The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-05-19
CHAPTER XIX.
lie Roi S'AmuSe.

lie Roi S'Amuse.
It was not often in his muddled life
that Michael had so full warrant to
give rein to his impulses. He had not |
noted the absence of Sachio or Lads
law After time, his attendants, |
hesitati:g, told him that a woman was |
waiting to be admitted. Her name |
was one which came to his brain now
above all others.
Admit her at once, yes-why do
you delay?"
She came before him now, pale,
downcast, almost trembling. Heavy
enough had been the burden of anx-
iety she long had carried. She had
come to the king, but she sought not
this weak kings comforting. No, she
had come hitler in search of the man
on whom even the king must rely.
"Ah, mademoiselle,'' he began, half
maIdlin, you have come to us at last.
Why were you SO absurdly long? We
have grieved for you, and who would
grieve the hing?"
your majesty said Kitty Gray,
and half shuddered as she gave the
title, gazing as she did upon the bloat-
ed face OF this man who claimed to be
a king Your majesty, you are more
: than kind to remember so unimpor-
tart a person"
'Unimportant! Do not say that
word. Unimportant-wh all we have
thought of was yourself. What has
kept you away?-though I am sure
you came as soon as you could"
yes, your majesty, as soon as
could
And because you have heard Of
what we have done today, of how we
have routed the army Of yonder King
! Cortislaw-it was cleverly done,
mademoiselle. though 1 do say it,
And what OF him Who was with
you, your majesty"
CHOP
Count Sachio? Was he here. your
majesty? l meant another
'Ah, always you mean that other
/ Always he seeks to come between his
king and his kings DESIRE" said he
conlplainingly.
and what is it that your majesty
desires?"
W. my majesty desires man,
things, my dear he replied, in vinouf
liberty. My majesty desired, a Will.
age, an extra bottle of Beioc, and m,
EaJesty sent q man, Count Sachio
yonder to bring it. My majesty de
siles-''
"Sachio here!"
yes, here. You have said tina
twice. He was here. twice or once
know not how many times. But nov
you are here. mademoiselle, and tina
: is enough. My majesty desires"
He advanced toward her. The lee,
: upon his pulled face gave her swift
disgust as well as terror With n,
j. purpose whatever as he stumbled for
" ward she fed from the room, fed sh,
j knew not where.
: Without much plan, Kitty turne,
j toward the interior of the palace, an,
down the long hall which before tina
= time she had explored. Something toll,
: her that Frederick, if he were here il
l. the palace now, had passed that way
! The torture chamber-that drea,
spot! Must she go there to look TO
t him? She sped On rapidly along thes
passageWays which she had Iearne
y before. Through the last deep sunkel
tunnel which led to the Goor of tn
e torture chamber itself she passe
g alone, trembling with fear. and yet re
+ solved
n The door was locked. She turned t
see the key upon the wall. AS sh
r turned there came to her a fain
v door. The blood stopped at her hear
n She felt her face go cold Had tn
l. dead indeed come to life? Was it il
# deed true that some hand from beyon
l. the grave alone could point out tn
II hiding place of this treasure? Wha
r. couldn't mean?
T. But the knocking at the door gre,
q holder. She heard a voice-a fair
voice through the steel facing of tn
k inner cavern. Trembling, she fitte
r the key, gave one great push to ope
the door, which yielded the NOR
D. quickly to power exerted within. Sb
saw the faint CLEAN of light adde
=. to those of her own candle: saw til
race OF the man she had sought!
W Your" she cried. ct is your"
b. She heard him answer calmly SLOW
1t ~ without agitation, as though all tn
d. time he had been convinced she wou]
e come.
1t is ended" said Count Frederic
b at last, slowly. Never again will
N doubt! l prayed for you, prayed tn:
st you should understand before I die
h But it was meant for you to come ff
" me, that might know-know as muc
d as they who are here, who have bee
lie my fellows and my friends. Mademo
e. seHe-1 had said good-by to ever
g. 1nlng excepting one. There was tn,
le1t which no man should die witho,
" ,1now1ng-that experience which on
makes life worth living. I have drea