The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-11-10
Is,stassss@sse@sssassssseaaeea
The FallOf theEmpire

content with being master Of his own
kingdom, he sought to make himself
master Of all Kingdoms within his
reach.
While the kings traits were Napo,
leonic, there was one trait that was
not Napoleonic. Napoleon while he
was gallant, never permitted any
woman TO influence him In matters OF
government He was not afraid Of the
fair sex and took no precautions
against women. The soldler-klng, on
the contrary, feared their seductions
He was aware that they governed the
world and considered that Il would be
impossible for him 70 build up the EN-
pire he Intended II he were himself
governed by a woman. A bachelor, he
proposed TO remain q bachelor And
for fear that he would be captured be
permitted only The homeliest women to
ceme near him on one occasion when
he was told that a young girl had come
20 his tent 10 beg for protection from
his soldiers he asked. rs she comelyr'
When answered M the Affirmative he
replied. ''fhen let her be yelled"
There was one petty duchy, Hlsteria,
stlil uneon9uered which was important
20 the solaier-klng From It's geograph-
icnl position n was the main link in
the states from which the empire was
TO be Termed Though small. It's con-
quest wsuld be biscuit, for its terri
tory constituted an elevated plateau
whose only approaches we're through
mountain deglos The king sent do
mand for its submission. A reply was
returned that the duke would yield to
the inevitable II the king would grant
certain conditions. II not he would de-
fend bis dukedom TIL every man in II
had been killed
The king then sent a messenger TO
AK the conditions. A reply came that
they would only be presented at a
meeting 10 take place between the two
sovsreizns. Midway up a defle lead
Ing TO The duchy was a pocket well
adapted for a place Of conference. The
duke proposed that he and the king
meet there and discuss the terms by
which his domain Should pass under
the kings rule The king might bring
all the guard he wished. The duke
pledged himself to 60 alone.
The king, unwilling TO be outdone In
an exhibition Of confidence, declared
that be. too, would 90 alone and I'M
armed. All these matters having been
adjusted, the king rode. with small
guard, 10 the mouth Of the degle,
where he left them and proceeded to
the rendezvous. The duke was seen
coming down the mountain, an old
man with flowing white beard and
hair.
The sovereigns met at the door Of
pavilion that had been erected for the
conference. The duke produced gola
en- key, unlocked the door and motion
ed the king To enter. When inside the
duke relocked the door This startled
the king, but he said nothing. Surely
II treacherg were intended he was a
match for this feeble old man Then
the duke led the way into handsome
~ furnished room. In the center Of
which were a table and writing mate
rails At enc end Of the apartment
blnzed an open IRE. The duke threw
the golden key In among the burning
logs. 1t Immediately Ignited. For
moment the king stood in wonder at
seeing geld burn, then rushed forward
to rescue the key, He was too late
ut wns Of wood, yeur majesty" said
the duke, and Filded, We are shut up
here together for this conference. Nei-
Their can depart, fer there is no open
ing except the door which is locked
and no key with which to unlock 1t.
Let US proceed TO business"
AS the duke spoke the last words he
threw bis hat on the floor, pulled of
white wig ard false beard, Invested
himself Of BIS ducal robes and stood
before the king in superb dress, wo-
man Of transcendant beauty.
Il was to meet the duke" STAN
mered the king, drawing back.
II ara the sovereign of Histeria. My
father has abdnated in my favor"
The king put his hand before his
face TO shut out the vision Of lowell
ness.
These are my terms, continued the
duchess. "the only terms on which
shall surrender will pay your mai
esty 500 pieces of geld annually as
tribute fer ten years"
The king made no reply, but, drop \
ping bis hands stared al the sym
metrica creature Her features were
those Of cameo her complexion that
of white and red roses, and her eyes
were marvel Of loneliness.
your grace" he said, dropping on
his knee Il am at your mercy"
The duchess pointed to the writing
materials. The king wrote
The independence Of the duchy Of His
terra is acknowledged and guaranteed.
The duchess read and turned her
great eyes, liz by heavenly smile, on
the monarch Then touching a spring
in the table, a drawer flew open. she
seized a key and started for the door.
The king followed and caught her in
his arms She looked back, and her !
lips we're pressed by his.
When the king rejoined his attend !
ants he was changed man He knew
that the lands he had conquered would |
always be liable to be wrested from
him without the duchy OF Hlsteria. |
One by enc they received back their
sovereignty, and When the last was
ms e independent It was announced
hat the king was about to be married.