The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-11-27
THE KING.
BY BARRY PAIN.

o'clock, he found himself lost on q
Yorkshire moor. His feet were weary
his new knapsack was heavy; bis
road map was all wrong; he was
thirsty and sleepy. In this condition
he was extremely glad to sight at last
very small cottage with light burn
ing In the window. That meant rest
and a direction. There would also be
something In the way Of supper. WI
fred quickened his steps and knocked
gently on the door OF the cott~.
The door was opened. considerably
to wilfred's surprise, by a gaunt old
gentleman in evening dress. M.lfred
had expected peasant, but he pulled
himself together and told his story ana
made his requests as well as he could.
"You are the second stranger that
has called here within these 20 years"
said the old gentleman. 81 came here
/ TO be out of the world, which had ceas.
ed to want me. and yet the world drifts
In. But do not let me seem ungraclous.
Such hospitality as l am able 20 Offer
is entirely at your service. Pray come
In"
The old man led the way into n small
book lined living room. IL must tell
you" he added, that have no serv-
ant lite by myself and am accustomed
TO do everything for myself. You will
excuse any shortcomings"
For the life OF him Wilfred could not
help his glance straying to that perfect
shirt front. Eyes. 1 know" said the
old gentleman. at does seem incon.
sistent. IL an old habit. Let us hope
that IL NAV helm me 10 act ns your
waiter with n skill that shall not lag
too far behind my good viii or the
mart Please be seated and excuse me
| for A few moments while prepare sup
per for Won"
Wllfred's offer OF assistance was de
cliped. and an excellent and simple
meal was soon ready. II was only
when he had finished the omelet and
was nouring out the last glass OF the
old burgundy that his curiosity got the
better of his appetite and his dlscre.
ton. He tried a leading question.
"Certainlv." said the old gentleman.
with n courteous smile. as he handed
the cigar box. 'It Is natural that Won
should be asking yourself who this
amiable lunatlc may be. Potentially I
/ Am king OF the world. Rorn in the
right age and In the right stage OF
ciyIllzation-or. II YOU prefer Il. bar.
barism-I should Internationally have
been the king OF the world. The iron,
scientific. conventional civilized world
OF today is too strong for me. When
you contend against Il. II gives you
seven years penal seryitude. I myself
have done seven years penal seryitude."
"You are testing. Of course" said WI.
fred Camp.
Il never fest. There is little dignity
init. Twas fellow Of my college at the
time OF the sentence. many years ago.
When l came out. my relatives and a
few friends were ready with advice.
penitential glbberish and forgiveness.
Others were ready to despise or mis-
trust. could not understand the polnt
OF view OF any of them. You see. l am
Mt beart n hing ono 20 wbom forgive.
ness or CONTEMPT must be purely ride.
ulous. To myself. and no other. can
ever De 0nsWer1ble. obviously WOrll
OF men and women Of the type that is
spawned nowadays was no place for
me. I came ont OF II. am alone. and
I am the King. the king I'm exile. the
king without a kingdom. Chance can.
not affect that. II moves me from my
right epoch and sets me down In
vulgar generation with absurd ideas
that cannot understand me. Briefly. II
denies me my kingdom. but can do no
more. No, l am stronger than chance
there. I am, IN myself and all through
myself. a king materially"
The old mans eyes glIttered. and his
manner was RAPIDLY becoming more
excited. Mr.. wiIfred Camp was as
rapidly becoming very nervous.
I'm afraid" he said. you find my
visit terrible Intrusion. | was. as you
saw, the victim Of circumstances, but