Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-02-05
Fiction
For the Honor of a Princess
By 2. K. scRlsnsR.

Aue Duke ue piaIt, noDIeIudu cl ancient ancestry and a young nan of
 great accomplishments, had disap
 pearcd from the court and with him
 the Princess Alice. It was known to
 the king that the duke had sought to be churchman. being of gloomy inind and much given to moodiness. But
 Henry, having small desire to see So great nobleman turn monk, bad
 played right skillfully. the dark eyes of his royal kinswoman. against the church
 l Strange 1t was that the duke had not bided his time until the king was ready for royal wedding. As for me humble lieutenant of the musketeers that am. l knew that the princess loved him not. for had been chosen by his majesty tn guard her person
 and saw her daily. Right well knew-but that belongs not in this story.
 The most important thing was that my king had bidden me in great sc crecy to choose but one follower and with him to ride to the dukes chateau at M.
 The honor of the princess rested in my hand, of which fact Paris must not know
 It was an hour past midnight when |. with the .Chevalier de Rossel at my i'side, rode forth from Paris. Do Ros- | sel was In cheerful mood. 'Zoundsr' said he, snapping his nn- gers briskly. "Methings this Duke dc Biart hath o'ershot the mark. Plotting was bad enough. yet he must need, having ridden with his princess beyond the walls. lay violent hands upon her person. Had he but waited, the kings desire had given her to him" To my mind also came the thought the man must be truly mad; but, de thing within me rejoiced that 1t lay | within my power to undo the duke and return the princess to the king, her un- ! cle.
 The dukes dwelling lay some leagues from Paris, so the first dawn overlook us as we rode from the forest which | surrounded the chateau on three sides. The place was of some strength, built In the days of the kings grandfather, so perchance some obstacle might lie between us and an entrance. But upon our reaching the entrance to the dwelling we found it indeed
 most poorly guarded fin that the guard had unbarred the door. the day being | full upon us. Moreover perceived he was no other than one who had served the king. an ex-musketeer of mine own company.
 Seeing me. he stood open mouthcd. I saluting with much ceremony, nor showed he any disposition to bar our progress
 Faith" replied he to my greeting, thou art come from Paris at a most early hour The duke is yet abed, having come hither but yesterday in | company with his cousin, who suf- | fers frem a malady."
 "Whst now" cried De Rossel 'Is the lady strickeny'
 | That she is, replied the witless fellow, flor the duke bore her before him on the saddle and hath given her in charge of the women. bidding them look to it she commit no injury upon her person.
 Game they alonef" asked I.
 ''0nly She two" replied he. Art from the kisgY
 De Rossel plucked my sleeve. ""Twas told in Paris" said he, ''the dukes kinswoman had lost her wits, and 'tis the royal pleasure we learn concerning
 her condition. It is the purpose of his majesty to send his leech to cure her | if occasion warrants it." l The fellow nodded. "The duke is much in favor with the king" said he. Would see the woman who guards the maidr'
 De Rossel cast upon me a look of triumph. "'Twere most fitting" re- | ai- hOut DSiuS ' | 'twere an iIl thing to arouse the duke, | thy master"
 | ""Tis most strange thing" muttered | De ROssel as we followed the servant through the long and dimly lighted corridor, beyond comprehension, and methinks there comes queer twist to our errand. Either this duke be drunk or truly mad; therefore look to it, M. de Marc, that no trap be set for us." | Presently we came unto the door of chamber, and the servant drew back, signifying twas the room wherein was confined the princess. ] "Go thou" said De Rossel gruffiy. | "Thou hast done thine errand." And he put in the fellows palm a silver piece.
 "I will remain here" said he, the man being gone, "and If any come to | know our business I will deal with him" So saying, he unsheathed his | sword and took his stand before the door, upon which knocked softly. A voice from within demanded who sought admittance at so early an hour, when twas small courtesy to disturb