The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-10-23

ski wondered why the king had not tried
to communicate with the monk.
why did you not speak? Why do
you come with me?" he asked curiously
after a moment. why. man, do you
not struggle with me?"
Because. Kolinski, l would win
you"
The count paused at that. Again they
were in the forest. Again he was not
certain of their path, but it was not of
this uncertainty he was thinking now.
but of the king.
why did you not cry out to the
monk?''
"You would nave been caught"
of course, but SO much the better
for you"
NO" answered the king, $50 much
the worse, Kolinski.
And why? l have asked"
Count, has not tonight proved how
much the king of Poland needs friends
strong, daring mem"
And you are trying to gain me?"
Il am trying to gain you"
Count Kolinski was ever most sus-
picious. Now he saw the kings cum
ming, he thought, in e~ndeavoring to
gain him.
And suddenly he asked himself why
would it not be better for him to side
with the king. The issue of the adven-
ture was uncertain. He was alone with
the captive, who, of course, was dis
abled with the wound in his foot and
the rough usage. He, Kolinski, easily
could let the king escape. 1t would be
easy to persuade his fellow conspirators
that he had been forced to abandon the
captive, as all the others indeed had.
By aiding the king he might purchase
for himself immunity. The thought
was tempting, possibly more so because
OF a certain dignity with which Stanis-
laus had borne himself since the first of
the adventure. Kolinski felt himself,
You may see, grasping a horn of the
dilemma he had not before taken. And
as he thought of his position he remem-
bered b strong oath he had taken to
carry out his object.
Come" he began.
But Stanislaus began.
u have sworn, sire, " began Kolinski
almost humbly, for he understood well
the significance behind the but"
Stanislaus threw himself on the
ground YEARLY.
"Ah," said the other, with sudden
pity, Il had forgot your wound"
Eyes, Count Kolinski, you have for
got much"
"And what, sire?'
THAT he who takes an oath against
his king takes no binding one."
"Sire, it is Poland's interest l have
sworn to protect, and yeti
And yet, Kolinski?"
"This night l have grown to think
differently Of you. | have come to re-
specs you as a man."
"A king is but more-or less-than
a man?'
1.-THE king of Poland l held less up
to this night"
And have you changed?"
IF [ should free you, l should be
taken-executed."
Count, said the king at this, for
Stanislaus had a shrewd wit in times of
need. IF l be moro tban a man, a
king, my oath should be good, and ]
swear to you that you shall meet no
harm. Should my guards come Oh us
now | would direct them to the road
contrary to that you take"
IF l could believe you"
And why should you not?"
You have suffered so much from
me.
"You can believe me if you will re-
feet.
"And why?" asked Kolinski, again
wondering.
Because l want your brain, your
daring. Should l persuade you, 1 should
have you as my servant"
"True," Kolinski reflected. Some
creatures stirred in the forest. A little
wind waved the trees and swept their
faces. The phases of the matter present
ed themselves. Which was the better
the safer? To serve the king? Certain he
would be a fool not to. should the king
succeed or fail. The scene in the street
of the Capuchins occurred to him again,
the king with the dead servant in his
arms, lit by the fitful glare of the Ian
tern of the coach. The wandering in
the forest had changed his idea of
Stanislaus.
You are the king, sire. Forgive me
if you may"
All, could he after that nights adj
venture? For the moment he hesitated
again. Suddenly Stanislaus extended
his hand to him.
"Thank you, Count Kolinski."
But | have not said"
Il know your thoughts. 1t is your
interest," TO serv+ me, they tell you,
count"
81 have thought that, SIRE"
And then with the quickness daring
men arrive at decisions he cried:
81 will serve you. They-my ON
rades-have run, leaving it all for me
to do. My interest is with you, sire."
eff l had not thought you would ar
rive at this conclusion, l should have
cried out to the monk. Stanislaus an
swered. For do you not see how truly
your interest is with me? 1t is doubtful,
should l resist, if you could get me tc
your friends. On the other hand, we
both are lost in the forest. We need each
other"
II have considered that, SIRE"
AT this they were cropping their way
again, the king saying that they must
be near the mill of Mairement. They
had come on a path which he was GER
tain was one he remembered when
limiting in that mart of tho uyood