West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-04-04

" HE terrible temptation which
Il was assailing me will now
EzTSzfNl be understood. / would so
GD force Michael's hand that he
must kill the king. / was in a position
to bid him defiance and tighten my
grasp on the crOwn-not for its own
sake, but because the king OF Rurl-
tania was to we'd the Princess Flavia.
What OF Sapt and Fritz? All. but n
mar cannot be held to write down In
cold blood the wild and black thoughts
that storm his brain when an uncon-
trolled passion has battered a breach
for them. Yet, unless he sets up as n
saint, he need not hate himself for
them. He is better employed. as II
humbly seems TO me, In giving thanks
that power TO resist was ~vouchsafed
TO him than in fretting over wicked
Impulses which come unsought and ex-
tort an unwilling hospitality from the
weakness Of our nature.
1t was a fine bright morning when I
walked, unattended, to the princess
house, carrying a nosegay in my hand.
Policy made excuses for love, and ey-
cry attention that / paid her. while IL
riveted my own chains, bound closer TO
me the people OF the great city. who
w%orshiped her. 1 found Frltz's ina
morata, the Countess Helga, gather
Ing blooms in the garden for her mis-
tress' wear aud prevailed Oh her 70
take mine in their place. The girl was
rosy with happiness, for Fritz, In his
turn, had not wasted his evening and
no dark shadow hung over his WOO
Ing save the hatred which the Duke
Of Strelsau was known to bear him.
And that" she said, with a mis-
ehievous smile, your majesty has
made Of no moment. Yes. / will take
the flowers. Shall 1 tell YOU, sire.
what is the first thing the princess
does with them
We were talking on a broad terrace
that ran along the back OF the house.
and a window above our heads stood
open.
Madame cried the countess mer-
rily, and Flavia herself looked out.
/ barred my head and bowed. She
wore a white gown, and her hair was
loosely gathered In a knot. She kissed
her hand to me. crying:
Bring the king NJ, Helga; I'll give
him some coffee"
The countess. with a gay glance. led
the way and took me into FIayla's
morning room. And, left alone. we
greeted one another as lovers are
wont Then the princess laid two let
tiers before me. one was from Blacl,
Michael most courteous request that
she would honor him by spending n
day at his castle OF Zenda. as had been
her custom nee n year in the sum-
mer, when the place and It's gardens
were IN the height Of their great beau
ty. I threw the letter down in dis
gust, and Flavla laughed at me. Then.
growing grave again. she pointed TO
the other sheet
Il don't know who that comes from"
she said. Read IT,"
I knew On q moment. There was no
signature at 8l this time. but the hand
writing was the same as that which
had told me OF the snare in the sum
mer house. It was Aut0IDette dc Nfsu-
bans.
I have no cause 90 love v1u -t ran1
but God forbid that yJu should fau into
the power OF tne dHtr Accept n1 invita-
lions o. bis Go nowhere without "a large
guard rnEImr.. d. mot I.. much 90
make you SAFE Show tH.e ~ SOU can o.
him who reigns ia st-..saI
"Why doesn't Sc say tla Eiurr ast-
cd Flavio. leaning o.or my boulder
10 that the ripple of Der hair played or
my neck. 'f- It q I0.rl'
"As you value .I. AND nor. ,lau
life. my queen ...# ..r.-. 10 "a. .f.