Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-17
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
Copyright. 1894. 1895. by Henry Holt Co,


Il see. And now by miner
IF those are your orders.
"Oh, decidedly! We must all be pleasant
to our dear Michael"
You order me to receive his friends, too,
I suppose?"
1.-The SKI"
You call them that, too?"
ITO be in the fashion do. But / order
you to receive no one unless you like"
Except yourself?"
II pray for myself. could not order"
AS I spoke there came cheer from the
street. The princess ran to the window.
1T is he!' she cried. 1T is-the Duke OF
Stresau!'
I smiled. but said nothing. She returned
to her seat. For a few minutes we sat In
silence. The noise outside subsidized but
1 heard the tread of feet in the anteroom.
l began to talk on general subjects. This
went on for some minutes. wondered
what had become of Michael, but 1t did not
seem to be for me to interfere. All at
once, to my great surprise. Flavia, clasp
ing her hands, asked in an agitated voice:
Are you wise to make him angry"
"What7 Who? How am making him
why, by keeping him waiting"
MY dear cousin, 1 don't want to keep
him"
We'll, then, is. he to come INF"
"Of course, II you wish it.
She looked at me curiously.
How funny you are!' she said. "Of
course no one could be answered while I
was with you
Here was a charming attribute Of roy
atty!
IAN excellent etiquettev I cried But
I had clean forgotten It; and II I were
alone with some one else couldn't you be
announced?"
You know as well as 1 do. could be.
because am of the Blood" and she still
looked puzzled.
rules said rather feebly, as inwardly
cursed Fritz for not posting me up. But
FL repair my fault
jumped up, flung open the door and ad-
sitting at table. a heavy frown on his
face. Every one else was standing, save
that impudent young dog Fritz, who was
loungng easily in an arm chair and firt-
up as entered, with deferential elastic
ity that lent point to his former nom.
chalance. had no difficulty in under
standing that the duke might not like young
Fritz
/ held out my hand. Michael took 1t. and
embraced him. Then I drew him with
me into the inner room.
Brother" said. 1T I had known you
here moment before I asked the princess
to permit me to bring you to her."
He thanked me. but coldly. The man
had many qualities, but he could not hide
his feelings. A mere stranger could have
seen that he hated me, and hated worse
to see me with Princess Flavia; yet am
persuaded that he tried to conceal both
feelings, and. further. that he tried to per-
suade me that he believed I was verify the
king. I did not know, OF course; but I'M
less the king was an impostor, at once
cleverer and more audacious than (and
began to think something of myself in that
role), Michael could not believe that. And
If he didn't how he must have loathed pay
ing me Difference, and hearing my
Michael" and my "Flavia!"
Your hand is hurt, SIRE" he observed
with concern.
Yes; l was playing a game with a mon
grel dog Il meant to stir him). and you
know; brother, such have uncertain tenn
He smiled sourly and his dark eyes rest
ed on me for a moment
But is there no danger from the bite?"
cried Flavia anxiously.
None from this" said I. If gave him
a chance to bite deeper it would be differ
ent, cousin"
But surely he has been destroyed" said
she.
mot yet. We're waiting to see If his bite
is harmful"
And If it is?' asked Michael, with his
sour smile.
Hell be knocked on the head. brother"
said I.
you won't play with him any more?"
urged Flavia-
Perhaps I shall"
He might bite again."
Doubtless he'll try" said /, smiling.
Then, fearing Michael would say some
thing which must appear to resent (for.
though might show him my hate, I must
pliment him on the magnificent condition
Of his regiment and on their loyal greeting
to me on the day of my coronation. Thence
I passed to a rapturous description of the
shooting lodge which he had lent me. But
he rose suddenly to his feet His temper
was failing him, and as an excuse he said
farewell. However, as he reached the door
he stopped, saying:
to have the honor of being presented to
you. sire. They are here in the antecham-
ber.''
1 Joined him presently, passing my arm
honey to me. We entered the antechamber
in fraternal fashion. Michael beckoned,
and three men came forward.
These gentlemen" said Michael, with a
he could assume with perfect grace and
ease, ARE the loyalest and most devoted
Of your majesty's servants, and are my
very faithful and attached friends"
ION the last ground as much as the first,
said I. II am very pleased to see Them
They came one by one and kissed my
handle Gautet, a small, lean fellow, with
hair standing straight up and waxed mus
tache; Bersonin, the Belgian, a portly man
Of middle height with a bald head Though
he was not far past thirty, and last, the
Englishman. Detchard, a narrow-faced fell
low, with close-cut fair hair and a bronzed
broad in the shoulders and slender in the
hips. A good fighter, but crooked Gus
toner, I put him down for. I spoke to
him in English, with slight foreign ac-
cent, and swear the fellow smiled, though
he hid the smile in an instant.
80 Mr.. Detchard is in the secret"
thought !.
Having got rid Of my dear brother and
his friends, 1 returned to make my adieu
to my cousin. She was standing at the
door. 1 babe her farewell taking her hand
in mine.
Rudolf" she said. very low. "be careful.
won't you?"
''Of what?'
you know-I can't say. But think what
your life Is to =.
We'll. to-"
ITO Ruritania."
Was right to play the part or wrong
to play the part? I know not; evil lay
both ways, and I dared not tell her the
truth.
only to Ruritania?" asked softly.
sudden flush spread over her incom-
parable face.
ITO your trends. too." she said.
"Friends?.
And to your cousin" she whispered.
land loving servant"
could not speak. I kissed her hand and
went out cursing myself.
Outside l found Master Fritz, quite reck-
less OF the footmen. playing at cat's-cradle
with the Countess Helga.
Hang it!' said he. I'VE can't always be