The Washington herald., 1909-05-01

in q head" gVowled bswknOSe; and with
q stride Of displeasure. ne made across
the green.
Within the cabin the king laid his
charge upon the bunk. and whirled fierce
ly al the duchess.
Out" he snarled, imperatively. out,
/ Quick. before she sees you. YOU
The duchess recoiled. She stood wav-
ering, uncertain, upon the threshold. as
( if not knowing where to turn
Sir Hugo beckoned TO her, and moving
blindly. she went TO him
Inside the king brooded over the uacon-
seious queen He dared gently 70 smooth
her forehead, upon whose fine white skin
loosened strands OF silky hair. Ike vel
low floss. were vainly struggling. The
touch OF her thrilled him. and almost
did he cry out in an agony OF love. Up
from the depths Of him rose a food OF
/ passion upon which the traces OF other
passion were but froth: pity regret. In
finite compassion and bitter self-reproach
these mingled with the tide. No food
ephemerel was this. swelled only By foul
weather and dormant in fair. but a food
that should never sink, and one that fair
ly choked him as he leaned and watched
the form close beneath his yearning face.
He found himself chafing no longer. but
only humble in the grip OF this Nemesis
which had sent the duchess 10 hold him
TO the wheel: his only vent hand timidly
rested upon a forehead which noticed il
not
The queen stirred and murmured brok-
enly. The king crooned over her. utter
ing phrases Of endeaTment and reassur-
ance. as if to a child
The queen laughed so wildly as 70 make
him start. and opened her eyes. But they
flashed upon him. unseeing. She laughed
again. shTin and long.
What is IT, sweetheart" he soothed.
gently smoothing her brow.
IT IL so funny-oh so funny. Let me
laugh-I have not laughed for so long
The duchess Of MartO-sh, Don't tel.
But I am the Lady Louise. She did not
expect 10 find the Lady Louise up here.
She has followed ne. I don't Ike her.
She has YOU; she won't try 70 take Del
ORC from ne, viii she? want some
body. Henry. A woman must have some
body You are Henry? Who is Henry2
But must sleep. Tell them the Lady
Louise sleeps. must rest. so as 10 look
beautiful for Del GRO. Sleep IS so good
80 good.
She droned of. Her eyes closed. For
little time the king, drawing Up a stool.
sat by her. Sir Hugo looked IN. upon his
large countenance anxiety and inquiry
The king. with warning gesture. rising,
stole out 10 him.
The former jester was alone. the duch-
ess being seated upon the granite out
crop. was now all in shade. where the
queen had been.
Asleep" asked Sir Hugo.
Yes, said the king.
But I heard her laugh"
Yes" said the king. misersbly: "she
laughed She opened her ewes only for
an instant, though; then she went to
sleep"
Did she sem
Yes. said the king. 1T IS awful, he
groaned.
Sir Hugo drew him to one side Of the
cabin.
let Us talk here You are 10 go after
ransom Del Orc has consented start
at once, before he changes his mind. he
win send a man with you 70 guide you.
and 10 wait and bring the money back.
The king shook his head.
You must Listen: II not for Us. then
for your kingdom. The duchess has told
me OF the revolution. Il IS more than
We even imagined There has been fight
ing-blOOdy fighting. The royal city ard
Thesau are besieged. How long they may
hold out who knows? Your brother Is
rallying east and west, north and south,
10 his standard Il has been given out
that you are IN his hands and have abdi-
Gated IN his favor Your people know
not what 10 believe but they are stand Z
ing firm. hoping. loyal They refuse 10
give YOU up-yet God bless the faithful
hearts OF the kingdom OF Stecsin,''
The king breathed quickly, his nostrils /
dilated. and his eyes shone. Sir Hugo /
noted
CO. he urged. you can do no good
here-and every moment adds 10 your
peril, both here and there a kingdom /
depends upon you Save Stecsin, 1 do /
not say save Us-althoUgh YOU can do 1
that. too. You have two days. Start
now Del Oro has pledged that tfe way
shall be open 70 Us. when he receives !
the money He never breaks such
pledgAhe cannot. and conduct his scoun- |
dTelly business. You leave me 70 watch 1
and guard Trust me 10 90 & But 60 4
only go, and nowI'
no. I cannot" Eroaned the king. the /
bsttle-nght dying in his eyes
You can You must" declared the /
fool, hotly- This is no tine for dsllying /
There viii come peace. and then on with /
your Iove-making as you choose On, /
you shall have the duchess" he contin-
Ued, with scOrn- The ransom viii fetch !
her. too; do not fear. Such bandits do +
not impede themselves with women OF 4
as low degree as she who loves you, a 4
servant, appears 20 be. No. 90 not hesi-
tate pledge you that viii bring her
yes. as safely. by God above. as I bring
the queen Go Go to your kingdom
90 10 your people; don't let them bleed
in vain. After war. love"
Z cannot leave. love her. You know
not what you urge ne" replied the king
Shame. and double shame; and you
a king" lashed the fool. furiousiy.
But at least, man, responded the
king gravely- Il cannot go-I cannot.
tel you, until I am forgiven
"0h. she VIII forgive youi I know not /
for what, but she is waiting now said
Sir Hugo. with biting sneeE. Faith
and II she does not, I can pick you I'D
a dozen. on almost any street in Stecsin.
with all her charms. and only 100 willing
to take her place. Faugh. your majesty"
What exclaimed the kiI.g. flashing
INTO sudden fame. You dare to speak
s0-Of herr BY ST. Jude
Yes. Of her." asserted the fool, flame II
-eaping 10 meet fame. "Of her-yon
Myrtle Of Mario"
oh" said the king. sabsiding But
spoke Of the queen Twas OF Doris:
for" he added, quietly. I love her And
now do you understand
Sir Hugo eyed him steadily.
Your love comes late-and most in
he remarked; and squarely
turning. with head bowed. he walked 70 Il
he cabin doorway and gently entered.
Thus. for love. the king again sacrificed II
1 kingdom.
The king mutely marked Sir Hugo's
steps then gazed about Upon
he low gray granite clUmp he saw the
duchess still sitting, with attitude lack