The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-02
CONTINUED from second page. J

was recognized as Went and heartily
cheered. played my part. and made
shift to look the happy lover. In spite
Of my depression was almost amused
at the coolness and delicate hauteur
with which my sweet lover received
me. She had heard that the king was
leaving Strelsau on hunting expedi-
ton.
Il 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
swell, what" l asked, leaning over
her.
THAT for just day or two after
after last night-you might be happy
without much gayety," and she turned
pettishly from me as she added, Il
hope the boars will be more engross-
ing"
I'm going after very big boar"
said /; and, because could not help
it, l began to play with her hair, but
she moved her head away.
"Are you offended with mef" l ask
ed in feigned surprise, for I could not
resist tormenting her a little. | had
never seen her angry, and every fresh
aspect of her was delight to me-
"What right have to be offended?
True, you said last night thar every
hour away from me was wasted. But
a very big boar-that's a different
thingr'
perhaps the boar will hunt me-"
suggested. Perhaps, Flavia, he'll
catch me-"
She made no answer.
"You are not touched even by that
danger?"
Still she said nothing, and I, stealing
round. found her eyes full of tears.
"You weep for my dangerf'
Then she spoke very low:
''This is like what you used to be
but not like the king-the king II
have come to love"
With a sudden great groan caught
her to my heart.
"My darling" | cred. forgetting ev
erything hut be-. "Gil you dream thai
| left you - 20 hunting"
"what then. Rudolfr al. you're no
going
Well, IT is hunting. / 20 TO seek
Michael in his lair
.She had turned very pale.
so. you see, sweet, was not so
poor a lover as you thought me. l
shall not be gone long"
"You will write TO me, RudolfT
was weak, but l could not say a
word to stir suspicion in her.
I'll send you all my heart every
day" said |.
And you'll run no dangerT
"None that l need not"
"And when will you be back? All
! how long ii will be-
when shall be back?" / repeated
"Yes, yes! Don't be long. dear; dom
be long. / shan't sleep while you're
away"
81 don't know when shall be back,
4 said 1.
soon, Rudolf, soon?'
God knows, my darling. But !
never
Hush. hush.' and she pressed be
lips TO mine.
o IF never" l whispered, "you mus
y take my place. You'll be the only ON
OF the house then. You must relg
and not weep for me-"
. For a moment she drew herself U
like a very queen.
- Eyes. | willr' she said. Il will reigI
!. will do my part. Though all my lif
will be empty and my heart dead, u
Ill do it,
She paused and, sinking against m
again. walled softly:
"Come soon. Come soon!'
Carried away, cried loudly:
n AS God lives, I-yes, / myself-wi
see you once more before | die""
u "what do you meanT' she exclain
ed with wondering eyes, but had 4
answer for her, and she gazed at n
ID with her wondering eyes.
I dared not ask her to forget. 81
IS would have found IL an Insult. cou
not tell her then who and what I wa
# She was weeping, and / had but
dry her tears.
"Shall a man not come back to Il
loveliest lady In all the wide world
said I. "a thousand Michaels shou
- not keep me from your
3. She chung TO me little comforted.
:. "You won't let Michael hurt your
h. "No. sweetheart"
n. "Or keep you from meT
n, "No, sweetheart"
he "Nor any one else"
ill And again answered:
eT- "No. sweetheart"
Me Yet there was one-not Mlchae
who II he lived must keep me fri
her and for whose life was gol
forth to stake my own. And his
- ure-the 1.-THE, buoyant figure I h
met In the woods Of Zenda: the Ill
inert mass I had left In the cellar
the shooting lodge-seemed TO RI
\ double shaped. before me and TO Co
III between us, thrustlng itself In ey
III where she lay, pale, exhausted. fai
NJ Ing. I'm my arms and yet looking up