Rock Island Argus., 1901-05-15
The Daily Short Story:
HER MAJESTY.


wedding a rival for the dukes love. in
a black cloak and veiled, requested a
private interview. Once alone with
the queen she held a perfumed hand
kerchief TO her majesty's face. who
sank down unconscious. Then the wo-
man, taking off her blacl1Ncloak, dis
closed n costume almost exactly SINH
lar to that worn by the queen.
Then she placed her black cloak
round the sleeping figure and drew the
curtains which were on each side of
the sofa forward in such a manner
that the queen was concealed from
view.
She entered the gallery. There was
no one in sight. Quick as thought she
had closed and locked the door, placing
the key in her pocket.
There was a step. behind her.
Madam
1t was the chief lady in waiting.
"Yes?" +
Your majesty was to drive"
"Ah, true"
"And then there is the banquet to-
night"
The day passed smoothly, for Madam
Scarva was always by the side of the
false queen. Sometimes she was plain
" surprised at the soveIeign's absent
mindedness. but this she attribnted to
the preoccupation inevitable to the
time. Even the duke spoke TO the
queen on the subject. She looked at
him and smiled, and his anxiety van
ished.
Later the queen found herself alone
In her private boudoir, while the door
of the serre led out into an old FASH
ioned garden. She beckoned to Madam
Scarva.
The two young women walked out
on to the soft turf of the garden. The
queen paused to admire the night.
Tomorrow your majesty will be hap
pier STILL"
"ShaH I?' came the remark.
"Your majesty does wrong to doubt"
They walked on in silence for n few
minutes, till Nine. Scarva exclaimed
suddenly, "Shan we go to the arbOrT'
"What arbor?"
''Your majesty cannot have forgot
ten?"
Queens are allowed to have short
memories. L have forgotten"
Mime. Scarva looked inten1ly at the
speaker.
''You are not the queen"' she exclaim-
cd excitedly. And she started to hasten
back to the palace. But the other was
too quick and seized her by the arm,
forcing her to her knees on the grass.
Nine. Scarva struggled to free her
self and then called OUt, Help, helpH'
mad foolr' exclaimed the other, and
quick as thought she drew n small
Italian dagger and stabbed the lady in
waiting to the heart.
The murderess pushed the body over
the marble edge of the lake. and it dis
appeared silently under the leaves Of
the water lilies.
Then she passed softly to her own
private apartments. stopping on the
way to address a word TO a lady who
seemed to be waiting for orders.
"Ah, apropOs, madame, you will at
tend me tonight"
''Yes, your majesty"
"Mme. Scarva has been called away"
"Yes your majesty"
There was a general holiday on the
following day, the day of the marriage
of the queen and of the Duke Paul.
The streets were gayly decorated with
flags and colored cloth.
1t was l o'clock in the afternoon that
the royal procession started on its re-
turn journey from the cathedral. The
queen looked proud and smiling, but
there were some who considered that
the duke her husband, appeared grave.
At the end of the great tree lined
square where the cavalcade had to
enter the avenue which led to the pal
ace. n man in the crowd pressed for
ward and ere his hand could be staid
presented a pistol at the queen. He
fired. and there was a shout of dismay,
and the queen fell back on the cush-
ions of the carriage dead.
A scene OF indescribable tumult en-
sued Immediately.
Meanwhile in the picture gallery of
the palace dog was barking furiously
and tearing at a door. For time no.
body took any notice of it, for all was
confusion and terror, but at length an
old manservant's attention was arrest
ed, and he stopped and spoke to the
dog.
what is it, old fellowT he said COM
passionately-
Then he tried the door. 1t was lock-
ed.
At length, with the assent of a cap
tain of the guards, the door was broken
down, and the dog dashed forward
and, jumping on the couch, licked its
mistress face.
The queen looked around her.
"Where am I?' she asked, and then:
"Oh, 1 remember. That woman in
blackr'
The voice could not be mistaken, and
a chamberlain who had Joined the
groupsaid respectfully: Madame, there
has been a great error, but it was for
tunate error. What has to be done now
is to reassure the city"
Then mourning and tears were
changed to happiness. - New York
Journal.