The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-03-29


stored to us? 1t was a subject that
we had never vet spoken Of. But I
had an idea that in such case Sapt
meant to seat me on the throne of
Ruritania for the term of my life. He
would have set Satan himself there
sooner than that pupil of his, Black
Michael.
The ball was a sumptuous affair, /
opened It by dancing quadrille with
Flavia. Then / waltzed with her.
curious eyes and eager whispers at
tended Us. We went in to supper, and
halfway through I. half mad by then,
for her glance had answered mine and
her quick breathing met my stammer-
ed sentences, rose in my place before
II the brilliant crowd and, taking the
red rose that wore, flung the ribbon
with its jeweled badge round her neck.
In tumult OF applause l sat down.
! saw Sapt smiling over his wine and
Fritz frowning. The rest Of the meal
passed in silence; neither Fiavia nor
l could speak. Fritz touched me on
the sholIder, and / rose, gave her my
arm and walked down the hall into
little room, where coffee was served to
US. The gentlemen and ladies In at.
tendance withdrew, and we were
alone.
The little room had French windows
opening on the gardens. The night
was fine, cool and fragrant. Flavia
sat down, and stood opposite her. I
was struggling with myself. If she
had not looked at me, | believe that
even then l should have Won my fight,
but suddenly involuntarily she gave
me one brief glance-a glance of ques.
ton, hurriedly turned aside. blush
that the question had overcome spread
over her cheek, and she caught her
breath. .~-
All. il you had seen her! / forgot
the king in Zenda. forgot the king
in Strelsau. She was princess-and I
an impostor. Do you think | remem.
bered that? I threw myself on ny
knee and seized her hands In mine.
said nothing. why should /? The soft
sounds of the night set my wooing to a
wordless melody as pressed my kisses
on her lips.
She pushed me from her, crying sud.
denly:
"Ah, is It true, or is II only because
you must;"
ITS true" I said in low, smothered
tones-"true that I love you more than
life or truth or honorv'
She set no meaning to my words.
treating them as one of loves sweet
extrayagances. She came close to me
and whispered:
"oh. IL you were not the king, then
I could show you how | love you!
How is It that / love you now, Ru-
dolfT"
Now"
"Yes-Just lately. II never did be-
FORE
Pure triumph filed me. 1t was l.
Rudolf Rassendyll-who had won her!
I caught her round the yaist
"You didn't love me beforeY' / asked.
She looked up into my face, smiling
IS she whispered:
at must have been your crown. /
felt It first or the coronation day"
''Seyer beforeT' l asked eagerly.
She laughed low.
"You speak as II you would be
pleased to hear me say Yes to that"
she said.
"WOuld Yes be true"
''Yes," I Just heard her breathe, and
she went on in an instant: BE careful
Rudolf: be careful, dear. lie win be
mad now"
p "what, Michael? II Michael were tie
worst
''what worst il thereT'
There was yet chance for me. Con-
trolling myself with n mighty effort,
took my hands of her and stood a
yard or two way. remember now the
note Of the wind In the elm trees out.
side.
IF / were not the king" I began.
"If were only u private gentleman
Before / could finish her hand was In
mine.
''If you We're q convict in the prison
Of StresIau you would be my king" she
said.
And under my breath I grOaned.
God forgive me-" and, holding her
hand In mine, said again:
IF were not the king
"Hush, hush"' she whispered. Il
don't deserve It'll don't deserve TO be
doubted. All, Rudolf. does a woman
who marries without love look on the
man as | look on your
And she hid her face from me.
For more than n minute we stood
there together. and I, even with my
arm about her. summoned up what
honor and conscience her beauty and
the tolls that was In had left me.
"Flavla," I said In a strange, dry
voice that seemed not my own, Il am
not
AZ spoke--as she raised her eyes 10
me-there was heavy step on the
gravel outside, aud a man appeared at
the window. A little cry burst from
Fiayia AZ she sprang back from me.
Ny half finished sentence died ON my
lips. sapt stood there. bowling low. but
with stern frown on his face.
"a thousand pardons, sire" said be,