The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-28

BEGAN to hum with visionary honors.
saw myself foremost in the turmoils of
war, belted knight at the feet of his
majesty. Then the excitement which
had throbbed till now in my veins
flowed out, leaving me weak and weary;
l recalled that the hour was past mid
night, and in my despite mine eyes be-
gan to glue together.
The opening of the door against
whose panel had leaned my heavy head
started me broad awake, as a man came
forth, the strong light of the wax
torches beating against his face. He
stood regarding me; and in that gaze,
kind, weary, and unutterably sorrow
full, by the high white forehead, the
flowing hair, saw in flash it was no
other than the king himself. Dazed
as / was by sleep and bewilderment,
this conviction struck me like hand on
the shoulder to my knees saying no
word.
"Ah," said Charles, playfully, at is
our capdle-bearer!"
Still spoke not, for my voice would
not come.
"Your majesty must assuredly be
fatigued, will you not at once to your
chamber" said my lords voice. ALAS
that circumstances forbid my Offering
your majesty a suitable train! Myself
as waiting-gentleman and the good doc
tor for usher, but for sewer and page"
"Good friend" broke in the king,
81 am too proud after this night that
you should serve me as waiting
gentleman. Get you TO your rest, VIC
beseech you. And bethink you, my
lord, we are~now soldiers; we live in
tents; we have cast aside the ceremoni-
Gus trapping of a court. This lad here
will serve my turn as page; that is"
he continued, ''if he will consent, even
for n night, to exchange your service
for that of an unhappy gentleman who
has no gold nor prefeiment to offer
him?" He rendered me his hand as
he spoke, and / set my lip to it, though,
indeed, l found it icy cold. A few
broken words only could i say, but they
caused him to smile on me the kindlier.
"Then let us forward" said the king,
more cheerfully, turning once more to
his host. My lord had, by the help of
DIR. Bailey's arm, gotten to his knees.
His fnce, as l could see, looked strange
and sad, as he strove to kiss his males
tvs hand, but the king prevented him.
"Old and tried servant!" he said, and
the sweetness of his tone accounted at
once for the devotion of his friends;
between thou and us this night there
must be none of this. Age and good
deeds should kneel to God alone"
My lord was, as / could see plainly,
affected by this to the breaking point
of tears.
'Sire," he said, as Charles helped him
once more to his feet, Il have not a
thought in my heart that tends not
to the service of my God and you."
Upon this he waved us away, that we
might not behold him weep.
DIR. Bailey Lighted the king in silence
to his chamber, which he had often
times occupied, the easement thereof
opening upon fair wide sweep of field
and park. In this prospect his majesty
had been wont to take much delight,
and twas token of his heavy spirit
that he said no word of il on entering.
The king unbuckled his sword upon
a table and flung himself. silent, into
an armchair, while the doctor, having
set down the waxen candles, respectful
ly withdrew. i, as page. stretched my
self before the arras till 1 should be
needed, for the king had refused ali
proifers of our respectful assistance,
and now sat in his chair, head on hand.
sorrow visibly widening upon his brow,
the very picture of one who had aban
doned hope.
was no fool, and knew better than
TO intrude on his privacy. but my throat
swelled with tears at his desolate plight
and the gentle kingliness Of his counte-.
nance. Yet even at this hour, and in
This place, l must have slept an hour
Or so, for when | looked again dawn
ihowed shrunken face at the ease
nent, the candles snlu'ter~d ,.olo ,,,,r,,
the table ana rne ngure of his majesty
sat where IL had been, sleeping per-
chance, or sunk deep in bitter waters
OF thought.
/ was stiif, and was shifting foot,
but warily so as not TO annoy him;
when on a sudden my heart leaped 10
my throat, and there stuck. The door
behind the kings back leading into the
ante-chamber moved, very gently.
face peered into the crack, no other face
than that of the lying Roundhead ped
dler with his evil eye. Then hanf
-eaHfe- through -epFleel- about the filt of
n great knife such as cooks use. and
this made pass in the direction of the
kings back. All this was 80 noiseless
that took myself to be dreaming until
i saw the creature make n stcalthy step
forward. At that. without more ado
leapt to my feet, aud flung open the
door crying shrilly: Run, sirel For
Gods salxel"