Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-28
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA
Being the History Of Three Months In the Life Of an
English Gentleman.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
Copyright By 3
BY ANTHONY HOPE.

his distance. however. He lifted up HE
hand, saying:
What did you in the CASTER"
IT killed three Of your friends" said L
What! You got TO the cellsf'
Yes"
"And the kingr'
HE was hurt by Detchard before I
killed Detchard. but I pray that he lives.H
You fool!' said Rupert pleasantly.
"One thing more / did"
And what's thatT'
II spared your life. was behind you
on the bridge, with revolver in my hand"
Nor Faith. I was between two firesr'
like a man."
~, rSefo ore, LADY, saia he: pointing to the
Then in my rage. hardly knowing what
DID. l rushed at him. For a moment he
seemed to waver. Then he refined hia
went in my folly. I seized the bride and
struck at him. He parrled and thrust at
me. fell back a pace and rushed in at
MIN again and this time reached his face
and laid his cheek open, and darted back
before he could strike me. He seemed al-
most amazed at the ierceness OF my at.
tack: otherwise think he must have
killed me. sank on my knee. painting,
expecting him to ride at me- And so he
would have done. and then and there. I
ooubt not one or both Of us would have
shout from behind us. and. looking round,
saw Just at the turn OF the avenue q
man on a horse. He was riding hard. and
ne carried revolver in his hand. 1t was
trltz Won Tarlenheim, my faithful friend.
Rupert saw him, and knew that the game
was up. He checked his rush at me and
n nun his leg over the saddle, but yet for
just moment he waited. Leaning for4
ward. he tossed his hair off his forehead
and smiled, and said:
Au revoir, Rudolf Rassendylly'
Then, with his cheek streaming blood,
but his lips laughing and his body sway.
ing with ease and grace, he bowed to mef
and he bowed to the farm girl, who had
drawn near in trembling fascination; and
ne waved his hand to Fritz. who was Just
within range and let fly a shot at him,
me pail came nigh doing its work for IL
struck the sword he held, and he dropped
the sword with an oath, wringing his fin-
horse's belly, and rode away at a gallon
And 1 watched him go down the long
avenue, riding as though he rode for his
pleasure and singing as he went for ALI
there was that cash in his cheek
once again he turned to wave his hand,
ana then the gloom of the thickets swal-
lowed him and he was lost from our sight.
Thus he vanished-reckless and wary.
graceful and graceless, handsome debon-
air. vile and unconquered. And / flung
my sword passionately on the ground and
cried to Fritz to ride after him. But Fritz
stopped his horse, and feaped down and
ran to me, and knelt. putting his arm
about me. And indeed it was time for the
wound that Detchard had given me was
staining the ground
Then give me the horsew I cried stag
gering to my feet and throwing his arms
on me. And the strength of my rage car
ried me so far as where the horse stood
and then 1 fell prone beside It. And
Fritz knelt by me again.
FRITZ l said.
AYE. friend-dear friendw said he. ten.
der as woman.
rs the king alive?"
He took his handkerchief and wfped NV
lips. and bent and kissed me on the fore.
head.
Thanks to the most gallant gentleman
that lives" said he softly, 1.-THE king IS
alivev' -
The little farm-girl stood by us, weeping
for fright and wide-eyed wonder: for shS
had seen me at Zenda; and was not I,
paliid, dripping, foul, and bloody as 1 was
yet was not the king?
ana when l heard that the king was
awe L strove to cry "Hurrahw But I
could not speak, and 1 laid my head back
In Fritz's arm and closed my eyes, and I
groaned; and then. lest Fritz should do
me wrong in his thoughts. 1 opened nv
eyes and tried to say "Hurrahw again.
But l could not. And being very tired
and now very cold, huddled myself close
up to Fritz, to get the warmth of him.
and shut my eyes again and went to sleep.
Go be continued tomorrow)