The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-23

Y
the king looks changed in face. Cousin.
| shall try to let them find him changed
in nothing else. You have shown me
how to play the king
Sire" said |, Il can take no praise
from you. It is by the narrowest grace
Of God'that Twas not worse traitor
than your brother"
He turned inquiring eyes on me, but
sick man shrinks from puzzles, and
he had no strength to question me. His
glance fell on Flayia's ring, which
Wore. thought he would question me
about It, but after lingering it idly he
let his head fall on his pillow.
Il don't know when l shall see you
again" he said family, almost list
lessly.
IF I can ever serve you again, SIRE"
answered. -.
His eyelids closed. Fritz came with
the doctor. kissed the kings hand
and let Fritz lead me away. / have
never seen the king since.
Outside Fritz turned, not to the right.
back toward the drawbridge, but to the
left, and, without speaking, led me up.
stairs, through handsome corridor In
the chateau.
where are we going?" asked.
Looking away from me, Fritz an
swered:
she has sent for you. When it is
over come back to the bridge. I'll wait
for you there"
what does she wantY' said /,
breathing quickly.
He shook his head.
"Does she know everythingT
"Yes, everything"
He opened door and. gently push
ing me In. closed 1t behind me. 1
found myself in drawing room, small
and richly furnished. At first I thought
that / was alone, for the light that
came from. pair of shaded candles
on the manteipiece was very dim. But
presently diseerned a woman's figure
standing by the window. I knew it
was the princess, and I walked up to
her, fell on one knee and carried the
hand that hung by her side to my lips.
She neither moved nor spoke. I rose
to my feet and, piercing the gloom
with my eager eyes, saw her pale face
and the CLEAN of her hair, and before
knew spoke softly:
".Flavia!"
| She trembled a little Lrd looked
round. Then she darted to me, taking
hold of me-
Don't stand, don't stand. No, you
mustn't! You're hurt! Sit down.
here, here.'
| She madeline sit on a sofa and put
her hand on my forehead. ~
''How hot your head isr' she said,
sinking on her knees by me. Then she
laid her head against me. and heard
her murmur, 'My darling. how hot
your head isg' =.
4 Somehow love gives even to duh
man the knowledge Of his lovers heart.
! had come to humble myself and pray
pardon for my presumption. but what
said now was:
Il love you with all my heart and
soul" W @
For what troubled and shamed herf
Not her love for me. but the fear that
! had counterfeited the lover as I had
acted the king and taken her kisses
with smothered smile.
with all my life and heart" said
/ as she chung to me. Always. from
the first moment saw you I'm the en-
thedral. There has been but one wo-
man in the world to me, and there will
be no other. But God forgive me the
wrong I've done your
'They made you do ~" she said
quickly, and she added. raising her
head and looking In my eyes: ut might
have made no difference IN I'd known
IL. Itwas always you. never the king"
And she raised herself and kissed me.
II meant TO tell you" said !. Il was
going 10 on the night OF the ball In
strelsau when sapt interrupted me.
After that couldn't-I couldn't risk
losing you tefore-before- must! ny
darling. for you I nearly left the king
to die"
Il know, I know. What are we q
do now. Rudolf:"
Iput my arm round her and held her
, up while said:
II am going away tonight"
''Ah. no, no"' she cried. Not to
, nlghtg'
Il must go tonight before more PEG
pie have seen me. And how would
. you have me stay, sweetheart. ex
ceptv--
III I could come with you" sh,
whispered very low.
"My God" said I roughly. dom
talk about that" And I thrust her i
little back from me.
"Wby notf Lore you. You are a
good ii gentleman m tho king"
, Then was false III all that sit0ult
have held By. for / caught her In ms
arms and prayed her IN words that
will not write 10 come with me. darins
all Ruritania 10 take her from me
And for awhile she Ilstcrrd, with won
derIng. dazzled eyes, but as her eye
looked on me l grew ashamed aud MI
voice died away In broken murmur.
, aud stammerlngs, and at last wa
silent.