Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-19
The Story Of Prince Arthur
BYL E. CHrTEspENs

y
the vast gray sea. seemed perfectly in keep
ing with the scene. The great waves came
laundering up to his very, feet, and then
crept softly back again.
II am so lonely" he sighed at last, with
no one but fisher lads for dembHnions. and
my mother early taught me that the future
king of England must not associate too
freely with these rough fellows.y Sometimes
wish had been born Of their low estate.
they seem SO happy and cheerful, while
Il wonder if ever felt young or happyr'
At this moment around the rocks came
tripping the loveliest little maid, whose
happy face was framed In golden curls
She opened her eyes wide with astonish-
ment at thus meeting the high born, sad
looking youth. who. though fully aston
| ished. yet bowed with courtly grace, and
said: faf
Truly the fafes are kind! Twas but this
| moment was bewafling my loneliness and
/ 10! a sprfte. or sea nymph Is sent me-" he
| added. glancing at a basket filed with
shells and sea MOSES that she carried.
She laughed meFrfly as she answered:
| NO am nothing half so romantic as that,
I fear. / am only Lady Liliias Grey. My
| mother. Countess Matilda, is here from
| London settling up some estates left her
| recently by bequest. l am so glad she
| brought me. I am wild with delight over
this lonely land. and I cannot understand
! her when she says 1t is dreary as Pluto .
| regions. But now then tell me who are
| you?" And she looked at him with the
| frank curiosity Of childhood.
prince Arthur" he answered bowling,
| "heir apparent to the English throne"
| ''Ohi" with deep sigh of establishment.
| Then why are you not king? 1 have heard
\ OF you, you are Prince Geoffrey's son; and
| are much more entitled to the throne than
| wicked King John wish you were in
| his place; you would make perfect king. I
/ know 7 90 n droSSod
| in rarely fine gown, with such a train to
| 1t. And I would bow before you thus" and
| the saucy mink swept him a low bow at
| the same time glancing over her shoulder
! at the imaginary train.
| And L. replied Arthur entering into the
| spirit of the childs frolfc, 81 would desfnnd
| from my throne and say: Loveliest lady of
the realm. never bow before me as a sub
| ject more. but share my throne as queen.
| would you say that?" asked Lillias glee-
| fully. Are you sure you would say that,
| when so many fairer danes than would be
| there also"
| Very sure" answered Arthur gently,
| looking down into the dancing depths Of
| her blue eyes and drinking up the sunshine
| there.
TELL me why it is you are not king now?'
demanded Lady Lillias imperatively. My
maid has found some fisher folk below here
| to whom she Is gossiping of town fashions
| and the like. and presently she will be In
| pursuit Of me: so make haste. before she
comes"
Let us sit here then, lest your ladyship
| shall be fatigued.'
And Arthur led the way to sheltered
place between two or three great rocks,
where fat one formed uncomfortable seat
for Lillias. and throwing himself at her feet
| where he could easily watch her bright
| face. Arthur told his story.
| MY people here in Brittany named me
Arthur. for Arthur of Round Table memory.
They love me and expect l will one day free
their land from serfdom., Merlin of King
Arthur's time predicted that in one hundred
| years another King Arthur Fwo,tld reign and
| this they fondly hope will be myself. And
| I also hope it may be so,t for 4 would DO
| much for the people who trust, and love Inc
so well. My mother died heart-hroken when
our first struggle for the, throne failed.
| through the peace contract between our
| ally, King Philip of France. and my Uncle
John. But 1 am daily expecting aid from
| King Philip again. And. Lady I1illias. you
added earnestly.
NO" answered the child srsvey. mo.
| my king, will never forget you"
And Arthur lifting her hand issssed it to
erto unknown to him crept into his young
! heart. ~
Just then the maids voice. shfilly calling.
was heard. and Lady Lililas, with hasty
| farewell and promise to coA,a again on
1 the morrow. went to meet rtsand Arthur
! walked up to his lonely castle to dream OF
! his little friend. and count the hours until
! tney cOulu again meet
! They met almost daily after this, for Lady
Lillias' mother was cIoseted with her stew
| ard fastening to close up her affairs, that
| she might return 10 London and the child
! was left almost solely in care of her maid,
who loved gossip much better than walking
| on the lonely beach. and who therefore left
| her charge at liberty to go almost whers
| she liked. A fast friendship grew between
| the piduant maiden and the lonely prince,
| upon whose youthful shoulders heavy re-
sponsbilities had crushed out almost all
| boyishness. His affection for Lillias daily
| and hourly added brightness to his face.
| and elasticity to his step, so that he al
most forgot his cares during the long talks
| and the games they played upon the beach.
| But one day dispatches from King Philip
| proffered the long promised aid. Arthur
| was to attack Mirabeau where Eleanor, his
! grandmother, and King Johns mother was
| residing. He was to leave that same night.
! but in all the excitement~and hustle about
| him he never forgot his little playfellow.
| And at their meeting place he impatiently
| awaited her. and when he saw her coming
| toward him, he hastily walked forward to
| meet her.
| Lillias looked curiously at him What
| has happened to my king?' she asked. in
| stantly aware of some change in his face.
Lady Lillias.' he answered. "the time I
| told you Of has come l go forth tonight to
| win my kingdom-and my little queen" no
| added, bowling over her hand.
| Arthur! Arthur! don't go. pray. l fear
| the dreadful treachery of your uncle. All,
| let us stay here. 1t is the place where we
| have been so happy-and fear-i fear"
| Here the dear little maid broke down and
| wept bitterly.
| PIE! File! LiIlias!' answered Arthur. half
| jestingIy. and half in reproof. rs this the
| Godspeed you give your knight: / had
| thought you were made Of mora heroi;
| stuff But" as a distant horn was heard,
''they are summoning me from the castle.
| and 1 must away. Farewell" And Art hur
put his arms about the sobbing child. IA 1873
| me once. dear. and bid me win for your
| sake. Don't forget me. Lillias, and remem-
| Der whatever befalis me. 1 never for a sin
| gle instant shall forget you--my sunbeam
| who has beautified and made happier NY
lonely life" And Arthur Kissing her very
| tenderly, placed her gently ON the rock
| where they sat the first day of their meet
! ing. Then kneeling before her he said:
| Watch for me. Lillias. and pray that the
| king may come to his own" Then, as the
| summons came again. he left her weeping
| SO she could not speak.
Poor Lady Lillias watched indeed; watch
| ed to see Arthur surprised by his uncle
| taken and cast into prison, where his lovely
| disposition and gentle demeanor 50 won his
| jailors' hearts that none could be found vile
| enough to murder him, or to put out his
| beautiful eyes; watched 10 know of the
| change of prisons, and flnaiIysn one night.
of his murder, while he was ON the river