princess, leaning back in her chair
and beginning to fan herself.
How we differ, you and t.
''Oh, naturally, since you've made one
of them your bosom friend, my son, and
let him tear to pieces the loveliest and
most time-honored spot in Saltravia."
Clarimond gave q weary smile. wait
until You see the changes Eric Thaxter
has wrought before you so coldly con-
denim them
Il don't need to see them
''Oh, my mother, my mother
Were not those homes of our great
mobiles flled with the most reverend
associations, legends and traditions?'
They were frightfully ugly, and
cursed by a most villainous drainage.
If You could see the improvement in our
health reports since their demolition,
As for their age, the hideous is ever
young, since taste almost ignores its
very existence. while the beautiful,
being an immortal element, has existed
for ali time. | think you have already
seen something of the palace. Ssrely
you would not say that you prefer to it
that majestic shanty in which my poor
predecessor died. Eric's work has de-
lighted more than one of the most IA
nous architects in Paris. He is genius,
and was lucky enough to discover him.
he is an American, and for that reason
you detest him"
"Deluge me with words, if you will,
said the princess. and she smiled her
iciest smile. The palace is handsome,
but it smells of fresh paint. so to speak,
and am sure that when see its white
marble grandeurs ! shall only repeat
the verdict already conveyed to me in
Italy by the most competent judges
that it does not betray a sign of genius,
but is just what hundreds of clever
Americans could have accomplished if
given the same tremendous carte blanche
which you gave-er-to that person.
But ] thought you considered all
Americans barbarians?" the king re-
piled, lifting his brows little and be-
ginning slowly to pace the spacious
waxed floor of the grand apartment,
with head somewhat dropped and hands
clasped behind him.
How you take one up! You should
remember that am your mother, not
your courtier."
Il have no courtiers. I've dispensed
with all that hummery."
''oh, indeedl And you will soon be
giving your portfolio of state, no doubt,