The Washington herald., 1909-04-28
WHEN THE KING AWOKE.
By EDWIN L. SABIN.
O II yusL ghsapol

the cool, dimly-lighted corridor. until
apart from the couples sitting here and
there along this, an asylum from the
dazzle and gayety OF the ballroom.
i humbly beg your Majesty's pardon,
said Lord Tonne, when they stopped
again; but I could not go upon duty.
the hour Of which. as your Majesty
knows. approaches. without first warning
your Majesty once more that abduction
Of your royal person Is planned, beyond
shadow Of a doubt
'When2"
Our best advices set it for the very
near future-to-night, Tomorrow night.
who knows" replied the rugged general,
stung by the amused smile upon the
kings face It is no laughing matter,
your Majesty; and will be stll less a
laughing matter. should it ever occur.
The attempt VIII be as desperate as the
cause which prompts It. VIII not your
Majesty keep under cover. until the
storm is dissipated. and the danger that
now presses IS Overawed2 I wish that
1 might command II, your majesty, but
I can only beseech. II is love that
prompts ne"
The kings mood changed, and, as IL in
contrition, he impuIsively grsspeG the
generals sauntIeted hand.
II know. well. that 1t is love which
prompts the advice my lord" he said.
my old friend. And pledge you on my
royal honor that love shall keep close
tomorrow: so close that my enemies
shall not discover me. Do not have the
slightest concern. general You and yours
watch over me. without; viii take care
Of myself. within. And after tomorrow.
which, I understand. seems to be the
date selected for the proposed outbreak.
let US hope that precautions will no
longer be necessary. Now. I have faith
in you; do you have faith in me-"
God save your majesty" responded
the general, hUslCly, with the kings hand
suddenly between his two. An instant.
and he STROBE erectly away. down the
corridor
The king slowly retraced his steps, to
ward the ballroom Just before reaching
1t. however. he beheld. partly in the light
OF the wide doorway, partly in the shad-
ON OF the wide corridor, sitting upon a
tete-s-tete. a black domino. and the out
spread sleeve plainly displayed the coro-
net for which he was about 10 seek.
He halted. supplanting a gallant in
crimson. much berudied, who obedientlv
retreated; and, looking down, iadulgenty
said.
We'll. Doris. shall have the honor Of
a dance2"
7 an tired Can we not sit awhile"
replied the domino: and moving slightly
she signifed that the other half OF the
little semi-CirCle couch was az his dis
posal
Il am sorry you tire so easily" he
wLraT fnEe IN 81 . ,
than in tone Of rebuke, as he sank
beside her
Your majesty IS kind to take 50 much
interest"
Why should I not take interest7 You
are my wife he replied as usual irri-
tated
BY the cOrOnetZ
Certainly not" he retorted, GROSSLY.
7 recognize you without that Do you
think man does not know his wife,
Sometimes he does not take the trou-
be-" she returned She paused Il am
sorry, too she continued But II YOU
had come before, I would not have been
so tired
I tried 20 cone" he answered. eager
ly. But there are two black dominoes.
tonight, YOU know. and got hold OF the
wrong one, first You VIII admit that I
could not very gracefully back out. when
I had gone that far. Doris2"
Yet you were just saying how readily
you could recognize me2F she reminded.
with little laugh. that was not all Of
mirth- "Ah. Henry
The king sat sulky and silent.
But We viii not quarrel over that.
she resumed. gently, sadly. I adml,
that two black dOminoes are enabarrass-
iug-and. OF course. you have & right 70
dance with whom you choose. But tell
me. she said, laying a gloved hand upon
his knee; saw Lord Tonne speak 70 you.
and take you away He was in service
uniform, too Is trouble threatening?"
"Oh, 4 Is merely sresh rumors afioat
regarding George, who seems I'D TO his
old tricks" responded the king. willing
70 change the subject There IS no OcCa-
sion TO worry. only. the council thinks
best 70 take measures 10 show that we
are warned and on the alert. Then my
ambitious brother doubtless viii subside
again"
You viii take care Of yourself. then.
viii you not?" she pleaded. Especial
care. until the danger Is past-the more
pressing danger. I mean? Not for my
sake. perhaps. but for the sake OF the
kingdom. and the other people who love
you Promise me, Henry.
I promise. replied the king u viii
take good care Of myself: never fear
SHAH lock myself in the highest turret.
and get NY meals by hauling them I'D in
q basket. through the Window
4 might tell you TO, but il would do
no good answered the queen, steadily
I might tell you lots Of things. were II
not that you DO not care for my advice
any more. One thing. though. I Will tell
you. although you will misunderstood me
I know"
And what IS it?" inquired the king.
smiling
The duke OF Msrto-I do not Ike him.
I am afraid for you. Henry Don't grow
angry with ne. please. But the duke doe.
not ring true something about him
makes me suspect that he is not what
he seems, and is really on the side OF
Prince George. He has such opportunity
to do you harm"
You have. been hearing gossip, I pre-
sumo, DorisE replied the king. coldlv
You have allowed yourself to be preju-
diced. have nothing TO do with the
Duke Of Mario. his opportunity TO work
me harm Is absolutely nil He is not
attached 70 my person, and I never see
him. His duties are not those which car
bring him near ne You talk foolish
ness
But the duchess: you see the duchess
sometimes, 90 you not, Henry?" faltered
the queen.
Il knew itr' announced the king. scorn-
fully. when speaking Of the duke. you
meant the duchess. And who are the
scandal-mongers, may I ask?"
I said you would misunderstood me.
asserted the queen, brokenly. You think
ne jealous. Yes. I meant the duchess
praiinS