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

To beg asylum, perhaps?" he went on.
less sternly.
Not to beg. your majesty! To ask yes!
But now-not that.'
''Vrai Dieu!' muttered Charles. There
IS the father over again, 1t is strange this
maiden clothed almost in rags should claim
such illustrious parentage,' he continued
to himself as ne walked restlessly to and
fro. 1T is more strange l ask no other
proofs than herself-the evidence of my
eyes! Where did you come FROM he add
cd, aloud pausing before her. THE court
of Francis?"
Yes. sire"
"Why did you leave the king?"
"Why-because-" Her hands clenched.
The gray eyes continued to probe her. Be
cause hate him."
The, The em Sa $; face ace relaxed; CLEAN 10, Of
whom so many of your sex love?" he re-
| Piled.
| Through her tresses he saw her face turn
| red; passionately she arose. with your
ma testy's permission / will 60"
"Go?" he said abruptly. Where can you
go? You are somewhat quick of temper.
| like Have refused you aught? I could
| not serve your father he continued. taxi
| ing her hand and, not urgently. OBTAINING
| her. but I may welcome his daughter
| though necessity. the rule~ of kings, made
| me helpless in his behalf!''
AS in a flash her resentment faded. Half
paternally. half-severely. he surveyed her.
"Sit down here" he went on indicating
low stool. You are weary and need re-
| freshment."
Silent she obeyed. and the emperor.
| touching a bell gave low command to the
servitor who appeared. In few moments
meat. fruits and wine were set before her.
and Charles. from his point of vantage-no
! throne of gold but chair lined with Cor
dovan leather, watched her partake. The
pains had again left him; the monk gave
way to the ruler: the thought of
phrases of the Credo. but with impassive
face listened to her story. or as much as
she cared to relate. When she had finished.
for some time he offered comment.
"A strange tale" he said finally. But
what will our mobiles do when ladies take
mere fools for knight-errants?'
He is no mere fool!' she spoke up, i'm
pulsively.
The emperor shot a quick look at her
from beneath his lowering brows.
Il mean-he is brave-and has protected
me many times" she explained in some
confusion.
And so you. knowing what you were.
mained-with a poor jester-a clown-ra Their
than leave him to his fate?' continued
Charles. inexorably, recalling the words of
the outriders
Her face became paler. but she held her
head more proudly; the spirit of the jestress
sprang to her lips.
ut is only kings: sire. who fear to cling
to forlOrn cauSer
His eyes grew dark and gloomy; morosely
he bent his gaze upon her. No one had ever
before dared to speak to him like that for
Charles had no love for testers, and kept
none in his court. Unsparing, iron-handed.
he had gone his way. But, perhaps, in her
very fearlessness he recognized a touch of
his own infiexible nature At any rate. his
sternness soon gave way to an expression
of melancholy.
God alone knows the hearts of mon
archs!' he said, somberly, and directed his
glance toward the crucifx.
Moved by his unexpected leniency and the
"a Of 40 Nhner oHa iv,,vyo
repented Of her response. He looked so old,
and melancholy. this great monarch. When
he again turned to her his face and manner
expressed no further cognizance of her re-
ply.
you need rest" he said. land shall have
a tent to yourself. Now goi" he continued,
placing his hand for moment. not unkind-
ly, on her head. Il shall give orders for
your entertainment It will be rough hos
pitality. but-yeu are used to that am
not sorry child. You hate our brother
Francis. II 1t has driven you to our court"
Go be continued tomorrow.)