Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-03-11

linen the king knew that an nssas-
sin. revolutionist Of the great secret
League Of Liberty stood by his side.
The king thought quickly. with the
boyish smile still lingering on his face,
although his eyes were keen behind
IT. What methods of escape were
open to him?
1t would be useless to hope to match
his stenderness against the broad peas
ant In graphing strength
why do you hesitate, comrade?"
the stranger was asking suspiciously.
Our oath binds us to help one an
other whenever called upon. Lead me
to the ruler Of our land!'
The chances were a hundred to one
that the PEASANTS great strength
would make the attempt only q means
or fastening the assassination, but
what II 1t did come to the worst, II
would mean but little, for the king
had clearly in his mind at that mo-
ment the image of the Prince of La
genda, just beyond in the morning
room. the brave little prince. to whom
he had been so blithely Fastening
moment before.
So. still smiling the king began to
draw back his slender right hand.
ready for the blow--to take the hun.
dredth chance
Slowly, cautiously, imperceptibly.
and easily his hand went back, poised
for the attack. and it was quite to his
hip when pattering noise sounding
at the end Of the long corridor from
the direction OF the morning-room.
caused both men to look toward It.
One hundred feet ahead, q Shaft OF
morning sunlight had fallen into the
gloom Of the long corridor. The door
OF the morning. room was partly open,
md. outlined against It, was the small,
sturdy blond figure Of the3three-year-
old Prince Of Lasenda.
The square-faced man, staring In
surprise ut the advent of the child.
glanced from the father to the son
with recognition lowering in his slow
eyes.
"Eh. comrade. who Is this?" he
asked wonderingly, in the patois Of the
peasant.
The king had taken the Prince Of La
genda by one chubby hand aud smiled
his famous. boyish, merry smile more
winningly than ever. 1t was m in
slant for which regiciles and revoIu-
t1onists might have prayed for centu-
ries. Not only the king, but the four
hundred-year-Old Wcpsburg dynasty
could be wiped out by one stroke.
Now 1t was the kings turn to choose
his only chance, as the peasant hud
chosen "a minute before.
Still smiling very quietly and ge-
nlally, with his eyes looking full into
the other mans, his fingers grasping
the princes soft, moist ones Just
trifte tighter, the king said clearly
and softly:
You asked me to lead you to the
ruler Of our country, did you not?
Well. l Will not have to, he has come
to us. This is he"
lie waited for the effect Of his words
on the blnnchcd-faccd revolutionist,
then he continued, still quietly and cor
daily:
people call him the Prince Of La
genda. but he is the real ruler of the
kIngdOmf Would you know how he
rules? BY the purity Of his white skin,
by the fearlessness of his blue eyes,
by the gentleness of his curly hair"
the king stopped to finger it lovingly.
racked by the thought that it might
be for the last time.
"Our country has been in sore need
Of one like him for many generations"
he resumed. "There has been neither
purity, nor fearlessness, nor gentle
hess. But God has given them all