The Washington herald., 1909-04-27
CHAPTER I.



from the setting sun streamed IN through
The long stained-glass window, hoooins
the lofty apartment with crimson and
-old-gIinting in ruby and topaz upon the
ieweled and silvered toilet articles on the
dressing table. meTowing the purple car
net. tinfing the lace draperies OF the bed,
and here, there. everywhere bringing into
relief the royal arms OF Stecsin- IN the
midst of the glory and the silence. flung
upon her chair with her face against the
upholstered back. sobbed the queen. The
place might have been a shrine; and 50
it was; SHRINE typical Of woman s
heart-rsd and gold and tears.
She was a very young queen. this fair
haired Doris Of Steesin; so young that
she stiu should have been smiling over
her bridal joys. instead Of already weep
ing over her marriage woes
Around about the room hummed the
life Of a great castle. Servitors fastened
upon their various missions. busted them
selves with their respective duties: page
and eourtier strolled, lounged. and jested;
.naid and madam. lady and duchess,
1rinked az5 chatted, ogIed and romanced.
n the court paced the guard. Without
ne massive walls stirred the city. finish
.7g the tasks Of the day ere commencing
.se Pastimes Of the night Encircling,
-undred miles by north. a hundred by
3uth, east 10 the sea. west TO the we'll
Ugh impregnable range, lay beautiful
fecsin. vale and village, forest and field.
But deep within this. one OF the richest
the realms; deep within this. its
aalthy royal city; deep within her suite
. lperb IN the mighty castle. while out
de the door waited restless maids Of
-sonor and inside the osprey crest Of Stec-
n stared down in wonder from the
lnopy. the queen Of al wept-
The door abruptly opened. and a man
rode in. He was not q handsoms man,
either was he unattractive. Somewhat
short 10 be elegant, with face rather
. long TO be comely or classic. never
aeless in his carriage was natural dig
-lity. in his dark hair and eyes q certain
, irile charm. Alert, artistic. generous OF
hers. but selfish OF himself. fmpetuous
n business and impetuous in pleasure.
d lirty years Of age, and newly come 10
g q throne. such was King Henry Of
Stecsin-
What Crying again. DoTis2' he said
q annoyed surprise And sitting here all
lone. tool Why IS this. may ! ask?''
The small figure, detected and relaxed
n the royal chair. made no reply, nor
aised fits head. The only sounds from
Z were convuIsive sobs. fought without
wall. The kind advanced and laid his
land upon the queens piJeOUsly heaTing
shoulder However. his touch was i'm
aatient. not soothing. and his face. as he
Eszed down, frowned not IN distress, but
n irritation
And I thought 7 should find you pre-
oaring for the ball ~to-night," he con
-fnued brusqueIy- Instead Of that you
re crying. Don't you know that your
yes VIII be ali red?"
He might have been chiding a child:
certainly he was not 2 lover comforting
us mistress
Z don't c-care," walled IN smothered
tone the small figure.
The king mechanically patted the heav-
ing shoulder
well. I do. then" he said. Red eyes
are not becoming. Il is nearly 7 o'clock,
and you should be dressing"
7 don't c-care.' repeated the small
figure.
What are you crying about7 Answer
me, Doris
The sobs increased beyond the small
figures control A. the paroxysm the
kings frovn deepened. and. grasping the
shoulder, he gave It a quick. compelling
shake
Doris he reprOved-and his voice was
OF command, not entresty. You must
- M -
ing on This way. Now 90 and wash your
face and batne your eyes, and get ready
for tonight And II you VIII kindly tell
me what ais Tcu, I would ike 20 know"
Choking a sob in its utterance, the small
figure suddenly spraug upright, and with
flushed. indignant coUnJenance faced the
king Out from the pathetically swollen
ids and dswy lashes the queens eyes
flashed scOrnfuIly upon him
T will stop" she exclaimed. Il VIII
never. never cry sgaiR-neveTi 1 win
annoy you no more with red eyes It IS
silly IN me- 10 CRY. I should have learned |
But Il you had not come in you would |
not have known"
Why, Doris." spoke the king. puzzled |
al her new attitude.
He stepped toward her, but she re-
treated.
stand away, Don't touch me-" she
hsde with the fnpeTiousness OF woman /
which waits no crown for /
It's warrant.
The king stopped short and surveyed |
her uneaslly-
Tt IS too late to make up now" she |
announced "Of course. you don't think i
so. Il seems 10 you that after ] have /
cried my heart out I ought to smile and /
forget Once I thought that If I cried 1
YOU would feel bad Instead. I have /
found that you only feel annoyed Why /
don't you pet ne little when I cry. Why /
don't you pet me, Henry. and comfort /
me. Instead Of scolding and being angry2"
Il do pet you" asserted the king cold /
". But
You don't-oh. you don'ti" denied the 4
1ueen. her voice qusvering. Your tone /
even uow showed yOu are offended. a L
woman knows some things. Henry. II IS 1
rot what is said, but the manner OF say
nx. that counts. When you came IN just 1
now and found me crying. did you act
tender and loving? Were you good 70 I
me2 Al. no; what I needed came not
from YOU who should have offered IL
Twas q little thing. You might have
been gone ere now. But 7 only vexed i
fou, and you ordered me TO stop CRYING
30 that my eyes should not get red. How
-ver. I shall not cry any more. I am
Zone Each time I vow that Il is the
st God knows how many other women
IRE crying as I was AT this very moment.
But I have finished You shall never.
1ever be bothered again by my crying"
Doris" stammercd the king, with a
novement as though he would take her
and
he queen. Why did you. Henry
Because I wanted you, sweetheart
5oothed the king.
NO. no, replied the queen sadly. shak-
ne her head 7 tried TO think that at
irst. : tried 20 think that our marriage
vas TO be unlike other marriages, royal
II not. and that your love for me was
l.