Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-01-04

looked out Of the window and bit
my lip
'She has written back missive that
will not mend matters, and hls majesty
Rutford is wrathy as the devil be
continued
(Which is all passing strange" ]
said at last But of what interest 10
me p
The poet grinned and poured glass
of wine "A health to you, you sly
dog" he cried, and drained the glass.
"On second thoughts, LISTENS, adj
wise you top ut away that buckle before
the king comes to inquire after your
knee. he said
Then he clattered out singing ona Of
his own songs
In the shadows / was glad to sit alone
and think Could it be that the prin-
cess was really out of love with her
sovereign lover Could it he that she
loved some one without crown and
kingdom loved him beyond passing
fancy Poor fool. cadet, | whispered,
"you are fitting youth to enliven the
dull days with but And laughed
cynicaly
At that moment 4 servant entered
with note and candles | held the
note unopened until the man left the
room. for the little seal was familiar
Then | broke the seal and read
Bring me my silver buckle to the gar.
sen tomorrow morning Near the dog
fountain ut 10 | will await you in the
company Of my ladies | think You
nave been thoughtless in the wearing of
it.
Upon finishing which my courage
and hope fed and cursed many
things
Ten INMATES before the appointed
hour ! reached the dog fountain in the
palace garden, having hobbled there on
my crutches During the night light
covering of snow, the first of the win
ter had fallen The clipped shrubs the
statrarv and the roofs of the buildings
were surouded in it, but overhead the
sun crawled up the bluest Of skies But
my fool heart was heavy was lost in
meditations not pleasant when there
came soft rustling down the arbored
path Turning, ! peheld the princess,
IN cloak of red cloth and gray fur,
nearing me unattended As well as
could, with my clutches under my
shoulders, bowed, and npon her reach
ing my side | very hulnbly kissed her
hand Then without speaking | gave
her back the silver hat buckle set with
rubies
But instead of bending her head and
looking at the returned trinket she lift
ed her face and surveyed me with her
gray eyes Her glance was kind and /
Immediately forgot all the brave vows
had made to dream no more of the
love of one so far above me
know that my voice came huskily
and that my eyes pleaded that morn
ing | laid bare my heart to the Pcin-
cess Barbara.
And yet she listened with no tinge
of anger nor surprise in her clear eyes,
only love--and pity Upon saying my
last word turned to hobble away, but
her voice softly recalled me
"D Artagan, she said-then, with
her face bowed in her hands, she sat
upun the steps of the fountain and
wept
The little threads of sunlight through
the cedar branches drew halo about
her hair. and my heart was rent with
in me so that my voice deserted me il
the anguish Of it But presently, going
clo.r / said
Princess, it is something only tC
Al I.
would never have returned to trouble
Won had known the full. sweet story
Of it
Then she arose and with trembling
fingers fastened the silver buckle OF
my shoulder
"And nov, she said, trying brave
ly to smile, Twill you promise never tC
try to see me again and to leave the
town if tell yOu two thingsT'
For answer | bowed my head anC
drove the tears back On to my soul
First, she said. II will neve
marry king nor prince, nor God pit.
me, any man, and, second You, ST
Cadet, | love with my true heart
For bright, bright second her lip
Int--tu llIHtt IltI udll vas bNtl III.
eyes, and then she sped away down thu
arbored path and left me leaning on m,
needless crutches.
staid in the garden for severa
hours, limping up and down the path
or staring away at the trees of tn
park like one dazed by blow
When Beverley came to have dis
of tea with me in my room, aske'
him to get leave Of absence from tn
king and to come with me to Blaten
burg
At first he looked at me in piteou
amazement; then, leaning closer owe
the table, he put out his hand on m.
shoulder and said that he would come.
, With many excuses, limiting ut stat
trouble and message FROM the king
| bade farewell to the court of Clobur2
and. though the ladies' in waitin
! made great ado Rutford seemed ON
too pleased at my departure
, started on the journey at midday
. week after our tryst at the dog foui
I tain Tom rode in the coach with m
(ny knee forbade the saddle and a serv
ant rode alongside on Hagart
Poor enough company | made all IN
first day. and Tom respected my s
! lence and spent his time between reac
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