The independent., 1907-01-24
The Fair Name of Ahcia


ments. in rapturous II somewhat trite
offered by the latest court poet in
terested her. The jousts of the MORN
Ing had been unexciting. Only a couple
of riders had been unseated, and one
alone had been retired permanently
from the lists with broken neck The
lord treasurer had reported no new
outbreaks on account Of his latest tax
on healthy cows with progeny tax
made necessary because of the queens
idea OF erecting a temple to herself In
the square Of the royal family, and to
which the undutiful people had once
objected. Like all who are taxed, they
did not mind the piper so much as pay
ing for the music.
Decidedly, life was dull and colorless
and the queen yawned once more.
Nothing new, nothing worth while
today, Louise?" she asked pettishly Of
her favorite lady-in-waiting.
Nothing, your majesty" answered
Lady Louise, unless 1t be that my
lord, the Chancellor Devarry, tried to
kiss me this morning as / passed
through his cabinet"
1.-THE vulgar beggar, to make love so
early In the day" said the queen, rest
ing her head against the prettiest arm
IN all the kingdom. "But that is not
new, Louise! Devarry would kiss every
woman he meets. wonder he has not
tried to kiss me- and she laughed
wicked little laugh, showing teeth that
were perfect, but for their very fault
lessness. II should SO like to know
what my young Duke Lordeyal would
say If he should see Devarry attempt
1t. There might me new lord chancel-
lor at court" and the queen laughed
again.
do you like the Duke Lordeval very
much, your majesty?" asked Lady
Louise, looking at the queen from un-
der her long lashes.
HE amuses me-" said Alicia, light
ly. but he must be careful l tire very
quickly" and she yawned again. Then
she turned her searching eyes on her
lady-in-waiting do you like the Duke
Lordeval very much, Louise?"
II should not dare, your majesty"
The favorite looked terrified at the
thought, but there was something more
than fear In her eyes. The queen saw
this. She smiled placidly, but there was
meaning in her glance as she said: do
not dare, Louise, you child. But per-
haps when / have tired of Lordeval,
shall make him marry you, and then we
shall have to call you Duchess How
would that suit you?" The queen was
inwardly much amused at the seeming
ly ingenious reply, which was: Your
majestys word is law"
A smartly groomed young officer
made abeisance and approached.
Speak, Colonel Freers," the queen
commanded. what have you to re-
port?" Nothing worth hearing I'll
warrant you!' And she prepared to be
more bored than ever.
Nothing important. your majesty"
he said. There's a new actress from
foreign parts whose services have been
engaged by our worthy master OF
amusements She is said to be very
beautiful-almost as beautiful as your
majesty, If / am not too bold in saying
so" and he looked proud of his pru-
dent imprudence.
"You are bold, Colonel Freers," re-
marked the queen but that is why I
have soldiers instead of mice around
me. What else?"
''Your honorable household council
finds some difficulty in having orders
filled. The tradespeople seem to be
getting more rapacious every day and
want their money almost as soon as
tllVii hooti, I'll UGLY NtiCus a ilc OillCCI
tried 10 look the indignation he did
not feel.
Bad. unreasonable people. ever to
want their money" the queen volun-
teered What shall we do with them
Suppose we insist on their charging us
fifty per cent more than their regular
prices. See how large that will make
.heir bills. Try II. What next?"
Nothing else. just now your--Oh,
pardon, your majesty. There was a
light In the army and navy cafe early
this morning and a foreigner struck
one Of your majesty's officers. We
shall shoot the foreigner at sunrise to-
morrow There Is nothing else TO re-
port. your majesty"
What sort of a foreigner Is he%'
asked the queen. now slightly mter-
ested.
AN American. YOUR majesty"
Whom did no strike?"
''rhe Duke f.ordeval. your majesty, -
THE Duke Lordeval" the queen sat
I..l.k 1.A4 "A. A II.