The Lamar register., 1912-12-11
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by FREDERIC s IS ;SGSIN l. % 8 swim
AUTHOR Of TIE S1ROlLEVS. DHDlR TIL nc
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RA/ WINTERS

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toward a rampant, where some one
had once bid him au revoir, and
where he might yet in fancy see a
fluttering ribbon wave a bright adieu!
But today my lady, the Princess Of
the Rock, was not there; waited
above. with her father, 10 receive
him-then-in the great Hall of the
Chevaliers. Until that morning she
had not known of the coming of the
Marquis, an impatient sutton. follow
ing the courier and the perfumed mis-
sive acquainting her with the mobiles
near approach. Certainly had she
shown surprise; but whether she was
pleased or not. his Excellcncy could
not tell.
He was still uncertain; standing,
near the raised gallery, in the ancient
sale des cheyaliers, from time to
time regarded her furtively! Often
had she looked from one of the round
windows, commanding view OF the
shore and the sands; many times
turned away. At first sight Of the
company on the beach, the Governor
udu EtSu tHC XIII dittI anu hui
ed the involuntary start she had
given. Whereupon. moving toward one
of the giant fire-places, had he sought
for the sake of diplomacy and the
end in view. to turn their CONVERSE
ton into a channel that should have
interested her: spoke Of plans to be
made; preparations for festivities and
merrymaking commensurate with the
circumstances. But to these sugges-
lions of gaieties. the prelude to
stately ceremony. had she hardly
listened: paused absently before the
blazing logs; once or twice seemed
about to say something and stopped.
She was silent now, a slender figure
beneath that great canopy Of stone
designed for the shelter Of q score
Of knights; nervously twining and IN
tertwining her fingers, she looked out
at the shadows moving between the
columns, playing around the bases.
or melting In the vaulting.
"They should be almost here now"
observed his Excellency. again seek
ing to break that spell Of constraint.
when suddenly she stepped to him.
Mon PEREZ" her voice sounded
strained. unnatural. at was you who
wanted this marriager
YES" he had answered In some
surprise; yes"
~And I have not opposed you-thc
King"
Opposed? No! or course not!"
"Then." more hurriedly, must you
do something in return for me! do
not want my-the wedding festivities
-marred by anything unpleasant!
Promise that nothing will happen to
him. the Black Seigneur. until after"
"Impossible!" The sudden virulence
her unexpected request awoke couh
not be concealed.
VERY Welt" Before the anger in
steel. I'm that case. you can send
the Marquis back! For l will not see
him-today, tomorrow or any other
time again!"
Long he looked at her; the white
face; the tightly compressed lips; the
eyes that would not finch! They re.
minded him Of another's-were of the
same hue-so like, and yet SO differ
emit! Unlike, in bespeaking a will he
could not break! What he said, mat
ters not; his face wore an ashy shade.
She did not answer In words; but he
felt, with strange bitterness, a revul-
sion; she seemed almost suddenly to
have become hostile to him.
Gay voices sounded without; near
er; she walked to a door opposite the
entrance their visitors were approach
ing. An instant. and she would have
passed out. when the Governor spoke.
But the Marquis. stepping quickly
In few moments later, noted nothing
amfss between them. your Excel.
lency!" With filial respect he greet
ed the Governor. my LADY," Gaily,
approvingly. his eye passed over her;
then in that hall dedicated to chiv.
airy. graceful figure, he sank to his
knee; raised small cold hand. and
pressed 1t to his lips.