Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-29

ed to remain at Tarlenhetm, and there
await her cousins coming or his furshe e
his own. again, having wrought brave
deeds, and escaped. almost by. miracle,
the treacherous assault OF his unnatural
brother.
This ingenious arrangement Of my long
headed old friend prospered In every way,
save where 1t encountered force that OF
ten defeats the most cunning schemes. L
mean nothing else than the pleasure OF a
woman. For let her cousin and sovereign
send what command he chose Cor Col. Sapt
chose for him). and let Marshal Strakencz
insist as he would, the Princess Flavia was
in no way minded to rest at Tarlenheim
while her lover lay wounded at Zenda; and
when the marshal, with small suite, rode
forth from Tarlenheim on the way to Zenda
the princess carriage followed Immediately
behind, and in this order they passed
through the town, where the report was al
ready rife that the king. going the night
before to demonstrate with his bPother, IN
all friendliness, for that he held one of the
kings friends in confinement in the castle,
there had been a desperate conflict; that
the duke was slain with several of his gen.
tlemen; and that the king, wounded as he
was, had seized and held the castle OF
Zenda All of which talk made, as may be
supposed, a mighty excitement; and the
wires were set in motion. and the tidings
came to Strelsau only just after orders had
been sent thither to parade the troops and
overawe the dissatisfied quarters of the
town with a display of force.
Thus the Princess Flavia came to Zenda.
And as she drove up the hill, with the mar
shall riding by the wheel and still imploring
her to return in obedience to the kings or
ders, Fritz Won Tarlenheim, with the pris-
oner of Zenda, came to the edge OF the
forest. had revived from my swoon, and
walked, resting on Fritz's arm; and looking
out from tie cover of the trees, I saw the
princess. Suddenly understanding from a
glance at my companions face that we
must not meet her, sank on my knees be-
hind clump of bushes. But there was one
whom we had forgotten, but who followed
us, and was not disposed to let slip the
chance Of earning smile and may be a
crown or two; and while we lay hidden the
little farm-girl came by us and ran to the
princess, courtesying and crying:
Madame, the king is herein the bushes.
May 1 guide you to him, madame"
Nonsense child" said old strakencz;
''the king lies wounded in the CASTLE"
Eyes. sir, he's wounded, know; but he's
Herewith Count Fritz-and not at the
CASTLE" she persisted.
us he in two places, or are there two
kings?" asked Flavia, bewildered. "And
how should he be here?'
He pursued gentleman, madame, and
they fought till Count Fritz came and the
other gentleman took my fathers horse
from me and rode away: but the king is
here with Count Fritz. Why, madame, is
there another man in Ruritania like the
ki .9Er ,,,, o,,,, ;. ..,, -. 81, .ot.,,, =
was told it afterward). and she smiled and
gave the girl money. Il will go and see
the gentleman" and she rose to alight
from the carriage.
But at this moment sapt came riding
from the castle, and, seeing the princess
made the best of bad job, and cried to
her that the king was we'll tended and in
no danger.
I'm the CASTER" she asked
Where else, madame?" said he, bowling.
q h
Count Fritz"
sapt turned his eyes on the child with
an incredulous smile.
Every fine gentleman Is q king to
"Why. he's as like the king as one pea
to another, madame!' cried the girl, lit
tie shaken but still obstinate.
Sapt started round. The old marshals
face asked unspoken questions. Flavias
glance was no less eloquent. Suspicion
spreads quick.
'1ll ride myself and see this man." said
Nay. I'll come myself said the prin-
cess.
Then come alone" he whispered
And she, obedient to the strange hint
ing in his face, prayed the marshal and the
rest to wait; and she and Sapt came on
foot toward where we lay, Sapt waving to
the farm-girl to keep at a distance. And
when I saw them coming I sat in a sad
heap on the ground, and buried my face in
sad heap on the ground. and buried my
face in my hands. 1 could not look at
her. Fritz knelt by me. laying his hand on
my shoulder.
"Speak low. whatever you say" I heard
Sapt whisper as they came up, and the
next thing heard was a low cry-half of
joy. half Of fear-from the princess:
1T is he! Are you hurt?'
And she fell on the ground by me and
gently pulled my hands away; but 1 kept
my eyes to the ground.
1T Is the king" she said Pray. Col.
s s tel tell n me ne where lay the wit of the
We answered none of us; we three were
silent before her. Regardless of them,
she threw her arms round my neck and
kissed me- Then Sapt spoke in low,
ut is not the king. Don't kiss him; he's
not the king
She drew back for moment; then, with
an arm still round my neck, she asked in
superb Indignation:
DO I not know my love? Rudolf, my
love!
ut is not the king" said old sapt again:
and a sudden sob broke from tender heart
1t was the sob that told her no comedy
was afoot.
HE is the king" she cried. ut is the
kings face..the kings ring-my ring! 1t
is my lover
Your love. madame" said old sapt, but
not the king. The king is there in the
castle. This gentleman"
LOOK at me, RuQOl1! look at mep' she
cried. taking my face between her hands.
why do you let them torment me? Tell
me what 1t meansv'
Then spoke, gazing into her eyes.
God forgive me. madamev' I said II
am not the kingv'
I felt her hands clutch my cheeks. She
gazed at me as never mans face was
scanned yet. And l, silent again, saw won:
der born. and doubt grow and terror
spring to life as she looked. And very
gradually the grasp Of her hands slack
back to me: then suddenly she reeled for
ward and fell in my arms; and with
great cry of pain I gathered her to me and
kissed her lips. Sapt laid his hand on
my arm. I looked up in his face And
laid her softly on the ground, and stood
up, looking on her, cursing Heaven that
young Rupert's sword had spared me for
this sharper pang.
CTo be continued tomorrow.)
A bill was introduced in the states gen.
m.