The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-08-20

Zone moment, your majesty. If I
obey and you, after hearing the prin-
cess explanation, should determine to
sustain her and defy the king. his
majesty's wrath would be intensi-
fed"
Have no fear, my lord. There can
be no reasons sufficient to justify this
outrageous conduct. | shall hear nv
explanation, out her fool
ish fancies shall not plunge us into a
war that must result in the loss of our
kingdom and the subjugation of our
people"
Then your majesty must not listen
to the princess"
The queen arose haughtily.
MY lord, it appears to me that yor
are debating to your sovereign. An
L not the queeI.? Do you doubt my
sincerity, my sarity?"
With trembling fingers the vener-
able minister unclasped the fastenings
of his robe of state and allowed it to
fall to the floor. He lifted the ieweled
collar from his bent shoulders and
cast it aside.
''See, your majesty" he said, his
voice shaking with emotion, ''it is not
now the minister who speaks TO his
queen-it is the old servant who re-
joiced at your birth. who held you in
his arms at the christening, who has
faithfully and Loyalty guided you
through many perils to a throne
my queen, for many years you and
your royal spouse of loving memory
cherished the hope of uniting this
kingdom with that of Montegramo,
that you might found an empire and
rear an impassa BILE barrier against
the encroachments of your mutual
foes. The king of Montegramo wisely
agreed, and the concurrent births of
Ludovic and Alicia marked the APP
proval of Providence. In all things
fate favored your design, and the
time has now arrived when your am
bition may be realized and the pros
perity of both nations be assured.
MY sovereign. doubt not your sim
cerity, but | have grown old and grey
In plot and intrigue. in the study of
men and of women. Do not, entreat
you, listen to the princess. You are
the queen, but you are woman. and,
your majesty-there are some things
a woman never forgives"
The silken curtains of an archway
stirred. parted. and Unframed the prin-
cess. The queen turned and regarded
her sternly.
princess Alicia, without cause you
have endangered my greatest ambi-
ton; you have invited a ruinous and
suicidal war; you have invoked calam-
ity and disaster upon the nation and
our throne. | had intended to demand
of you an explanation of your con-
duet. I have changed my mind. Your
reasons are not material. Prince Luz
dovic shall return this day. and you
will Immediately prepare for the mar
riage.'
Over the wan face of the princess
crept an expression of infleXible deter
mination. Tears sprang to her dark
eyes-tears of indignation rather than
of grief.
"Listen, your majesty, but for one
moment. Last night"
The queen made a gesture of impa-
tience.
Explanations and entreaties are
useless. Only prompt and implicit
obedience can atone for your con-
duct"
The princess turned TO depart, hest
tated, and glanced back.
"Your majesty" she said, softly,
81 obey. But before I 60 I ask one
favor, not of the queen, but of the
mother"
The queen smiled an assent.
''Recall, then, my mother, my situa-
ton when you departed from the
Countess of Cannento's party last
night"
The old minister cast glance of
warning and alarm toward the queen,
but she, bordering curiously> saw it
not.
81 recall" she unused, that the last
games were being played-that you
and Prince Ludovic were partners, op-
posing the Duke and Duchess of. For
monia-that you and the duchess were
tied for the prize-and that you and
the prince held winning hands. By
the way, my child, congratulate you.
1t is the first prize you have won this
season"
''But-we LOST" walled the princess,
extending her beautiful arms toward
her mother.
Lost" cried the queen, incredu-
lousy, starting forward again ?
And you have tried so hard!"
LOST" reiterated the princess, cast
ing herself into her mothers encir-
cling arms and sobbing piteously.
THE prince - trum - trumped - my
ace!"
"All is LOST" exclaimed the old min
lister. turning away despairingly.
From over her daughters quivering
shoulder the queen flashed her indig-
nant and fearful eyes upon the de-
jected old man.
'My lord" she calculated, hoarsely,
"you were right-there are some
things woman never forgives! You
understand! Goi'
In few moments the two women,
sobbing in each others arms, heard
through the open window the tramp of
armed squadrons rushing to defend