The National tribune., 1906-09-27

are all glad to see MIN. The nearer he
is the better"
The Princess glanced at me with o
gleam Of amusement in her eyes.
"Why, cousin? Is 1t that you can"
"see better what he's doing? Per-
haps." said I. And why are you glad ?"
"I didn't say was glad" she an
swered.
Some people say SO for you"
There are many fnsolent people,
she said. with delightful haughtiness.
Possibly you mean that I am one q
"Your Majesty could not be-" she
said. courtesying in feigned Difference
but adding, mischievously, after g
pause: Unless. that is"
"Well, unless what?"
'Unless you tell me that I mind a
snap Of my fingers where the Duke OF
| strelsau is.''
Really 1 wished that I had been the
you don't care where Cousin Mi
chael-"
"Ah. Cousin Michael! I call him the
Duke Of Strelsau."
you call him Michael when you
meet him?
"Yes-by the orders Of your father"
II see. And now by mine?"
"If those are your orders"
"oh. decidedly! We must all be
| pIcdSdul " Jul uShI IulChdcl-
You order me to receive his friends
too. I suppose?"
THE Six"
"You call them that. too?"
ITO be in the fashion I do. But
order you to receive no one unless you
like"
Except yourself?"
7 pray for myself. I could not Or
AS spoke there came a cheer from
tho street. The Princess ran to the
window.
"It is he!" she cried. "It is-tht
Duke of Strelsau!"
smiled. but said nothing. She re.
turned to her seat. For a few min.
side subsided. but I heard the tread OF
feet in the anteroom. I began to talk
on general subjects. This went on fol
some minutes. I wondered what ha6
become of Michael. but 1t did not seem
to be for mo to interfere. All at once
to my great surprise. Flavia, claspinf
her hands, asked in an agitatsd voice
Are you wise to mako him angry?'
What? Who? How am I making
him angry?"
why. by keeping him waiing"
my dear cousin. I don't want t.
keep him"
"Well. then, is he to come in?"
1 'O1 course, II you wish II.
She looked at me curiously.
How funny you are!" she said. 90
course, no one could be answered while
I was with you"
;, Here was q charming attribute o
royalty!
I IAN excellent etiqueti" cried "Bu
had clean forgotten 1t; and II wer,
alone with someone else couldn't yol
be announced?"
You know as we'll as do. I coult
be. because / am of the Blood" ant
she still looked puzzled.
Il never could remember all thes
silly rules" said I rather feebly, as
! inwardly cursed Fritz for not postin,
me up. But I'll repair my fault"
I jumped up. flung open the door
and advanced into the anteroom. NJ!
!, chael was sitting at a table, q heav,
frown on his face. Everyone else wa
, standing save that impudent young do,
Fritz. who was lounging easily in al
armchair. and flirting with the Counties
Helga. He leaped up as entered, will
:, deferential elasticity that lent poin
d to his former nonchnlance. had n
E difficulty in understanding that In
Duke might not like young Frits.
/ held out my hand, Michael took Il
3 and embraced him. Then drew hin
;. with me into the inner room.
Brother" I said, 'if I had know
you were here you should not hay
waited here a moment before I aske
i the Princess to permit me to bring 70,
to her.&
He thanked me, but ooldly. The ma
e had many qualities, but he could no
hide his feelings. A mere stranger coul
nave seen that he hated me, and hate