Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-04-01


"Ah," said the other, with sudden
pity, 81 had forgot your wound"
ayes, Count Kolinski, you have for
got much"
"And what sireI"
"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, KolinskiH"
"This night 1 have grown to think
differently Of you. l have come to re-
spect you as a man..
"a king is but more-or less--than
a man?"
"The king of Poland held less up
to this night.
"And have you changedg'
eff l should free you, l should be
taken-executed."
Count" said the king at this, for
Stanislaus had shrewd wit in times of
need eff l be more than a man,
king, my oath should be good, and ]
swear to you that you shall meet no
harm. Should my guards come on us
now l would direct them to the road
contrary to that you take. ="
"If 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 whyi" asked Kolinski, again
wondering
because / want your brain, your
daring. Should l persuade you, 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 l have not said.
81 know your thoughts. 1t is your
interest to serve me, they tell you,
count"
Il have thought that, sire"
And then with the qu!ckness daring
men arrive at decisions he cried:
Il will serve you. They-my com
rados-have run, leaving it all for me
to do. Ny interest is with you, sire. "
IF had not thought you would ar
rive at this conclusion, 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 resist, if you could get me to
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
hunting in that part of the wood.
BY this timc, the clouds lifting some
what, they We're able to see that the
conjecture might prove true, and pres
emily they heard the brook tumbling
over its stony bed below the raceway of
the mill
At the door of the low, darkened
building Kolinski knocked, once, twice,
thrice and again. When there was nc
response, he grew inpatient.
"Where do you suppose the miller Of
Mariement may be-" he asked.
'Inside, thinking we may be rob-
bers. >" said the king.
At this Kolinski picked up a stone
and sent it crashing through the win.
dow, while he shouted:
open to the king!'
Then there came light and an old
mans querulous, fretful tone.
"What want youy'
1.-THE king is here at your door, ras
call Open"
The miller was not persuaded ever
then, but at last between his fear anC
curiosity he opened his door. And ever
then he had difficulty in recogniz
ing Stanislaus in the miserable 1igur,
the king made after his sorry expert
ence.
Pardon, sirer he cried, falling OIL
his knees. "Pardonw
"Up man! l do not wonder. Th'
Count Kolinski and were set on by as
sassins in the forest.
"Assassinsv cried the miller o
Mariement.
Eyes, assassins," Stanislaus answer
ed, while he pushed into the bare ittl
room where the miller's wife and sol
stood staring their establishment.
Kolinski now began to tremble TO
himself. Would Stanislaus keep hi
word with him now2 The kings man
ner had changed. He was writing 4
General Coccei of the guards in War
saw:
"By a kind of miracle 1 am saveC
from the assassins. am here at littl
mill of Mariement. am wounded, Blu
not badly"
He called to the miller, who was nov
eager enough to gain the royal favor
to carry the letter to Warsaw
While they waited Kolinski agai
hesitated but, being a brave man, b
] ~ IL De-