The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-12
PART VI.

! Chardo, not being an infant, con-
| wet or a maniac. could hardly be
locked up for safe keeping. Like other
| young men, he had the inveterate habit
of going where lie pleased. Whenever
| Floric found the rooms deserted he
would pace them restlessly until he
saw Richard stridinC in with still un-
clouded brow. He not unnaturally
| strayed into picture exhibitions, chat
! ted with painters, now and again, to
| Florio's grim despair. went of an even
! ing to drink n glass Of beer in a cheer
| full place frcquented by the fraternity.
/ If a stray artist chanced tC walk into
/ the studio he always found that other
! fellow unSocia., if not surly. Police
men and poStmcn. in the innocent dis
charge of their duties. Occasioned Florio
many not insignificant friShtS.
| In every reasonable and unreasonable
| way did he seek to avert the ever i'm
I pending disastrous carambolage of
! Burgdorf and Prince Chardo, at least
/ until the former young gentleman had
| built up n reputation upon legitimate
/ foundations. But the conspira.tor
! Jared better than his deserts, and es-
capped with his fears and forebodngs.
| Luckily for him, Richard, for the most
! part, desired nothing better than to
| shun mankind and paint. Reserved,
! sensitive, moody. inspired by large
| hopes, and chatting at the prolonged de-
| lay in their fruitioa, proud of F'lOrio's
! success, Yet longing to bear his own
shares of their burdens, ne worked un-
| ceasingly, bided his time. lived the life
| of hermit. ard cared for no society
| but that of his friend.
Yet If the painter so much as stopped
| to look at something in Johannez Mez-
| ler'S window, Florio shivered with ap-
| prehension. and would resort to the
| nearest Inventions, and the longest
| way around to avoid that street
Il saw Prince Chardo yesterday"
Mezler announced one morning with
some complacency. Il had good stare
at him.
"Oh. did you?"
Handsome fellow, isn't he? No end
aristocratic. So pale and a bit naughty
Wouldn't do for YOU and me, eh? but
just suits him. He stood a long time at
my window. He almost came in. Then
he changed his mind"
"Oh, did hep"
81 was just about to run and open
the door for him, when he went on"
Recovering from his alarm Florio re-
piled, with singular vchemcnce:
1T is lucky for you that you did not
Mezler. He does not like that sort of
thing at all. Never open doors for him,
never! The prince likes to open his
own doors. Never take any notice of
him. If he should come i'm here be as
indifferent as you can. Never on any
account say Your Highness. If you
should make any such slip, he would
never enter your place again or let me.
told You he was eccentric. He in
| sists upon the strictest incognito. Do
you ever see me in livery?'
"Oh, | understand all that. wasn't
born yesterday. I'll be very careful,
you may be sure. I must say like his
appearance. and I believe you've got an
awfully good berth. He seems rather
fond of you, do you know? l noticed
| his smiling ana gracious manner as
you were walking by last week. After
| all. it's no wonder"
DO you think so?" Florio returned,
| modestly. You see we are about the
same age and grew up together as it
We're. That is to say, | was permitted
to play with His Highness when we
We're boys"
'Oh. anybody can see with half an
| eye tha you have enjoyed unusual ad-
| vantages." retOrted Me2ler, encourag-
| ingly; II noticed that the day we met"
Having taken the precaution to re-
stretch the Boys Fishing"-fearing