Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-05-17
FOR THE
HONOR OF A
PRINCESS
By F. K. Scribner
Copyright, 1902, by the :
5. ). Mcclure Company
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ancient ancestry and young man Of
great accomplishments, had disappear
ed from the court and with him the
Princess Alice. 1t was known to the
king that the duke had sought to be Il
churchman, being of gloomy mind and
much given to moodiness. But Henry,
having sma'; desire to see SO great
noblcman turn monk, had played right
skillfully the dark eyes of his royal
knSwoman against the church.
Strange it was that the duke had
not bded his time until the king were
ready for royal wedding. AS for me,
humble lieutenant of the musketecrs
that | am, l knew that the princess
loved him not, for l had been chosen
by his majesty to guard her person and
saw her daily. Right well I knew
But that belongs not in this story.
The most important thing was that
my king had hidden me, in great Sc
crecy, to choose but one follower and
with him to ride to the dukes chateau
at NJ.
The honor Of the princess rested in
L
know
1t was an hour past midnight when l,
with the Chevalier de ROssel at my
side, rode forth from Paris. De ROssel
was in cheerful mood.
"ZOunds!' said he, swapping his fin
gers briskly. "Methinks this Duke de
Biart hath o'ershot the mark. .Plotting
l,oI hn
having ridden with his princess beyond
the walls, lay violent hands upon her
person. Had he but waited. the kings
desire had given her to him."
TO my mind also came the thought
the man must be truly mad; but, de-
spite the weight Of the occasion, some
thing within me rejoiced that it lay
within my power to undo the duke and
return the princess to the king, her I'M
Gle.
The dukes dwelling lay some leagues
from Paris, SO the first dawn overlook
us as we rode from the forest which
surrounded the chateau on three sides.
The place was of some strength, built
in the days Of the kings grandfather,
between us and an entrance.
But upon our reaching the entrance
to the dwelling we found it indeed
most poorly guarded in that the guard
had unbarred the door, the day being
full upon us. Moreover, l perceived he
WAS no other than one who had served
the king, an ex-musketeer of mine own
company.
Seeing me, he stood open mouthed,
saluting with much ceremony, nor
showed he any disposition to bar our
progress.
Faith" replied he to my greeting,
thou art come from Paris ut a most
early hour. The duke Is yet abed,
having come hither but yesterday in
company with his cousin, who suffers
from a malady."
"What nowr' cried De Rossel. as
the lady stricken?"
THAT she is" replied the wItless fell
low, for the duke bore her before him
on the saddle and hath given her in
charge Of the women, bidding them
look to. 1T she commit no injury upon
her person"
Game they alone" asked l.
"Only the two" replied he. cart
from the king"
De Rossel plucked my sleeve. "'Twas
told in Paris" said he, 1.-The dukes
kinswoman had lost her wits, and tits
the royal pleasure we learn concerning
her condition. 1t is the purpose of his
majesty to send his leech to cure her
if occasion warrants it,
The fellow nodded. THE duke Is
much In favor with the king" said he.
Would see the woman who guards the
maid?"
De ROssel cast upon me look Of tri-
umph. "'Twere most fitting" replied
he, ''fOr, the hour being early, 'twere
an Ill thing to arouse the duke. thy
master"
"'Tis a most strange thing" mutter-
ed De Rossel as we followed the serv-
ant through the long and dimly lighted
corridor. beyond comprehension, and
methinks there comes a queer twist to
our errand. Either this duke be drunk
or truly mad; therefore look to it, NJ.
de Mare that 10 trap be set for u.s."
Presently we came unto the door of
chamber, and the servant drew back,
signifying twas the room wherein was
confined the princess.
go thou" said De Rossel gruffly.
Thou hast done thine Grand" And
he put in the fellows palm a silver
piece.
81 will remain here" said he, the
man being gone. land If any come to
know our business l will deal with
him." So saying, he unsheathed his
sword and took his stand beside the
door. upon which knocked softly.
A voice from within demanded who
sought admittance at so early an hour.
when twas small courtesy to disturb
lady's quiet.
| replied that bore q message from
the duke which brooked OF no delay.
whereupOn bolt was withdrawn. the
door partly opened, and the face of
woman appeared.
In the dim light she noted not my
person, but demanded irrltably that
deliver the message quickly and be-
gone, but l. placing my knee against
the half closed door. thrust 1t back with
such force that the woman was thrown
to the floor, where she lay stunned.
"'Tis the antechamber to the inner
ROOM" said De Rossel. pcering over