Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25

dom teeth, and must have harder food than
that. Nay. my lord you cannot sway me;
my mind is set" 1t was her own fathers
will that blazed in the dark blue of her
eyes and the old counselor who had known
the late king well bowed low.
And the day, madame?' he asked
bluntly
To his amazement, a deep and painful
blush oVerspread the queens fair coun-
tenance. She faltered, hanging her head
like any girl of her realm. Not so. He
he hath not spoken, my lord
Then the queens counselor broke out in
a roar of amusement that would have
meant Punishment to one less privileged
He hath not spoken? By the rood child,
think you an obscure duke from little
corner of the kingdom would have the
courage the effrontery, to ask in marriage
the hand of majesty? A pretty holiness of
surety; If your majesty is ready to
Il speak! Must the queen, then. be so
unmaldenly?' quick, distressful drawing
IN OF her breath betrayed her dismay
Surely your majesty must make her IA
Vor known. Else how should any but a
| king approach? But there is naught I'M
maidenly-your ambassadors have but to
acquaint the duke with your royal will
And, like obedent subject, he will
| graciously bow to the inevitable,' the
queen interrupted in a burst of anger MY
| VIII compels his homage whether he love
| or hate. | am to forego all the romance
| all the sweet passages so dear to maids
| heart, and feed my affection to a parch-
ment presented by notary in powdered
| Wig. Oh. that l were a dairy maid,' The
! jewelled collar that blazed on her bosom
| rose and fell rapidly under the heat of her
anger. and she paced the room with the
| restlessness of a Gagged wild creature.
The counselor scratched his white head in
| utter perpleXity. All the intricacies of a
diplomats life had never presented a like
| difficulty. He waited until the lightning of
! the queens eyes blazed less threateningly,
| a hl 11r LODI
"Perchance l might manage-wfth great
! tactic hint to-
Tact! You?" she cried cruelty.
| A dull angry red overspread the old
| COunselOr's face up to the roots of his
| silvery hair, while his bent shoulders
| squared themselves proudly. Instant con-
! triton seized the impulsive girl Going to
! him quickly, she asked with the humble
| ness of a subject Forgive my Ger hasty
! tongue. Tact you have-far more than your
| unhappy sovereign. Many a time hath it
| stood our kingdom in good stead and no
one is more grateful than l. Reason hath
deserted me now because IL love my lord
| love so that all these mummeries of the
court coming between me and the duke do
make me III rage. Oh, can you not
understands want no lip-service, no devo-
ton paid the throne; it is /, as a mere maid
demand his whole heart 1t were easy for
him when sought to give what is wanted,
to be glib after the betrothal | would
see him when first he learns-and l will,
| message. I'll hear it from his lips-my eyes
can tell me whence it springs, Give orders
my lord, tomorrow we visit the dukes cas-
tie. And mind you the smallest retinue in
keeping with our state. Say l long for the
sea, anything but the true reason-here's
an opportunity for your tact,' An eager
excitement had replaced her short-lived
| wrath; a CLEAN of anticipation made her
| blue eyes luminous.
The counselor hesitated just long enough
| for cloud to darken the queens glowing
! face; then Struggling from his shoulders all
responsibility for her majesty's vagaries,
FASTENED to assure her, Your majestys
commands shall be obeyed Horses or
barge for the Journey"
"A barge. certainly-the river scene is
beautiful-mind you emphasize that! And
no courier; see you 1 go unannounced. If
l hear any prattle of my purpose"
With another God fOrbid!' the counselor
bowed himself from her presence.
Rolling greensward dotted with sweet