The National tribune., 1906-11-08

| lay hidden the little farm-girl came by
us and ran to the Princess, courtesying
and crying:
Madame, the King is herein the
bushes. May l guide you to him, Mad
ame?"
Nonsense. child," said old stra-
| kencz; 'the King lies wounded in the
CASTLE"
Yes. sir, he's wounded, 1 know; but
he's Herewith Count Fritz-and not
at the CASTLE" she persisted.
rs he in two places. or are there
two Kings?" asked Flavia, bewildered.
And how should he be here?"
He pursued a gentleman. Madame,
and they fought till Count Fritz came !;
and the other gentleman took my faith
er's horse from me and rode away; but
the King is here with Count Fritz.
Why, Madame, is there another man in
Ruritania like the King?"
mo, my child" said Flavia softly G
was told it afterward), and she smiled
and gave the girl money. IT will go
and see the gentleman" and she rose
to alisht from the carriage.
But at this moment Sapt came rid
ing from the castle, and, seeing the
Princess. made the best of bad job.
and cried to her that the King was well
tended and in no danger.
I'm the castle?" she asked
where else, Madame?' said he,
bowling.
But this girl says he is yonder-with
Count Fritz.
Sapt turned his eyes on the child
with an incredulous smile.
Every fine gentleman is a King to
such.' said he.
why, he's as like the King as one
pea to another, Madame." cried the
girl, little shaken, but still obstinate.
Sapt started round. The old Mar
npIya
| Flavia's glance was no less eloquent.
Suspicion spreads quick.
"Fll ride myself and see this man."
said Sapt hastily.
Nay. I'll come myself" said the
Princess.
'Then come alone" he whispered.
And she. obedient to the strange
limiting in his face, prayed the Marshal
and the rest to wait; and she and Sapt
came on foot toward where we lay,
Sapt waving to the farm-girl to keep
at a distance. And when I saw them
coming l sat in a sad heap on the
ground, and buried my face in my
hands. I could not look at her. Fritz
| knelt by me, laying his hand on my
Speak low, whatever You say" /
| heard Sapt whisper as they came up,
| and the next thing I heard was q low
cry-half of joy, half of fear-from
the Princess:
'It is he! Are you hurt?"
And she fell on the ground by me
and gently pulled my hands away; but
I kept my eyes to the ground.
ut is the King!" she said. pray.
| Col. Sapt, tell me where lay the wit of
! the joke you played on me?"
We answered none of us: we three
were silent before her. Regardless of
them, she threw her arms round my
l. Co
| in low. hoarse whisper:
1T is not the King. Don't kiss him;
he's not the King"
She drew back for a moment; then,
with an arm still round my neck, she
asked in superb Indignation:
DO I not know my love? Rudolf,
my love!"
'It is not the King said old Sapt
again; and a sudden sob broke from
tender-hearted Fritz
1t was the sob that told her no COM
edy was afoot.
HE is the King," she cried. 'It is
the Kings face-the Kings ring-my
| ring, 1t is my love!'
Your love, Madame" said old Sapt,
"but not the King. The King is there
| in the castle. This gentleman
Look at me, Rudolf, look at me.'
| she cried. taking my face between her
| hands "Why do you let them torment
me? Tell me what it meaps,'
Then I spoke. gazing into her eyes.
God forgive me, Madamer I said.
II am not the King"'
I felt her hands clutch my cheeks.
4 She gaZed at me as never mans face
| was scanned yet. And 7, silent again,
| saw wonder born, and doubt grow, and
| terror spring to life as she looked. And
very gradually the grasp of her hands
slackened; she turned to Sapt to Fritz
and back to me; then suddenly she
reeled forward and fell in my arms:
and with great cry of pain gathered
her to me and kissed her lips Sapt
laid his hand on my arm. I looked up
in his face. And I laid her softly on
the ground. and stood up, looking on
her, cursing Heaven that young Ru-
pert's sword had spared me for this
sharper pang.
| XXI
| II Love Were All.
| II was night ond x,oc ~. aot-