Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-02-05
The FaIIOf the Empire

AAA6NOult nC SOukhh W hAAAG AAuAncA
master Of all Kingdoms within his
reach.
While the kings traits were Napo-
leOnIc, there was one trait that was
not NapOleonic. Napoleon, while be
was q gallant, never permitted any
woman to influence him In matters of
government. He was not afraid Of the
fair ser and took no precautions
against women. The soIdier-kIng, on
the contrary. feared their seductions,
He was aware that they governed the
world and considered that II would be
impossible for him to build up the en-
pIFe he intended II he were himself
governed by a woman. A bachelor, he
proposed to remain a bachelor. And
for fear that he would be captured he
permitted only the homelIest women to
come near him. On one occasion when
he was told that young girl had come
to his tent to beg for protection from
his soldiers he asked, 'Ts she comedy r.
When answered In the Affirmative he
replied. ''Then let her be yelled"
There was one petty duchy, Histeria.
stu unconquered which was important
10 the soidier-king. From les geOgraph.
teal position II was the main link in
the states from which the empire was
to be formed. Though small. It's con-
quest would be difficult, for It's terri
tory constituted an elevated plateau
whose only approaches were through
mountain denies. The king sent de-
mand for It's submission. A reply was
returned that the duke would yield to
the inevitable II the king would grant
certain conditions. II not he would de-
fend his dukedom TIL every man in II
had been killed
The king then sent a messenger 70
ask the conditions. A reply came that
they would only be presented af
meeting 20 take place between the two
sovereigns. Midway up a defle lead
Ing 20 the duchy was a pocket well
adapted for place Of conference. The
duke proposed that he and the king
meet there and discuss the terms by
which bis domain should pass under
the kings rule, The king might bring
oil the guard ho wished, The duke
pledged himself to so alone.
The king. unwilling to be outdone in
an exhibition Of confidence. declared
that he, too. would go alone and un.
armed. All these matters having been
adjusted. the king rode. with a small
guard. to tho mouth Of the deflle.
where he left them and proceeded to
the rendezvous. The duke was seen
coming down the mountain. an old
man with lowing white beard and
hair.
The soveFelgns met az the door Of
pavilion that had been erected for the
conference. The duke produced gold.
en- key. unlocked the door and notion
ed the king to enter. When inside the
duke relocked the door. This startled
the king. but he said nothing Surely
II treachery were intended he was
match for this feeble old man. Then
the duke led the way into handsome
" furnished room, in the center Of
which we're a table and writing mate
rlala. At one end OF the apartment
blazed an open ere. The duke threw
the golden key In among the burning
logs. II Immediately ignlted. For a
moment the king stood In wonder at
seeing gold burn. then rushed forward
to rescue the key, He was too late.
ut was of wood, your majesty" said
the duke. "and gilded, We are shut up
here together for this conference. Mel.
Their can depart. for there Is no open.
Ing except the door which IL locked
ard no key with which 10 unlock t.
Let us proceed to business"
As the duke spoke the last words he
threw his hat on the door. pulled OF a
white wig and false beard. Invested
himself Of his ducal robes and stood
before the king In superb dress. wO-
man OF transcendant beauty.
ell was to meet the duke" STAN
mered the klag. drawing back.
Il am the sovereign OF Hlsterla. My
father has abdlcated In my favor"
The king put his hand before his
face TO shut out the vision Of lowell
ness,
These are my terms." continued the
duchess. "the only terms on which
shall surrender. viii pay your maj
esty 500 pieces Of gold annually as
tribute for ten years"
The king made no reply. but. drop
ping his hands. stared at the sym
metrlcal creature. Her features were
those OF cameo. her complexion that
of white and red roses. and her eyes
were a marvel OF lOyellness.
Your grace" he said. dropping on
his knee. II am az your mercy"
The duchess pointed to the writing
materials. The king wrote;
The Independence of the duchy % IIls-
terra Il acknowledged and guaranteed
The duchess read aud turned her
great eyes. III by heavenly smile. on
the monarch Thea. touching q spring
IN the table. drawer tiew open She
seized key and started for the door
The king followed aud caught her IN
his arms, she looked back. and her
liIs were pressed By his
When the king rejolned bis attend
mr.8s ka. vssau a .th,aNss.st man