Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-02

the honor tonight. 1 can depend on
your fidelity, your obedience and
silence?"
''To the last drop of my blood,
sire"
''That will do" said the Emperor,
smiling. "They may all be needed.
In an hour L shall leave this room to
be gone for two hours or more. l had
thought of sending you in my place,
but prefer to go myself. You will re-
main here till return"
Baret waited
After few moments silence:
Is that all, sire?" he asked blankly.
"That is all, except that on your alb
solute obedience to my orders will
hang your life and my happiness. For
the first hour or two there may be in
terruptions. Some one may knock or
ask admittance. To all alike you are
to refuse an entrance, using such words
as shall tell you. After IL or l you
are not likely to be disturbed, and you
may even sleep on my bed in the room
yonder, if you wish"
BE smiled at the soldiers look of
dismay at the idea of sleeping on the
bed of his monarch.
Your voice in answering all in
quiries," he continued, "must be alb
solutely calm and undisturbed. Not
tone, not syllable must betray agi-
tation. L am never agitated."
II understand, sire. I am to per-
sonate-"
You understand nothing, sir, but
what [ say to you," said the Emperor,
rising, and his eyes flashed angrily.
Baret bowed in silence, and the EN-
peror, whose anger cooled as suddenly
as 1t had risen, gave him his hand to
kiss before he entered his bedroom
When he reappeared his dress was
so changed that Baret stared at the
disguise In amaZement; and in turn
the Emperor gazed at him piercingly,
searchingly. Apparently satisfied at
last, he motioned to Baret to enter the
bedroom before he rang the bell.
When the servant came he was back
In the inner room, and called to the
man from there.
81 am not to be disturbed again to-
night for anything, Laurent. You
understand? For anything! Give
orders to that effect instantly. And
stay. You may return first with a
light supper; [ may need it before 1
sleep"
The door closed softly behind the
servant, and the Emperor turned to
the young soldier, who stood near him
in respectful silence.
''The supper is for you, Baret," he
whispered. "And before go, I wish
you to speak to Laurent, that 1 may
determine your coolness. When he
brings the dishes, say from within
this room: That will do for tonight,
Laurent"
The young man hoped his voice did
not sound so oddly in the ears of the
Emperor as is did in his own when he
repeated the words, with an almost
involuntary imitation of the slight
drawl sometimes heard in the tones of
the ruler of the Empire.
The servants steps echoed on the
marble floor and died away into silence
before the Emperor fastened the door
behind him. Then, taking soft hat
and drawing his cloak about him, he
said:
81 shall be at home at three-per-
haps."
And, placing his finger to his lips,
he disappeared through the secret
panel.
To be an Emperor, even for few
hours, was not such bad thing,
thought Baret, as he looked about him.
Themany uxuries-massive hangings,
richly embroidered with the imperial
emblem, the curious tapestries on
every side, the furniture and fine cabi-
nets-all deeply impressed him.
''By my faith, 1 have better night
before me than the Emperor, L am
sure. There is small chance of sim
gle sound reaching to this room be-
fore morning 1"
arms about his head and walked slow
ly round the room.
The voice of Laurent was suddenly
heard.
your pardon, sire. I had forgot
ten to restore the fire."
With only a seconds pause, Baret
replied slowly, calmly:
Good, Laurent; but it will last yet
awhile, and shall retire soon."
Again silence; and with a peculiar
sense of still having the eagle eye of
the Emperor upon him. Baret paced
the floor.
Suddenly remembering the supper
that had been ordered for him, he sat
down to the repast. He had heard
that the Sovereign Jared on palmer
food than any other man in the coun-
try; and, although that was an exag-
geration, he found himself wishing
that his meal had not been quite so
simple.
Hark! Twelve booming strokes
sounded from the Cathedral tower. So
loudly they fell on the heavy silence
that Baret's heart stood still for one