Ellsworth American., 1905-08-09
QUEENS
CHOICE
BY CAMPBELL MACLEOD
Copyright. 1905, by D. c. Macleod

teweled hand. The jester bent over II
reyereutly and slyly bit 1t. The queen
laughed behind her fan and beckoned
the clown to her side lie sank ON the
STEPS at her'feet. I
This is my throne for tonight" he
announced, gayly Jingling his bells. II
shaf surrender II 70 no one For one
night | shah speak only the plain. un.
varplshed truth, your majesty"
zone who would speak the truth. Sir
Can and Bells. replied the queen sage
ly. must needs have some previous
experience"
"IIa. ha." chuckled the king, beam
ing at the vision at his side. "well
said. my lady. Previous experience,
Sir Fool"'
Age tangled In the voice OF the king:
youth bubbled in the laughter of the
lester. The queen tnconselously lean
ed on the arm next to the clown and
closed her eyes for q moment to rest
them from the bewildering sight be-
fore her. To be queen of one Of the
most splendid Mardi Gras balls Is
something to turn a girls heart. But
this one, to judge by her weary eyes
in spite OF the magnitieence surround
ing her and in face Of the kings open
devotIon-~was bored And the even
ing was only beginning.
The Jester at her feet played with
his bells and hummed ''If Ever
Cease to Love- in time with the mu-
siclans far overhead. AS he sang he
watched the face Of the queen. Sud
denly she turned to him.
"sir Fool" she said gently, that air
goes not with that get-np. Save your
voice for .Tell Me, Pretty Maiden"
Would she listen IL told her. think
your" he whispered eagerly. There
has never been but one pretty maiden
for me, your majesty"
"A maid is but a maid" the queen
returned slowly. "and man but
man. and love is but
"Eyerythingr' the jester Interrupted
seriously. Love is ALL"
The king called the second time, then
had to touch the arm OF the queen be-
AbLt hLS ht1Aa w
princcs stood waiting to be presented.
Behind them came train of Cupids.
LohengTlns and monks, each bearing a
tray Of compliments. The queens eyes
were big and suddenly bright. The
king sat with his fat hand on his heart
and listened TO her bandying repartee
with each In turn. The testers bells
were silent. He was attenuvely study
Ing the queens pink nails on the hand
resting on the vase OF magnificent
roses near the throne.
You should have been queen" the
king announced ponderously as the last
troubadour moved OF.
You were born queen" the jester
whispered eagerly.
This splendor shall always be
yours" the king continued in business
tones. Everything shall be yours that
money can buy. But you were fitted
for real throne"
Kind hearts are more than coro-
nets the jester sang softly to the air
Of Under the Bamboo Tree" And
the truest throne Is throbbfng heart,
lady" The queen frowned at him i'm
patiently and turned to the king, who
was presenting two foreign generals,
ablaze with decorations. No, she was
Lot dancing. she told them. The king
couldn't dance, and II hattered him
that she was SO well content on the
throne beside, him. The incident was
full Of significance. He had wealth. So
cial position. everything but her, and
now it seemed that his patience was TO
be rewarded at last. What woman
could hold out In such fight? The
queen sighed and brought him back TO
earth. He turned eagerly to her. She
was looking far away. Her thoughts.
even TO casual observer, We're far re-
moved from this crowded ballroom.
You sighed, your majesty" ne
begged humbly. "You share my throne.
Let me share your trouble. whatever 1t
IS"
The queen laughed merrily. The jest
er touched his bells.
''Margotr he whispered eagerly.
''Margotr'
The queen ignored the appeal A
merry crowd or troubadours were ap-
preaching. and she paid for their com
pliments with a fire of smiles and pref
~ speeches.
If you would marry me-" resumed
the old king suddenly when the crowd
departed with backward bows and
obeisance and they were alone save
for the Jester. whom he did not see,
you shall be queen In a palace as
beautiful as even you could desire"
"Margotw entreated the jester. Love
Is everything The queen frowned at
him impatiently.
Marry me-" pleaded the old king
hoarsely ''You are not one who, can
stand poverty Your mansion shall be
a palace; your Jewels shall rival
queens"
Marry me-" whispered the jester
catching hold of the hand behind the
rose. .sHOday / bought house, Mar