The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-12
CHAPTER I.


In the days Of Rudolph the Third
there stood on the hill opposite the
Castle of Zenda and on the other side
of the valley In which the town lies,
on the site where the Chateau of Tarlen-
helm now Is situated, a fine and strong
castle belonging to Count NikolaS OF
Festenburg. He was a noble of very
old and high family and had great es-
tates; his house being. indeed, second
only to the royal house in rank and
reputation. He himself was young
man OF great accomplishments. of a
domineering temper and of much am
bition: and he had gained distinction
In the wars that marked the closing
years OF the reign of King Henry the
Lion. With King Rudolph he was not
on terms of cordial friendship, for he
despised the kings easy manners and
carelessness Of dignity. while the king
had no love for gentleman whose one
object seemed to be to surpass and out
shine him In the eyes of the people, and
who never rested from extending and
fortifying his castle until 1t threatened
to surpass Zenda itself both in strength
and magnificence. Moreover Nikolas.
although maintaining a state ample
and suitable to his rank. was yet care
full and prudent while Rudolph spent
all that, he received and more besides,
so that the count grew richer and the
king poorer. But in spite of these
causes of difference, the count was re-
celved at court with apparent gracious
ness. and no open outburst of enmity
had yet occurred, the pair being. on the
contrary. often together and sharing
their sports and pastimes with one
another
Now most Of these diversions were
harmless or indeed becoming and
proper. but there was one among them
full of danger to a man of hot head and
ungoverned impulse such as King Ru-
dolph was. And this one was dicing, in
which the king took great delight. and
in which Count Nikolas was very ready
10 encourage him. The king. who was
generous and hated to win from poor
men or those who might be playing
beyond their means in order to give
him pleasure, was delighted to find an
opponent whose purse was as long or
longer than his own, and thus came
gradually to pass many evenings with
the boxes in Nikolas' company. And
the more evenings he passed the deeper
he fell into the counts debt. for the
king drank wine. while the count was
content with small beer and when the
kinE was losing he doubled his stakes.
whereas the count took in sail If the
wind seemed adverse. Thus always
steadily the debt grew; till at last
tudolph dared not reckon how large II
had become. nor did he dare to dis
close 1t to his advisers. For there were
great public burdens already imposed
by reason of King Henry's wars. and
the citizens Of Strelsau were not in a
mood TO bear fresh exactions nor to
give their hard earnings for the pay
ment OF the kings gambling debts; in
hnN
bergs well enough, they loved their
money more. Thus the king had no re.
source. except In his private posses.
sions. and these were Of no great value
saving the castle and estate of Zenda
AT length, when they had sat late
one night and the throws had gone all
the evening aginst the king and for
Nikolas. the king flung himself back
IN his chair, drained his glass, and
said impatiently:
i am weary Of the game! Come, my
lord let us end It,"
Il would not urge you, sire, a mo-
ment beyond what you desire. l play
but for your pleasure"
Then my pleasure has been your
profit" said the king with a vexed
laugh, for I believe / am stripped of
my last crown. What is my debt?''
The count. who had the whole sum
reckoned on his tablets, took them out
and showed the king the amount of the
debt.
' 81 cannot pay It," said Rudolph. I
would play out again. to double the
debt. or wipe 1t out, but have nothing
of value enough to stake"
The desire which had been nursed
for long In the counts heart now saw
the moment Of Its possible realization
He leant over the table. and, smooth
Ing his. beard with his hand. said
gently:
THE amount is no more than half
the value Of your Majestys castle and
demesne of Zenda'
The king started and forced laugh
AYE. Zenda spoils the prospect from
Festenburg, does it?" said he But
will not risk Zenda An Elphberg with
out Zenda would seem like man
robbed Of his wife. We have had it
since we have had anything or been
anything: / should not seem king
without it."
''!As you will, sire. Then the debt
stands?' And he looked full and keen
ly into the kings eyes, asking without
words, How will you pay it," and
adding without words. "Paid 1t must
be-" And the king read the unspoken