The La Jara chronicle., 1905-11-24

lily on an important mission, ana
after bribing the guard, was permit
ted to send in my card. IresehtIy
the guard returned, and bowling low,
entreated me to follow him.
passed through the marble halls OF
the palace, and was uslered into u
dimly-lighted draw!ng-room. And III
Il few minutes entered Adelaide, my
} own, my darling, holding out Dotn
} hands and smiling her greeting. l
took her TO my heart l covered her
dear face with kisses. And when we
Were quieted, l told her how had
! found her and why l had come. She
insisted that it was no use-that IL
only made her lot harder to bear. She
, had been ordered by the king TO wed
Irastamara, the gambler" though
she loathed him. oh, Gregory sne
sobbed, IF we could only be back III
the little cottage in FerriDy."
All. the bitter sweet of those days
the hunger Tor my sweetheart, the IN
. frequent glimpses of her dear face,
the haunting fear of Trastamara $
schemes. For two weeks l remained
. at the hotel, while the revolution
smouldered, and l racked my brains
for method of rcscuing Adelaide.
Then my plan formed, L sat still and
,, awaited the crucial moment.
1t was the night of the annual
Grand State Ball With Il somewhat
. doubtful heart, entered the palace, in
full uniform, with short Scotch
sword. Before many minutes l was
summoned by Adelaldes Chamber
lain to meet her in the duncinG-hall,
. and thither | went for brief dance
l with my beloved. Near by her, guard
ing her jealously, stood IrastamIra, Il
. II dark-browed desperado. L had
I learned-though he knew it not-that
1 he had several hundred trusty follow
; ers, i'll the palace and out, ready TO
I rush to his call. He had planned 10
carry out his scheme that night. l
: knew all this, and |, alone and almost
4 empty-handed, was there to balk him.
S After our dance l uad an opportu-
+ nifty to draw Adelaide into the con
r servatory l abjured her to go with
$ me back to England-to leave the
+ place with all its chickering's and plot
: tings, and be my bonnie English wife.
Y But father" she faltered; they
$ would tear him TO pieces if they found
e believe he would go if he had a
: chance. He is so feeble, so sick of il
/ all. If you could talk with him o
Suddenly Adelaide's eyes grew big
$ and dark with fright. My back was
e TO the door, and | had one hand on
e her waist, smoothing her dear hair
with the other. | turned and my
heart chilled. There, peeping be
tween the great leaves of n palm,
grinning hatefully, was Trastanara'
lie disappeared.
The next moment there was n hub.
them cry. The King Come with
me quick" said Adelaide, in an ex-
excited whisper. 1T is our only
chance!' And taking me by the arm
she drew me into the ballroom and
up on to the stage. The crowd ap
proached us on tiDtoe with eXcitment
for Trastamara had undoubtedly
spread the news. In the front came
the king, with brilliant robes and jew
elled crown. How old and feeble lie
looked. How worn and tired. But
he had lost none of his proud anger
of old days. Raising his mace he
called aloud: THAT man is an inter.
loper. He has designs on the body of
the king! Put him out! Danish him
Away with himr'
l turned to Adelaide. She stood
there tremulous. her eyes shining like
stars, an adorable creation. On sud
den impulse | threw one arm about
fore them all. Then, facing tho
crowd:-"The princess is my atlianced
wife," l cried. Let him who dares
put foot on this platformw
| drew my sword just in time
Brave as a lion. Trastamara leaped
upon. the platform and came at me
snarling. He held short knife in
his right hand. and circled for an
opening. "Dog!' 1 cried. Letting out
with my sword I fetched him a
mighty stroke across the temple. and
he rolled back into the crowd. There
was now babel in the hall The
possibility of defense was at an end,
for l heard orders outside and knew
that soldiers We're approaching. \
door stood open behind u.s. l took
Adelaide by the shoulders and pushed
her through it. ITO the south gate
! whispered in her ears. For your
life, darling!"
Down the stairs we ran lightly.
Behind swept the king, the courticrs,
and the crowd of gay dancers. Old
John Henry had thrown aside his
long robes and his crown: and was
sprinting after me in excellent style.
At the bottom of a long fligh of stone
= steps, we opened Il massive door. and
: found ourselves at the great southern
i gate of the palace. \ two-horse car
l. riage stood outside at is my own
!: cried Adelaid. ut has been waiting
since noon. We are saved!'
: The door of the palace closed with
4 n secret spring, but not soon enough
o to keep back old John Henry. He
+ slipped through, looking very odd in
y his short tunic and bare head-shorn
of his kingly habiliments. But It
A slammed in the face of the crowd,
i and we three were alone.
. Adelaide leaped into the carriage.
I With n smothered oath John Henry
4 jumped after her. He had no thought
:, but to capture his daughter. The sol
S diers could take care of me. But
: this was exactly what l wanted.
Y slipped in beside Adelaide, closed the
e across the southern bridge at top
[ speed. and we were off without a sin