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The King's Daughter
(Gaumont)
By LULIETTE BRYANT
It was not a day for clemency nor mercy. Theodoric, King of Austrasia, sat upon his throne, grim and resolute, pronouncing stern judgment upon the long line of captive Visigoths passing before him.
The sentences meted out to the vanquished people were in keeping with the war, which had been short and sharp, resulting in the complete subjugation of the Visigoths. Instant death for captains and leaders, and slavery for all the remainder of the race, was the decree of the victorious Theodoric.
Unmoved, the king watched the last of the line disappear thru swinging doors into the ante-chamber, the wailing of the women floating faintly backward into the throne room. Then, with a weary gesture, he threw aside his purple robe of state and was about to leave his seat, when a herald approached.
"There are yet two others," he said, with a low obeisance, "the chief of the Visigoths, and his daughter. Because of his rank they were separated from the other captives. ' '
"Bring them in at once," commanded Theodoric, resuming his seat with an impatient frown. "Let us have done with this business today."
The crimson curtains of the throne room parted, and the chief of the Visigoths stood before his conqueror. He was an aged man, his long hair was as white as snow, but his tall form stood as erect as any youth's, and from the black eyes, which returned Theodoric 's penetrating gaze unflinchingly, shone an indomitable spirit, defying death or bondage.
For a moment they faced each other silently, these two kings, one holding
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in his hands the gift of life or death, the other, scorning protest or plea, waiting calmly to receive whichever gift should be his portion. Then Theodoric spoke sternly :
"Before the last battle you were given opportunity to save your life and possessions by peaceful surrender of your army. You insolently defied me, therefore "
The sentence was interrupted by the chief's daughter, who had clung timidly to her father's arm, her face and form completely veiled by loose black draperies. Now .these outer robes dropped, and the maiden stepped forward, clad in a straight white robe which accentuated her flowerlike beauty. Kneeling at the foot of the throne, she lifted to the king a pale young face from which shone eyes dark and lustrous as her kingly father's, yet tender and innocent as a babe's. Slowly she raised both white arms until her hands were clasped above her head, from which waves of shining hair rolled, half hiding the slender, trembling form. Pleadingly she gazed into her judge's face, and her lips opened as if to speak, but no sound came from them. Only the starry, beseeching eyes pleaded eloquently with the hard, implacable ones fixed so keenly upon them.
Theodoric gazed at the lovely girl, so utterly at his mercy, and to his amazement, he saw dawning within her eyes a sweet trustfulness. He did not realize that his stern features were relaxing, his eyes growing mild, his whole nature undergoing swift transformation. He only felt, vaguely, that life and strength and power had suddenly grown very sweet.
With sudden impulse he bent, lift