West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-05-16

uafkneSS. All was still: the din and
clash OF strife were gone. had spent
the day hidden in the forest from the
time when Fritz had led me of. leav-
Ing Sapt with the princess Under
cover of dusk, muiiied up. / had been
brought to the castle and lodged where
/ now lay. Though three men had died
there-two OF them by my hand-I was
not troubled by ghosts | had thrown
myself on pallet by the window and
was looking out on the black water.
Johann, the keeper, still pale from his
wound, but not much hurt besides. had
brought me supper. He told me that
the king was doing well. that he had
seen the princess; that she and he.
sapt and Fritz had been long together.
Marshal Strakencz was gone TO Strel-
sau; Black Michael lay i'm his coffin.
and Antoinette de Mauban watched by
him. Had I not heard from the chapel
priests singing mass for him?
Outside there were strange rumors
ahoat. Some said that the prisoner of
Zenda was dead: some. that he had
vanished yet alive: some. that he was
friend who had served the king well
In some adventure In England: others.
that he had discovered the dukes
plots and had therefore been KIDNAPPED
by him. One or two shrewd fellows
shook their heads and said only that
they would say nothing. but they had
suspicious that more was to be known
than was known II Colonel Sapt would
tell all he knew.
Thus Johann chartered till l sent him
away and lay there alone thinking not
or the future; but as Il man Is wont to
do when stirring things have happened
to him, rehearslng the events OF the
past weeks and wondering how
strangely they had fallen out. And
above me In the stiffness OF the night
heard the standards tapping against
their poles, for Black Michaers banner
hung there half mast high, and above
II the royal flag of Ruritania. floating
for one night more over my head.
Habit grows so quick that only by
an effort did recollect that IL floated
no longer for me.
Presently Fritz Won Tarlenheim came
into the room. I was standing then by
the window; the glass was opened.
and was idly lingering the cement
which chung TO the masonry where
Jacobs ladder" had been. He told
me briefly that the king wanted me.
and together we crossed the draw
bridge and entered the room that had
been Black MichaeTs.
The king was lying there in bed.
Our doctor from Tarlenhelm was I'm
attendance on him and whispered to
me that my visit must be brief. The
king held out his hand and shook mine.
Fritz and the doctor withdrew 10 the
window.
l took the kings ring from my finger
and placed it on his.
IL have tried not to dshonor II. sire"
said l.
II can't talk much to you" he said in .
weak voice II have had great fight
with Sapt and the marshal, for we
nave told the marshal everything.
wanted TO tako you TO Strelsau ana
Keep you with me and tell every one
OF what you ha done, and you would
nave been my lest and nearest friend. I
Cousin Rudolf. But they tell me must /.
not, and that the secret must be kept.
II kept IL can be"
They are right, sire. Let me go. My
work here is done"
Yes, 1t Is done as no man but you
could have done it. When they see me
again / shall have my beard on. I
shall-yes, faith, l shall be wasted with /
sickness. They viii not wonder that
the king looks changed IN face. Cousin.
shall try TO let them find him changed
In nothing else. You have shown me
how 10 play the king"
sire" said 1. II can take no praise
from you. II Is by the narrowest grace /
OF God that I was not worse traitor
than your brother"
He turned inquiring eyes on me. but +
a sick man shrinks from puzzles. and
he had no strength to question me. His .
-gsance fell on Flavla's ring. which I
wore. I thought he would question me
about II. but after lingering It idly he
let his head fall on bis pillow.
Il don't know when / shall sec Won
again" be said family almost list
lessly.
III / can ever serve you again. sire" .
l answered
His eyelids closed Fritz came with
the doctor. ] kissed the kings hand
and let Fritz lead me away. I have
never seen the king since
Outside Fritz turned not TO- the right
back toward the drawbrilgc but % the
left and, without speaking led me uD-
stairs. through % handsome corridor 'n
the chateau
Where are we gongT ] asked.
Looking away from nae Fritz au-
Bwored.
she has sent for you wl.anIs