The San Francisco call., 1905-01-31
:QueeD's Cboice:;
BY CAMPBELL Macleod.

engrins and monks. each bearing tray
OF compliments. The Queens eyes were
big and suddenly bright. The King sat
with his fat hand on his heart ana
listened to her bandying repartee with
each In turn. The TESTERS bells were ST.
lent. he was attentively studying 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
troubador moved off,
You were born a 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 ntted
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 throbb ng heart, lady"
The Queen frowned at him impatiently
and turned to the King, who was pre-
senting two foreign generals, ablaze
with decorations. No, she was not
dancing, she told them. The King
couldn't dance, and it 1attered him that
she was so well content on the throne
beside him. The incident was full Of
sition-everything but her-and now 1t
seemed that his patience was to be re-
warded at last. What woman could
hold out in such a fight? The Queen
sighed and brought him back to earth.
He turned eagerly to her. She was
looking far away. Her thoughts, even
to a casual observer, were far removed
from this crowded ballroom.
You sighed, your Majesty" he
hpQp1d hnrnh1v 'sVo11 qh9rQ nv throne.
Let me share your trouble, whatever
1t is."
The Queen laughed merrily. The
jester touched his bells.
"Margot!" he whispered eagerly,
"Margot!"
The Queen ignored the appeal. A
merry crowd of troubadors were ap-
preaching and she paid for their COM
pliments with a fire of smiles and
pretty speeches.
'If you would marry me-" resumed
the old King suddenly when the crowd
departed with backward bows and
obeisances, 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"
''Margot!" 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. To-day l bought a house, Mar
got. True there are but four rooms
in it, but no place could be half so
dear. You could transform it into
home, Margot. l have no jewels but
those of my 'ove to give you, Margot,
but you know that is true"
You shall cruise in yacht on sum-
mer seas" continued the deaf old
King. ''And all Paris and London
shall rave of your beauty and your
splendor.''
1--WE could slip off together to the
park" whispered the jester, ito listen
to the band on Sunday evenings. Don't
you remember what you told me un-
der those moss-draped trees that
night?" The Queen toyed with her
fan and sighed II love you! love
you! I love you," chanted the jester
passionately.
LAS my WIFE" resumed the King,
''you will always be the queen of
scenes like this The eyes of the
Queen swept the house before her.
Tier uDon tier of beautiful women
in gorgeous gowns and jewels; men
men whose admiration and preference
counted for great deal; and, above
all else, the atmosphere of wealth and
to reject it all.
'I am DID," the King continued sadly.
"All that is left in life for me is you!
Surely for the few years remaining
could you not share them with me.
Think" gently, what 1t would mean