The Washington herald., 1909-05-01

vey the country outspread below. Pres
entity, before the hurying little group. was
the entrance 10 the gulch. whose exit
was at the bridge: and as they plunged
into L. the moon. gibDous, ghostly. swung
Up over the farther edge OF the plateau,
and her forces began to search out the
shadows Of the meadow.
This entrance 10 the guich, where the
ground feIl away in q steep incline down
to the chasm beyond, bore a collection
Of bushes and low trees.
Wait here whispered the duchess
do not stir
She slipped away IN the direction
whence they had come; and gliding with
the barest swish amidst the lush grass,
she mingled inextricably with the shad-
ows and the yet erratic moonbeams, and
vanished.
The three thus left. stood motiOnIess
and concealed
4 am cold complained the queen.
why DO we stay hereT'
Speak very low. We viii go on in a
minute" replied Sir Hugo. in underone.
I am glad that woman went away.
don't ike her"
'Sh. cautioned Sir Hugo.
Who IS this man2"
This is Henry You know Henry.
don't you2"
I am cold she whimpered
The moon SCARED steadily upward The
guich was still in darkness. but upon
either side OF it the plateau was being
bathed with the silver light Before
where the table-land, cut by the gulch.
formed the two portals. on the ieft-hand
point was decipherable the figure OF the
sentinel. q black spot in the white sheen.
sitting. psnsive. calm. from his post OF
vantage overlooking the chasm. hither
and farther side
A htful little melody drifted 10 the
ears OF the king. and he deserted the out
lines OF the duchess. where, across the
meadow, she was innocently- yet wick
edly, meandering down. through the
moonlight now sweeping the cup. as well
as the plateau.
The sentinel had heard. and by the torn
Of bis face was watching Skirting the
left rim Of the gulch the duchess fdIed
on. lilt.ng her wordless sorg. The senti-
mel waited. curious. She wandered near
e.: he arose
The king caught the mUrmur Of a low
hail from him. and the HmpiG laughter
OF the response The sentinel approached
her. and she drew back-but not in dis
couragement With a sudden dash he
seized her. and for an instant they were
together. she IN his arms. Almost could
the king hear the sound Of rude kisses.
The duchess vrenched herself loose. lean
Ing back. held only by her two hands.
laughing. The sentinel also laughed.
hoarsely. triUmphsntly. bantering. She
accused. chided. Knocked: he denied. pro-
raeeaA 4 A.
Eaurmuring down the siivery world The
duchess abruptly snatched free her hands.
and running obliquely 10 the frontal
brink, looked back and tinkled with a
challenging laugh She tossed something
over-a hutter OF white Holly the
bandit followed her: he leaned and looked
into the precipiee. as II preparatory 10
descent. Like an adder darting to sink
its fangs. swift the duchess thrust with
her two arms. A choking. terrible CRY.
and upon the skyline the leaning bandit
was limned no more. There was a faint
rattle a distant thud. For a moment
the duchess stood alone. listening. she
peered over. Then she turned and came
running. running, as panic-stricken
straight 70 the top of the gulch-
Where are you2" she painted. Come
she gasped. dragging the king along
-Oh-did You see? But I could not help
IT, ] killed him-I showed him over
and he went down. down, down. He
never sUspected-he did not know I was
going 10 KIN him have blood on nv
hands" and the king could sense her
shuoder- he was so easily PLAYED with
and Yet he Was a great man. broad and
big much larger than T. Do not hate
me for Il, Henry Do not any of YOU
hate me Il was the only way. VIII he
haunt ne. do you think? He cried out
as he went over: did you hear7 such
2 dreadful cry-and then he crashed.
way. way down. But we can get across
the bridge. row, you see
No voice answered her. The horror that
was making her vOluSle was holding the
others silent (sIthough It nav be cues
toned whether the queen fully compre-
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