Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-12

AS she disappeared, without one back
ward glance, the duke gazed quickly to-
ward the spot where Jacqueline had been
standing. He remembered the young girl
had heard his story; he had caught her eyes
upon him while he was telling it; very
deep, serious, judicial. they seemed Were
they weighing his past infatuation for the
princess; holding the scales to his acts?
Swiftly he turned to her now. but she had
vanished Save for rough nurses, compan-
Ions in arms, moving here and there among
the wounded. he and the emperor stood
alone. In the bushes a bird which had left
nest Of fedglings returned and caroled
among the boughs; a clarifying melody
after the mad passions of the day. The
elder man noted the direction Of the dukes
glance, the yellow ribbon on his arm.
$50 1t was a jestress, not a princess you
found. thou dreamer" he said, half IRON
ically.
1.-The daughter Of the Constable of Du-
brots SIRE" was the reply
The emperor nodded. THE family colors
have changed" he observed dryly.
with fortune. SIRE"
Truly" said Charles. fortune is Jest
ress. She had like to play on us this day.
But your fever?" he added. abruptly, set
ting his horses head toward camp
rs gone. SIRE answered the duke, riding
by his side.
And your injuries?'
Were 50 slight they are forgotten"
Then is the breath of battle better medi-
cine than nostrum or salve. In youth, tits
the sword-point; In age, turn we to the hilt-
cross But this maid-have you won herr"
The young man changed color. "Won
her. sire?" he replied. THAT know not
no word has passed."
mo word" said the emperor. doubling
ly. "a knight-errant and a castleless
maid!"
The duke vouchsafed no answer.
"Humph!' added Charles. THUS do our
plans came to naught. If you got her, and
wore her, what end would be served?'
ia nrha oil
why" observed the monarch, 1.-The state
and the faith-what else Is there? But go
your way How smooth it may be no man
can tell"
Els the road like to be rougher than 1t has
been, sire?"
THE maid belongs to France" answered
Charles. and France belongs to the king"
1.-The kingr' exclaimed the duke, fiercely,
Involuntarily had they drawn rein in the
shade of tiny thicket overlooking the
valley. Even from this slight exercise,
bowed and weary appeared the emperor's
form. The hand which controlled his steed
trembled. but the lines of his face spoke of
unweakened sinew of spirit. the iron grip
Of a will that only death might loosen.
The Nngr repeated the young man. HE
Is no king OF mine. nor hers. To you. sire.
only, l owe allegiance or my life. at your
need"
A gentler expression softened the en-
peror's features, as a CLEAN Of sunshine
forces itself into the somberest forest
depths.
I'VE have had our need" he said. mot
long since" His glance swept the outlook
below. Heaven watches over monarchs,"
he added, turning a keen. satirical look on
the other. ''but through the vigilance of our
earthly servitors."
The dukes response was interrupted by
the appearance below Of horseman, COW
cred with dust. riding toward them, and
urging his weary steed up the incline with
spur and voice. Deliberately the monarch
surveyed the newcomer +
What make you of yonder feilow?" he
said. HE Is not OF the guard, nor Of the
bastards following"
His housings are the color Of France,
SIRE