The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-06-19

pears, till long after you were told
that he had fed. And he would not
take freedom when it was offered to
him. lest flight should look like guilt
In your eyes"
This was more fully explained to
the king But still he hesitated and
looked uneasy. What can the trail
tor say" he asked, petulantly He
can only deny what the others have
said. However" he added, after a
pause, during which Clara felt her
heart beating with anxious excite
ment, Il suppose | must see him."
Haste was made to bring Ralph into
mis- presence. At the sight of him the
boys prepossession in his favor re-
vivcd There was little change in
Ralphs appearance, except that he
looked thinner and his face had a
more steadfast expression. He bore
himself with courteous humility in the
royal presence, but his tall figure still
had the 1.-the. alert carriage of ready
strength, and his eyes when he spoke
still had the frariIness and fearless
ness which had won the confidence of
the chivalrous boy-king at their first
meeting.
The king received him with graci-
Gus dignity. Are you not" he said,
afraid to show your face in our pre-
sence?"
Il have no cause. sire" answered
Ralph. 81 labored honestly to acquit
myself Of your majesty's gracious in
structions"
1--WE have heard otherwise" said
the king and was silent and thought
full for a space But it may be-"
he resumed. that the movers of the
common people are slandered also.
Did not the churls say that our prof
fer of inquiry inc their grievances
was a trick?"
Nay. sire" answered Ralph. "On
the contrary, they were right joyful
of It, and | was myself called for in
their assembly as one who had had
the honor of hearing your merciful
disposition from your own lips, to as
sure the people that they might trust
in your clemency."
This is strangely unlike what we
heard" said the king. turning to his
mother with perplexed air. Who
am I to believer"
"You should question him further,
dear SON." said the princess. meeting
HIS lOOhS VI ttOuDI His IL uCJ with
a benign smile.
Richard shook his head and mutter-
ed inaudibly to himself After
pause he asked: "You saw they were
content to have an inquiry"
"They were content. sire" an
swered Ralph: "but I pray your grace
to hold me excused If I say that this
would not content them. now. It is of
A. -, ol,n
speak to you. sire"
Charged to speak to me-" cried the
king in surprise. do you come. then,
as commissary from them?" He
turned to the princess excitely. my
gracious mother" he said, "is not this
a trick that you have played on me?
I understood that it was of himself
that this gentleman desired to speak,
and now he addresses me as the mes
senger of disconnected subjects whom
inquiry will not content"
Before the princess. who was indeed
as much surprised as the king him
SELF could frame a reply, Ralph threw
himself on his knees.
81 pray you, sire, to pardon me IL
my devotion to your grace and my
zeal for the contentment of the realm
carry me too far. | do not come as
commissary; | come of my own
motive.
This was strictly true; for Simon
d'Ypres had so managed that Ralph
had volunteered to speak to the king.
II know these men," Ralph con-
tinued; II know what they feel and
what they say among themselves; I
know how loyal and true in their
hearts they are to you, and how they
look to you as they did before to-
your noble father for comfort and re-
dress; and l beseech you of your
grace to hear me-"
The king was partly appeased, but
still doubtful whether he ought not to
terminate the interview. He looked
doubtfuIIy towards he princess, and
said to her: If this matter concerns
the realm. I ought not to hear it ex-
cept in the presence of my council"
But it was evident from his manner
that curiosity was tempting him
strongly.
"You can inform your council after
wards" said the princess. softly She
also was interested in the ominous
statement that mere inquiry would
no longer give satisfaction.
II ought, sire to say" added Ralph,
that the commons nut little trust in
your present council
"Sav on. then" said the king. hasti-
ly Tell me plainly what they want"
Thus authorized. Ralph proceeded
in carefully respectful language, and
with repeated nrotestations of the
firm loyalty of his clients. to lay be-
fore the king statement of what
they considered necessary to the sat
isfaction of discomfort.
1t needed all the grace and temper.
ance of speech that Ralph could COM