The Washington times., 1924-09-27

with our hardy recruits from
Syria and loud was the welcome
we received from the duke.
Never have / set eyes on
more goodly company" said the
Lord Of Burgundy, rest them
well, Sir Max, for tomorrow we
attack the Swiss"
This was good cheer for Max,
but while he was receiving this
and other specious compliments
from the duke. / was hearing far
more distasteful news. / called
to Max as he emerged from the
And then / told him what had
happened after our departure for
Syria, how Mary was already in
Paris to be married to the half
wit Dauphin and how the duke
had played fast and loose with
him. Never havesI seen my young
prince in such anger. He was for
boarding Charles before his mobiles
until I persuaded him that dis
erection was indeed the better part
Of valor.
For some time he stood silent
thinking over his course, but when
he reached a decision he acted
swiftly.
II am going to Paris" said he,
to rescue the princess"
But that Is suicide" / pro-
tested, for Louis would welcome
the chance to hang YOU"
But Max swore that nothing
would keep him from the girl he
loved, and so we quietly marshsled
our little force and slipped away
in the night; whether the duke
missed US, who shall say, for
great events happened in the
next few days.
As fast as we galloped toward
Paris we were not swift enough
to reach the city before the am
nouncement OF Mary's betrothal
had been made to the assembled
mobiles Of France.
Never was q more brilliant
scene, and never did a princess
bear herself more royalty than the
heiress of Burgundy when she
faced the throng and walked up
the great aisle Of the throne room
with the King of France. A sub
dued whisper of admiration ran
through the great throng Of proud
lords and ladies at the beauty and
regal carriage Of this daughter
or the great Lo~i Of Burgundy,
who placed himself on an equal
with the sovereigns of Europe.
Mobiles of France" said Louis,
bear witness TO the betrothal Of
my son, the Dauphin, to Mary of
Burgundy"
At which thousand swords
flew from. their scabbards to &C.
claim devotion and loyalty.
l can speak of this scene almost
at first hand, for my prince wit.
messed the end Of It with his own
eyes.
All the way to Paris we had
been formulating means to get
the princess out OK the clutches
OF the king before she actually
became the bride Of the dauphin.
You may imagine that Louis was
not the man to be fooled and
that he who attempted this task
had best beware of his head,
no matter what his eegree.
Nevertheless, Max resolved to
pit his wit against that OF the
ruler Of France and he caused
himself to be .ushered into the
great hall, all covered with dust
ana the stains of travel, at the
conclusion of the betrothal cere-
mony.
"The noble Count de Moraine.
ambassador from Burgundy"
cried the herald, to the astonish-
ment of all.
But IL the others were sur
sprised you may imagine Mary's
amusement. To see the man she
loved was a reward indeed, but
70 know he was there at the risk
OF his life was a sorrow, too.
But she showed no agitation as
Louis, his keen eyes taking In
her face as well as that of
the new arrival. asked for ere.
dentials.
Sire" said Max. "my de.
parture was too hasty to stop for
credentials-a great misfortune
has befallen my master, the Duke
Of Burgundy"
Charles leaned forward: this
was good news for him, and he
showed It without stint.
But how am / to know you
are who you say you are7" he
asked.
The princess will vouch for
me-" answered the audacIous
young man, whereupon Mary.
called by the king, stepped fran
the throne and said in voice as
impersonal as though she had no
interest in Max:
The Count de Moraine IL one
Qf my fathers trusted equerrles."
Louis nodded and dismissed the