The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28

y
to tell of his love in many meeting
clandestinef And she. tie queen
even she was not averse to hearing the
honeyed words that fell from the lips
of the handsome and bold chamber
lain.
The queen with scarcely percep-
tAble nod. made response to Sancha's
beckonings. With more pronounced
nod of her queenly head. she gave thus
without words an order to ner ladies'
to remain by the courts and indicated
that it was her pleasure that she
should stroll unattended.
To point beyond the arbor the
queen stroffed And when she was
safely beyond the sight of the tennis
courts and the players and the ladies
who waited there, the queen beckened
to Sancha to join her
Grave news. your majesty" said
Sancha. Il bring you news of the
king, your husband"
Sancha boldly clasped the queens
hand She returned his pressure with
smile. For Sancha was man whose
good looks and arts OF fascination
could enthrall any woman, and surely
fascinate woman who, like the queen,
was much neglected by her august hus-
band who left her more than he should
to her own devices.
"Prithee good Sancha," the queen
said. What possible news of the king
can interest his spouse who rarely
sees him?"
News of one who is beautiful your
majesty" Sancha replied. artfully
knowing that here was a subject that
would awaken the queens interest be-
yond peradventure.
And so it proved For the queen
drew herself up with mighty hauteur
and jeered at Sancha-but jeered with
dangerous light in her eyes. For
Queen Dulcinea, at mention of the
word Beauty" scented a rival in the
kings affections. And she asked:
And the one who is beautiful,
Sancha? What interest holds such
news for me-"
Deep interest. your majesty. The
king is pleased to find in the one who
is beautiful new toy. He is even now
plotting to bring the one who is beau
tiful here to the palace"
Queen Dulcinea drew herself up still
more haughtily.
"Forsooth!" she exclaimed. And
why should not his majesty bring one
who is beautiful here to the palace?
Mightst thou not refer to horse, or
yet fawn or new deerhound? All
these, Sancha, are beautiful-some-
times. And the king has penchant
for such pets
Nay, mistress. Not horse. Nor
yet fawn or hound. But woman!"
The queen started Her eyes blazed
with wrath Queen Dulcinea surely
was wroth at mention of a woman. For
Queen Dulcinea was a jealous queen.
Moreover she was a cruel woman.
That she would brook the presence of
rival in the palace was not in her
nature. For Queen Dulcinea was no
weak female She mad not the unfal-
tering fidelity of her husband, the king,
that was true. But at least his mai
esty knew his queen we'll enough to
, know that even neglect OF her would
not result in the queens Indifference
to the presence of rivals within the
palace.
How know you of the kings plans,
Sancha?' she asked.
az oyorbo,rd oil ,o,r
heard the king plotting with the chief
equerry to bring the beautiful one to
the palace. They plan to smuggle the
wench in without the knowledge of
your most gracious SELF They plan to
hide the girl in the secret chamber be-
yond the kings own apartments-a
chamber that is now no longer a
secret, since [, Sancha, possess knowl.
edge of its existence"
When, perchance, might the king
have idea of putting this plan into exc
cution?" asked the queen.
This evening at the hour of the
curfew-when the priestly bells ring
for the evening prayer at the monas-
terry, your majesty
The wenchi" cried the queen.
What like is she? You say she is
beautiful Her name! Her station!"
by name Godiva,' Sancha said by
station the daughter of Rivarre. the
shepherd, whose abode stands at the
edge OF yonder forest"
Il will see this wench," the queen
now said. evidently reaching a sudden
resolve.
See her, your majesty? Why how
can that be? How canst thou leave
the palace grounds without thy abb
sence being discovered by thy liege
lord? And what if thy absence be
discovered? Surely then thou wilt be
accused of making tryst with some
lover And then the king in his rage
will impIison thee in the tower of the
left wing and thy days of freedom will
be over"
There is way, Sancha, to accom-
piish all things if one so Wills. And
] will to look upon this wench to see
whether she be as beautiful as thou
dost infer. If thy description fits her,
Sancha, woe to this wench She shall
feel my power to the uttermost. II not
beautiful, then | shall smile upon her
and send her to place far beyond
our realm If beautiful-she shall be
crushed this night"
But how art thou to leave the pal