The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1916-08-03
CHAPTER lxxix.
Katharine.


Two were alone once more, two
whom fate had so strangely cast to.
gethcr in such scenes. The tumult had
ceased. Quiet and order now obtained
within those ancient walls Those two
were alone in the great throneroom OF
the kingdom, for the nobleman had
signitied that such was his wish.
He turned toward her now gravely
and held out his hands. She placed
hers in his, trembling.
WAS it true?" she whispered. Did
they indeed and inieed-did they call
you-the king? Or, how can l be hap
by at that. Now, must so back--I
must leave you"
You shall never go." said the quiet
voice of the man who confronted her.
You shall never leave me now"
But how? You are the king? Il
has been confirmed. The scripts were
true-what we thought was true"
Il am the king! Yes, but how shall
rule alone? You shall sit beside me.
for It's you have taught me how
king should rule. Liberty and JUS
tice'-tkose words were strangers to
my ears until you spoke them. Think
you could go on in this business now.
| this solemn Undertaking which I must
assume. and miss your counsel in the
future? You shall be as much queen
as I am king in establishing those
principles in this kingdom"
But | cannot! | am an unknown
woman. | am of no birth. | am not
your"
Again he laid his fingers upon her
| lips lightly.
CEASE" said he; do not say that
word. Michael, himself. my father.
| perhaps was of no lofty lineage so far
as traced kings could be named. He
himself came from where he grew
! he seized the reins of power-and he
gave the people such liberty ard JUS
| tice as then was possible. Am | bet
| ter than he? Was he better than you?
am |? Say no more, think no more
that word which you were about to
name"
Again he held out to her his hands.
and now, in spite OF all she could do.
she could not withhold her own-could
| not withdraw them, so firmly clasped
were they now. Trembling. weeping.
she looked up into his eyes.
1T is all clear" said he to her at
| length. 1T was Grahame, my unfaith-
full bodyguard, who had the knowl-
edge of these things. and who be-
trayed US by that knowledge. He
got the coins from Boris Rolcau.
accord him but one item Of
thanks - 1t was through his treach.
| cry that | lost the coin at the time
| that I was in your country. on the
errand OF the Gretzhoffen loan. He
stole that coin He must have lost or
pawned half of II. or sold II. At least,
that ia how you found 1t. So thank
him, for so much as that.
| las for Roleau-the son Of that
faithful servant of my father-hc shall
be honored by US both. because he
has given loyalty. rayself have
grieved that once was cruel to him
that l struck him even-after the old
fashion Of cur rulers here. Not again
shall that occur. Ro.eau. your friend,
my servant-he shall be captain of the
Imperial Guard. have told him so
much as that.
What a curse attends these treas
ures! See now. out OF all these who
have been about me, two have been
faithful-the son Of that man who
was faithful to our earlier king, and
you! You fought me, yes. but you
fought fair. You kept your word
you honored your own parole-you al
ways will do so. | trust your word
as trust the beating Of my own heart
You then shall be-you are-my
Queen!"
She could not answer, and still he
went on slowly: Ahead OF US Is duty.
responsibility--for both Of US. We
servo for liberty and Justice"
He led her gently to the great
, throne cf Gretzhoffen, which stood be-
fore them now. They bowed before
, It.
II give you my faith. Katharine"
. said he, simply. DO you love met!
II do" said she. SO low he could
, scarce catch the words.
, And even in these words spoken
| there, the one to the other. In the 81
: lence of the great throne chamber OF
q the kingdom. their plighted troth
seemed as the words Of the priest and
!. the roar Of the great organ and the
later applause Of the assembled multi
, tudes, who hailed them as saviors OF
, the land.
j. He gave her hand now up the
r steps to the great throne itself. and
bowed to her as she dropped back
q upon the great seat OF power.
a God do so to me and more also,
n said lie solcmnly, III ever betray
them or you"
!, L'ENvOI.
Under the sea there sped from the
q little kingdom of Gretzhoffen to ths
q great republic OF America message
q carried in the electric spark which
a united the world. 1t was directed tc
4 the editor OF the Daily Star In Kitty
q Gray's own city, and 1t was enough tt