The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-13
The RightfuI King.


dens upon an evening I'm June.
The huge house stood on a hillside in
one OF the fairest spots that ever man
helped Nature to make. Roses were OPEN
ing on all sides. and here and there a
late daffodil still fingered to make the
red roses jealous with it's simpler beauty.
Among the trumpets of the convolvulus
sat the Rightful King. He was not In
state robes. nor did he wear any out
ward insignia of royalty. Indeed. he
wore a suit of decent and serviceable
corduroys and soft felt hat. which he
found more comfortable than a crown.
On the bench by his side was a pile of
parchment deeds and legal looking pa
pers.
The Rightful King sat with his hands
hanging loosely. and a vacant, soulless
stare in his watery old eyes. His lower
lip had dropped and his whole face was
absolutely destitute OF intelligence. For
the moment one saw a mere statue of
! flesh. and no more.
Suddenly footsteps were hear approach
ing, and there was a tinkle of feminine
laughter coming through the flowers. A
light began to flicker back into the luna
ties face. making II weak indeed, but
Two young ladies in cool summer frocks.
accompanied by tall young man in
tweeds and with the ribbon of an OK
ford college on his hat. came walking
down the gravel path, laughing as they
came
The Rightful King became violently
yearning came into his eyes like the
n1a of
Would Miss Bremmil notice him?"
That was the great question. His posi-
tion as Rightful King was, he well
knew, one which was not well estab-
lshed.
Many of the other, inmates OF the asy-
lum resented IL, and wished TO attract
notice for themselves and their foolish
whims by minimizing his Importance. >.
said Miss Bremmil. the chaplain's daugh-
ter. to her friend, "This. Lucy. is the
Rightful King of England;
'If l had my rights, miss" said the
old man. II should be a-sitting on Queen
Victoria's throne now"
Incidentally" said the young man
from oxford. ne nils up his time doing
a little gardening-your majesty is fond
of fiowers?'
THAT . be, sir" said the Rightful King,
touching his hat. forgetting his dignity,
or perhaps finding the habits OF his for
mer life In the world without the walls
too strong for him.
when I comes into my own. miss" he
went on, you shall have all the dimon' s.
out of the Tower OF London. l shan't
want em!"
His voice sank little and grew thin.
The momentary animation died away
from the foolish face. He could not think
OF anything more to say, He began TO
whistle.
The three young people looked at him
pityingly and then. with word of fare
well passed on their way.
II am coming as far as the end OF the
gardens; dear" said the chaplain's dauSh-
Fraser will see you over the fields"
The young man gave her look Of deep
gratitude. Wonderful tact" he thought
II hope you've not been made misera-
BILE bv going over the asylum" said Miss
Bremmi "Of course. I am quite used
to it. and 1t doesn't affect me as 1t must
affect others"
''It is rather depressing" said the Cir
ton girl. II dare sav you'll think me
unfeeling and horrible. but II person
becomes hopelessly insane-reallv hope
lessly. YOU know-I can't helm feeling IL
would be better for them-and for every
body else--ii aey were painlessly put out
You haven't lived among mad peorle
as I have" said the chaplain's daugh-
ter quietly. You'd be surprised how sen.
sible many OF them are. and how good
also. ] don't suppose that poor old
Rightful King ever had an unkind
thought In his life He's dear old thing.
ana IL Always urinsins me hoWers. hc
devoted to me-"
Aren't any oil the lunatics violent
sometimes?' inquired the young man.
moh, none Y, on this side Of the building;
cases are kept In a separate wing. You
can just see the roof over the trees OF
course. I'm never allowed To go there
''H9w, terrible II all seems" the Girton
girl Said as they entered the last long
avenue. which led them TO the hillside
bevond
rrt. III.
hind the hill. and II was now what the
Tennvson student called I" Blow bugIe.
blow" time. They arrived at the stile
They turned TO look back down the long
and 1eafy avenue through which they had
come. II was all irradiated with the long
level glow OF the sunset tiny black
figure at the far end. which seemed TO BE
moveing toward them. gave the scene Just
that little necessary, note Of human con-
trast which made N nerfect
They said good nieht. and the Girton
girl strolled away into the purnling sha-
dows. whore she was destined 10 hear
what she had never siispected. that loye
Ia. after all the only higher mathematics
worth tic attention OF girl with soft
Miss. Bren,mil walked slowly back
thinking placidly Of their little romance.
Suddenly. che head footsteps nj her aide.
Some one had como out from the fees
and was nacinr with her She turned
hurriedly toward tho sound A man was
walking nv her with n peculiarly gliding
dark end rather sinister face. He was
dressed IN uniform of tho asvIun. only
with one difference ON his head he wore
yellow cap. and round his arm wak
broad hand ~ veiiow cloth. tE
She shranb hack with STICK terror
flowing round and round her heart lite
icv water Tho man was one Of the
dangerous" caens and she was alone
with him. ~ nightfall. too far av'av ~
scream fo- aid Che was parpivzed with
fear. Student he turred on her with \
swift srarl iiFo " treacherons arir,s'
Ife caught her bv tho arms pnd carried
her 20 the nearest tree. leaning her
against it.
"Ive wprtod sornethi~g iike th's ro- y
long u~-e." he said She heard he hal
'he vo'~e and acconts ~ yertfennAr.
He took lonr sfrip ~ cloth ron, HE
pockat md nado he- fast 10 the trunk
o. the a. trce With ~
Vie drew inbie-fnife FROM his pocket
The nvenun wnq pov- almost dart
As he rnrne W. 20 her r aOrri ~ etr~-
iuR cnme FROM among the f-ee~ saai-
TN. wnvWnri ei"glng " '-0sd rioii-
cestersh'-e accent They distinguished
the words. n.
col - 'he Rirh'frl r-in~
Of Eneiand mcrry England"
rari~ ~ tho afternoon the pi~s.,ri