The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-26
SIMON DALE.
BY HOPE.
Copyright, 1897, oy A. n. Ha,Ottn..
CHAPTER xvI.-.ICoNrrxuEp.l

b.
f she sat there herself, as 1t seemed, half dead.
D. But at my words she shivered and with an eli.
fort mastered her relaxed limbs. Slowly she
% dropped on her knees by the King and raised
his head in her arms. She felt in her bosom
and drew out a flask Of salts that she set to his
nostrils. I:watched.his face. The muscles OF
Il . contracted into, a : Rrimace, then were
.emoothed again into calmness, he opened his
gyes. Thank God,,' I muttered to myself,
andsthe peril TO him being gone by, l remom-
bered our danger, and taking out my pistol.
locked to 1t and sat dangling It in my hand.
barbara, still supporting the Kings head,
1ooked up at me.
H' s"What will become of usl" she asked.
eat least, we shan't he married In Calais"
r answered, with n grim smile.
w. "No," she murmurod, and bent again over
the King.
Now his eyes were wide opened, and I fixed
mine on them. I saw the return OF conscious.
ness and intelligence. the quick glance that fell
on mo, on the onrs, on the pistol in my hand
witnessed TO IL. Then he raised himself on his
elbow, Barbara drawing quickly away. and 30
rested an instant, regarding me still. Ho drew
himself up into a sitting posture, and seemed
rs though he would rise to his feet. 1 raised
the pistol and pointed 1t at him.
"No higher, II you please said I. "It's a
matter of dunger to walk about in so small a
boat. and you came near to upsetting us be-
fore"
He turned his head and saw Barbara, then
gazed round on the sea. No sail was to BIO seen
'and the fog still screened the boat in impene-
trable solitude. The sight brought to his
mind the conviction OF what his plight was.
Yet no dismay nor fear showed in his face. He
sstSthere, regarding me with an earnest curl
hogity. At last he spoke.
srNy-. alrll-- ~. II shA Ntp,Aatt hA
naked.
Even so,' said !. with an inclination of my
Mead.
"You did not mean TO take my offeri"
, ~ stSincs I nm a gentleman. I did not"
:, 'sT also am accounted a gentleman, SIR"
. sNay.sI took you for a'Prince," said I.
He made no answer. but. looking around him
y again, observed:
''The ship must he near. But for this cursed
reg she would be in sight"
TITS VOL for us she isn't" " I said.
."'Why, siri" he asked brusquely.
TT sho were. there's the pistol for the lady
and this sword here for you and me" said 1
coolly. For a man may contrive to speak
coolly, though his bearing be a lie and his heart
beat quick.
"You daren't," he cried in amazement.
: OF should be unwilling" conceded.
= For an instant there was silence. Thcn..came
, Barbara's voice. soft and fearful.
: ''Simon, the fog lifts"
It wasStrue. The breeze blew. and the fog
lifted. Louis's eyes sparkled. All three Of us,
by one impulse, looked round on the sea. The
fresh wind struck my cheek and'tho enveloping
folds curled lazily away. Barbara held up her
hand and pointed. Away on tho right, dimly
visible, just detached from the remaining clouds
of mist, was q dark object sitting high on tho
water. A ship It was. in all likelihood the
Kings ship. We should be sighted soon. My
eyes met the Kings, and his were:exultant and
Joyful; he did not yet believe that I would do
what I had said. and he thought that the trap
closed in on us again. For stil the mist rose
and in o few moments they on the ship must
SEQ us.
'You shall pay for your trick" he said be.
tween his teeth.
'Tt is very likely said I. but I think
that the debt will be paid to your Majesty's sue
s~cessor."
Still he did no. believe. I burst into o laugh
of grim amusement. These great folk find 1t
hard to understand how sometimes their great.
ness is nothing. and the thing is man to man;
but now and then fortune takes a within and
teaches them the lesson for her sport.
"Yet since you are a King said I. "Jo
shall have your privilege. You shall pass out
before tho lady. See, the ship Is very plain
now. soon we snail De plain 10 the snip.
Come, sir, you 90 first.
He looked at me now, puzzled and alarmed
'T am unarmed," In said.
cit is no fight" I answered. Then I turned
10 Barbara. go and sit in the stern" l said
s'and cover your face with your hands,"
Simon, Simon" she moaned, but she obeyed
me, and threw herself down, burying her face
in her hands. l turned to the King.
"How will you die, sirl" said l, quietly, and
"a I believe In a civil manner.
A sudden shout rang in my ears. I would
not look away from him, lest he spring on IN,
or ding himself from the boat. But / knew
whence the shout came. for it was charged
with Joy and the relief of unbearablc anxiety
The ship was the Kings ship, and his servant
had seen their master. Yet they would no
,dare to fire. without his orders. and with tn
corning muskct shot. But we must not com
'noar enough for a voice to BIO heard from Iii
and q pistol to carry to us.
"How will you diei" asked again. Hi
eyes questioned me-. l added, "As God lives
WILL" And ] smiled at him.