Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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io THE MISSILE. blinds. She heard some one address Prince Mazzini, and turning, saw a tall man in military dress standing near the door. He turned, and Margurite closed her eyes. Surely she was not dreaming. She opened them again, and Lorraine was bending over her. “Lorraine — Prince Mazzini,” murmured the girl, “what does it mean ?” “It means, little sweetheart,” whispered the lover, “that Lorraine and the hateful Prince Mazzini are one and the same.” “Lorraine ’ whispered the girl, “I am so happy.” Q. Spooner Dunn, II. A. THE LITTLE PAGE. 4 || enneth,” came sharply from the lips of the Duke. The dark, brocaded curtains parted Vx t ic and a slender, golden-haired lad of nine. clad in dark green velvet, entered. “Be seat ed.” The Duke waved toward a stiff high backed chair. The little page climbed into the chair and fixed his great dark eyes on the Duke. It was a picture any artist would have been glad to paint. The dark red of the chair made a striking background for the golden curls and the green velvet. Great dark eyes gazed out fearlessly from under long curling lashes, and the full red lips gave color to the pale face; and the tall, dark young man contrasted strangely with the boy. “Kenneth,” said the Duke, “to-morrow I go on a jour-

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THE MISSILE. 9 ‘‘A man’s outfit?” “Yes,” commanded the girl, “and hurry.” Beatrice was back in a few minutes with an old outfit of her brother’s. “This ?” she whispered, holding it up. “Yes,” answered Marguerite, “and hurry, get me a horse, bring it around to the door, and make no noise.” “Mademoiselle,” the girl exclaimed in an astonished voice, “you must not go out into the night. The storm is barely over, and it is raining yet. The woods are thick and dark.” But before she had finished speaking. Marguerite was out of the door. The girl hastened up stairs to tell her father, but long before men were sent in search of Mar- gurite she was far off through the woods. The darkness of the woods was impenetrable and now as she rode farther into them the horse began to stum- ble. At one of these times she was thrown off and in falling her right arm was thrown under her. She man- aged to mount again but the pain of her arm was almost unbearable, and she was obliged to let the horse find his own way. After riding farther on, the girl heard the clatter of horses’ feet. Thinking it was her pursuers, she tried to quicken her horses’ speed, but the pain in her arm was so great she could only hold to the saddle with her un- hurt arm. Suddenly her horse neighed and was an- swered by another quite near. “Oh, God,” she murmured,” I want to die. Don’t let them find me,” and then she fainted. When the girl awoke, she was in the Inn’s sitting-room, and the morning sun was shining through the half closed

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' THE MISSILE. 11 ney to my sister who lieth ill of the fever. I leave the Lady Marjorie to thy care. Thou’rt a good lad and a brave, and though thou art small methinks I can trust thee. I leave with thee also Geoffry and Old Gasper and Lady Marjorie’s old nurse, Nan. Come, I will show thee a way of escape in case some band of marauders chance this way. In the troubleous times ’tis wise to keep thy eyes and ears open, lad. Come and mind that thou say- est naught of this to anyone save me and the Lady Mar- jorie, if need be.” The little page sprang from the chair and followed his master. They went through richly fur- nished rooms and long dark corridors that Kenneth had never seen before. At length they came to a door barred and locked more securely than the rest. The Duke strove in vain to loose them and said, “ ’Tis long since these bolts have been disturbed. Couldst find thy way back again thinkest thou ? I would have thee bring me oil. These bolts are too much for me.” ‘ Yes, my lord,” ‘Twere well an’ I went alone. Then will it be easier should I be compelled to return in haste with her lady-ship.” “Well said, lad. Haste thee whilst I abide here.” The child turned away and was quickly lost in darkness. “One would think he were ninety instead of nine with his grave face and thoughtful mien,” murmured the Duke. “I do well to leave Marjorie to his care, for though he is himself scarce more than a babe, I feel I may trust him. I will go to the armory and choose a sword, nay, I will let him choose it for himself. Perchance ’twill call forth one of those rare, sweet smiles.” The Duke fell into a a reverie, which was soon broken by the sound of foot- steps.