Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-07-07

and his happiness hung In the scale.
Yet how l envied him! For the trium-
plant issue which would crown MIN
with happiness and unite him 10 MS
mistress, the success for whlch we
were bound to hope and strive ana
struggle, meant to me sorrow more GER
tain and greater than II l were DOOM
ed to fail. He understood something Oh
this, for when we were alone (save for
old Sapt, who was smoking at the otl'
or end of the room he passed bis arm
through mine, saying:
"It's hard for you. Don't thinK !
don't trust you. know you have noun
ing but true thoughts In your heart.
But 1 turned away from him, thank
full that lie could not see what my heart
held, but only be witness to the deeds
that my hands were to do.
Yet even he did not understand, for
he had not dared to lift his eyes to the
Princess Flavia, as had lifted mine.
Our plans were now oil made, even
as we proceeded to carry them out,
and as they will hereafter appear. The
next morning we were to start on the
hunting excursion. had made all ar
rangements for being absent and now
there was only one thing left to do
the hardest, the most heartbreaking.
AS evening fell drove through the
busy streets to Flavia's residence. l
was recognized as went and heartily
cheered. l played my part, and made
shift to look the happy lover. In spite
of my depression / was almost amused
ut the GOODNESS and delicate hauteur
with which my sweet lover received
me. She had heard that the king was
leaving Strelsau on hunting expedi-
ton.
81 regret that we cannot amuse your
majesty here in Strelsau," she said,
tapping her foot lightly on the floor.
81 would have offered you more enter
taInment, but was foolish enough to
think"-
well, what? 1 asked, leaning over
her.
"That for just a day or two after
after last night-you might be happy
without much gayety," and she turned
pettlshly from me as she added, Il
hope the boars will be more engross-
ing"
am going after very big boar"
said 1; and, because / could not help
1t, began to play with her hair, but
she moved her head away.
"Are you offended with me-" ask
ed in feigned surprise, for could not
resist tormentlng her little. / had
never seen her angry, and every fresh
aspect of her was a delight to me.
what right have to be offended?
True, you said last night that every
hour away from me was wasted. But
a very big boar-that's different
thingv'
"Perhaps the boar will hunt me-" I
suggested. perhaps, Flavia, he'll
catch me-"
She made no answer.
"You are not touched even by that
| danger?"
Still she said nothing, and /, stealing
round, found her eyes full Of tears.
"You weep for my dangerT
Then she spoke very low:
"rhls is Ike what you used to be-,
| but not like the king-the king II
| have come TO lOyew
With a sudden great groan l caught
her to my heart.
"My darling" I cried, forgetting ev-
erythlng but her. "did you dream that
left you to go huntingT
"What then, Rudolf? Alb, you're not
going
"Well. 1t is hunting. I 90 to seel
! Michael In his lair"
She had turned very pale.
$50, you see, sweet, was NOT 30
Door a lover as you thought me. l
shall not be gone long"
"You will>write to me, RudolfY
was weak, but 1 could not say q
word to stir suspicion in her.
"Pll send you all my heart every
lay" said l.
"And you'll run no dangerT
"None that need not"
"And when will you be backf An,
how long it will be"
"When shall / be backT repeated.
ayes. yes! Don't be long. dear; don't
be long. shan't sleep while you're
away" =.
81 don't know when shall be back"
said I.
"Soon, Rudolf, soon?"
"God knows, my darling. But II
never
"Hush, hush%a and she pressed her
lips to mine.
"If never" 1 whispered, "you must
take my place. You'll be the only one
of the house then. You must reign
and not weep for me-"
For a moment she drew herself up
like very queen.
"Yes. / will!' she said. II will reign
will do my part. Though all my life
will be empty and my heart dead, YET
I'll do it, Pr
She paused and, sinking against me
again, walled softly:
"Come soon! Come sOonv'
Carried away, I cried loudly:
"As God lives, Ives, l myself-wil
see you once more before I die"
"What do you mean?" she exclaim
ed with wondering eyes, but had NJ
answer for her, and she gazed at me
with her wondering eyes.
dared not ask her to forget. Sh'
would have found it an insult. could
not tell her then who and what was
She was weeping, and I had but Il