The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-17

I In tho castle OF that name. nitu'
ated towards the northern frontier,
she Was virtually prisoner. Aiiho
II seemed certain she had had no
part IN them. two riaings had taken
place with tho avowcd object OF
placing her on the throne In her
uncies stead. Tho conapiratorr had
been cruelty dealt with. and thr
kins had grauted the casti. OF
syere 10 his niece rs residence
on condition that nhe did not leave
II without ria permission. Whilst
be lived. he was determined abe
should not mount tho throne.
With this arrangement kinE
Philip might have been content. but
for q thorn in the flcah which. with
all his efforts. no was unable 10
pluck out. How much righteous.
ness Their. was IN the claim TO the
thruno made By Count Christian Of
varna. l arm not able 70 say.
varnA lay on our eastern ron
tier. a small and independent State.
For the three years had been IN
the Guard. Ring Philips desire had
been 10 carry fir, and sword from
one end OF varna 10 the other. 10
annihilate the State, but hs bad 40.
com plished little. Recently. diplo'
macy had taken tho place OF the
sword. and tho King had succeeded
/ IA arranging a marriage between
the Count and Princess Suzanne.
No doubt the Count saw consid'
cradle advantage In the match. but
how far he might be considered FOR.
tunats from romantic point o'
view | could not Judge. never hav-
| ing seen tho lady.
One thing was certain-Coun'
Christian had been in no great bur
~ 10 como among MS. He had put
or his arrival 10 tho last day pos
hibls. was present with my trooF
In the audience chamber, and
knowing something OF both KinF
Philip and the Count. :, was inter
esting TO watch those two old enc
mics suddenly turned into friends
Only men we're at this reception
and several officers and civilians
we're presented formally to the
Count. I was not presented. Evi
IDENTIFY was in disgrace.
The audience came TO an end
Ny duty was over for the time be
ting. and I marched the men bach
to barracks.
Tonight the first OF the great en-
tertainments was 10 take place
masked ball. and ! should be on
duty from midnight until dawn. II
was close 20 midnight whom my
troop was finally stationed in the
anteroom adjoining the great ball
room. | caught little flying acraps
OF conversation. tho end OF n jest
the last point in an argument. the
conclusion Of story. Twice
heard the phrase. she has anger
cd the King"
Then the King came. watkins
with n group OF gentlemen. The
King cast me a swift glance. which
was unfriendly and unforgiving.
wonder whether afterwards there
came moment when he remsm
bered that look and had grace
enough 10 regret ~ Tie carried a
mask In his hand.
Then came the Count. He, was
masked. but there was no disguls
ing him. Guests. all masked. now
came crowdIng thru the anteroom
All that was beautiful and gallant
in Dravstadt filled the palace to.
night.
which ia tho Princess-the
Lady OF Syere7"
The girl who asked tho question
stood close beside me.
IT hear she has not entered the
ballroom yet" answered her com.
panion. land that for some reason
tho King IL angry with her Cos
sip has II that she received the
Count In no very friendly fash
ion"
So II was the Lady OF Syere who
had angered the King. a dangerous
game TO play was anxious 10
see the woman who had such te.
merity.
There was sudden movement
the guests fell apart, and Princess
Suzanne entered. She was evi
IDENTIFY as much n stranger TO most
OF those present as she was TO me
and there was considerable eager.
ness to SEQ her.
She walked slowly. a young fig.
ure, but with great dignity in IL
Her dress was the color OF old
gold. Her mask was of old gold
like her dress, and more effectual
lily concealed her face than was the
case with most of the women pres.