The daily morning Alaskan., 1904-01-10
A MEDIAEVAL
 LOVE STORY
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and in such families it ia well known that love plays no part In marriage. Yet love had come unbidden to the Lady Agatha, and she was playing with one of his sharp arrows. A young soldier came through the trees and joined her.
 "Herbertr'
 "AgathaP
 'I have bad news for you. My father announced to me today that l was to wed Count Alfred"
 The young man Quailed as # struck by a blighung wind. ''TO lose you, ane to him, my bitter enemyr' he mOaned.
 Herbert, be strong. for my sakeg And. throwing her arms about him, she wept on hls shoulder.
 There Is no hope"
 "There Is. Count Albert will not force me to marry him if tell him that such a marriage would be re- pulslye to me"
 "He will follow his inclination. Agatha, choose now between me and him. 1T you choose me, meet me here tomorrow evening at sunset and be ready to go with me. I have found favor with the king. wlA, # we are once married. will give me preferment and his influence with your father"
 She hesltated a moment, then whis pered: "I am yours. I will meet you here"
 That evening the earl, her father summoned her to hls apartments. There with him was the Count Alfred "L.gatha.r said the earl, ''this is your betrothed. leave you with him, trusting that your first interview may result in your being mutually pleased with each other" With that be with. drew. Agatha threw herself at the counts feet
 "Your hlghness," she said, CT am go- ing to trust myself to your mercy. ] do not love you. love another. Tell my father that you resign me-"
 The man started. but controlled him self
 What you ask is impossible. Our union will heal a breach between two important families. The king desires it."
 "The man I would wed is in favor with the king. We will go to him for his consent"
 "When"
 Tomorrow evening. Give us but til then and all may be well with us"
 "Give me your confidence, and win help you"
 Agatha gave the hour and place of meeting. but resolutely refused to give her lovers name. Then the count de clared that he loved her too well to prevent her happiness.
 Noble man" exclaimed Agatha, your place in my heart shall always be next that of my lover"
 The count withdrew muttering, "l have a delicate role to play"
 The next morning Count Alfred told the earl of his Interview and the Lady Agatha was locked in her room. At sunset Herbert repaired to the green wood and waited impatiently. It was past the hour set and the twilight was deepening when a figure concealed in a long robe came toward hlm. He won dered how Agatha could look SO tall The figure came on and stopped before him. Then. suddenly. the robe was thrown oG. revealing Count Alfred.
 CT came" he said. intending to con- ceal my Identity. but since you are the man who intends to thrust yourself among those immeasurably above you have stepped out of my disguise to give you the chasdsement you merit"
 Nothing could be more welcome
 Both drew raplers and placed them selves on guard. A full moon shone above the horizon. giving sufficient light gllstenlng on the polished blades, which gave the sound of steel against steel It was a short light. Count AL bert was so accustomed to contempt for his interiors in birth that he was not as careful as hls wont. but be was a good swordsman and fought well. Herbert fought with a hope that the Issue might give him the girl be loved. At last a ray Of moonlight reelected from bis adyersary's sword shone in Count Alberts eye. momentarily blind ing him. Before he could recover Her berts rapier had pierced his body He would have fought on. but loss Of blood weakened him. and he sank down in faint
 Herbert turning from him, saw his robe lying uear and. putting it on, went toward the castle. Boldly entering. be asked where was the Lady Agatha. "In a chamber iu the round tower was the reply. Going there, be saw a woman sitting at the door and demand ed entrance
 Certainly. your hlghness," replied the woman. who had seen Count AL bert go or in the cloak she had herself provided. and she opened the door
 In a few minutes the man came out, dragging Agatha, who feigned to go unwilllngly, and, making an exit the two went to the greenwood. where Herbert had brought horses, and mounting before the eyes Of the wound ed man. who had sought to prevent them, rode tlll near midnight when they drew rein In the courtyard Of the kings palace.
 "Whats this. bOyy" said tbe king
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