The Washington herald., 1909-04-27

orr own little world VIII move not with
It. We VIII stay as We are, you and I.
forever and forever"
You are poetic this evening, she
laughed. gently patnng his head.
The sun makes even the Gagged bird
sing" he responded. tremulous beneath
her touch
Dear me. cannot keep I'D with you:
let Us taik in prose. which is more fitting
for two old married persons" She set
tied back amid her cushions, and
through the gathering dusk surveyed him
mockingly. Tell me, what has hap
pened since last we saw each othery'
so little, for so long a time, that ]
DO not remember, he replied. fasci-
mated by her enkindling eyes fixed upon
bis. Revolution, I believe. is the prin-
cipsl happening: FOR without plots the
prince, my brother, and within weeps
the queen. my wife; and between them
your poor Henry has been having IN
mauvais quart d'heure. The council
warns me that I am 70 be abducted
which may be a happy solution OF dificul-
ties. domestic and foreign. for George
VIII then at last have the sscen6ency,
Doris viii be relieved OF ne, and in
my exile can send for you. Would
you cOme7''
But would the heart OF the king de-
posed remain the same as the heart OF
the king regnant2" she demanded softly.
He would still be man. he replied,
softly.
Then, If you were no longer king.
you would-love me. as you say you dos
or is It but a royal fancy2" she persisted.
eyes dropped
I would be king, had I your he re-
minded. Did I not describe my king
dom z moment ago? II is all the king
dom 7 desire. would gladly trade all
Stecsin. from the sea TO the mountains.
from the north to the south, for the
space from the sole Of your feet 10 the
crown OF your head. and the wealth Of
your two lips. The revolution, I would
almost guarantee my brother safe pass
age into the castle and 10 the throne.
II he would guarantee me safe passage
out. provided you would come"
He gazed at her eagerly.
Would your
u might" she said-breathing II as
II wondering at her boldDess.
You aud I together, without title
save our love; together where none
day would be one sweet song. each night
one sweet dream. Think of II. Myrtler
The duchess gave a satisfied little sigh,
as If q line Of thought was bending to
her liking. She raised her eyes
when you are ready. send. she bade.
smiling fondly, entrancingIy.
He seized her hand and laid Il against
his greedy cheek
I viii. God speed the day when I
can defy the world and obey my heart, -
he exclaimed, passionstely- What IS a
king A shackied drudge. sworn by an
CesCTy. RuTtUred by tradition, educated By
restriction. married by his prime min
lister, bounded by his castle. cOerced by
his council Ere. ever he is born he
is as dead and gone. for his life mas been
lived for him. But you" he interrupted
himself, with sudden jealousy: would
you be satisfied with merely the man.
where once you had the king7"
When you are ready. send for ne. -
she repeated She laughed gayly. rous-
ing herself. It appeared. from dreaming.
But We talk nonsense. she said. You
are king. and you cannot escape It.
any more than you could help II. Let
Us De thankful that there is a little back
stairway- and moments when We can
be together"
Together, grumbled the king. fl-
content with the expression When any
moment We are liable 20 be intruded
upon. in some way or another I declare.
I am sitting here now. prepared % jun-
and TUT al the slightest signal This is
not together Myrtle-not the together
that might be" He kissed her hand. and
continued eagerly. Why wait for a tine
that may never Gomez Why waste pre-
cious hours waiting for abduction rsvolu-
ton. and my tardy brother 10 dispIace
me2 Why not take q holiday. YOU and
I? Why not fy away TO Smordsn, Just
for a brief space that shall be ours
alOne2 The lodge is always ready, We
have only 20 step in. Then. then. there
in the midst Of the green forest. We TIVE
would truly be together VIII you.
Myrtle-my MyrtIe2 None shall ever know.
I shall arrange the going and the CON-
ing: that is the advantage in being a
king. for II he desires. where he moves
secrecy attends. Shall We bring to our
aid SmoTden. and foil fate for day?'
When2~ breathed the duchess, softly.
IN the glamourous dusk
This coming morning-when better?
While the others are dancing and feast
ing We VIII slip OF 70 Snorden-to that
silent, waiting hunting lodge. which you
shall make for me Ike the chalice Of a
fragrant lily. St Thunbar's Day shall
be our day
And the duke, Henry
The duke will be needed at the bar
racks: BY order Of the council the troops
are on patrol duty from midnight 10
midnight
And you2"
7 have received orders to keep close.
lest 7 be stolenI And close VII keep
so close that you alone OF al the world
shall know my Whereabouts
"Oh. shall We breathed the duchess,
doubt and longing in her seductive whis-
per
Her fingers closed about the nand that
held them. and seemed 70 plead: Urge
on
The king quickly rose. and kneeiing.
gathered into his possession the other
small, velvety. glowing hand
we viii do it," he exuIted We
must do IL Listen: At half-past 3
at half-past exactly. this coming
you viii find standing at the
Pontius PLATE gateway a closed coach.
The wicket VIII be u1latched; slip
through and into the coach. where you
VIII find also your Henry awaiting you
Then. and then-a ride together through
the dawn Of day for Us alone. Think OF
it. Myrtle. Think
His heart choked him. and he passion
ately bent forward TO kiss her upon the
lips; but she held him away.
Not now" she said; later. We must
save something for tO-morrsw."
But on your lips kisses blossom faster
then they may be plucked, did 7 have
years ahead. instead OF a feet
ing day" he reproached.
She laughed, and still thrust him
back
Nc she bade You must 20. To
get US both cf safely you viii require
clear brain, and the ciosenesS Of this
room seems 10 be affecting you, And 20
lengthen our day. why not have the