The Minneapolis journal., 1903-10-01
Under the R0,e
By FREDERIC. S. IsHAM,
"A ....@ A4thor Of "The Srollers.''
Copyright Bowen Merrill Comps
By FREDERIC S. ISHAlM,
Autho, Of "7he Strollers. :"

dilu StOllu Iiltllllcli III ILdIheu contrast
with the bearing and aspect Of the kings
gay following. One of the alien troop
pulled red mustachio fiercely and eyed
a blithe popinjay of the court with quiz
zicaI superiority; the others remained,
stock still, but observant
Il see you are punctual and waiting.
noble sir" said the monarch gaily when
the initial formalities had been complied
with. But that is no more than should
be expected from an impatient bride
groom" Then gazing curiously,- yet with
penetrating look, ON the features Of bis
guest, who. now had risen: You ap
pear Slightly older than expected from
the letter Of our dear friend and brother,
the emperor
And truly the dukes appearance was
that of a man more nearly i've and thirty
than five and twenty; his face was brown
from exposure and upon his brow the scar
of old sword wound; vet a fearless,
dashing countenance; an eye that could
kindle to headlonG passion, and a thick
set neck and heavy jaw that bespoke the
| foeman who would battle to the last
| breath. ..
Older, sire?" he replied with COM
posure. THAT must needs be, since liv-
ing in the saddle ages a man. -
Truly returned the monarch. IN
stinctvely laying his hand upon his
sword The clash of arms, the thunder
of hocfs. the waving bannrss- yes.
glory is a seductive mistress who robs us
! of our youth. Have l not wooed her and
found-gray hairs? Who shall give me
| back those days?"
| History, your majesty. shall give them
to posterity," answered the duke.
Even those we lost to Charles?" NUT
| tered the king, shadow passing over his
| countenance.
GLORY, Sire, is mistress sometimes
| fickle In her favors."
And yet we live but for He broke
off abruptly. and with the eye of trained
! commander surveyed the dukes men,
'Daredevils; daredevils aH!' he NUT
| tered.
Rough looking fellows, sire.' apollo
gized the duke. "but tried and faithful
soldiers. Somewhat dusty and road
worm. And his eyes turned meaningly to
| the kings suite; the flashing girdle of
silver, the shining hilts. the gorgeous
cloaks and even the adornment OF rib
bons.
Nay" said Francis, meditatively, ION
flre-eaters at my back They look as
tho they could cut and hew."
Moderately well, your majesty"
answered the duke with modesty.
will you mount, noble sir, and ride
with me? Yonder is the castle, and in
the castle is certain fair lady whom
you, no doubt, fan would see'
! Long gazed the Duke of Friedwald at
the distant venerable pile of stone; the
majestic turrets and towers softly float
ing in a dreamy mist; the setting, fresh
woody, green. Long he looked at this
| inviting picture and then breathed deeply.
"Ah sire, I would the meeting were
| over he remarked in low voice.
why so, sir?' asked the king, in sur
praise. do you fear you will not fancy
the lady?''
Il fear she may not fancy me-" re-
torted the nobleman, soberly. Your own
remark Sire; that I appear older than
you had expected" he continued, grave
ly, significantly.
| laughed the monarch. II ever prefer
sober manhood to callow youth about me.
| The one Is a prop, stanch, tried; the
| other a reed that bends this way and that,
or breaks when you press it too hard"
Il should be lacking in gratitude were
1 not deeply appreciative of your
| majesty's singular Kindness" )" replied the
duke, his face flushing with pleasure
But your majesty knows womankind-"
Nay; I've studied them little, but
know them not retorted Francis, dryly.
and it is unlikely the lady may find
me all her imagination has depicted"
went on the nobleman, with palpable en-
barrarssment. my noble master the
emperor, hath-regarding me still as but
a STRIPPING from his own vantage point of
age and wisdom-represented me a young
man in his proposals. But tho I'm
younger than I look. and feel no older
than I am. how young. or how old, shall
I seem to the princess?" .-..
Young enough to be her husband; old
enough for her to look up to-" answered
the monarch, reassurngly.
Again. objected the duke medita-
lively regarding the castle, "she may be
expecting a handsome, debonair bride
groom, and when, she sees me''-ruefuny
, veying llimself-"what will she say?'
What will she say? Yes at the altar
| Is 1t not enough?' Leaning back in his
saddle, the kings face expressed the en-.
joyment he derived from the converse.
tior with the backward and too con.
scientious soldier. Here was a groom
: whose wedding promised the court mucf
, amusement and satisfaction in those
jovial days of jesting and merrymaking
| Come" resumed the king, encourag
l ingly. "1'll warrant you more forward IL
, BATTLE. -
"Rattle!" said the duke "That's an
other matter To see your foeman
cleaning eyes!-but hers!-Should the,
T express anger. disdain--
, Let yours show but the greater wrath.
= advised the king, complacently. I'm love
h like cures like! Let me be your physician
q I'll warrant you'll find me proficient
: 'I've heard your majesty hath prac
: ticed, deeply returned the noble, read
: lily, in spite of his perplexity,
g "Deeply?" Francis lifted his brow. %
G am but a superficial student; master onl
/. of the rudiments; no graduate of the col
:, lege of love. Moreover, I've heard tn
q letters you exchanged were-ahem!-we
y enough writ. You pressed your sui
s warmly for}one unlearned, mere novice
e Because had seen her face, your ma
e iesty; had it ever before me in the painte
: miniature. Any man"-with a rough elo
o quence and fervor that impressed the kin
If with the depth Of his passion-"could we
d worship at that fair shrine, but tha
g She" f" LII. &.
y Forward, I beg you!' interrupted tn
king. "Womankind are but frail flesh
e sir; easily nodded; easily won. She is
ir woman; therefore, soft yielding; your
h for the asking. You are over valorous a