Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12

down Gas mine does when laugh, his eyes
twinkled. and, behold! he burst into the
merriest fit Of irrepressible laughter. which
rang through the woods and proclaimed
him jovial SOUL
well met. cousin!'' he cried. stepping
up to me. clapping me on the back. and
laughing still. You must forgive me II
I 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 pre-
sumption" said 1: Il trust it will not for
felt your majesty's favor"
"Hy heaven! you'll always enjoy the
kings countenance." he laughed. whether
I like it or not: and, sir, 1 shall very
gladly add to 1t what services I can. Where
are you travelling to?'
ITO Strelsau, sire-to the coronation"
The king looked at his friends; he still
smiled, though his expression limited some
uneasiness. But the humorous side Of the
matter caught him again.
Fritz, Fritz!' he cried, thousand
crowns for sight Of brother Mchaers
face when he sees a pair of us!' and the
merry laugh rang out again.
Seriously" observed Fritz Won Tarlen-
helm. II question Mr.. Rassendylrs wisdom
in visiting Strelsau Just now
The king lit cigarette.
well, Sapt?" said he questioningly-
He mustn't CO." growled the old fellow.
Come, colonel. you mean that 1 should
be in Mr.. Rassendylrs debt if"
'Oh. aye! wrap it up in the right way"
said Sapt hauling great pipe out of his
pocket.
Enough. SIRE" said l. "In leave Ruri-
tania today"
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 a
new relation every day!"
1--WE dine sparingly tonight" said Fritz
Won Tarlenheim.
mot we-with our new cousin for a
QupStl cried the KING nd RI
shrugged his shoulders. he added: "Oh!
III remember our early start. Fritz"
so will Tomorrow morning" said old
Sapt, pulling at his pipe.
''Oh wise old saptv' cried the king.
Come. Mr.. Rassendyll-by the way, what
name did they give your
Your majesty's." I answered. bowling.
''Wen, that shows they weren't ashamed
OF us" he laughed. Come. then, Cousin
Rudolf. I've got no house of my own
here. but my dear brother Michael lends
US plate Of his. and Wen make shift to
entertain you there" and he put his arm
through mine. and. signing to the others
10 accompany US. walked me off, westerly,
Through the forest.
We walked for more than half an hour,
and the king smoked cigarettes and chat
tered fncessantly. He was full of interest
In my family, laughed heartily when I told
him of the portraits with Elphberg hair in
our galleries. and yet more heartily when
he heard that my expedition to Ruritania
was secret one.
You have to visit your disreputable
cousin on the sly. have your said he.
Suddenly emerging from the wood. we
came on small and rude shooting lodge.
1t was a one-story building a sort of bum
galow, built entirely of wood AS we APP
preached 1t a little man In plain livery
came out to meet US. The only other per-
son saw about the place was a fat, ell
derby woman. whom I afterward discovered
to be the mother of Johann. the dukes
keeper.
'WeIl. is dinner ready. Josef?" asked the
king.
The little servant informed US that 1t
was, and we soon sat down to plentiful
ate heartily, Fritz Won Tarlenhelm deli
cateiy. old Sapt voraciously. 1 played a
good knife and fork. as my custom Is; the
king noticed my performance with APP
prevail.
We're all good trenchermen. we Elph-
bergs," said he. But what?-we.re eating
dry! Wine, josef! wine, man! Are wet