The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-02-27

" IS
EM1Z


ing are two different beings. AS d
would go at once; but as the
r. sntative head of a nation l can
NJ se the risk unless there Is no
otL. ay."
T mister and the lord of the
adm spoke together in their dis
appio md besought their superior
to re. UGH demand under any
and a litions. Bevins saw that
he wa lg his point, and stepped
into the ch.
wait e, begged, rising to his
feet. w.. your majesty permit me
to bring other proof that what / ask
is for the best?"
The king nodded.
Then grant me an order to the
guard at the door which will enable
me to pass without interruption and
return
There was the pressure of button.
an order to the eQuerry to do as the
visitor wished. and the officer bowed
himself out of the room.
His majesty's advisers began an
impassioned appeal that he should I'M
der all circumstances refuse to leave
the security of his palace. They
pointed out the dangers which might
assail him in many ways, despite the
fact that his visitor was his friend;
but to all of these advices he made no
reply, lounging in a careless attitude
and blowing wreaths of smoke toward
the shaded electric lights above his
head. There was rap at the door.
and it was thrown open by an equerry.
who stood at attention, his face be-
traying no sign of anything unusual.
Into the room entered another visi-
tor, followed by Bevins, who closed
the door after him. The materializa-
ton of a ghost could have created no
greater surprise. The king dropped
his cigar on the carpet and, like his
companions, jumped to his feet and
stood like statue. The prime minis
ter's hand was half poised in the air
and remained there while the lord Of
the admiralty showed his head forward
| in an attitude of awe-struck question
ing.
| The king broke the silence. Field.
is that you?" he asked, in utter aston
ishment
| Yes, your majesty, 1t is l." and he
advanced to meet the king, who sud
denly held out his hand.
The others rushed forward almost
incoherent In greeting the admiral
who had sailed away in command Of
the great fleet of demonstration and
had been given up as dead.
| Field was apparently enjoying the
situation, and waited until they began
to ask question before expressing his
views. Il am under my word of hon.
or. or might say parole"
Not that" Bevins interrupted. You
are not prisoner"
We'll, under promise then, that !
shall say nothing concerning the mys-
terry which l now thoroughly under.
stand.7 He made a little grimace as
If the subject brought up unpleasant
recolleclions of defeat, and went on:
Il am here tonight as the guest OF
|
me of his failure to convince you tina.
what he asks is necessary. and have
come to add my arguments to his.
urging upon you to do as he says. He
has told you the truth when he says
that it may mean an end to war"
The ministers and the lord of the
admiralty looked shocked; but the
| king made a decision without hest
fancy. Il will accept, and believe II
best that the others should accompany
me-" 1t was. conclusive.
They doomed their light coats, and
when the monarch stepped from his
wardrobe a moment later he, too, was
CARRIED for his trip and preceded them
down the Railways, through corridors
and arched doors, over heavy car
D. is where the noise of their feet was
deadened. and across tiled floors
where the ring OF their boot-heels dis
turbed the silence. Only once did the
king halt, and that was for Bevins tn
indicate whether it was desirable To
pass through the private door or into
the broader corridor leading toward
the front OF the palace. They chose
the former course. passed the wonder
4 ing sentry at the door, and out into
the night. The odor of June flowers
came TO them on every side through
the weird veil of fog. and from the
drive beyond the pile of stone and
brick came the steady Gathering OF
horses hoofs. They walked closely
together, the king holding Bevins
arm The sentry heard their feet
steadily crunching out over the grav
eled walks, started at the sound Of q
4 melancholy. far-reaching whistle, won
dering whether it was a signal oil
some strange import. and then re
sumed his usual motionless attitude
The king and his ministers had beet
taken by the fog, the night and the