Smyrna times., 1905-07-05
QUEENS
CHOICE
BY CAMPBELL MACLEOD
Copyright, 1905, by D. G. Macleod

yeverently ana slyly bit 1t. Toe queen
laughed behind her fan and beckoned |
the clown to her side. He sank on the
steps at her feet.
This is my throne for tonight" he |
announced, gayly jingling his bells. II |
shall surrender 1t to no one. For one |
night 1 shall speak only the plain, un-
vanished truth, your majesty"
"One who would speak the truth, Sir
Cap and Bells" replied the queen sage
ly, must needs have some previous
experience"
"Ha, hap chuckled the king, beam
ing at the vision at his side. "Well
said, my lady. Previous experience,
Sir Foolv'
Age tangled in the voice of the king;
youth bubbled in the laughter of the
jester. The queen unconsciously lean
ed on the arm next to the clown and
closed her eyes for a 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 magniicence 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-
sicians 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-up. Save your
voice for Tell Me, Pretty Maiden"
Would she listen If 1 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 a man but
man, and love is but
"EverythingP' the jester interrupted
seriously. Love is ALL"
The king called the second time, then
had to touch the arm of the queen be-
fore she heard him. Two strange
princes stood waiting to be presented.
Behind them came a train of Cupids,
Lohengrins 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 attentively study
ing the queens pink nails on the hand
resting on the vase of magnificent
% roses near the throne.
"You should have been a queen" the
king announced ponderously as the last
troubadour moved of.
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 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 a throbbing heart,
lady" The queen frowned at him i'm
patiently and turned to the king, who
was presenting two foreign generals,
oDidAG VIII 0CCOAd dAlOLSs NJ ohC " 40
not dancing, she told them. The king
couldn't dance, and it hattered him
that she was so well content on the
throne beside him. The incident was
full Of significance. He had wealth, 50
cial position, everything but her, and
now it seemed that his patience was tC
be rewarded at last. What woman
could hold ont in such a fightl The
queen sighed and brought him back tC
earth. He turned eagerly to her. She
was looking far away. Her thoughts
even to a casual observer, were far re
moved from this crowded ballroom.
You sighed, your majesty" HI
begged humbly. "You share my throne
Let me share your trouble, whatever
is"
The queen laughed merrlly. The jest
er touched his bells.
'Margotr he whispered eagerly
"Margotp'
The queen ignored the appeal.
merry crowd of troubadours were az
preaching, and she paid for their CON
4 pliments with a fire of smiles and pre-
ty speeches.
IF you would marry me-" resume
the old king suddenly when the crow
departed with backward bows an
n obeisance and they were alone saw
for the jester, whom he did not se'
you shall be queen in q palace q
beautiful as even you could desire"
"Margotr' entreated the Jester. "LoJ
is everythingr,. The queen frowned ,
him impatiently.
Marry me-" pleaded the old kin
hoarsely. You are not one who ca
stand poverty. Your mansion shall
palace; your jewels shall rival
queens"
Marry me-" whispered the jeste
catching hold of the hand behind Il
rose. To-day l bought a house, Ma
got. True, there are but four rooms
III 1t, but no place could be half 50 dea
IL You could transform it into a hon
Margot. have no jewels but those
@ my love to give you, Margot. but v,