The independent., 1907-01-24

have run the duke through myself IL
the American had not interfered."
The queen bowed her head for no-
ment and stood in deep thought. When
she looked up there was pain or f1umi-
liation in her eyes, and when as she
spoke again in her voice was all the
bitterness of the woman of her kind
row a few for my household Then
growing serious, she said: "Sir. your
consul has probably not even heard OF
your arrest. We keep these things to
ourselves in our country. 1t saves many
explanations. l have heard of your
reason for striking the duke Tell me-
what do you know about Queen
Alicia?"
"Only that she is a beautiful-one of
the most beautiful I have ever SEEN"
he said, with boyish frankness and
looking into her eyes. Besides 1 saw
you yesterday with your women in the
poor quarter, giving aims"
The queen shrugged her shoulders, as
she replied Even Alicia cannot be a
butterfly all the time"
The American continued: "rhe point
Is that you are a woman and your
name must not be banded in public
drinking places. We do not like such
things in America, where every wo-
man has every man for a champion.
And SO" he said, as simply as a boy, "I
struck the duke. What else could I do,
sir 2 he asked, speaking to the count.
1.-The man is right" Stephen said.
'"That is the way of Americans"
The queen looked earnestly at the
prisoner and then said. more soberly
than was her wont: "Sir, thank you
for all this; and to show you that the
woman for whose fair name you risked
your life, also has Woman's heart,
came here. Your consul could not
reach you certainly not in time, and
then there would be only an explana
ton, untrue, perhaps. but well attested.
Sir, believe me, had I not come, the
next sunrise would have been your
last. You see" she said, smiling visit
fully, as she had not done even in
childhood, II am trying to make you
thank me as have thanked you"
II do thank you, your majesty said
the American with warmth Of feel
ing which illumined his clear-cut feat
ures. I did not think I was in such
a hole But when may ] go?'
Now" said the queen, land tomor-
row | will make out colonel's COM
mission for you. We need more of
your kind in our army. SIR"
81 appreciate the honor your ma
jesty would confer on me. but I must
sail on Saturdays steamer" he said.
Il am sorry" said the queen with
the deepest sincerity in her voice.
"But, sir, twould be but sorry freedom
offer you, if you may not use it in
your own way. Go, sir, if you SO will"
To the count she said II charge you,
Count Stephen. to give free and an
honorable conduct to this gentleman
across our border Do it as you prize
my friendship. / shall ask you both to
accompany me back to the palace.
Please follow" and as she passed out,
followed by the two men, she spoke
few words in a low voice to the guard.
Not another word was spoken again
until they had reached the main en-
trance of the palace. There the queen.
standing on the marble stairway.
turned to the American and, taking
from her finger ring, she handed it
to him, saying: '"Take this, sir, as
passport, and as memento of wo-
man who was grateful for having met
a truo man. Holding out her hand,
she added, tremulously: Go, now,
and God bless yOu-and remember
Alicia" Then to the count she said:
Remember, Count Stephen, free and
honorable conduct as you value my
friendship. You may 60"
Tne queen stood Watching the TWO
tall figures fade away in the shadows
of the night. and as their forms disap-
peared, she murmured: "Oh, for such
a man-always."
Then something seemed to strike the
queen with grim humor for she smiled
as she murmured. Tomorrow there
will be wedding and my dear Louise
will be the Duchess of Lordeval." and
she laughed her musical malicious
laugh. as she passed through the great
doors OF the palace.
Downright 1907. by Homer SDrague)