The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-06-10
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!: FOR THE
!. HONOR OF A
!. PRINCESS
By F. K. scribner
: Copyright, 1902, by the
S. s. Mcclure Company

By F. K. Scribner
Copyright, 1902, by the
5. s. Mcclure Company
~.~.~. go. =
The Duke de Biart, a nobleman of
ancient ancestry and young man of
great accomplishments, had disappear
I'd from the court and with him the
Princess Alice. 1t was kaown to the
king that the duke had sought to be a
churchman, being Of gloomy mind and
much given to moodiness. But Henry,
having small desire to see SO great a
nobleman turn monk, had played right
skillfully the dark eyes of his royal
kinswoman against the church.
Strange it was that the duke had
not bided his time until the king were
ready for royal wedding. AS for me,
humble lieutenant of the musketeers
that | am, 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 1 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
my hand, of which fact Paris must not
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
"zoundsr' said he, swapping his fin
gers briskly. "Methinks this Duke de
Biart hath o'ershot the mark Plotting
was bad enough, yet he must need,
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
so perchance some obstacle might lie
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. 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 at 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 nowy' cried De Rossel. rs
the lduy stricken
THAT she is" replied the witless fel-
low, for the duke bore her before him
on the saddle and hath given her in
charge of the women, bidding them
look to it she commit no injury upon
her person"
"Came they alone?" asked l.
only the two" replied he. "Aft
from the kingp
De Rossel plucked my sleeve. "'Twas
told in Paris" said he, 'the dukes
kinswoman had lost her wits, and it's
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, flor, the hour being early, 'twere
an i'll thing to arouse the duke, thy
master"
"'Tis 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 queer twist to
our errand. Either this duke be drunk
or truly mad; therefore look to it, NJ.
de Mare, that no trap be set for us"
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 gruff1y.
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, "and If any come to
know our business 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 a
lady's quiet.
i / replied that | bore a message from
the duke which brooked of no delay.
whereupon a bolt was withdrawn, the
door partly opened, and the face of a
woman appeared
In the dim light she noted not my
person. but demanded irritably that
deliver the message quickly and be-
gone. but ]. placing my knee against
the half closed door, thrust it back with
such force that the woman was thrown
4 to the floor. where she lay stunned.
"'Tis the antechamber to the inner
room" said De Rossel peering over
my shoulder. go in. will look to
the wench that she make no cutlery"
Pushing the heavy draperies guard
ing the entrance to the inner chamber
aside. | entered without ceremony,
then paused, for the princess was be-
fore me.
Aroused by the sound Of voices in
the antechamber she had risen from
couch and confronted me. The half
light touched her with glow soft as
moonlight, revealing the wilderness of
her skin, the gentle curve of her throat
and neck and the yelled splendor of the
soft, dark eyes
my lord" said she, what means
this intrusion2 'Tis but poor courtesy
which sends thee hither when 1 would
be alone"
She took me for the Duke de Biart
The shadow of the draperies concealed
my features, and l being somewhat
the size of the nobleman the mistake
was easy. 1 took a step toward her,
the CLEAN of my hilt flashing in the
light. She started, her hand going to
a little toy dagger which lay upon the
table at her side Suddenly the color
which had risen to her cheeks died
away, her lips parted and her hand
went to her heart