The National tribune., 1906-09-13
Copyrighted 1895 by Henry Holt q CO.

''Well met, cousin!" he cried. step
ping up to me, clapping me on the back.
and laughing still. You must forgive
me if 1 was taken aback. A man
doesn't expect to see double at this time
of day; eh, Fritz?"
II must pray pardon, sire. for my
presumption" said I. II trust it will
not forfeit your Majesty's favor"
"By Heaven! you'll always enjoy the
Kings countenance," he laughed,
whether I like it or not; and. sir.
shall very gladly add to it what ser
vices 1 can. Where are you travelling
to?"
ITO Strelsau, sire-to the corona
ton"
The King looked at his friends: he
still smiled, though his expression hint
ed some uneasiness. But the humorous
side of the matter caught him again.
Fritz, FRITZ he cried, "a thousand
crowns for sight of brother Michaers
face when he sees pair of us!" and
the merry laugh rang out again.
Seriously" observed Fritz Won Tar
lenheim, Il question Mr.. Rassendylrs
wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now"
The King lit cigaret.
"Well, Sapt?" said he, questioningly.
HE mustn't CO." growled the old fell
low.
Come, Colonel, you mean that ]
should be in Mr.. Rassendylrs debt if
''Oh, ayei wrap 1t up in the right
way said Sapt, hauling a great pipe
out of his pocket.
Enough, SIRE" said I. "I'll leave
Ruritania to-day"
Now, by thunder, you shan't-and
that's sans phrase, as Sapt likes it. For
you shall dine with me tonight, happen
what will afterward. Come, man, you
don't meet new relation every day,"
eve dine sparingly tonight" said
Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
mot we-with our new cousin for n
guest" cried the King: and as Fritz
shrugged his shoulders, he added: "Oh,
I'll remember our early start, Fritz"
so will 1-to-morrow morning." said
old Sapt, pulling at his pipe.
"Oh, wise old Sapt" cried the King.
'T,ome. Mr.. Rassendyll-by the way,
H,bat name did they give you?"
Your Majesty's," I answered, bow.
isE.
We'll, that shows they weren't
a&hamed of u.s." he laughed. Come.
tsen, Cousin Rudolf. I've got no house
os my own here. but my dear brother
Michael lends US place of his, and
vU'll make shift to entertain you
thsre;" and he put his arm through
mine, and signing to the others to ac-
company US, walked me off, westerly,
through the forest
We walked for more than half an
hour, and the King smoked cigarets
and chartered incessantly. He was full
or interest in my family, laughed heart
lily when l told him of the portraits
with Elphberg hair in our galleries, and
yet more heartily when he heard that
my expedition to Ruritania was a Sc
cret one.
you have to visit your disreputable
cousin on the sly, have you?" said he.
Suddenly emerging from the wood,
We came on small and rude shooting
lodge. 1t was one-story building a
sort of bungalow, built entirely of wood.
AS we approached it a little man in a
plain livery came out to meet us. The
only other person saw about the place
Eas fat elderly woman, whom after
Gard discovered to be the mother of
Johann, the Dukes keeper.
well, is dinner ready, josef" asked
the King.
The little servant informed us that II
Cas, and We soon sat down to a plen-
3ful meal. The fare was plain enough
ifle King ate heartily. Fritz Won Tarlen-
3eim delicately, old Sapt voraeiously. ]
played a good knife and fork, as my
custom is; the King noticed my per-
formance with approval.
Were all good trenchermen, We
Elphbergs," said he. But WHAT
were eating dry! Wine. Josef, wine
man! Are we beasts. 10 eat without
drinking? Are We cattle. josef"
! At this reproof JoSe hastened to load
the table with bottles.
Remember Tomorrow" said Fritz
"Aye-to-morrow!" said old Sapt.
The King drained a bumper to his
cousin Rudolf" as he was gracious
Or merry-enough to call me; and I