The Washington herald., 1909-04-27
CHAPTER III.
The Duchess Smiles.

From the queens bed chamber the
king emerged. visibly annoyed. He had
found her crying. and the helpless sight
had angered him. Why did she elect this
weak. unfair way Of TeSenting his con-
duct2 He wanted her 20 be hsppy-cer-
tainly he did; Why should she show
herself unhappy The perversity Of f.
CALLED him. He was put 50 AT disad-
vantage Somehow. Il seemed 20 him that
he was being placed in a wrong light
Oh. why. in heavens name. should she
shut herself up and cry. when (sside
from giving up his own pleasure) he
wanted her to be happy! Why did not
she let him go, accept things as they
were. and wait for him 20 come baekI
She would save herself (and him slsO)
so much discomfort He die not want
her TO be unhappy; then why would she
not understand? He hated crying: It
isritated him, FOR against It he had no
defense.
Re strobe through the audience cham
her. and on. into the other wing Of the
castle Guards saluted. dame and dam
sci. noble and lackey did obeisance. but
his brow smOOthed not until he turned in
where led upward a winding little stair.
In what adulation had failed, now love
succeeded; and the man who. when re-
ceiving homage. frowned. now about 10
render homage. smiled. The stairway
rose in a spiral as though penetrating
a tower: the king must have counted, for
presently he halted in his climb. and
gently tapped on the wall-twfce, thrice.
and once.
Come. spoke a clear voice. Appar-
emily at a detf touch from him a panel
like narrow door slid gently back.
Handsome BY virtue Of his ardent face
and eager mien, the king looked in.
Before him was the white room. rnys-
tic with high light and shadow; and IN
the midst. upon the couch, with her sen
sGous face framed In her rounded arms.
invitation curving her red lips, allure
ment wakening IN her siumberous al
mond eyes. smiled upon him the duchess.
The king stepped through: the door
slipped 70 and shut him in
Is il welcome2'' he asked, half gayly.
half deferenusIly
It IS always welcome, as long as your
majesty Is pleased TO come responded
the duchess. not moving.
The king advanced. and from behind
the couch tenderly pressed his lips to
one white arm.
AS long as it pleases me-" he re-
peated. When can II fail 10 please
me? Does a man ever weary Of chang
ing the frost for the sun? when para
disc is up but a fight OF stairs. shall I
decline to seek it2 Below. above. around
about. q castle OF pOmp and pride. Of
purple pageantry and paltry Pelf: and
here. little white room, and you. worth
more than all that which crowds about
A moment ago. and my councillors were
trying 20 worry me with tales Of state:
but they failed to even interest me, for I
knew you waited You are my king
dom, Myrtle: IN your eyes the sun Of
Stecsin rises and sets. your moods are
the people whom I serve. and your foot
stool is all the throne that I ask So
delivered over the state TO my council.
and came heTe-a monarch who would be
slave. a slave who would be king."
The duchess tilted back her head. and
smiled up at him through haIf-shut eyes.
Nicely said. King Henry Of Stecsin,
she murmGred-
lie oent Forward FapturouSiy- Dut sne
promptly lowered her glance and dropped
her arms to her side.
"A test?" she continued, with a slight
laugh. tossing a cushion TO the floor
'-Win your majesty really be content
with my footstool7''
why King Henry and Your Najes-
ty? he complained quickly walking
around the end OF The couch. and in
staliing himself upon the cushion 'T
had rather be Henry. plain Henry.
eRnobled by your lips And now. he
said, leaning against the couch, at her
knee. 'iet the world without revoive-
the world Of trouble and business; but