New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-06

was beyond doubt how came it that the cradle had
not also been taken?
There It stood-the beautiful boat shaped cradle
made Of glstening mother-of-pearl and silver
silent and empty save for tiny white shoe.
AS the Lord Chamberlain brought it forth on the
tip Of his wand Of Office a sob broke from the on
lockers they thought Of the baby prince and his
endearing ways.
The royal nursery was full 10 OVERCOMING and
Cor this day rank and precedence were set aside,
and the maids and stablenen, dukes and great off,
Gals. had one interest and sorrow in common.
Indeed, one Of the kitchenmaids positively craned
her head over the Lord Mayors shoulder-he was
an earl in addition-and one had the presence Of
mind 10 pull her away.
It Is wonderful how a great sorrow levels rank
all the world over. Honest Margaret, the kitchen
maid had loved the little prince from a distance;
for he was always carefully guarded by a star Of
retalners.
The King had gone 10 call on his great-uncIe. who
lived In the neighboring country. and everybody
wished he had been at home; for the Queen. IN
fortunately, was more feared than loved, and no.
body dared TO break the news 10 her.
She was stepmother 10 the five little Processes
while the lost baby prince was her own child, and
heir TO the throne.
The setting sun shone redy in on all the per
turbed faces, and each tried 10 persuade his com
panion that II undoubtedly fell TO his lot 20 break
the terrible news
There was no precedent for such an announce-
ment and the Lord Mayor said he did not see why
the Lord Chamberlain should try to get out Of
doing his duty, when It 50 undoubtedly was his
dutyi
Then the Lord Chamberlain remarked that. as
chief citizen the Lord Mayor was bound TO inter
view the Queen; and while they were thus wasting
tine IN wrangling, each doing his utmost 10 per-
suace the head Of police TO take the responsibility
the ooor was flung open by the pages-in-waitfng
ana me queen herself stood on the threshold and
confronted them
They all bowed low. and each tried to thrust his
neighbor forward.
Beneath her shining headdress Of gold and Jewels
ron-
What means this tumult and rabbIe IN the aYsrt
ments Of his royal hghnoss?' she demanded i'm
peIlousiy win a iFo|n that made everybody quake
and wish the room had been more commodioue
The Lord Chamberlain's knees shook moro than
anybody'sS FOR upon him the Queens gaze vy.g
directed
he came forward a pace or two. and even tba
little pages peeying from behind the Queens erripe
train felt sorry for him.
lie very tail and stately personage IN veivs,
and satin but he lost his customary dignity on this
trying occasion. and found his greatly in the
way. lie bowed lcw and tried TO speak, but the
words would not come.
''Your Matesty'-he starnnered. and not ano+1a-
word could be speak, and after al. It WAS 4 dread
fUl thing TO have 10 tell the Queen that her little
son hec vanished.
Speak" commanded the Queen. imperiously.
Again the Lord Chamberlain tried and failed
There deep silence in the room, and even
the Queen began TO suspect that something unusual
had happened.
A. she advanced a step or two the onIookers fell
back. snd the cradle exposed 10 view in all its
emptiness
The setting sun cleaned upon Il, and the mother
of-pearl and silver shone like a jewel but at the
sight Of the erumpled and empty pillows the Queen
gave cry and bent down 20 look closer
where is his royal highness?" she asked. turn
was The Lord Mayor who had 10 explain matters
he Staggered tie Kinks OF lis gold chain neryouslv,