The Washington times., 1915-09-19
CHAPTER L.
LIE ROi S'Amuse.

1t was not often In his muddled life
that Michael had so fun warrant to
/ give rein to his impulses. He had felt
the greatest Of all intoxications--that
Of power. He had marched with men
behind him-he had heard the strains
| Of martial music--even he had aeon
somewhat OF war. But yondsr fllip
to his brain now lacking, he must
hex that Of wine.
Vie was well In his cups. He had
not noted the absence Of sachio or
ants. hesit&ting. told him that q
woman was waiting to be admitted.
Her name was one which came to his
/ brain now above all others. Tho
own Importance. boastful in wine. all
things seemed to him at the moment
TO- be the gift of supreme fortune.
,o;, "Admit her at once yes--why do
She came before him now, pale,
downcast. almost trembling. Heavy
enough had been the burden OF
anxiety she long had carried. She
had come to the king. but she sought
not this weak kings comforting: No,
man on whom even the king must
TO Michael. however. her presence
meant but one thing. She had at last
There had come. to him proof Of the
last conquest. the one most dear to
:'Ah; mademoi.elle." he began. half
s: Mhy y0S n.vs yoS e0s to ss,Yras u: It
long? We have grieved for You. and
who would. grieve the king"
Your majesty" said Kitty Gray. and
gazing as She did upon @ he s bloated ate lace face
Of this man who claimed to be a king
Your majesty. you are more than kind
to remember SO unimportant person. "
Unimportant-whena ali we have thought
Of was yourself. What has kept you
away?-though I am sure you came al
soon as you could"
could
And because you have heard Of what
we have done today. Of how we have
routed the army Of y.onder King Cortis-
though l do say It."
your majesty"
"C.nn, "Whom $ 90 KEY, you mean Count sachio -
majesty? I meant another
"Ah. always YOU mean that other.
wish l might never hear his name again.
IGontinpally Cor his name comes to your
name there. But now / have freed you
both by our royal command. I swear
ought to have freed you and left him in
How mean you. your majesty" The
cold gray eye Of Kitty Gray was nxed
upon him now. But the Irritation Of
King Michael rose steadily.
complainingly. He was with me. true,
but he held me back from the combat
when. sought to wipe out the armies
fore mine. and always have been fool
ish enough to listen to him He is here
somewhere, no doubt. swear I shall
ssHe ssk a his d head Sss,rs. Sns day He shall
And what is 1t that your majesty de-
Why, my matesty desires a many
Ss4y thnFs my Sean msy se rsess se.eo In S
ago; an extra bottle Of Beloc. and my
majesty sent a man. Count sachio. yon-
der sI to bring , it; My majesty desires"
Yes. here. You have said that twice.
He was here, twice or once-I know not
how many times. But now you are here
mademoiselle. and that is enough. My
He advanced toward her. The leer
gust as well as terror. With no purpose
whatever. as he stumbled forward she
ned from the room. fed she knew not
King Michael turned. looked about
vaguely. and fell to pluming himself be-
fore his mirror, SO fuddled that he for
previous. He turned to realize he was
alone. THE jade!" he exclaimed.
The Jade fed. she cared not where
If Sachio had been here. and II he now
was gone. then be sure there was some
evil on foot. She must fnd Frederick
she must make Of her bitterest enemy
her first ally. A certain chivalry Of her
soul demanded that OF her. She had
given her word to him. her parole
What Roleau had said of her was true
in every good sense Of the word. she
was high born.
Without much plan. Kitty turned