Evening star., 1903-10-24

touch. and the corridor Immediately was
lit up with a white glow. The men outside
looked on and gasped with fear.
For there, inside the late kings ro \,
stood a silent figure solemnly arraying -
self in the coronation robes of the late
king. And the figure was not the figure OF
Cadoudal. the new and living king. Tne
men turned from the room and He'd tncon-
tinently down the corridors
The next day. in the huge cathedral Ca
doudal, the new king stood in the glare OF
artificial lights, the cynosure of all eyes
The crown had been lifted into the air and
was about to descend when suddenly there
swept up the aisle a figure clothed in how-
ing draperies like those of Cadoudals. and
by a gentle but not undignified push this
figure stood in Cadoudal's place, and the
crown descended on the figures head.
Cousin Cadoudal,'' said this figure, TINS
is our crown and our coronation day. lou
had best stand aside.
Suddenly the crowd caught sight of the
figures face.
THE king!" it cried, "the king-a miracle
the resurrected king-our king.
Cadoudal shuddered. For in the voices OF
the crowd he heard the death knell of his
hopes-his reign, he knew had ended
One man, however-a man from the north
west-struggled through the crowd and
stood before the two kings.
Hold" he cried. that man is not a king
he is David Stransky-DavId Stransky OF
the peoples party >.
The figure turned upon him. MY name, :,
it said gently, but yesterday was DAVID
Stransky. Then was one of the people. l
am one of the people yet. By the grace OF
God l shall always be one of the people
Iut l was Stransky only because wore the
cutter garments of David Stransky, because
officially bore his passports. David Stran-
sky was a better man than /. He paused
"A year ago today. my people, my cousin
Cadoudars men entered the apartment OF
the king and killed. not the king. but DAVID
Stransky. l did not, could not. know the
\ Il fold
and he perished in my place. II had but
known-if I had but understood. But now
you know. And the man who was cast
without the courtesy of Christian burial IN
10 that pit that night was l.:eutenant DaVlo
Sransky of the kings household" He drew
his hand across his eyes. Then he resumed.
MY people, David Stransky once was q
traitor a traitor to the king because he was
the friend of the people l, the KING. I'M a
bued with the idea that the king could DO
no wrong, 1 was the friend of myself, the
king, but I was the real traitor-a traitor
of the people David Stransky, traitor "
the king, friend to the people, lived 10 some ie
purpose died to some purpose for II
is through David Stransky, and through
none other, that my people ana
have become one: l am the KING, the ne
resurrected king. but the King oiliy III
name. Henceforth / am the servant OF my
people-and my people and | are the ser
wants of the state together. .,.,,-
Then there arose a mighty shout. me
kinS!' cried the mulutuue, the hiio
Long live the king!" -,
Some hours later Cadoudal stood as David
Stransky had stood some years before
within the chamber of the king.
Cousin Cadoudal,'' the king said. would
you rather go to Jail, or would you rather
go back to the people? You can have your
choice
Outside the crowd shouted. Cadoudal
shuddered "I'll go to jail he said.
The king rose and touched button in
the wall A secret door opened. Ca
doudal." he said, "a year ago you sent
half dozen men up through this passage
into the chamber of the king. For what
purpose you know too well. This passage
leads to safety. You know where it comes
out. But I'd rather be a good many things
than be you as you creep through this pas
sa ge after what You did last year.
Cadoudal. without look behind, entered,
and the door clicked behind him. The king
smiled.
1.-The people and t. he said now we
understand each other" He became SUD
denly grave and placed his hand before his
eyes But Stransky-David Stransky!'
he cried. IF had but known-ff | had but
known that it was death to yOlI--'