Evening star., 1936-06-28
o.i s.eb" THIS WEEK
Prince PUdden and Pie
Mogozine Section

inferior, just as, in Tudor days, the
jester or the server used to taste each
dish before the king - to protect
him against poison.
George wasn't thinking of that; he
was merely annoyed at the impudence
OF Hope-Hill. who. as he took it, was
slyly insulting him, trusting to his
ignorance of kag0 etiquette.
That's not my cup" he began.
The Queen cut in. why you giving
Siorsi first?" she asked.
Hope-Hill was civilly explanatory.
Your Majesty. strangers don't know
our customs; it seems rude to them to
serve other people first - particularly
servants. meant to crafty the
Prince"
Lisabeta leaned back against the
throne. "Ah," she said. Il see. But it is
not custom. l not much like you
break custom. Siorsi understands is
and fashion. You call Maiera's name"
There was a moments breathless
silence. The lustres on the hanging
amps swung. tinkling family. Like
bells, George thought, warning bells,
such as are set on reefs to ring of
danger. The Eastern strain in the
'salmanazars spoke in the brothers,
how and then. Asia, home of mystery.
bf magic and prophecy. was whisper
ing in Georges ear. And what Asia
said was. Beware"
George had been going to take the
cup. politely. from Maiera's hand.
Rather than embarrass lady "a
charming lady whom he'd kissed
twenty times in secret - he was
going to swallow the insult that Hope
Hill had put upon him: drink the
slaves cup of kara and pretend he
liked it, But with that whisper in his
ears. he stayed.
He saw Maiera. in the fading light.
clinch her small fingers about the cup
to keep herself from dropping it. He
saw Hope-Hill, frozen in the formal
posture of the kaua-caller. standing
appalled,. unable to speak. He caught
the flash in Queen Lisabeta's eyes, as
she leaped to her feet. flung out one
long. magnificent arm and cried in the
very tones once used by her father.
her grandfather, when fires we're lit
and victims prepared for sacrifice -
DRINK
The Queen had guessed. The Queen
was ordering Maiera to execution.
Two people sprang to prevent the
carrying out of the sentence. George
and Hope Hill. George was the first;
he clutched at the cup which Maiera,
helpless before the Queen, was already
raising to her lips. But Lisabeta was
quicker, and not less strong. She
flung him aside with sweep of one
powerful arm. the while, with her free
hand, she pinched Maiera's nostrils.
forcing the girl to swallow. 1t was over
in moment; the draught was down,
hnd Maiera, hands before her eyes, as
{ to shut out the sight of inevitable
death, had sunk upon the floor.
Get up and 60 down to the sea-"
George shouted. GO and drink salt
water till you burst. Good Lord, girl.
don't let yourself -"
She did not move. George bent down
and took hold of her. He knew now
that Maiera, crazed with jealousy. had
lent herself to the purposes of Hope
Hill; clearly she and the Chamberlain
had plotted to kill him. meant him to
swallow the poisoned drink.
Lisabeta had called the guards.
They came running from the gate.
Hold the girl" she ordered. "Maiera
will not leave the palace"
LET her CO." George pleaded.
'Lisabeta! When l ask you" He had
his arms about her now; he was sure
hat he could persuade her. this crea-
lure of fame and furious impulse.
Lisabeta he might have managed.
But not Lisabeta the Queen. She had