The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-02-17

'hH'y. lhah I'VE ana twenty. His face
was brown from exposure and upou
his brow the scar of an old sword
wound, yet q. fearless, dashing counte
nance, an eye that could kindle 10
headlong passion and q thickset neck
and heavy jaw that bespoke the foe.
man who would battle to the Inst
breath.
Older. sire?' he replied, with com
posture. THAT must needs be. since
living In the saddle ages q man"
Truly" returned the monarch, in.
stinctiveiy laying his hand upon his
sword. "rhe clash Of arms. the thun.
der Of hoofs. the waving banners-yes
glory Is seductive mistress who robs
us Of our youth. Have not woocd her
and found-gray hairs? Who shall giyo
me back those daysT
History, your majesty, shall give
them to posterity," answered the duke.
Even those we lost to Charles p,
muttered tho, king. shadow passing
over his -countenance.
GLORY. sire, is mistress sometimes
fckle In her favors."
And yet we live but for He
broke OF abruptly and with the eve of
trained commander surveyed tho
dukes men. "Darelevils. daredevils
all!' he muttered.
Rough looking fellows, sire" apollo
gized the duke. "but tried and faith.
ful soldiers. Somewhat dusty and
road worn" And his eyes turned
meaningly to the kings suit-the fash
ing girdles OF silver, the shining hilts.
the gorgeous cloaks and even tho
adornment Of ribbons.
Nay, said Francis meditatIvely.
"on rough Journey would fain have
these fire eaters at my back. They
look as though they could cut and
hew."
Moderately well. your majesty" an
swered the duke. with modesty.
VIII you mount. noble sir. and ride
with NE? Sonder Is the castle. and
in the castle is certain fair lady
whom you no doubt fain would see."
Long gazed the Duke Of Friedwald
Mt the distnnt venerable pile of stone.
the majestic turrets and towers softly
noating In q dreamy mist; the setting.
fresh. woody, green. Long he look cd
ut this Inviting picture and then
breathed deeply.
"Ah, sire. would the meeting were
oyer!' he remarked in low Slice.
why so. slr?" asked the king In sur.
prise. DO you fear you will not fan
cy the ladyf"
u fear she may not fancy me-" re-
torted thssnobleman soberly. "Your
own remark. SIRE that 1 appear older
than you had expccted?" he cuntinued
gravely. significantly.
"a Recommendation iH your favor"
laughed sAe monarch. I ever prefer
sober manhood to callow youth about
the offHessa rets,as.i,rr .pvntas,ah. tried:
and that or breaks when you press 1t
too hardss y Es * -.
81 should be lacking in gratitude
were not deeply appreciative Of your
majesty's kindness" replied the duke.
his face flushing with pleasure, "But
your majesty knows womankind'--
'Nay. I've studied them little. but
know them not" retorted Francis
dryly.
"And it is Unlikely the lady may find
me all her imagination has depicted"
went on the nobleman. with palpable
embarrassment. "My noble master.
the emperor. hath-regarding me still
as but n STRIPPING from his own vaI-
tage- point Of age and wisdom--repro.
sented me a young man in his pro.
posals. But, though I'm younger than
I look and feel no older than am. how
young or how old SHALL seem to tho
princess?"
young enough to be her husband ;
old enough for her to look up to-" an
swercd the monarch reassuringly.
Again." objected the duke. medita-
lively regarding the castle, "she may
be expecting handsome. debonair
bridegroom. and when she sees me-"
ruefulIy surveying himself. what will
she say?"
"What will she say? Yes at the nj.
tar. Is 1t not enoughf" Leaning back
in his saddle, the kings face expressed
the enjoyment he derived from the
conversation with the backward and
too conscientious soldier. Here was u
groom whose wedding promised the
court much amusement and satisfac.
tion In those jovial days Of jesting and
merrymaking.
"Come," resumed the king encourag.
ingly, "Ill warrant you more forward
in battle
"Battlew said the duke. That's an.
other matter. To see your foeman's
cleaning eyes-but hers Should they
express anger, disdain"--
"Let yours show but the greater
wrath" advised the king complaisant
ly. an love like cures like. Let me be
your physician. I'll warrant you'll find
me proficient"
1--WE heard your majesty hath prac
ticed deeply" returned the noble read
lily in spite Of his perplexity.
"nepnly1o Francis lifted his brow