Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-09

dream Deeply religious, repentant per-
haps. for past misdeeds at such a moment
as this. the soldier-emperor stood before
silver crucif1x.
contrfte glance. How repugnant is hui
man glory! to conquer the earth; to barter
what is immortal! Carnis resurrectionem-'
A shadow fell across the tapestry and
glanc1ng from the blessed symbol he saw
before him. kneeling on the rug the figure
OF a woman. For her 1t was n inauspcous
interruption. With almost a frown Charles
recalled from an absorbing period of obla-
ton and differentiation, surveyed the
young girl. The reflection of dark colors
from the hangings and tapestries softened
the pallor of her face; her hair hung about
her In disorder; her figure, though meanly
garped, was replete with youth and grace
Silent she continued in the posture of a
suppliant.
"Well?" said the monarch finally, in a
harsh voice.
rested on the ruler steadfastly, fearlessly.
Your majesty commanded my presence
she answered.
who your" he asked coldly.
II am called Jacqueline; my father was
the cons table of Dubrois."
Incredulity replaced every other emotion
OF. the emperors features, and, approach
Ing her. he gazed attentively into the coun-
teBance she so frankly uplifted. With
| calmness she bore that piercing scrutiny:
his dark troubled soul. looking out of his
Keen gray eyes. met an equally lofty spirit.
The constable Of Dubrois! You. his
daughter" he repeated.
His thoughts swiftly pierced the shadows
OF the past; that outrageous past. darken-
ed with war and carnage: the memory of
triumphs: the bitterness of defeats! And
studying her eyes her face, as in a vision
he recalled the features the bearing. of
him who had held himself an equal to his
old rival, Francis. A red spot rose to his
cheek as he reviewed the martial. COM
fyo do <I4
played so often with Francis-and won!
Not always by daring. or courage-rather
by sagacity. clear-headedness, more potent
than any other force!
But pang of bodily suffering reminded
him Of the present and it's Ills, and the
vainglory of brief exultation faded as
quickly as it had assailed him: inyolunta-
ri!y his glance sought the sacred emblem
OF intercession. When he regarded her
once more his face had resumed its severe
uncompromiSing aspect.
The constable was a proud. naughty
man., he safd brusquely. Yea, over
me?"
Yes. SIRE she answered. flushing re-
sentfully.
ITO persuade me to espouse his cause
against the king. Many times have my
good brother. Francis and myself gone to
war;" he added. reflectively and not with
out certain complacency, but then were
we engaged In troubles in the east; to
oul Christian land. How could oblige
the constable by fighting the heather and
the believers In the gospel in one breath?
Your father-for am ready to believe him
such. by the evidence of your face, and. es-
pec1ally. your eyes accused me of little
faith. But had either to desert him or
Europe. His cause was lost; twas the for
tune Of war; the fate of great families be-
comes subservient to that Of nations"
He spoke as II rather presenting the
case to himself than to her: as though he
sought to analyze his own action through
the medium Of time and the trend Of larger
events. Attenttvely she watched him with
deep. serious eyes. and. catching her al
most accusing look and knowing how. per-
haps. he shufied with history, his brow
grew darker; he was visibly annoyed at
her-his own conscience-he knew not what!
y did not complain. your majesty" she
said proudly.
Her answer surprised him. Again he OBJ
served her attire: the 'pallor Of her face;
the dark circles beneath her eyes. Grimly
he marked these signs of poverty; those
marks Of the WEAKNESS and privations she
had undergone.
WAS It not your intention to seek met