Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-02
THE
LAST KING
s&s
CHAPTER |
By CALVIN DILL WILSON.


party reverently withdrew beyond
hearing
The queen lay upon the forest grass
under, the deep shade of giant trees,
supported by the arm of her hus-
band. Bears and deer had been slain
that day, but merriment had ended
when the queens horse stumbled.
Now her life was fast ebbing away.
Sire she whispered, II want to
thank you for your goodness to ME.
You bore well the yoke of a loveless
state marriage. We were denied what
our humblest subjects have, the right
| to follow the instincts of their hearts.
Nobls you have done your part, and
wish to say this before | die"
In . tone that was caress, the
king answered:
Il thank you from my heart.
| Though knew your heart belonged
| to another, no man could ask gent
Ter. nobler woman than you have
been to me-"
Your praise is sweet" she smiled
up into his face. Would that
could have made you happier. hope
you will miss me. Remember, / did
what | could
The king stroked her hair, and she
went on:
You may find love, yet. hope
you will / will not be Jealous of
that"
After few moments of such speech
the king beckoned the company to
draw near. Among those who came
forward was a young woman, who
bore cup of water saying:
Il have brought this from spring.
May l give it to the queen?'
The king asked:
Can You drink this water? This
stranger brings it to you"
YES the queen replied. Give it
to me-
]. The stranger knelt by the side of
her majesty and put the cup to her
lips. As the, queen drank. she look
ed long on the girls face. saying:
Beautiful. You are very fair. Who
are you?"
Il am Anna Gar"
where do you live?''
"At the capital"
Strange" the queen went on,
that have never seen you before;
yet you are the most beautiful of
women"
Il am workingmans daughter"
answered Anna.
"You are fair enough for queen"
the dying woman replied. "Sit here
by me. 1t sootkes me to look on
you"
The physician whispered to the
king.
"she is failing fast. 1t will not be
many moments"
A deep hush was upon all. The
queens eyes glanced from the king
to Anna and back again, and she
made sign to the king to put his ear
to her lips. Then she spoke what no
one but he heard. A little later the
end had come.
A few weeks after man appeared
at the home of Anna Gar. This,
which stood in the suburbs, was
lonely relic Of the middle age, and
had been part of a nobleman's lodge
before the city had spread in that
direction; half a dozen ancient trees
still remained; so that the place was
In strong contrast to the surround
ing workmen's houses. The visitor
said:
81 am the Duke of Arran, cousin
of the king
The deep black eyes of Anna gazed
scrutinizingly at him as she answer
ed:
you are welcome, sir, as friend
of the king must always be to his
loyal subjects. You bear strong fam
lily likeness to his majesty"
1T has been commonly noted" was
the dukes answer. His majesty de-
sires me to express his appreciation
of your thoughtfulness to the queen.
Not only that, but the queens i'm
mediate liking for you impressed
him."
Annals face lighted up as she said:
His majesty is good to recall so
slight an action. Please give him my
gratitude. 1t is pleasant memory
that the suffering queen was kind
enough to show interest in me-"
Where Anna sat the light fell up
on her. revealing the wonderfully
graceful lines of her form, and the
subtle play OF her features. The duke
saw that the queen had been right
when she praised Annals singular
beauty. He went on:
"You may be interested TO know
what came to my mind as | entered
here, that this house vas once part
of lodge that belonged to my fam
lily and was our fayorite hunting
seat"
Anna smiled, and replied:
Yes, know something of the his
tory. II often has given me pleasure
to imagine those hunting parties of
the past. I have read also many times
the fine story OF our great novelist in
which scenes are laid here. And the
old ballad about this place know
Ia -