Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

silence; neither Flavia nor I could speak.
Fritz touched me on the shoulder, and I
rose, gave her my arm, and walked down
the hall into little room, where coffee
was served to US. The gentlemen and la
dies in attendance withdrew, and we were
alone.
The little room had French windows
opening on the gardens. The night was
fine, cool and fragrant. Flayfa sat down,
and l stood opposite her. l was strug-
Cling with myself; IL she had not looked
at me I believe that even then I should
have won my fight. But suddenly, invel-
unfairly. she gave me one. brief glance-a
glance Of question, hurriedly turned aside;
a blush that the question had overcome
spread over her cheek and she caught her
breath.
All, If you had seen her! I forgot the
king in Zenda. / forgot the king In Strel
sau. She was a princess-and l an impos-
threw myself on my knee and seized her
hands in mine. 1 said nothing. Why
should I? The soft sounds of the night
set my wooing to wordless melody as I
pressed my kisses on her lips.
She pushed me from her, crying sud-
denly:
"Ah. is it true? or is it only because you
must?"
Its truer' I said in low, smothered
tones-'true that I love you more than
life-or truth-or honorf'
She set no meaning to my words, treat
| ing them. as one OF loves sweet extrava-
gances. She came close to me and whis-
pered:
"oh. II you were not the king! Then I
could show yea how love you! How is It
that love you now, Rudolf"
| ''Now?"
''Yes-1ust lately. I-Inever did before"
Pure triumph filled me. It was Rudolf
Rassendyll--who had won her! caught
| her round the waist
You didn't love me before?" asked.
She looked up into my face, smiling as
| she whispered
ut must have been your crown. felt It
4 first on the coronation day"
| Never before?' asked eagerly
] She laughed low.
you speak as II you would be pleased
| to hear me say Yes to that" she said
Would Yes be truer'
| Yes just heard her breathe, and she
! went on In an Instant: BE careful. Ru-
| delf; be careful, dear. He will be mad
| now
What. MIchael' II Michael were the
| worst
what worst Is there?"
There was yet a chance for me. Control.
| ing myself with mighty effort. took my
| hands of her and stood yard or two
] away. / remember now the note OF the
| IF I were not the king" I began; IL I
| were only private gentleman" t-'T
Before could finish her hand was IN
| mine.
/ III you were convict in the prison OF
I Streisau you would be my king" she said
! And under my breath I groaned, God
forgive n,er' and. holding her hand In
| mine, I said again:
TT were not the king
| Hush. hushm she whispered. ST don't
/ deserve it'll don't deserve to be doubted
| All. Rudolf does woman who marries
| without love look on the man as look on
your"
| And she hid her face from me.
For more than minute we stood there
| together: and I. even with my arm about
/, her. summoned up what honor and con-
/ science her beauty and the tolls that I
/ was In had left me.
'Flavia," said In a strange, dry voice
/ that seemed not my own, II am not"
| AS spoke-Rs she raised her eyes to me-
/ there was a heavy step on the gravel out
side. and man appeared at the window.
little cry burst from Flavia as she