Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-20
CHAPTER xI.
Hunting a Very Big Boar.

so force Michaers hand that he must kill
the king. 1 was in a position to bid him
defiance and tighten. my grasp on the
crown-not for its own sake, but because
the King of Ruritania was to wed the
Princess Flavia. What of Sapt and Fritz
All! but a man cannot be held to write
down In cold blood the wild and black
thoughts that storm his brain when an I'M
controlled passion has battered breach
for them. Yet. unless he sets up as
saint, he need not hate himself for them.
He is better employed, as 1t humbiy seems
to me. in giving thanks that power to re-
stst was vouchsafed to him than In fret-
ting over wicked impulses which come un-
sought and extort an unwilling hospitality
from the weakness of our nature.
1t was fine, bright morning when
walked unattended to the princess house,
carrying nosegay In my hand. foicy
made excuses for love, and every attention
chains, bound closer to me the people OF
the great city, who worshiped her L
found Fritzs fnamorata, the Countess Hell
ga. gathering blooms In the garden for her
mine in their place. The girl was rosy
with happiness for Fritz in his turn. had
not wasted his evening. and no dark shad-
ow hung over his wooing. save the hatred
which the Duke Of Strelsau was known to
bear him.
And that" she said with a mischievous
smile, your majesty has made of no mo-
ment. Yes 1 will take the flowers: shall
tell you. sire. what is the first thing the
princess does with them?''
We were talking on a broad terrace that
ran along the back Of the house. and a
window above our heads stood open.
"Madame!' cried the countess merrfly,
and Flavia herself looked out. 1 barred my
head and bowed. She wore white gown.
and her hair was loosely gathered in a knot.
She kissed her hand to me. crying:
Bring the king up, Helga; I'll give him
some coffee"
The countess, with a gay glance, led the
way, and took me into Flavia's morning
room. And. left alone. we greeted one an
other as lovers are wont. Then the prfn-
cess laid two letters before me. One was
from Black Michael-a most courteous re-
quest that she would honor him by spend
ing day at his castle of Zenda. as had
been her custom once year in the sum-
mer. when the place and its gardens were
in the height of their great beauty
threw the letter down in disgust, and Fla
via laughed at me. Then, growing grave
again, she pointed to the other sheet.
II don't know who that comes from"
she said Read It,"
l knew in a moment. There was no Sig
nature at all this time. but the handwrt-
ing was the same as that which had told
me Of the snare in the summer house; 1t
was Antoinette de Mauban's.
I have no cause to love you lit RAM, but
God forbid that you should fall into the
power Of the duke. Accept no invitations
VI IlS NO HOWHcTe WItnOut a large guard
"a regiment is not too much to make you
| safe. Show this. If you can, to him who
reigns in Strelsau.
why doesn't it say the kingg" asked
F1avfa, leaning over my shoulder. so that
the ripple of her hair played on my cheek
rs it a hoax?'
LAS you value life and more than life
my QUEEN 1 said "obey 1t to the very
letter. A regiment shall camp round your
house today See that you do not go out
unless well guarded"
AN order, sire?' she asked. little re-
bellious.
Eyes, an order, madame-if you love me-"
"Ahp' she cried; and could not but kiss
her.
you know who sent it," she asked.
II guess" said l. 1T is from a good
friend-and. I fear, an unhappy woman
You must be III, F1avta. and unable to go
to Zenda. Make your excuses as cold and
formal as you like"
so you feel strong enough to anger
Michael?' she said. with proud smile.
I'm strong, enough for anything while
you are SAFE" said I.
then, without consulting Sapt. took my
way to the house of Marshal Strakencz I
had seen something Of the old general, and
I liked and trusted him. Sapt was less
Sapt was best pleased when he could do
everything, and jealousy played some part
in his views AS things were now I had
more work than Sapt and Fritz could man.
age, for they must come with me to Zenda,
and I wanted man to guard what
loved most in all the world and suffer me
to set about my task Of releasing the king
with quiet mind.
The marshal received me with most loyal
kindness. To some extent I took him into
my confidence. 1 charged him with the
significantly in the face as babe him let
no one from her cousin the duke approach
her. unless he himself were there and
dozen Of his men with him.
~ vpnoy f,n rf<xAt cf~ L. u
ing his gray head sadly. II have known
better men than the duke do worse things
than that for love-"
I could quite appreciate the remark. but
said:
There's something besides love. marshal.
Loves for the heart; is there nothing my
brother might like for his head?'
II pray that you wrong him. SIRE"
Marshal. I'm leaving Strelsau for few
days. Every evening will send courier
to you. II for three days none comes you
will publish an order which I will give
you, depriving Duke Michael OF the gov
ernorship of Strelsau and appointing you
in his place. You will declare a state of
siege. Then you will send word to Michael
that you demand an audience Of the king
You follow me?"
AYE, SIRE"
'In twenty-four hours. If he does not
produce the king'-I laid my hand his
proclaim the next heir. You know who
that is?''
1.-The Princess Flavia."
And swear to me, on your faith and
honor, and by the fear of the living God,
that you will stand by her to your death,
and kill that reptile, and seat her where I
sit now
ION my faith and honor. and by the fear
of God. I swear It! And may Almighty
God preserve your majesty. for think that
you go on an errand OF danger"
II hope that no life more precious than
mine may be demanded" said I, rising.
Then held out my hand to- him.
Marshal" I said, "in days to come 1t
may bel know not-that you will hear
strange things Of the man who speaks to
you now. Let him be what he may and
who he may, what say you of the manner
In which he has borne himself as king in
Strclsau?"
The old man. holding my hand. spoke to
me. man to man.
II have known many of the Elphbergs,"
said he, land I have seen you. And hap
pen what may. you have borne yourself as
a wise king and q brave man; aye you
have proved as courteous gentleman and
as gallant lover as any that have been
of the house."
ssE2A hot my opito NJ, coid ssrh.x 49,