Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-15

Raridans simply perishdng because he isn't
there himself. But what's this?''
The king had reached his throne and faced
the audience. All the knights bowed low;
the king returned the salutation while the
audience cheered. sef,z s'-,-s,4,l
ITS like a comic OPERA" said Miss Mar
shall
The supreme knight advanced and handed
Wheaton the scepter and there was renewed
applause and cheering.
only funnier," said Rafidan. yell, Sax
end of the house in cheering. 1T makes
me think of old times ats foot ball. he de-
clared, sinking back into; his chair with an
air of exhaustion. and wiping his face.
The king had seated himself and expect
ancy again possessed the hall. The band
struck up another air, and line or girls in
hlmy trailing gowns was filing in.
There are the foolish virgins who didn't
fill their lamps" said Raridan: that's why
they have brought bouquets"
But they ought to have got their gowns
at the same place. said Miss Marshall who
was abetting Raridan In his comments.
Miss Warren and Saxton, on the other side
of her, were taking 1t ALI more seriously.
It's really very pretty and impressive"
Miss Warren declared, land not at all silly
as 1 feared 1t might be-"
We'll, that is very pretty replied Sax
ton.
had appeared at the door There was a
pause, a murmur. and then great burst of
applause as those who Eere in the secret
identified the queen. and those who were
from lip to lip. Whatever there was
OF absurdity in the scene was dis
PEELED by Evelyn's loneliness and digni-
ty. Her white gown intensified her fairness.
and. her long court train added an illusion
of height She carried her head high. with
serene air that was habitual. The charm
that set her apart from sother girls was in
no wise lost in the mock splendor Of this
ceremony.
"she's as lovely as aSbride." murmured
Beiie Marshall, SO low that only, Rartdan
heard her. Something caught in his throat
and he looked steadily down upon the ap
preaching queen and said nothing. The
supreme knight descended to escort the
meet her and led her to a place beside him,
where they turned and faced the applauding
crowd.
The grand chamberlain now stepped for
ward and read the proclamation Of the
king had reached their city, and urging
upon all subjects the duty of showing strict
obedience. He read formula to which Eve
iyn and wheaton made responses. A page
stood beside the queen holding a crown,
which glittered with false brilffants upon a.
richly embroidered~ pillosx I'D when the
king knelt before her she placed it upon his
l head. At this there wasFmore cheering and
handclapplng. Saxton glanced toward
Raridan as he beat his own hands together
expecting one of Raridan's gibes at the
chamberlatn's bombast but, there was
fierce light in Raridan's eyes. that saxton
had never seen. there before. He was staring
before him at Evelyn Porter, as she now sat
beside Wheaton on the tawdry throne; his
face was white and his lips were set. Sax
ton was struck with sorrow for him.
There was stir throughout the hail. The
king and queen were descending; the floor
manager was already nianifesting his au-
thority.
Lets stay here until the grand march lie
over" said Raridan He had partly regained
his spirits and was again pointing out peo-
pie OF interest on the floor below.
manded.
Wasn't Evelyn foveiy2'' exclaimed the
girls in a breath.
I'VE didn't need this circnse to prove 1t,
did WEI? asked Rarfdan cynically.
Aren't there any more exefcises-is II all