Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 127: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GREAT. DISCOVERY. the Dota Merton's jealousy continued to rartkle. Ore day Judith stood with a crowd of lords and ladies im the king’s antechamber; she was lookimg out of a window imto one of the smal, immer courtyards. - Suddenly she leaned eagerly forware. She saw 2 mar enter the yard, and then make rapidly for the paface. For only a brief moment did she see his face; it was very sunbufnt,. and he was dressed hke 2 courtier, but love sharpened Judrth’s eyes. It was Arthuf Lake! Why had he come without letting her know? | AH at once 2 terrible thought crossed - , her mind. She was remembering that Dofia de Torres had excused herself and renamed im her rooms, pleading 2 headaehe. Could it be possible that Arthur had come to see her, m secret? : Ail the color left Dota Merton’s face, and she moved unsteadily toward the door. Her way was barred by the Count of Sansito, who had beer watching ker. “ Where are you goirg, madam?” ke in- quired. “ You look if.” “Fam.” She strove vamly for contre}. ““T nrust seek nry room.” She gained the exit and fled, making rap- idly for the Iong haffway through which she knew Arthur would have to: pass if be went, as her mstinct declared he would go, directly to the apertment of Dona de Forres. When she reached the hall she thought it was deserted, ther she saw that Arther _ Was just passing out of it.- He had taken the turning that led to the littte stairs to the upper corridor. It was on this corridor that the chamber of the royal nurse was located! Thither Judith followed, keeping at a safe distance, and taking care that her steps made no sound gn .the ald flagged floor. Once she almost discovered when Arthur apprehensively turned and looked back. ‘She had barely time to,slip into the deep shadow of an archway. For 2 me- ment sire saw his face very clearfy. Ft was undoubtedfy Arthur, and he was bound upon some clandestine mission. His man- ner was furtive and nervous. . bay! When she had reached suck 2 peint as enabled her to view the fatal door, she paused and watched anxiously. She re called her friend’s protestations of inne eence and Arthur’s. avowal that he did nef know Dona de Torres. Fhenm came the thought of Neanita, and what she had beers told about Arthur and the Indian princess, And he had stayed away so lengt | Arthur Lake had paused before the doom of the nurse! He looked about apprehensively, and then, deciding that all was safe, he scratched or the deer. Almost at once is epened, and Judith heard the voice ef Dona de Torres welcornzeg him! A low cry escaped Judith, but almost at ence she stifled it. The Count of Sansite had appeared at the end of the corridor. Gathering herself together, she attempted te walk calmly away and ascend to the floor above, where were located the apact. ments of the queen and royal children. Sanste had evidently followed her frous the king’s anteroom. What did he suspect? How was he concerned im all this? The eoant thirsted for Arthur's life—she knew that. But what could he do? She pretended not te be aware of the secs retary’s approach, and moved quickly away. She ascended to the fleor above, and he did mot fellow. Instead of gemg to. her owns ‘ room, she walked the length ef the corrides ‘and descended by the stairs at the far end, Within a few mirmutes after she had de- parted fronr Dosa de Torres's door she wae again beside it. She wondered where Sansito had _— as she rushed to the nurse’s door and cau- trously tried it. The latel: responded, but the doer did not oper. Ht was barred ew the inside. . She placed her face against the doer, and Fistened, She could hear voices, Fi lest Arthur’s, and then the nurse’s, and. then quick Fittle words said together. She could not distinguish the words, but her jealous heart told her. : They were making love! He was telling her how hard it had been to be separated so long, and she—and she— Judith could net bear the torture. Sire wante to beat upen the deer and cali GOMMlepoo (-) S CO@