The National tribune., 1906-10-25

this reason I suffered her to stay
though hated to have her where dan
ger was, and though every day of our
present sweet intercourse strained my
endurance almost to breaking. AS a
final blow nothing would content my
advisers, StrakencZ and the Chancellor
(who came out from Strelsau to make
an urgent representation to me), save
that 1 should appoint a day for the
public solemnization of my betrothal, a
ceremony which in Ruritsnia is We'll
nigh as binding and great a thing as
marriage itself. And this-with Flavia
sitting by me-I was forced to do, set
ting date a fortnight ahead, and ..p-
pointing the cathedral In Strelsau as
the place. And this formal act. being
published far and wide, caused great
joy throughout the kingdom, and WAS
the talk of all tongues; SO that / reck-
oned there were but two men who
chafed at it mean Black Michael and
myself; and but one who did not know
of it-that one the man whose name
bore, the King of Ruritania.
In truth, ] heard something Of the
way the news was received in the cas-
tie; for, after an interval of three days,
the man ] Johann, greedy for more
money, though fearful for his life, again
found means to visit rs. He had been
waiting on the Duke when the tidings
came BLACK MlCndeiS IaCe flaO grown
blacker still, and he had sworn savage
ly; nor was he better pleased when
young Rupert took oath that i meant
to do as / said, and turning to Nine. de
Mauban, wished her joy on rival gone.
MichaeFs hand st Die toward his sword
(said Johann), but not bit did Rupert
care; for he rallied the Duke on lay
having made a better King than had
reigned for years past in Ruritania
And" said he, with q meaning bow to
his exasperated master, the devil
sends the Princess a finer man than
Heaven had marked out for her; by my
soul, he doesi" Then Michael harshly
be de him hold his tongue and leave
them; but Rupert must needs first kiss
madame's hand, which he did as though
he loved her, while Michael glared a,
him.
This was the lighter side OF the fel-
lows news; but more serious came be-
hind, and 1t was plain that, II time
pressed at Tarlenheim. It pressed n one
the less fercely at Zenda. For the King
was very sick; Johann had seen MINI
and he was wasted and hardly able to
move. There could be no thought Of
taking another for him now So alarm
ed were they that they had sent for q
physician from Strelsau; and the physi-
clan. having been introduced into tho
Kings cell, had come forth pale and
Duke 20 let him 60 back and meddlc
no more in the affair; but the Duke
would not, and held him there a pris-
oner. telling him his life was safe If the
King lived while the Duke desired and
died when the Duke desired-not other
wise. And, persuaded by the physician
they had allowed Nine. de Mauban to
visit the King and give him such at
tendance as his state needed. and al
only a woman can give. Yet his life
hung in the balance; and / was yc
strong and whole and free. Wherefore
great gloom reigned at Zenda; and saw
when they quarreled. to which the,
were very prone, they hardly sp oke. bu
the deeper the depression of the rest
young Rupert went about Satan's worl
with a smile in his eye and a song II
his lip, and laughed eft to burst" (sait
Johann) because the Duke always Sc
Detchard to guard the King when Nine
de Mauban was in the cell-which pre-
caution was, indeed. not unwise in my
careful brother. Thus Johann told hi,
tale and seized his crowns. Yet he be-
sought us to allow him to stay with u:
in Tarlenheim, and not venture hi
head again in the lions den; but We
had need of him there, and although