Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1905-11-18

lily Oh an lupOrldut ulSSlOL, anu
after bribing the guard, was permit |
ted to send in my card. Presently |
the guard returned, and bowling low,
entreated me 10 follow him. L
passed through the marble halls OF
the palace, and was ushered into a
dimly-lighted drawing-rOom. And in
a few minutes entered Adelaide, my
own, my darling, holding out botn
hands and smiling her greeting. l
took her to my heart. l covered her
dear face with kisses. And when we
were quieted, / told her how L had
found her and why l had come. She
insisted that it was no use-that 1t
only made her lot harder to bear. She
had been ordered by the king to wed
Trastamara, 1.-The gambler" though
she loathed him. "Oh, Gregory" she
sobbed, "if we could only be back i'll
the little cottage in Ferriby."
All! the bitter sweet Of those days
the hunger Tor my sweetheart, the III
frequent glimpses of her dear face,
the haunting fear Of Trastamara's
schemes. For two weeks l remained
at the hotel, while the revolution
smouldered, and l racked my brains
for a method Of rescding Adelaide.
Then my plan formed, l sat still and
awaited the crucial moment
1t was the night of the annual
u
doubtful heart l entered the palace, in
full uniform, with short Scotch
sword. Before many minutes l was
summoned by Adelalde's Chamber
lain to meet her i'll the dancing-hall,
and thither l went for brief dance
with my beloved. Near by her, guard
ing her jealousy, stood Trastamara, a
a dark browed desperate. l had
learned-though he knew it not-that
hn had
ers, in the palace and out, ready to
rush to his call. He had planned to
carry out his scheme that night. l
knew all this, and l, alone and almost
empty-handed, was there to balk him.
After our dance, nad an opportu-
nifty to draw Adelaide into the con-
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.
"But father" she faltered; -'they
would tear him to pieces if they found
me gone. And yet, Gregory dear, l
believe he would go if he had a
chance. He is so feeble, so sick of it
all. If you could talk with him."
Suddenly Adelaide's eyes grew big
and dark with fright. My back was
TO the door, and l had one hand on
her waist, smoothing her dear hair
1
heart chilled. There, peeping be-
tween the great leaves of palm,
| grinning hatefully, was Trastamara.
He disappeared.
| The next moment there was a hub
bub in the hall. "The King!' / heard
them cry. "The Kingv' Come with
me quick" said Adelaide, in an ex-
excited whisper. cit is our only
chance" And taking me by the arm,
she drew me into the ballroom and
up on to the stage. The crowd APP
preached us on tiptoe 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 he
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 him!'
turned to Adelaide. She stood
there tremulous, her eyes shining like
stars, an adorable creation. On sud-
den impulse l threw one arm about
her and kissed her passionately be-
| fore them ALL Then, facing the
crowd:-'The princess is my affianced
wife" l cried. Let him who dares
put foot on this PLATFORM
l drew my sword just in time.
Brave as a lion. Trastamara leaped
upon the platform and came at me
snarling:. He held a short knife in
his right hand, and circled for an
opening. "Dog!' 1 cried. Letting out
with my sword l fetched him
mighty stroke across the temple, and
he rolled back into the crowd. There
was now a babel in the hall The
possibility of defense was at an end,
for heard orders outside and knew
| that soldiers were approaching. A
door stood open behind us. / took
Adelaide by the shoulders and pushed
her through it. ITO the south gate"
whispered in her ears. "For your
life, darlingp
Down the stairs we ran lightly.
Behind swept the king, the courtiers,
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 long fiigh of stone
steps, we opened a massive door, and
found ourselves at the great southern
riage stood outside. "It is my own"
cried Adelaid. ''It has been waiting
since noon. We are savedr'
The door of the palace closed with
secret spring, but not soon enough
to keep back old John Henry. He
slipped through, looking very odd in
his short tunic and bare head-shorn
of his kingly habiliments. But II
slammed in the face Of the crowd,
and we three were alone.
Adelaide leaped into the carriage.
| With smothered oath John Henry
| jumped after her. He had no thought
but to capture his daughter. The sol
diers could take care of me. But
this was exactly what l wanted. /
slipped in beside Adelaide, closed the
door, called to the driver to make
across the southern bridge at top
speed, and we were or without sim
| gle pursuer.
A moment later the king came at
me with knotted, blood-thirsty fingers.
He was In fearful rage. / met him
| halfway with nv fist beneath his