Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1909-02-06
iction
for the honor of a Princess
BY r. K. scRIsNER.

great accomplishments, had disap
pearcatrom the court and with him
the n Tess Alice, 1t was known tc
the king that the duke had sought to
be a churchman, being Of gloomy mind
and much given to moodiness. But
Henry, having small desire to see SO
great q nobieman turn monk, bad
played right skillfully the dark eyes
OF his royal kinswoman against the
church.
Strange it was that the duke mad
not bided his time until the king was
ready for a royal wedding. AS for me,
humble lieutenant Of the musketeers
that am, knew that the princess
loved MIN not, tfor 1 had been chosen
by his majesty to guard her person
and saw her daily. Right well 1
knew-but that belongs not in this
story
The most important thing was that
my king had hidden me in great Sc
crecy to choose but one follower and
with him to ride to the dukes chateau
at NJ.
The honor Of the princess rested in
my hand, Of which fact Paris must not
know.
1t was an hour past midnight when
l. with the Chevalier de Rossel at my
side, rode forth from Paris. De Ros-
sci was in cheerful mood.
"zounds" said he, swapping his fin
gers briskly. MEETINGS this Duke dc
Blart 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-
spite the weight Of the occasion, some
thing within me rejoiced that It lay
within my power to undo the duke and
return the princess to the king, her un-
Gle.
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 awelling we found it indeed
most Is Aly guarded in that the guard
had unbalred the door, the day being
Z full upon us. Moreover, 1 perceived he
was no other than one who had served
the king, an ex-musketeer Of mine own
company.
Seeing me, he stood open mouthed,
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 from a malady"
what noww cried De Rossel 'Is
the lady stricken?
"That she Is, replied the witless
fellow "for the duke bore her before
him on the saddle and hath given her
in charge Of the women, bidding them
look to 1t she commit no injury upon
her person"
Game they alone% asked 1.
"Only the two," replied be. "Art
from the king|
De Rossel plucked my sleeve. "'Twas
told in Paris" said he "the dukes
kinswoman had lost her wits, and It's
the royal pleasure we learn concerning
her condition. 1t is the purpose of his
! majesty to send his leech to cure her
\ If occasion warrants it,"
The fellow nodded "The duke IL
much in favor with the king" said he.
would see the woman who guards
the maidT
De Rossel cast upon me a look Of
triumph. "'Twere most fitting" re-
piled he, "for, the hour being early
'twere an I'll 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
corrid0fSAbeyond comprehension, and
methinks there comes queer twist to
our errand. Either this duke be drunk
or truly mad; therefore look to 1t, M
de Mare, that no trap be set for us"
Presently we came unto the door OF
a chamber, and the servant drew back,
signifying twas the room wherein was
confined the princess.
go thou" said De ROssel grufiy
Thou hast done thine errand." And
he put IN the fellows palm a silver
piece
II VIII remain here" said he, the
man being gone, ''and If any come to
know our business viii deal with
him." 50 saying, he unsheathed his
sword Wind took his stand before the
h door upon which l knocked softly.