Gunnison news-champion., 1909-02-19


10 lid him de6ance and tighten nny
grasp ON the crc~p-sot f.r ID ewn
sake. hut hecsuse the king ~ Ruri-
'aBia was ~ We'd the I'ripcs~s Fiavia
What of SaJt asA b'rits: Al. but
man cannot te hesd t. write down In
cold bbSsd the Wild Al baack ehouehts
that storm his tsain Wken sa uncoa-
troIied passion has hsttss~d q h~each
for them Vet. unless he sets w a. a
saint he need not hate himself for
them. lie is better esnpsoyed. as 1t
hauIbiy seems to me. in giving thanks
that power ia resist was vouchsafed
10 him than in frettiEg over wicked
Impulses which come un-Sagtt and cx-
tort an unwilling hospitality from the
weakness 81 our nature
II was tine bright morning when
walked. unattended. 20 the princess
house. carrying a posceay In ray hand
Policy made excuses for love. aud eV-
cry attention that I paid her. while II
riveted my own chains. bound closer to
me the people of the great city. who
Worshiped her. | found IritZ's iaa-
morata, the Countess Helga, gather
ing blooms in the garden for her mis-
tress' wear and prevailed on her to
take mine in their place. The girl was
rosy with happiness. for Fritz. In his
turn. had not wasted his evening and
no dark shadow hung over his WOO
ing save the hatred which the Duke
Of Strclsau was known TO bear him.
And that" she said. with mis-
chievcus smile. your majesty has
made OF no moment. Yes. 1 viii take
the flowers. Shall tell you. sire.
what Is the first thing the princess
does with theml"
We were talking on broad terrace
that ran along the back of the house.
and IA window above our heads stood
open
Madame cried TIE countess NOR
rily, and Flavla hossclf looked out.
| barred my head aud bowed. She
wore a white gown. and her hair was
loosely gathered in u knot. She kissed
her hand to me, crying:
Bring the king up. Helga: I'll give
him some coffee
The countess, with n gay glance lei
the way and took me into Flavia's
morning room. And. left alone we
greeted one another as lovers are
wont Then the princess laid two let
ters before me. one was from Black
Michael-a most courteous request that
she would honor him 10y spending
day ut his castle of Zenda. as mad beel
her custom once a year in the sum
mer. when the place ana its gardens
were In the height of their great bead
ty. ] threw the letter down ia dis
gust. and Flavia laughed at me. Then.
growing grave again. she pointed 10
the other sheet
Il don't know who that comes from"
she said. Read it,"
I knew In a moment There was no
signature at all this time, but the hand
writing was the same as that which
had told me OF the snare In the sum
mer house. II was Artolnette De Man
bans.
I have no cause to love you rlt ranl.
but God forbid that you should fan into
tions of his. Go nowhere without large
Euard-a regiment is not too much to
make you safe. Show this il you can to
him who reigns in Strelsau.
"Why doesn't it say the kingT" ask
ed Flavia, leaning over my shoulder
- that the ripple OF her hair played on
my neck. as 1t hoax:"
"As you value life and more than
life. my queen" l said, ''obey it to the
very letter. A regiment shall camp
round your house today. See that you
do not go out unless well guarded
AN order. sire;" she asked. a little
rebellious.
'Yes. an order. madame-if you love
me-"
"Ah-' she cried. And could not but
kiss her.
"You know who sent it?" she asked.
Il guess" said l. 1t is from good
friend-and. ! fear. an unhappy wo-
man. You must he i'll Flavia. and un-
able to 60 to Zenda. Make your ex-
cuses as cold and formal as you like
$50 you feel strong enough to anger
Michael?" she said. with proud smile.
I'm strong enough for anything
while you are safe" said l.
Soon ! tore myself away from her.
and then. without consulting Sapt. I
took my way TO the house Of Marshal
Strakencz. ! had seen something of
the old general. and liked and trusted
him. Sapt was less enthusiastic but |
had learned by now that Sapt was best
pleas@l when he could do everything.
and jealousy played some part in his
views. As things We're now. | had
more work than Sapt and Fritz could
manage. for they must come with me
TO Zenda. and ! wanted a man to guard
what I loved most in all the world and
suffer me TO set about my task of re-
leasing the king with n quiet mind
The marshal received me with most
loyal kindness. To some extent l took
him into my confidence I charged him
with the care of the princess, looking
him full and eipuificopslx- in ,ba Ca.