The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-30
CHAPTER VII.
The Secret Chamber.


Nervously King Leofric of Urania
paced his apartment, twitching at his
mustache and pulling his beard. Why,
he pondered, did not the varlets come
with the beauty of the forest? From
time to time he gazed eagerly at the
door and listened expectantly, his
features distorted by the passion
which the very thought of the lovely
Godiva infiamed within him.
And then the door opened and San
cha entered leading the affrighted
captive All in white she was ar
rayet N the clinging folds of the
drar"ry of her couch; for not a mo-
ment had been hers to supplement
with cloak or mantle the robe de mutt
in which the kings retainers had sur
prised her.
Welcome, Mistress Godiva," the
king said, bowling low. Welcome to
the palace. Thou dost tremble child.
surely tbs but the trembling of one
in strange surroundings and not De-
cause Of fear of youI sovereign"
"Ay, in that last hazard OF thy evil
brain" the girl said, emboldened by
the mortal fear that possessed her,
thou speakest very truth. For, in
deed, | am in great fear of thee,
sire"
Calm yourself, maid" the king
said. Rest upon yonder couch and
fear no evil. AS for thee, Sancha-
you may leave us. would speak
alone with our guest"
Sancha bowed aud backed from the
presence
King Leofric now sat upon the
couch beside Godiya.
"Godiya," he said, thou hast In
spired in my heart a great love for
thee. Riches thou shalt have and
fine raiment. Thou hast but to con-
sent graciously to abide within the
palace as my guest. Thou shalt be
raised from rank of peasant to that
of great lady. Art pleGsed?"
NO, sire" the girl replied, simply.
IT crave but one boon of thee Per-
NIT me to return to the house Of my
father"
"Ah, so thus blows the wind" said
his majesty, springing up and
scarcely now concealing his true and
vile self from his helpless captive.
Since so blows the wind, Godiva,
then it will be necessary to immure
thee here till such time as thou shalt
become accustomed to the new life
| destine for thee
With that the king pressed secret
spring beside a great painting that
was fitted in the wall The painting
swung on central pivot revealing
chamber beyond-the secret chamber.
"Godiva, be pleased to enter thy
chamber" the king commanded.
The girl sprang up and sought to
dart from the apartment. But the
king intercepted her and by force
thrust her through the opened panel
and into the secret chamber. He
then closed the panel behind him.
This is thy very own bedchamber,
Godivs," the king said "Yonder is
thy couch and here thou shalt tarry
as my guest. And shouldst thou con-
tinue to be unwilling guest, then
count this chamber also thy prison"
His majesty leered at her. gloated
over her beauty, sought to take her
hand with loverly tenderness But
1t was only to find his kingly hand
spurned by the peasant maid, who
thrust aside his caressing fingers and
imbedded both her own hands within
the folds of her white robe.
Meanwhile, to the chamber of Dull
cinea, the queen, went Sancha. He
found the queen ensconced behind the
curtains of her couch.
Who comes?" her majesty asked,
from behind the curtains.
"Sancha" was the reply.
Next moment the queen emerged
from the curtains, throwing around
her shoulders the while an exquisite
silken mantle
And thy trophy" the queen asked,
eagerly. Where is the bleeding
heart thou vert commanded to
bring?"
A thousand laments, fair Dulcinea.
The kings own men rescued the maid,
as my varlets we're about to plunge
the dagger into her heart"
Fool! Fool!" cried the queen, In
terrible rage and disappointment.
"Then the girl is already within the
palace-and alive"
Even so. your majesty-alive And
in the kings apartment. His majesty
dismissed me, doubtless for the pur-
pose of smuggling the girl into the
secret chamber of which our sover-
eign believes he alone possesses
knowledge"
Il have a plan. Sancha. The girl