Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11

thoughts.
The king raised his hand, as though to
impose silence. Madame bowed in apollo
getic submission. M. de Perrencourt took
no heed Of the gesture, although he did
not speak again. A moment later he laid
his hand on Colbert's shoulder and whis-
pered to him. 1 thought 1 heard just
word, 1t was "Fontelles" Colbert looked I'D
and nodded. M. de Perrencourt folded his
arms on the back Of the chair, and his face
resumed it's impassivity.
Another moment passed before the king
spoke. His voice was calm, but there
seemed still to echo in 1t trace Of some
violent emotion newly passed; q slight
smile curved his lips, but there was more
malice than mirth in it.
"Mr. Dale" said he 1.-THE gentleman who
stands by you once beguiled an idle minute
for me by telling me of certain strange
prophecy made concerning you which he
had, he said, from your own lips, and In
which my name-or. at least, some kings
name-and yours were quantity coupled.
You know what 1 refer to-"
l bowed low, wondering what in heavens
name he could be at. 1t was. no doubt high
folly to love Mistress Gwyn, blu scarcely
high treason Besides, had not l repented
and foresWorn her? All, but the second
member of the prophecy? l glanced eagerly
at M. de Perrenconrt, eagerly at the paper
before the king. There were lines on the
paper. but could not read them, and M
de Perrencourt's face was fully as battling.
IF l re nember rightly" pursued the
klng, after listening to whispered SEN
tence from his sister, 1.-The prediction fore
told that you should drink Of my cup Is
it not SOP
1T was so. sir. although what your ma
Of it, ' '''~ '''e ''0' A'' '''e "es 'iii'if's
For an instant a smile glimmered on the
kings face 1t was gone, and he proceeded
gravely:
Il am concerned only with that part of
It, love prophecies and love to see them
fulfilled. You see that cup there the one
that Is not quite full That cup of wine
was poured out for me, the other for nv
TREND NJ de Perrencourt. 1 pray you,
drink of my cup, and let the prophecy stand
fulfilled
In honest truth 1 began to think that the
King had drunk other cups before and left
them not SO full. Yet he looked sober
enough and the rest were grave and mute
what masquerade was this, to bring me
uhder guard ana threat of death to drink
cup OF wine: would have drunk a dozen
OF my free will, for the asking
Your majesty desires me to drink that
cup of wine?' l asked
IF you please. sir, the cup that was
poured out for me-"
With all my heart" 1 cried. and. re-
membering my manners, added land with
most dutiful thanks to your ma jesty for
this signal HONOR
"A stir hardly to be seen, yet certain, ran
iouno the table Madame stretched out a
hand toward the cup as though with a sI,d-
den impulse to seize it. The king caught
her hand and held it prisoner M. de Per
rencourt suddenly dragged his chair back
the table. Colbert looked up at him. h,rt
MS eyes were fixed on me, and the enyoy
went unnoticed. 'o'
Then come and take IT. said the king
advanced after a low bow; Darrell To
my fresh wonder, kept pace with me and
when l reached the table was still nj NV
side. Before 1 could move the sword might
be through me or the ball from his njstoI
III my Drains. The
lntoxlcate me, its stirring suggestion moun4 .
ing to my brain like fumes of wine 7
seized the cup and held it high in my hand.
l looked down in the kings face and thenca
to madame's; to her 1 bowed low and cried :.
by his majesty's permission. I will drain
TINS cup to the honor of the fairest and
nu ue .s aios US n princess. madame, the
me duchess half rose from her seat. crv-
ing IN loud whisper, Not to me; no. no
l cant have him drink it to me- NV
Inc king still held her hand.
Drink 1t to me, Mr.. Dale" said he
bowed to him and put the Gun to NV
Hps; l was in the act to drink 1t when M
de Perrencourt spoke 49,
"A, "A moment r'n,, sir" he said, calmly. Have
l inc kings permission to tell Mr., Dale a
secret concerning this wine?'
Inc Duke OF York looked I'D with a frown
the KING turned to NJ. de Perrencourt as II
and nodded. e10o
M. DE Perrencourt is our guest" said the
KING. He must do as he will"
M. de Perrencourt having thus obtained
permission (when was his will denied him p
leaned one hand on the table, and bendine
across toward me, seid in slow, calm, vet
impressive tones:
inc KING, sir, was wearied with business
ana parched with talking of his goodness
ne detected In me the same condition. So
he babe my good friend and his good sub
1ect. Mr. Darrell furnish him with a bottle
| OF wine. and Mr.. Darrell brought a bottle.
saying that the kings cellar was shut and
the cellarman In bed but praying the king
was good French wine such as the king
loved and such as he hoped to put before
| his majesty ut supper presently. Then his
majesty asked whence it came, and Mr.
Darrell answered that he was Indebted for
| 1t to his good friend, Mr.. Simon Dale, who
would be honored by the kings drink
ing II"