The Washington herald., 1915-04-04

dungeon. should you, Oswald? I think
we are going to have ever SO govt a
| time. The king is the jolliest man !
| ever saw"
For two days the little duke had
| the best time you ever heard of. and
| they were not long enough to do all
the things the king planned. The
third day the king told the duke that
message had come from Normandy
ordering one half the dukes horsemen
| back home.
who in Normandy has a right to
| order my horsemen?" said the duke
proudly. They are my subjects, and
| only I have a right to order them-I
| and you. their king" he added with
pretty bow.
"Ah." replied the king. II can give
you plenty more horsemen. They may
not be SO tall or SO fair, but they are
as brave and as strong. and can fight
as hard and as long"
Something in the way the king said
these last words made the little dukes
heart beat fast and filled him with a
momentary sense or fear.
A day or SO later the duke noticed
that none of his horsemen remained
and when he asked about them the
king said that they. too. had been sent
back to Normandy. What need you
of horsemen when you are under my
protection?" asked the monarch. with
such an engaging smile that the lit
tie duke feared nothing.
THAT man Oswald OF yours" went
on the king, might have gone home
with them. I could give you a better
serving man than he; but when 1 told
him he refused to go. The simple fell
low seems to think q Frenchman could
not dress you as we'll" The king
laughed. But he can do no HARM" he
said half to himself.
NO HARM" echoed the little duke.
why, of course, he can do no harm!"
1t was this very day that Richard
noticed that there was always a
French knight in armor standing at
the door that led from his apartment
to the courtyard of the castle. This
would probably have aroused the
child's curiosity il his attention had
not suddenly been taken up with the
fact that for supper he had nothing
but black bread and water. The next
day he did not see his host nor did
any one come to his apartment from
the king excepting a servant with
more bread and water
So for two or three days things
went on and then the little duke real
lied what Oswald had suspected from
the first-that really and truly they
were prisoners in the power OF the
cruel king of France.
Oswald did not say much to the boy.
but remained with him constantly,
giving him each day the lions share
Of the very small portion Of black
bread. Once only each day did Oswald
leave the duke. That was in the even
ing. when he carried hay and straw
to his horse stabbed in the little shed
outside the dukes apartment.
The dukes horse had been taken
from him, but Oswa1d's horse was of
so little value that no one thought Of
deprivfng the poor man of 1t SO long
as he was willing to care for 1t him.
self.
II wish we could ca, hay and
straw, good Oswald" the boy said one
day as he lay in his room, too weak
from hunger to rise. why do you
pass out each day with food for your
horse and leave me alone? am
afraid, Oswald. Please do not leave
me-"
The servant paid no attention to the
child's complaint. but merely went on
with his hs past the guard at tho
door, who was SO accustomed to seeing
him go by at that time that he bare
ly noticed him.
bread nor water for Oswald and the
duke. and then for the first time the
child realized that tho king was ac-
tually starving him to death.
"He was afraid of me because I was
Norman like my father" said the
little fellow with pride. 'Oh, Oswald.
do not leave me tonight! I dare not
be left alone when am so hungry"
NO." replied Oswald. Il will not
leave you again. Wait till sunset and
will take you away from here to
safety"
The long. dreary day at last passed
and sunset came. Then Oswald went
as usual to get the hay and straw
for his horse.
why, you said you wouldn't leave
me". cried the boy.
Hush" warned the man. Hold
your tongue and do ~ bid
With these words the servant rolled
the little boy into the bundle Of straw
and hay and lifted him into hts arms
The child was completely hidden. and