Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-23

just learned.
THAT Charles. the emperor is not in Aus
tria, but in Aragon at Saragossa. where he
can be reached in time to prevent the mar
riage. Just before my leaving the emperor,
| to my certain knowledge secretly departed
for Spain on matters pertaining to the
governing of Aragon. Charles plays a
deep game in the affairs OF Europe. though
he works ever silently and unobtrusively.
| Is he not always beforehand with your
king? When Francis was preparing the
| gorgeous field of the cloth Of gold for his
| English brother did not Charles quietly
| leave for the little isle, and there. without
| beat of drum. arrange his own affairs be-
fore Henry was even seen by your pleasure
| loving monarch? Yes; to the impostor and
| to Francis Charles is in Austria; to us
| for now you share my secrets he in
Spain, where by swift riding he may be
found. and yet interdict in this matter
Then why haven't you ere this fled to
| the emperor with the news?'
| Last night 1 had determined to get away,
| when first I was assaulted by an assassin
of the impostor. and next detained by his
troop and brought back to the castle
! had even left on foot, trusting to excite
! less suspicion. and hoping to find horse on
| the way. but fortune was with the pre-
! tender. So here am 1. closely watched
and waiting he added grimly.
The listeners demeanor was imperturba-
! b1l1ty itself He know why the other had
| taken him into his confidence, and under
stood the silent appeal plainly as though
words had uttered it. Perhaps he duly
, weighed the perils of a flight without per-
mission from the court of the exacting and
| caprfcious monarch, and considered the
| hazards of the trip itself through a Wild
and brigand- infested country. Possibly.
the thought of the princess moved him. for
despite his irony. 1t was his hooking fata to
| entertain In his breast. against his Will q
/ covert sympathy for the gentler sex: Or
| looking into the passionate face of his
companion. he may have been conscious of
some bond Of brotherhood, a fellow-feeling
| that could not resist the call upon his
goodwill and amiable efforts The indif-
! ference faded from Caillette's face and al
most a bOyish enthusiasm shone in his
eyes.
! Mon ami, I'll do itr' he exclaimed
/ lightly. I'll ride to the emperor for you.
/ Silently the jester of the duke wrung
J his hand. I've long sighed for an ad-
venture" laughed Caillette. And here is
the opportunity Caillette. knight errant.
But" his face falling. 1.-The emperor will
look on me as a mailman"
| Nay, replied the dukes PLEASANT "bere
Is letter. When he reads it he will, at
least. think the affair worth considerat ton
/ He knows me and trusts my fidelity, and
| will be assured 1 would not jest on such a
| serious matter. Believe me- he will re-
| ceive you more than a mailman"
| why, then. twill be rare adventure"
i commented the other Wandering In the
country. the beautiful country. where
was icaieus away from the madness OF
! courts. Already hear the wanton breezes
signing In Sapphic softness and the forest
elegias murmur. Tell me, how shall
rider
AS knight to the border. thence on
ward as a minstrel. In Spain there's al
ways welcome for a blithe singer"
IT'S fortunate / learned some Spanish
love songs from a fair sonora who was In
Charles retinue the time he visited Fran
! els. acded Caillette- IAN I should fail?''
! he continued. more gravely
You Will not fail" was the confident
repls.
II am of your mind; but things will hap
pen-sornetimes-and why do You not speak
to the princess hersef-to warn her"
Speak to herr repeated the dukes jes-
ter, shadow on his brow. When he has
appealed to her. .perhaps-when-" He
broke or abruptly. His tone was proud In