The Washington herald., 1909-05-01
WHEN THE KING AwoKE
Continued from Page Ten.

Continued from Page Ten.
henaed the recent scene. and caused the
king 20 shrink from her touch. A pistol
bullet-a struggle bare-handed for the
msstery-even a knife driven into the
back-and then the plunge over the brink.
would have been only the legitimate
progress OF 4 desperate game; but this
allsrement-this batting by fair flesh
this tolling BY the arts Of love-snd then
the deadly thrust 70 the depths, that
sickened. and made for revolt. What
might be strategy IN man was tTescnery
II woman. Now was the duchess tre0ly
damned: siren, snake and tiger. He haa
known her as the first. he had suspected
her as the second. and he had here seen
her as the third. And the king, also'
shuddered.
Unchauenged the four Cthe duchess. as
ever, leading). hastened down through
the gulch vet unHghted BY the noon; the
way amid q lying obscure and dank
Bat the bridge was batEed al IN the
broad beams; the two trunks. bare
through much usage. showing white and
clean. and peril0usly insufficient 70 aiord
passage over 50 black and ugly rift
IN ont Of the chasm. and apparently held
suspended. foated the dun roar Of the
water
At the bridge the party halted. The
queen gave a piteous cry. and resisted.
Ike q child
we must not stop reminded the
duchess; and she crossed, swiftly, un-
SwervinE.
no. no. cried the queen. covering her
eyes with her free arm.
E-FF ~
the king saw that she was clutching fast
IN her hand the oval. silver-backed hand
mirror Of the toilet case
Sir Hugo suddenly picked her up. and
carrying her made firm, straight course
10 the other side The king followed
The jester set down the queen
Wait" said the king: and he bent
and heaved at the end Of the bridging
log
He budget It, but staggered with the
weight Sir Hugo aided: together they
swung the butt by inches 10 the edge; an
inch more. another-and together they
sprang back as the trunk went scraping.
crashing. into the dusky gap A splash
sounded.
The other" painted the king
The second pine trunk clattered into the
abyss. and splashed- The chasm was
bridgeless. The king and Sir Hugo
Strengthened, and listened. But across.
where the moonlight was creeping into
the gulch. and the meadow lay silvery
with those pure rays as impartial 10 its
cabins as 70 the stainless snow-cap high
above. no notes Of alarm were arising.
At the foot Of the portal cliff the senti-
nel slept well and seemingly as soundly
slept the bandit camp beyond
The party proceeded a way into the
dense forest and there was forced 70
stop by the queens exhaustion.
We had better stay here until day
light said the Jester. 1T IS hard trav-
cling through the wood. and we VIII
gain by resting"
Have we start enough, you thlnk?''
asked the duchess. YEARLY
Yes; they cannot follow Us until day;
and then. they have the EoTge 70 bridge
Unless they have another crossing,
spoke the king.
Yes; unless they have another cross
ing" assented Sir Hugo But we have
done our best.
He leaned back against the tree behind
him; his large head nodded, and dropped.
and fell forward upon his breast a
snore escaped him. He slept
Upon the edge OF the open space the
king likewise seated himself. against a
trunk The duchess wistfuIly looked at
him. a moment, and then she arose and
tip-toed across and sat beside him.
Forgive me for what said, up there
when you angersd me, she whispered
Won't your
He made no response. her hand. cold,
imploring. crept 10 his. and he loathed
her.
You are 50 cruel to ne. Henry" she
continued, patiently. You made me
crazy A woman has 70 defend herself
said things I ought not to have said
See-I am humbl!ng myself I an yours.
indeed. I an. followed you for love OF
yOu-just you. deaTie. What I said al
first was the truth Forget what I said
afterward. when wzs crazed." She
paused. but the king sat. hard and ex-
Pressionless. save for a frowr betwixt
his eyes Is il that you hate me now.
because I an a murderer she essayed.
with q sob. Am I murderer. Henry?
did not want TO kill him. but it was
the only thing 10 do. I did Il for your
sake. There is nothing I would not do
for your sake-yes. !, Myrtle OF Marto.''
She laughed bitterly. 7 never thought
I should say this 70 any msn-but here
say T."
She waited; he spoke not She choked
back another sob, and submissively. dog
Ike. gently laid her head IN his lap
Kiss me. Henry" she entreated- She
held up her two arms 10 draw him down.
7 am so tired-Oh. 50 tired. I have done
a great deal haven't 7? Kiss me but
once, and say you forgive ne. and 7 viii
go TO sleep Do you want 10 sleep. dear
I don't mean 10 keep you awake. I viii
sit I'D. and you can lean against me. It
viii be more comfortable for you and
won't stir-no. not an inch You can
sleep TIL morning. But kiss me-please-" g"
The king roughly moved, and rescated
himself. apart The duchess writhed in
eheCtually after him: then she remained
prone upon her face. sObbing miserably,
arms outstretched along the ground in
his direction.
Her sobs gradually died. she. too, slept
10 BE CONCLUDED N The LITERARY
MAGAZINE OF TIE WASHINGTON
HERALD, TOMORROW