Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-08-16


glance fell on Flavia's ring, which l
wore. I thought he would question me
about it, but after lingering it idly ne
let his head fall on his pillow.
) ~ don't know when shall see you
again." he said family, almost list
lessly.
"If can ever serve you again. SIRE"
I answered.
His eyelids closed. Fritz came with
the doctor. / kissed the kings hand
and let Fritz lead me away. 1 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 1t Is
over come back to the bridge. I'll wait
for you there"
"What does she wantT said 1,
breathing quickly.
He shook his head.
"Does she know everythingT
Eyes, everything"
He opened q door and, gently push
ing me In, closed 1t behind me. I
found myself in a drawing room, small
and richly furnished. At first thought
that 1 was alone, for the light that
came from a pair Of shaded candles
on the mantelplece was very dim. But
| presently discerned woman's figure
standing by the window. l knew 1t
was the princess, and walked up to
her, fell Oh one knee and carried the
hand that hung by her side to my lips.
She neither moved nor spoke. 1 rose
to my feet and, piercing the gloom
with my eager eyes, saw her pale face
ard the CLEAN of her hair, and before
1 knew 1 spoke softly:
"Flaviaw
She trembled little and looked
round. Then she darted to me, taking
| hold Of me.
"Dont stand, don't stand. No, you
mustn't! You're hurt! Sit down.
here, here!"
She made me 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 Isl"
Somehow love gives even to dull
man the knowledge Of his lovers heart.
1 had come to humble myself and pray
pardon for my presumption, but what
I said now was:
II love you with all my heart and
soul"
For what troubled and shamed her?
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
tie first moment saw you in the ca
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 it!' she said
quickly, and she added, raising her
head and looking in my eyes: at might
have made no difference If I'd known
1t. 1t was always you, never the king"
And she raised herself and kissed me.
81 meant to tell you," said l. II was
going to on the night Of the ball In
Strelsau when Sapt interrupted me.
After that cOuldn't-I couldn't risk
losing you before-before- must! My
darling, for you 1 nearly left the king
to die"
81 know, l know! What are we to
do now, Rudolf"
I put my arm round her and held her
up while said:
81 am going away tonight"
'"Ah, no, nor she cried. Not to-
night!'
81 must 60 tonight before more PEG.
pie have seen me. And how would
you have me stay sweetheart, ex-
cept'-
IF I could come with YOU" she
whispered very low.
"My Cod" said l roughly, don't
talk about thatw And thrust her q
little back from me.
"Why not? l love you. You are as
good gentleman as the king"
Then was false to all that 1 should
have held by, for I caught her In my
arms and prayed her in words that l
will not write to come with me, daring
all Ruritania to take her from me.
And for awhile she listened, with won.
dering, dazzled eyes, but as her eyes
looked on me grew ashamed and my
voice died away in broken murmurs
and stammerings, and at last I was
silent.
She drew herself away from me and
stood against the wall, while sat on
the edge Of the sofa, trembling In ev-
cry limb, knowing what had done,
lOathing 1t, obstinate not to undo It,
So we rested a long time.
~ am madv' said sullenly.
: 81 love your madness, dear" she an
swered.
Her face was away from me, but
caught the sparkle of tear on her
cheek. l clutched the sofa with my
hand and held myself there.
"Is love the only thing?" she asked
In low, sweet tones that seemed to
: bring a calm even to my wrung heart.
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