Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-11
CHAPTER XIII.

tfl II lue morning or the day after
Isl 4 that on which I swore my
f1FTs-Si oath against the Six I gave
S@S certain orders and then rested
In greater contentment than 1 had
known for some time. I was at work,
and work. though il cannot cure love.
Is yet a narcotic 10 IT, So that Sapt.
who grew feverish. marveled to see me
SPRAYING i'm an armchair i'm the sun
shine. listening 70 one Of my friends
who sang me amorous songs in a mel
low voice and Induced I'm me a pleas
Ing melancholy. Thus was I engaged
when young Rupert Hentzau. who fear
ed neither man nor devil. and rode
through the dcmesne. where every tree
might hide marksman for all he
knew. as though &c had been the park
at StrclSau. yautered up 20 where i lay.
bowling with buriesque Difference and
craving private speech with me in or
der 20 deliver a message from the
Duke OF Strclsau. / made all with
draw. and then he said. seating himself
by me:
''The king Is I'm love. IL seems"
'Nqt with life. my lord" said I.
smiling.
1T is We'll" ne rejoined. Come.
we are alone. Rassendylr'-
rose 10 a sitting posture.
whats the matterf' he asked.
81 was about 20 call one OF my gem
tlemen To bring your horse. my lord.
II You do not know how 10 address the
King. my brother must find another
messenger"
''Why keep up the farce" he asked.
negligently busting his boot with his
glove.
Because u Is not finished yet. and
meanwhile TN choose my own name"
"Oh. SO Dee Il, Yet I spoke In love
for you. Tor indeed YOU are man aft
er my own heart"
Saving my poor honesty" said I.
'-mayhe I am. But that keep faith
with men and honor with women. may
be I am, my lord"
He darted a glance at me. n glance
OF anger.
rs your mother deadT' said 7.
"Ayc. she's dead"
"She may thank God" said I. and
heard him curse me softly "Wel.
what's the messenger" 1 continued.
had touched him In the raw. for all
the world knew he had broken his
mothers heart. and his airy manner
was gone for the moment.
''rhe duke offers you more than I
would" he growled. "a halter for
you, sire. was my suggestion. But he
offers YOU safe conduct across the from
tier and million crowns"
Il prefer your offer, my lord. IL I
am bound 10 one"
You refuseF"
"Of course"
81 toll Michael you would" And
the villain. his temper restored. gave
me the sunniest OF smiles. "The fact
is. between ourselves" he continued.
Michael doesn't understand a gentle
man"
began 10 laugh.
and your" I asked.
Il do" he said. well, well, the
halter be IT,"
I'm sorry you won't live to see IT,"
I observed.
HAS his majesty done me the honor
TO fasten a particular quarrel on me?"
Il would you Were few years older,
though"
"Oh, God gives years, but the devil
gives increase" laughed he. Il can
hold my own"
How is your prisoner? % asked.
1.-THE r.
"Your prisoner"
II forgot your wishes, sire. Well. he
is alive"
He rose to his feet. I Initiated him.
Then came the most audacious thing
I have known in my life. My friends
were some thirty yards away. Rupert
called TO a groom 10 bring him his
horse and dismissed the fellow with a
crown. The horse stood near. stood
still, suspecting nothing. Rupert made
as though to mount Then he suddenly
turned to me. his left hand resting on
his belt his right outstretched.
shake hands," he said.
bowed, and did as he had foreseen
i put my hands behind me. Quicker
than thought his left hand darted out
at me and a small dagger flashed fn
the air. He struck me In the left shout
der. Had ] not swerved Ii had been
my heart With a cry / staggered back.
Without touching the stirrup he leaned
upon his horse and was of like an ar
TOW, pursued by cries and revolver
shots-the last as useless as the first
and 1 sank into my chair, bleeding pro-
fusely, as / watched the devils brat
disappear down the long avenue. My
friends surrounded me, and then 1
tainted.
suppose that was put to bed and
there lay unconscious OF half conscious
Tor many hours. for IL was night when
l awoke 10 my full mind and found