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

have kingdom or not.
Il, In my few years, have tried to
Keep and to better this old land for
him, but the Wepsburgs have always
pred In steps, one valley between two
mountains, / am the valley, Fernando
the Easy"
Then the revolutionist knew that II
was the king, the man he had come
to Kill, who was talking. And more,
that the crown prince, marked by the
league rs equally doomed, was within
his reach.
He tremblcd and shook like win
ter leaf with the agitation Of 1t, but
his right hand held tightly over the
lump In his coat.
1mperceptihly his hand sank deep
ei into the pocket.
II drew the black lot in the great
meeting Mt Nnvotas." he declared
coldly. II came 10 kill"
yves. I know" the king replied. his
face still smiling, but the foreboding
Of desperation In his eyes. But whyf
Have you among your revolutionlsts
one man like that?"
His free hand pointed to the prince.
Your tongue shows that you are
from the north provinces, from Bra
tnin, perhaps; you breed steeds on
your plains of Bratain for speed This
mnn-child has been bred to rule. The
white plume that led on the bloody
slopes of La Raza belonged to his
Observation-Disclosures. The sword
that turned back the French lesions
at Brassy was held by his GRANDPA
ther.
He will make our land grent and
prosperous again. and ask to live my
self only that I may teach him and
guide him. He alone can do It, he
will be the monntainl" .>,
a child" grumbled the square
faced man gruffiy.
"1n only eighteen years he will be Of
age! What is eighteen years In the
life Of n nation? You and may not
enjoy the blessings Of it. but our chill
dren will. You have children, have
you not. Antonio?'
The republicans head shook grimly.
There was no bread to feed them.
why should have them?"
The kings face paled until 1t held
only the wan ghost Of a smile. After
all, he was but the valley. Fernando
tho Easy.
The revolutionist was growing some
inarticulate words.
Il came to kill" he said with peas
ant obstinacy. II drew the black lot in
the great meeting Mt Navotus."
The big muscles Of his right arm
stiffened, and slowly his hand sunk
deeper into the pocket. It reached
tho lump md grasped II.
Then the Prince Of Lagenda, be-
coming suddenly impatient, pulled
away from his father and pushed out
with his small fist against the
strangers thick leg.
go away" he ordered. my IA
Their is to play with me. You are not
a councl!or-go with the servants"
He lifted his face fearleSsly to the
mans brown one and his clear, blue
eyes flashed with the Understandable
sureness of four centuries of implicit
command.
"Go!" he repeated.
The peasants face suddenly went
white as chalk, his thick, sturdy legs
trembled. his lOng-bred peasant blood
the 400 years of obedence-wus
turning to water before the pleasure
Of that infant royal hand.
There was hypnotic force envclop-
ing him, the spell Of the old Weps-
burgs. the Wepsburgs of the white
plumes and long swords. The in
stinct Of submission gripped him. He
fought 1t desperately, but the blood
told.
His hands dropped Imply to his
sides.
Il CO. he stammered. ALTHOUGH
It means death outside. They are
waiting for me. 1t was decreed that
If he who drew the black lot should
not do his task within the week he
should be marked for death himself.
No. no." he noticed the kings agita-
ton. TT will be useless to try to
save me. And am content"
He turned to 60, but the king halt.
ed him, and reaching out his long.
white hand, suddenly grasped the
broad, brown one. His large, sad.
Whimsical eyes, more fitted for a poet
or q dreamer than for a ruler, were
Drumming moist.
{ "Good.by--good.by. Comrude An.
tonioi" he said. "serpaant of the
guardi" .,t...-...
He clapped his hands and a guard
hurried from n Cross corridor.
safe escort to the palace CATER"