Evening star., 1895-07-27

y
appeared. looking startled and uncomfort-
able. Naturally, his first glance was given
| to the king, who had taken his seat on the
edge OF the bed, but stili held the cup In
| sion, I said. what drinks did you place
! on the table. here, sirrah?'
| He looked more uncomfortable at this,
but he answered boldly enough that he
| had served a posset, some lemon water
| and some milk.
But orders were given only for the
lemon water and the posset," said.
''TrCe your excellency" he answered.
But when went to the pantry hatch, to
see the under butler carry up the tray.
found that the milk was on the tray: and
l supposed that you had given another
Possibly Madame de sully." the king
said, looking at me, gave the order to
add it?'
I answered, sternly. Nor do I in the
least understand the matter. But at one
thing we can easily arrive You tasted all
of these, MANI
You drank quantity. substantial
given to you?" I persisted
Yes. your excellency."
But 1 caught a guilty look in his eyes,
and in gust of rage I cried out that he
lied. 1.-The TRUTH" I thundered. in a ter
rible voice. The truth, you villain; you
II did. your excellency; as God is above.
I did"' he answered. But he had grown
pale and he looked at the king in ter
rified way.
"You did?''
"YeSr
Yet I did not believe him. and was
about to give him the lie again, when the
La Trape, with a smile. you drank, my
good fellow, of the posset and the lemon
water, and you tasted the milk but you
Gid not oi, drink of it. Is not that the whole
Yes, sire" he whimpered. breaking
down. But II gave some to a cat
..s "And the cat is no worse?"
There, grand master" the king said,
turning to me. that is the truth, think
What do you say to it?'
That the rest is simple" I answered,
he will drink it now, SIRE
The king. sitting On the bed, laughed and
looked at La Trape, as If his good nature
almost led him to interpose. But, after a
moments hesitation, he thought better of
1t, and handed me the cup. Every WELL"
he said; he is your man. Have your way
with him. After all. he should have drunk
it."
He shall .lrink it now, or be broken on
the wheel"' I said. DO you hear, your
l continued. turning to him in white heat
or rage at the thought of his negligence
Take it. and beware that you do not drop
or spill IT.: For swear that that shall not
save your
He took the cup with pale face, ana
haEds that shook so much that he needed
both to support the vessel. He hesitated, |
too. so long that, had not possessed the
best of reasons for believing in his fidelity, |
I should have supected him of more than
negligence The shadow of his TAN figure |
seemed to waver on the tapestry behind |
him, and, with a little Imagination, 1 |
might have thought that the lights in the |
room had sunk. Tho soft whispering of |
the pages outside could be heard, and a |
stif1ed laugh. but inside there was not a |
sound. He carried the cup to his lips, then |
he lowered 1t again. |
I took a step forward
Patience, exceiIency." he said, hoarseiy.
II shall drink it. But I want to speak |
first"
Speak, the king answered.
lf there is death in 1t. l take God to |
witness that l know nothing, and knew |
nothing! There is some witch's work here |
across this DEVILS milk today, But I take |
God to witness I know nothing! Now it is !
here, will drink it. and - "'''9
He did not finish the sentence. but. draw
Ing deep breath, raised the cup to his |
lips. saw the apple in his throat rise |
and fall with the effort he made to swal- !
low. but he drank so slowly that 1t seemed !
to me that he would never drain the cup. |
Nor did he, for when he had swallowed, |
as far as could judge from the fitting of |
the cup, about half Of the milk, Henry rose |
suddenly, and, seizins it. took it from him
with his own hand.
That will do" the king Said ''Do You
feel HIP ~
La Trape drew trembling hand across
his brow, on which the sweat stood in |
beads, hut instead of answering he re-
mained silent, gazing fixedly before him.
We waited and watched, and, at length. |
when l should think three minutes had
elapsed, he changed his position for one
of greater ease, and I saw his face relax. |
The unnatural pallor faded, and the open
lips closed. A minute later he spoke. "I
feel nothing, SIRE he said.
The king looked at me drolly '"Then
take five minutes MORE" he said go, and
stare at Judith there. cutting off the head
IF Holofernes"-for that was the story of
he tapestry-"and come when call YOU"
La Trape went to the other end of the
chamber. Well the king said inyit-
ng me by sign to sit down beside him,
is 1t comedy or a tragedy, my friend?
,'r. tell me, what was it he meant when
ne said that about the other milk"
1 explained, the matter seeming so trivial
low that came to tell it-though 1t had |
doubtless contributed much to La Trape's
,right-that l had to apologize.
still 1t Is odd the king said These
thinks We're not here at that time, of
mo. sire: they have been brought up
within the hour"
We'll. your butler must explain it." And
With that he raised his vioce and called
Ia Trape back; who came, looking red
md sheep'sh.