The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-16
e SUNDAY REPUBLLc

1.-THE courtiers frown and the King look
anxiously toward them"
Indeed" replied the prelate. that ma,
we'll be.
when a man invites a company to din'
with him. and then makes the discovery
that his larder Is empty. there Is cause fol
anxiety, be he King or churl.
I'm truth, my wame's beginning to thinh
my throat's cut"
And the learned churchman sympatheti.
caliy smoothed down that portion of his
person first named, whose rounded contour
gave evidence that its owner was accus.
toned to ample rations regularly served.
"Ah. WELL" continued Sir Donald. Ibis
youthful Majesty's foot is hardly in the
stirrup yet.
I'm much mistaken In the CLINT Of his
eye and the tint of his beard If once he is
firmly in the saddle the horse will not feel
the prick of the spur. should it try any
tricks with him."
Scotland would be none the worse of a
firm King" admitted the Archbishop. CLAN
cling furtively at the person they were dis
GUESSING, but James has been so long I'M
der the control of others that it will need
some force OF character to establish a will
OF his own.
L uoupl ic Is Dut Il Taught poSiiS IL u
nine" concluded his reverence in a lower
tone of voice.
81 know little of mathematics" said Sir
Donald. but yet enough to tell ne that a
naught needs merely a flourish to become a
nine, and those mines among us who think
him a naught may become naughts should
he prove a nine.
There's a problem in figures for you,
Archbishop"
The young man to whom they referred,
James. the fifth OF that name, had been
pacing the floor a little distance from the
large group of hungry men who were
awaiting their dinner with some impatience.
Now and then the King paused in his
perambulation and gazed out Of a window
overlooking the courtyard. again resuming
his disturbed march when his brief scrutiny
was completed.
The members Of the group talked in whis-
pefs. one with another. none too we'll
pleased at being kept waiting for SO i'm
portant a function as a meal.
Suddenly there was a clatter Of horses
hoofs in the courtyard.
The King turned once more to the win
dow, glanced a moment at the commotion
below, then gave utterance to an exclama-
ton OF annoyance. his right hand clenching
angrily.
Wheeling quickly to the guards at the
door he cried:
Bring the chief huntsman here at once,
and a prod in the back with a pike may
make up for his lettering in the court
yard"
The men, who stood like statues with
long axes at the doorway, made no move:
but two soldiers. sitting on a bench out
side. sprang to their feet and ran clatter-
Ing down the stair.
They returned presently with the chief
nuntsrnan, whom they projected suddenly
INTO the room with a violence little to the
wooomans taste. for he neglected to re-
move his bonnet in the royal presence, and
SO far forgot himself as to turn his head
when he recovered his equilibrium. roundlv
cursing those who had made a projectfle
of him.
We'll. woodlander!" cried the King HIS
stern voice ringing down again from the
lofty rafters Of the great hall.
Are there no deer in my forest, of the
north?'s
Deer In plenty, your Majesty" answered
the fellow. with a mixture Of Difference and
disrespect. which in truth seemed to tinee
the manners Of all present.
There are deer in the Kings forest. and
yet a lack Of venison in the Kings larderr'
Wha mean you by that, you scoun-
orei?' exclaimed the King, a flush over
spreading his face. rudy as his beard.
Have your marhsmen lost their skill
with bow and arrow, that you return des-
titute to the CASTER"
The marksmen are expert as ever, your
Majesty. and their arrows fly as unerringly
to their billet, but in these rude times. your
Majesty. the sting Of an arrow may not be
by the whetting OF a butchers
knife"
The King took an impatient step forward.
checked himself.
One or two among the group Of noblemen
near the door laughed, and there was a
ripple of suppressed merriment over the
whole company.
At first the frown on the Kings brow
deepened. and then as suddenly it cleared
as a pun of wind scatters the mist
from the heights of Stirling.
When the King spoke again It was In a |
calm, even voice.
A I understand you, there was no DIM
Guilty in capturing the deer. but you en-
some obstacle between the for |
est and Stirling which caused you to re-
urn empty handed.
Il hope you have not added the occupa- |
ton Of itinerant fesher to the noble calling |
Of forest huntsman?'
Indeed, your Majesty replied the una |
dashed hunter. 1.-THE profession Of nesher
forced upon me.
THE deer we had slaughtered found It
impossible to win by the gates Of Arm
prior"
"Ah! John Buchanan then happened to
need venison as you passed?"
your Majesty has hit the gold there.
Buchanan not only needed 1t, but took It
from u.s."
Did you inform him thai your cargo was
Intended for the larder of the King?"
Il told him that in so many words, your
and ne replied hat IL James was
King in Stirling. John was King in Kippen.
having the shorter NAME. he took the
method of supplying his kitchen"
Made you any effort to defend your
year?'
Truth to say. your Majesty. that were a
Useless trial.
THE huntsman who win face the deer
kinks no shame to turn his back on the
Wild boar, and Buchanan. when he demand
d your Majesty's venison, was well sup
ported BY a number Of mad caterans with
irawn swords in their hands, who had
up for a lack Of good meat with
OF strong drink.
Resistance was futile, and we were fain
% take the hammock that was handed to
IS. even though the ashes were upon II.
Ronald of the Hills. a daft Heilan'man.
h knew no better, drew an arrow to his
ar and would have pinned Buchanan to