Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-10
THE KINGS BARGAIN
Continued from page s

servant yonder will come knocking at the door
No one will answer him, and he'll 20 away
Presently he will come again. There will
be no answer. Night will come on, and find
become frightened and call the Others They
on the floor here We shall have died to save
the country from dishonor. It's the only way"
Prince Karl drew long breath, staring into
the Kings expressionless face. Presently he
moved past him and began to walk nervously
back and forth from one side of the room to
the other. After awhile he dropped again into
the arm chair and covered his face with his
hands.
After pause the King stirred behind him.
1T grows late. Ka1.,' said he do we
trade, you and l? Do we trader"
The younger man lifted his hands in little
weary gesture of defeat, saying, "Oh, you have
mel"
The pistol dropped gathering from the Kings
hand, and he pressed his hands over his eyes
He was shaking, who had been so calm, sfak-
ing like man in an ague fit. But after time
he pulled himself together and came across the
room. He said.
What is the most sacred thing in this
world to you, Karl? All! l have til" He
went to the fireplace opposite the western
windows. There was high mantel there, and
over it hung the portrait of stern looking
meath the gold frame of the portrait, held in
place by two pegs driven into the wall, rested
sword. 1t was not weapon of ceremony,
inlaid with gold and incrusted with jewels; it
looked as if it had seen hard service.
"Our fathers sword" said the King; 1.-The
sword he won Traumland's freedom with. A
man couldn't swear anything lightly or falsely
on that sword. could her If he should-the
hell he would go to would pay him out, think
falsely on his sword" He took the weapon
down from its supports and held it very rever-
emily in his two hands. And he turned to the
man in the chair. Karl, come herel"
The lad rose to his feet and came forward.
Karl" said the King, and swear that you will
never countenance organized gambling in
Traurnland, that you will fight against it now
and as long as you live, and that as far as lies
in your power as King you will forbid it"
"I-sweari" said Prince Karl.
He remained standing where he was with
bent head and downcast eyes: but the King
replaced the sword and went back across the
room. He unlocked the door and returned to
the great writing table and seated himself
behind it. He made little whimsical bow
and gesture toward his brother.
His Majesty Karl Wilhelm Otto, King of
Traumland- Marchenl" he said: and the lad
gave little inarticulate cry.
thing, but it was obviously difficult for him to
speak. He stammered: Louis IL don't
want you to think l behaved like alike a
BLACKBOARD about all this. don't want you
to think I've worked against you. l didn't.
Only they-Tarnau and-and Hilkoff- Well,
feel rather"
"My dear Karl" said the King, II cherish
no resentment whatever-no animosity. NY
one sensation at the moment is that of un-
speakable, incredible relief. Presently shall
dance and sing, but for little while l should
like to be alone"
The other said hurriedly, Eyes, yes! Yes,
of course; I'll go. Well talk about ways
and means and all that, later on" He went
quickly to the door, as if he was glad to be
released, and so out of the room.
The King rang and, when a servant APP
peared, gave him an order Afterward he en-
ployed a brief interval with removing from
his breast and collar and shoulder the various
orders and insignia which he had worn during
the review and had not yet had an oppor-
tunity of laying aside. The King poked them
with disdainful finger, and even so far for
got himself as to shake savage fist at them
as if they were something to be hated or
despised.
Then the 1ackey spoke from the doorway, and
the door closed. The King sprang to his feet
and Lady Mary Chalmers came slowly toward
him across the floor. She looked into his face
and once glanced from him to the heap of
jewels and colored ribbons on the writing table
and so back again, and she caught up her
hands to her breast and stood still
I'm free, Mollyl" said the King in half
whisper. MOLLY, Molly!"
She came toward him again, her eyes fixed