Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-21

you? nothing?"- And Won Altdorf's voice
broke so that he was forced to pause. He
was terribly excited, and his hands shook
as he stretched them appealingly toward
the prince.
Listen, SIR" he cried after moment,
there's just a chance, a desperate chance,
that you may save your country II you
leave at once for Novodni. and travel night
and day till you are there. Your mere
presence would be better than an ~rmy l
will telegraph at once that you're on your
way, that the prince is returning to pun
ish presumptuous rebels and to save his
land from war and loot. You must start
tonight, sir. You can be there In three
days. Meanwhile the news that you are
coming may hold the situation as 1t is
The prince was very pale He seemed ea
dazed, bewildered, If he had. never
dreamed of this possibility as if the calam-
ity had fallen upon him from clear sky.
"But-but, colonel" he faltered, but.
colonel, the-princess. must-why. l
yet to any understanding! must"
Aye. the princess!'' cried Colonel Won
Altdorf bitterly. Always the princess and
never the trust God has given you! Are YOU
me that! By my faith, do not recognize
your father In you! Duty, honor, faith,
bravery! Those were his watchwords-
God rest his noble soul! He thought first
of all of his country and his people. He
thought last and least-if at aH-of him.
self. Many night, sir, I've seen him go
from his chamber to the palace chapel and
kneel there the night long, praying for
guidance in some difficult matter of state.
Aye, I've waited and watched outside the
chapel doors while he prayed, guarding
him from harm. No mobs rioted in the
streets then. Prince Karl. no Russian boot
lickers marched upon Novodni with the
connivance of the very ministry and half
the populace. The ruler of Novodnia sat
on his throne. he made no love quests to
the other end of Europe! All, well, sir
his voice was breaking aRain-"Ah we'll,
Novodnia's days of honor and independ-
ence are over. She'll be Russian pasture
soon. a stable yard. for sale, very likely,
to the highest bidder. Sir. 1 beg leave to
tender my resignation from your service.
have small possession, called my honor,
which hold Indifferent, dear" He turned
away from us all. his white face drawn and
working, and sat down once more at the
table. dropping his head into his arms.
But Prince Karl went over to him at once
and laid hand upon his shoulder.
NAY, nay, colonel" said he in low,
gentle voice. IT won't accept your resigna-
tion." There was a certain pathetic dignity
about the man, certain humility which
he wore with sad pride.
II will go to Novodnia at once old
the bowed shoulder woman might have
done. II will go tonight. and make all
possible speed And when I am there
why. we'll punish presumptuous rebels. as
you say, colonel. and we'll save our land
from war and loot, for I think 1t may still
be done. I am not the man my father was
would God / overland you've spoken
no more than the truth I've been a poor
ruler, colonel, a weak pr1nce-I was never
born to rule-but what can do, win do.
shall save Novodnia or die fighting for
her-nOre than that no man can promise.
Come, old friend, your hand! Let there
be no talk of resignation till Georgias
Is dead or back In his hills with a price