Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

place Of trust, responsible actions had
been thrust into my hands, and l looked
foolishly for something further to enter
where the other had entered, to share with
him the counsel of my betterS.
Instead of which 1 was here, on the
wrong side of the door, like any wardrobe
pa age, hidden to stand like child till l was
spoken to. Such was my vanity, and such
its discontinue. Nevertheless, as l stood on
guard in the silence of the sleeping room,
my head began to hum with visionary hon.
orS l saw myself foremost in the turmoils
of war, a 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; recalled that
the hour was past midnight and in my
despite mine eyes began to glue together.
The opening of the door against whose
panel l had leaned my heavy head started
me broad awake, as man came forth, the
strong light of the wax torches beating
against his face. He stood regarding me;
aid in that gaze, kind, weary, and unut-
terably sorrowful, by the high white fore
head the flowing hair, l saw in a flash it
was no other tran the king himself. DaZ-
ed as l was by sleep and bewidermert,
this conviction struck me like hand ON
the shoulder to my knees saying no word.
All, said Charles, playfully, lit is our
candle-bearer!
Still 1 spoke not, for my voice would not
come.
Your majesty must assuredy be fa-
tigued; will you not at once to your cham
ber?'' said my lords voice. ALIAS that cir
Gums tances forbid my Offering your maj
esty suitable train Myself waiting
gentleman and the good doctor 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, we beseech you. And bethink
you my lord, we are now soldiers; we live
in tents; we have cast aside the ceremo-
NOUS trapping of court. This lad here
will serve my turn as page; that is" he
continued IF he will consent even for
night to exchange your service for that of
an unhappy gentleman who has no gold
ror preferment to offer him. He rendered
me his hand as he spoke, and l set my lip
to it, though, indeed, found 1t icy cold, A
few broken words only could l say, but
they caused him to smile On me the kind
ler.
Then let us forward" said the hing.
more Cheerfully, turning once more to his
host. My lord had, by the help of DR..
Bailey's arm, gotten to his knees His
face, as l could see, looked strange and
sad, as he strove to kiss his majesty's
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. ef-
fected 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 your Upon this he
waved us away, that We might not behold
him weep.
DR.. Bailey lighted the king in silence to
his chamber, which he had oftentimes oc-
cupied, the easement thereof opening upon
a fair wide sweep of field and park. In
this prospect his majesty had been wont to
take much delight, and twas a token of his
heavy spirit that he said no word of it on
entering.
The king unbuckled his sword upon a
table and flung himself, silent into an arm
chair, while the doctor, having set down
the waXen candles, respectfully withdrew.
/, as page, stretched myself before the
arras till 1 should be needed, for the king
had refused all proifers of our respectful
assistance, and now sat in his chair, head
on hand, sorrow vsbly widening upon his
brow, the very picture of who had
abandoned hope.
1 was no fool, and knew better than to
intrude on his privacy, but my throat
swelled with tears at his Gesolate plight
and the gentle kingliness of his counte-
nance. Yet even at this hour, and in this
place, l must nave slept an hour or so, for
when l looked again dawn showed
shrunken Fl at the easement, the can
dies spluttered pale upon the table and the
figure of his majesty sat where it had
been, sleeping perchance, or sunk deep in
bitter waters of thought.
. l was stiff, and l was shifting foot; but
Warify so as not to annoy him; when on a
sudden my heart leaped to my throat, and