The National tribune., 1906-09-06

A Merry Evening with a Distant Rela-
,a,<1 tive. -
I was not so unreasonable as to be
prejudiced against the Dukes keeper
because he dislked my complexion: !:
and If hadstbeen. his most civil and
obliging conductsIfas it seemed to me
to be) next morning would have dis
armed me. Hearing that I was bound
for Strelsau.. he came to see me while
I was sbreabfasting, and told ma that a
sister of his. wkc had narriedha WE'LL,
to-do tradesman and lived In the rcapi-
tai, had invited him to occupy a room
in her house. He had gladly accepted,
but now found that. his duties would
not permit of his absence. He begged.
therefore, that II such humble lthough,
as he added, clean and comfortably
lodgings would satisfy me would take
his place. He pledged his sisters ac-
quiescence, and urged the inconven-
ience and crowding to which I should
be subject in my journeys to and from
Strelsau the next day. I accepted his
offer without a moments hesitation,
and he went off to telegraph to his sis
ter, while I packed up and prepared to
take the next train. But still banker
ed after the forest and the shooting
lodge, and when my little maid told me
that could, by walking 10 miles or SO
through tho forest, hit the railway at
a roadside station, decided to send
my luggage direct to the address which
Johann had given. take my walk. and
follow to Strelsau myself. Johann had
gone off and was not aware OF the
change in my plans; but as it's only
effect was to delay my arrival at his
sisters for few hours, there was no
reason for troubling to inform him of
it. Doubtless the good lady would
waste no anxiety on my account.
took an early luncheon. and having
hidden my kind entertainers farewell.
promising to return to them on my way
home. set out to climb the hill that
led to the castle, and thence to the
forest of Zenda. Half an hours leis-
urely walking brought me to the castle.
It had been fortress in old days. and
the ancient keep was still in good pres
ervation and very imposing. Behind II
stood another portion Of the original
CASTLE and behind that again, and sep
arated from 1t by a deep and broad
moat which ran all round the old
chateau, erected by the last King. and
now forming the country residence of
the Duke of Strelsau. The old and the
new portions were connected by a
drawbridge. and this indirect mode of
access formed the only passage between
the old building and the outer world;
but leading to the modern chateau
there was q broad and handsome ave-
nue.. It was an ideal residence; when
"Black Michaer desired company he
could dwell in his chateau: If fit of
misanthropy seized him no had merely
| to cross the bridge and draw it up after
him ct ran on rollers), and nothing
short Of a regiment and a train of ar
tillery could fatsh him out went on
my way. glad that poor Black Michael.
though he could not have the throne
or the Princess, had at least got as fine
a residence as Any Prince in Europe.
Soon entered the forest, and walked
on for an hour or more in its cool,
somber shade. The great trees enlaced
with one another over my head, and
the sunshineIoetoke through in patches
al, bright as diam onds and hardly big
R.r. I was enchanted with the place
and finding sfened tree trunk, propped
my back against 1T, and stretching my
legs out. gave myself up to undisturbed
contemplationhef solemn beauty OF
the woods andi 10 sthe comfort of a good
cigar. And 9wheh the cigar was fin
ished, and had II suppose) inhaled as
much beauty as Il could, went off into
the most delightful sleep, regardless OF
my train to Strelsau and of the fast
! waning afternoon. To remember 6
train in such spot would have been
rank sacrilege. Instead of that fell tc
dreaming that I was married to the
Princess Flavia and dwelt in the castle
Of Zenda, and beguiled whole days with
my love in the glades of tho forest
which made very pleasant dream. lr
fact, I was Just impressing a fervent
kiss on the charming lips of the Prin-
cess when heard (and the voice seem.
ed at first q part of the dreamy some
one exclaim in rcugh. strident tones:
"Why. the DEVILS in it! Shave hin
and he'd be the Kingl"
4 Tho idea seemed whimsical enough
for a dream; by the sacrince of m!
heavy mustache and carefully-pointet
, imperial was to be transformed into /:
monarehi =. 1. was about to kiss tn,
81 Princess again when ! arrived .(ver!