Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25

no doubt. They get it in childhood as
q mean no harm by my comparisons the
beggaT's child learns to whine or the thief )
TO pick. Yet it is pretty. l wish L had it.
In truth" said he, with a smile that
had not a trace Of wryness, q have chosen
my means ill for this one time. though
they say that 1 choose we'll Well, God
rules the world
by deputy. sir" said I.
and deputies don't do his will always?
Come, Mr.. Dale, for this hour you hold the
post and fill it well Wear this for my
sake" and he handed across to me a dag
ger with a handle richly wrought and
studded with precious stones.
l bowed low, yet kept my finger on the
trigger.
Man. I give you my word, though not In
WORDS said he, and 1. rebuked. set my
weapon back in its place. Alas, for sad
moment" he cried. u must bid farewell to
Mistress Barbara Yet uhis he added,
turning to herr life is long, madam, and
has in it many changes. l pray you may
never need friends. but should you there
is one ready SO long as Louis is King of
France. Call on him by the token of his
ring and count him your humblest ser
want" With this he stripped his finger
of fine brilliant, and sinking on his knee
in the boat, took her hand very delicately,
and having set the ring on her finger,
kissed her hand, sighed lightly yet gai-
lantly, and rose with his eyes set on the
ship.
Row me to her." he commanded me.
shortly. but not uncivily, and 1, who held
his life in my hands, sat down obediently
and bent to my oars In faith. / wish l
had that air. it's worth a fortune to a
man.
Soon We came to the side of the ship.
Over 1t looked the face of Colbert, amazed
that I had stolen his king, and the face
of Thomas Lie. indignant that 1 had made
free with his boat. By them were two or
three of the crew, agape with wonder.
ings and stayed their EXPLANATIONS with
a gesture of his hand. He turned to me,
saying in low tones and with a smile:
You must make your own terms with
my brother, sir. 1t has been hard fighting
between us, and 1 am in no mood for gen
erosty-"
Il did not know what to answer him,
but / stammered:
II ask nothing but that your majesty
should remember me as an honest man.
And brave gentleman he added.
gravely, with a slight inclination of his
head. Then he turned to Barbara and took
her hand again. bowling low and saying:
Madame, l had meant you much good in
my heart, and my state forced me to mean
you some evil. l pray you remember the
one and forget the other" He kissed her
hand again with a fine grace. 1t was a
fair-sounding apology for a thing beyond
defense. l admired while / smiled.
But Barbara did not smile She looked
up at his face, then dropped on her knees
in the boat and caught his hand. kissing
ii twice and trying to speak to him. He
stood looking down on her. then he said
softly: Yet l have forgiven your friend. "
and gently drew his hand away. i stood
up barring my head. He faced round on
me. and said abruptly: This affair is be-
tween you and me, SIR
Il am obedient to a command / did not
need" said l.
Your pardon. Cover your head. 1 do
not value outward signs of respect where
the will is wanting. Fare you we'll"
At sign from him Colbert stretched out
hand Not a question, not word, scarce
ly now a show Of wonder came from any,
save honest Lie, whose eyes stood out of
lis head and whose tongue was still only
because 1t could not speak. The king leap
ed lightly on the deck of his ship.
You'll be paid for the boat" I heard
him say to Lie. Make all sail for Calais
Nom spoke to him, none questioned him.
He saw no need for explanation and ac-
corded no enlightenment. / marveled that
fear or respect for any man could so bind
their tongues. The king waved them away
Lie alone hesitated. but Colbert caught him
by the arm and drew him off to the helm
The course was given and the ship forged
ahead. The king stood in the stern. Now
he raised his hat from his head and bowed
low to Mistress Barbara. l turned to see
how she took the salutaton; but her face
was dc wncast, resting on her hands.
stood and lifted my nat: then sat down to
the oars. i saw King Louis set, courtly
smile, and as our ways parted asunder, his
to France where he ruled. mine to England,
where j prayed nothing but a hiding place,
We sent into one another's eyes long look
as Of men who have measured strength
and part, each in his own pride, each in
respect of the powers Of his enemy. In
Truth it was something to have played d
winning hand with the most Christian king
With regret l watched him go; though 1
could not serve him in his affairs of love-
| would gladly have. fought for him in lis
wars.
We were alone now on the sea; dawn was
| breaking and the sky cleared till the cliffs
were dimly visible behind US. 1 pulled the
| boat round and set her head for home
Barbara sat in the stern, pale and still,
| exhausted by the efforts and emotion of
| the night. The great peril and her great
salvation left her numb rather than thank
| full; and in truth. If she looked into the
| future, her JOY must be dashed with sore
apprehension NJ. de Perrencourt was gone
! the Duke OF Monmouth remained; till she
| could reach her father / was her only help,
and dared not show my face in Dover.
But these thoughts were for myself, not
| for her, and. seeking to cheer her, leaned
| forward and said: