Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-05-09

1.-The person who told me heard II
from the princess. who does not seem
concerned at all. )" he replied
looked out of the window and bit
my lip
"She has written back missive that
will not mend matters, and his majesty
Rufford is wrathy as the devil. he
continued.
(Which Is all passing strange" l
said at last "But of what interest to
me?''
The poet grinned and poured a glass
of wine. "a health to you. You sly
dog" he cried. and drained the glass.
"On second thoughts, LISTENS, l ad-
wise you to put away that buckle before
the king comes to inquire after your
knee, be said.
Then he clattered out, singing one 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 be that she
loved some one without crown and a
kingdom-loved him beyond passing
fancy "Poor fool. cadet. " whispered,
"you are fitting youth to enliven the
dull days with. but And l laughed
cynically
At that moment a servant entered
with a note and candles l held the
note unopened until the man left the
room, for the little seal was familiar.
Then l broke the zeal and read
"Bring me my silver buckle to the gar
den tomorrow morning Near the dog
fountain at 10. will await you in the
company of my ladies' l think you
have been thoughtless in the wearing of
it,
Upon finishing which my courage
and hope fed. and cursed many
things
Ten minutes 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
statrary and the roofs Of the buildings
were shrouded 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 a soft rustling down the arbored
path Turning, beheld the princess,
in cloak of red cloth and gray fur,
nearing me unattended AS well as
could, with my crutches under my
shoulders, bowed. and upon her reach
ing my side very humbly 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 M eyes pleaded that morn
ing | laid bare my heart to the Prin-
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
upon the steps Of the fountain and
wept
The little threads of sunlight through
the cedar branches drew a halo about
her hair. and my heart was rent with
in me, so that my voice deserted me in
the anguish of it But presently. going
closer. said
princess, it is something only to
have loved like this. and. before God, l
would never have returned to trouble
YOU had | known the full. sweet story
of it.
Then she arose and with trembling
fingers fastened the silver buckle on
my shoulder
"And now, she said, trying brave
ly to smile Twill you promise never to
try to see me again and to leave the
town if l tell you two thingsT
For answer | bowed my head and
drove the tears back On to my soul
First. she said. 81 will never
marry king nor prince, nor. God pity
me. any man, and, second, you, Sir
Cadet, I love with my true hearth
For a bright, bright second her lips
pressed mine, her hair was over my
eyes. and then she sped away down the
arbored path and left me leaning on my
needless crutches.
staid in the garden for several
hours. limping up and down the paths
or staring away at the trees Of the
park like one dazed by blow
When Beverley came to have dish
of tea with me in my room. asked
him to get leave of absence from the
king and to come with me to Blaten'
burg
At first he looked at me in piteous
amazement; then. leaning closer over
the table, he put out his hand on my
shoulder and said that he would come.
With many excuses, limiting at state
trouble and a message from the king.
bade farewell to the court of Cloburg,
and. though the ladies in waiting
made great ado. Rufford seemed only
too pleased at my departure.
started IN the journey at midday.
a week after our tryst at the dog foun-
tain Tom rode in the coach with me
inv knee forbade the saddle) and serv.