The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13
PAGE A

hand with grace. She asked if letter from
herself could be conveyed to the King, SC
that he might receive it on his way to Syllis
81 have here" said she, "a letter from his
majesty which seems to demand reply
She was at once assured that she had only
to command. Whatever she wished should
be done. Would she write her letter now,
or have tea first?
She would have liked to write that mo-
ment, while still possessing remnant of
the courage which seemed to be failing
every instant; but in consideration for her
suite she said they might bring tea first.
The two gentlemen bowed and retired to
give the order; afterward joining the two
ladies on the lawn, and continuing their
conversation while waiter brought out the
teapot and accessories.
Evadne remained so deeply sunk in
thought that she forgot to wonder whether
this might be described as remissness on the
part of her suite Elbows on knees, chin
cupped in hands, she sat gazing down, APP
parently upon the tiled floor, but actually
into, abysses of humiliation.
A pause, or cessation of the walters
movements about the table, snatched back
her wandering attention. The man had
completed the setting out of dainties, and
was standing before her, his empty tray in
hand, as if awaiting an order.
Without chaging her attitude, she could
not look as high as his face; but she raised
her eyes to see why he waited, and her
glance was caught by the fact that he wore
key pinned to his coat in the way that
the landlords had been.
But this key was studded with turquoises.
Her chin was flung up suddenly, her face
raised fully; and she found herself looking
into the ruthless gray eyes of Stepan Wo-
ronz.
Evadne had never tainted in her life; yet
as this moment came upon her she felt rush
ing waves of darkness ripple across her
BRAIN with sense of imminent suffocation
The man threw his tray aside, consterna-
ton dawned in his eyes, he made a move
ment as though to catch her if she fell
That just turned the scale and steeled her
to resist the weakness.
Your Majesty is ill?'' he sal :.
Even in those four words she recognized
the voice. though in the dark it had never
spoken aloud. 1t was as if finger swept
strings within her with touch half delight
half agony. Now, if never before, must she
sustain the part of royalty. Now must she
collect all her sforces to face and OUTAGE
the desperate situation.
NO." she answered quietly, mot i'll,
thank you. l am surprised, that is all. You
are, / think, the man who saved my life
when l was drowning in Karneru See."
"Your majesty, l was fortunate enough
to have that great honor"
Il have been hoping ever since that
might see you in order to thank you per-
sonally. One can never repay such debt,
but l hope you will let me know of some
way in which | may serve you. Now that
] am queen, | can be more powerful
friend than was the Princess Evadne.'
Your majesty forgets that she has al
ready overpaid me for my small service
He slipped his fingers inside his collar and
drew out silken cord to which was at
tached the ring which she had inclosed in
her letter of thanks to him.
She looked at it, and swiftly from it to
him. He was smiling, and his eyes seemed
to be saying many things; to be full of an
amused sense of her powers of "bluffing, -
and of silent force, to be used pitilessly
when the time came. She swallowed down
her range and terror, and still spoke tenn
perately.
Give me back that worthless rubbish,
and l will keep it a pledge to remind me
to do you some real service
1.-The only service l shall beg of your
majesty is to be allowed to retain my
guerdon.''
Her impulse was to cry out NO. to