Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-21
Remember And now, goodnight"

Remember! And now, goodnight"
Good night, sir"
walter remained alone in the immense
gallery. AS he looked up. the white faces
vi the kings and Queens whose pictures
decorated walls. seemed to detach them
selves from their frames and float mystic
riously about. In the furnished glass Of
'he mirror behind him. his own spectre
seemed to appear before his earthly eyes.
me distant clock ON the donjon tower
had just struck midnight when II sound
OF cracking wood reached the ears of tho
young sentinel. The glass panel as If by
magic turned slowly upon itself and from
a secret stairway. dimly outlined In the
Diack darkness, a vague white form ap-
pcared.
Trembling. and convinced that he had to
do with the supernatural, Walter yet re-
membered his duty and stepping In front
of the panel, he said
NO one passes here"
Are YOU crazy. Walter:" asked a wo.
mans voice. voice that the young man
recognized. II am the Queen. 1t is alb
solutcly necessary that | should pass out.
side of the castle. this evening. 1t is a ques-
ton of the happiness Of my whole life. I
trust myself to you. A word from your
Ups Will mean my ruin but what shame,
what dishonor for a godson to bctray his
| godmother. counted In advance upon
| your silence and discretion when ! sought
your admission into the royal guard. Now
| the time has come when you can show your
gratitude. Stand aside and let me pass"
Without n word Walter stepped to one
side. Who was he TO disobey his Queen ::
The glass panel closed slowly. the white
form glidcd along the polished floor and
disappeared into the distance. Once more
all was silent
At day-brcak. long before 1t was time
for him to he relieved, the major. domo, fol
mn mad hn Lon, rnI
lery without n word. his comrades of
the evening before threw themselves
roughly upon Walter, tore away his sword
bound him hand and foot and carried him
to the guard room.
After leaving him there the men disap-
poared but in moment. n man. dressed
severely in black came into the room and
/ snid
Last night, Won failed in your duty and
Your punishment will he no less than death
Hut ] am the Kings councillor and | will
obtain your pardon If you Will tell me who
came out into the long gallery last night"
Walter was silent.
The man in black withdrew and pres.
entity iailcrs appeared who replaced the
cords that bound Walter with heavy chains
ana carried him to damp dungeon under
ground.
Scarcely had they left him when n man,
clad In green embroidered with gold, en-
Last night you betrayed your trust
You will he punished with death But I
am the King and will pardon you If you
Will tell me who passed through the long
gallery"
Walter was silent
After this, Walter did not have long to
wait. An hour had scarcely passed before
he found himself outside the city. at the
place of executions. facing n line of sol
diers. For the last time the chief ap-
preached him and said:
There is just moment before YOU die
Walter. Have you anything to confess:"
This time Walter answered
Nothing"
The officer turned and gave his men the
command to raise their muskets to posi-
tion. The word Fire" was lust forming
itself upon his lips when woman, cover
ed with dust rode up and delivered mes
sage. Braccd to meet his death, Walter
stood motionlcss. his eyes fixed upon a dis
tant object and the name of his sweetheart
upon his lips. AS in dream. he saw the
soldiers making signs to him and shouting
words he did not understand. Not until
the officer approached him and pushed him
rudely from the wall. did he understand
what the men were shouting
AT the Queens request. the King has
pardoned YOU" said the man briefly. You
are to 20 to war with the rank of Cap
tain And in in the distance, Walter
heard n man cry:
ut is the Queens godson. always told
you he was a lucky fellow"
copyrighted, 1908. by The Foreign Story
syndicate Co.. Burlington. VT