Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-12

Worn face twltched. l sat down anu
wrote my order.
Il can hardly yet write" said l. My
finger is stiff STILL
1t was, in fact, the first time that !
had ventured to write more than sig
nature, and in spite of the pains L had
taken to learn the kings hand l was
not yet perfect in it.
Indeed. sire" he said, lit differs
little from your ordinary handwriting
1t is unfortunate, for it may lead to
suspicion of forgery
Marshal" said l, with a laugh.
what use are the guns of Strelsau If
they can't assuage il little suspicion:
He smiled grimly and took the paper.
Colonel Sapt and Fritz Won Tarlen-
helm go with me-" continued.
You go to seek the duke:' he asked
| in low tone.
Yes. the duke. and some one else of
| whom | have need and who is at Zen
da." replied.
Il wish l could go with you he
cried, tugging at his white mustache.
I'D like To strike Il blow for you and
your crown
Il leave you what is more than my
| life and more than my crown, said i,
| because yOu are the man | trust more
| than all others in ItUritania.'
Il will deliver her to you safe and
sound" said he. and, failing that.
will make her queen
We parted. and | returned to the pal
ace and told Sapt and Fritz what ! had
done. Sapt had Il few faults to find
| and Il few grumbIes to utter. This was
merely what | expected, for Sapt liked
to be consulted beforehand. not inform
ell afterward. on the whole he ap-
proved Of my plans. and his spirits
rose high as the hour of action drew
| nearer and nearer Fritz, TOO, was
ready. though he. poor fellow, riSke2
more than Supt did. for he was lover,
and his happiness hung in the scale.
Yet how | envicd him, For the trium-
plant issue which would crown him
with happiness and unite him to his
mistress, the success for which we
| were bound to hope ana strive and
struggle. meant TO me sorrow more GER
tain and greater than if | were doom
ed TO fail. He understood something of
this, for when we We're alone tSaVc for
old Sapt. who was smoking ut the OtL-
er end of the room he passed his arm
through mine. saying:
It's hard for you. Don't think !
don't trust you. | know you have moth
ing but true thoughts in your heart"
But | turned away from him. thank.
full that he could not see what my heart
held, but only he witness to the deeds
that my hands We're to do.
| Yet even he did not understand. foI
he had not dared TO lift his eyes to the
Princess Fldvil, as | had lifted mine.
| Our plans We're now all made even
as we proceeded to carry them out
and as they will hereafter appear. ThC
next morning we We're to start on the
hunting excursion. | had made all ar
engagements for being absent. and now
there was only one thing left TO do
the hardest the most hcartbrealiing
As evening fell | drove through the
busy streets to Fiavias residence.
WAS recognized us / went and heartily
chaerCd. | played my part. and made
shift to look the happy lover. In spite
Of my depression | was almost amused
at the coolnesS and delicate hauteu
with which my sweet lover received
me. She had heard that the king was
leaving StrclSau on hunting eXpedi
ton.
Il regret that we cannot amuse you
majesty here i'll Strelsau." she said
tapping her foot lightly on the floor
Il would have offered you more enter
tainment. but l was foolish enough Il
think
We'll. what" l asked, leaning ovel
her.
That for just a day or two after
after last night-you might be happy
without much gayety." and she turne,
pettshly from me as she added .
hope the bears will be more engross
ing"
I'm going after a very big boar.
said |; and. because | could not hell
it. l began to play with her hair. bu
she moved her head away.
Are you offended with me-" ! ask
ed in feigned surprise. for | could no
resist tormenting her little. | ha,
never seen her angry. and every freSl
aspect of her was Il delight to me.
What right have | to be offended
True, you said last night that ever,
5 hour away from me was wasted. Bu
l a very big boar-that's differen
], thing
;. perhaps the boar will hunt me-"
| suggested. Perhaps, Flavia. he
catch me"
She made no answer.
2 you are not touched even by tina
+ danger:"
+ Still she said nothing and |, stealth
round. found her eyes full of tears.
You weep for my danger:"
! Then she spoke very low:
r This is like what you used to bt
f but not like the king-the king /
have come to Lover
s With Il sudden great groan | caugl
|, | her to my heart.