The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-03
THE EVENING STORY
The Fourth TRANSFORMATIONS.


There was a flare of trumpetS, an
eager swaying of the lines of courtiers,
soft ripple of laughter, and then ST.
lence.
Before me stretched an intermin-
able path of red velvet, fiankcd on
either side by rows of Sinking, bow
Ing creatures, clad in rainbow-hued
satins, velvets and glittering with jew
els. At the further end, on a throne
of ivory and gold, sat regal, white
with diamonds. Behind her stood two
dusky giants, majestically waving fans
of peacock feathers. At her feet knelt
two tiny pages attired in blue and
silver.
She was the Queen of Rodalva, and
one of the most beautiful women in
the world. / was a nobody. 1t was
my province to deliver into her royal
hand the scroll intrusred to my keep
ing by my gracious master. For weeks
1 had been looking forward to this au-
dience with feverish eagerness. But
now, at the crucial moment. when
grace of bearing and huency of speech
would perhaps serve tc win me smile
from those perfect lips, stood gaping
like a clown in the midst of her lack
eys.
My feet refused to move, my knees
trembled, the scroll in my hand shook,
my tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth. There was muffled giggle on
modulated voice smote the air like the
notes of a golden harp.
''Methinks," said the queen, flashing
laughter from her violet eyes, that
the messenger of our fair cousin, the
car, is unduly overawed by our pres
ence. Be not afraid to approach, Sir
Herald, we are quite harmless"
Again came that subdued giggle, all
the more maddening that it had about
it a battling familiarity; but at aa
P-1 S. - d F0Ix
suppressed.
Summoning all my Will power, 1
plunged desperately forward, and in a
moment was kneeling at the foot of
the throne between the two pages.
THE humble as well as the great,
your majesty" I faitered. "are over
come by the spell of beauty"
She smiled, and, indicating by a ges-
ture that was to rise, took the scroll,
and, unrolling it, hastily scanned its
contents.
A change, swift and terrible, came
over her countenance. Her eyes fash
ed Her cheeks paled. Her lips
Strengthened to scarlet line. Tearing
the parchment thrice across she cast 1T
at my feet and Kissed In a low tone of
answer to your master! See that you
deliver it to him with all possible haste.
Out of my sight! Begone!"
Then again her wonderful voice
Men of Bodalva,' she said, never
while Sylvia lives shall you bend your
neck beneath the yoke of the Russian
tyrant!'
Long live Queen Sylvia," shouted
the courtiers. And from somewhere
tumultuous applause-clappings stamp
ing. and cries of "Brava! Brava!"
Mechanically backed down the red
velvet path, unheeding the Kisses and
~ IL
side, and presently found myself in a
small anteroom, the walls of which
were hung with doublets, hose, cloaks,
plumed hats and various articles of
armor. Almost Immediately / was
confronted by a TALL thin, hashily
dressed man. who eyed me with an ex-
preston of extreme diSfavor.
'See here" he said, I'VE don't want
supers in this company to forget their
cues, and occupy the center of the stage
for ten minutes, and we don't want any
lines thrown in. either. The man who
wrote the play can attend to that"
But" I stammored. the Queen
Miss Elsworth-said something to me
that wasn't in"
Whats that to your" he interrupted
yet, are you? Who are you, anyway?
One of them young chaps from the col
lege, amt your"
l nodded.
Again I nodded. He shrugged his
shoulders.
We'll, won't report you if you look
sharp for the rest of the performance.
Luckily for you, the boss is away to-
night. What are you doing it for, any,
way? Stagestruck or Ellsworth struck?" 1
did not design to answer, and with
a derisive guffaw he went out, slam
ming the door behind him.
1 had ben alone scarcely a minute
when that irritating giggle again fell
upon my ears.
Who's there?" 1 cried, f1inging open
the door and peering into the dimly
lighted corridor.
Ssh! Go backi" whispered feminine
voice. And as 1 obeyed its command
the doorway framed a petite golden
haired damsel, Respondent in pink
satin and a court train
1 seized her hands, and drew her to
the center of the room under the cleo |
trio light.
"Elfrida!' I gasped. What are you
doing here?"
she dropped me a stately courtesy.
THE Countess Olga, fourth lady-in-
waiting to Her Majesty Queen Sylvia,
at your service" she said with dignity.
Then she giggled, and blushed;
TT was you, then, who kept laughing
all the time was on the stage" said
Elfrida looked penitent.
TT was mean of me-" she admitted
But you did look so funny" She
again at the recollection
made no reply in words, but I let
her see that 1 forgave her.
Where did you come from? How
did YOU get here. Why haven't you
written to me in all these weeks?" 1
asked. as soon as I felt sure she thor |
oughly understood my mental attitude
regarding ner
skinned with the show Saturday night |
write-watched every min |
ute" she answered with unwomanly |
lucidity and brevity.
F,lfrida always was different from |
other girls This was why 1 made such |
a fool of MYSELF over her last summer |