Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-26

my head again and bowed respectfully.
The king found his voice and asked in
hewilderment:
"Colonel-Fritz-who is this gentle
man.
l was about to answer when Colonel
Sapt stepped between the king and ME
and began to talk to his majesty in a
low growl. The king lowered over
Sapt, and as he listened his eyes now
and again sought mine. | looked at
him long and carefully. The likeness
was certainly astonishing. though |
saw the points of difference also. The
kings face was slightly more fleshy
than mine, the oval of its contour the
least tritie more pronounced and, as ]
fancied, his mouth lacking something
of the firmness Tor obStinacy) which
was to be gathered from my close shut
ting lips. But for all that and above
all minor distinctions the likeness rose
striking. salient, wonderful
Sapt ceased speaking. and the king
still frowned. Then gradually the cor
ners of his mouth began to twitch his
nose came down (as mine does when |
laugh, his eyes twinkled, and, behold,
he burst into the merriest fit of ire
preSsible laughter. which rang through
the woods and proclaimed him a jovial
soul
well met. cousin" he cried. step
ping up to NE. clappinS me on the
back and laughing still. You must
| forgive me if | was taken aback. A
man doesn't expect to see double at
this time of day. ell. Fritz
Il must pray pardon. sire. for my
presumption" said l. Il trust it will
not forfeit your majesty'S favor"
by heaven. you'll always enjoy the
kings countenance." he laughed.
whether l like it or not: and. sir,
shall very gladly add to it what serv-
| ices | 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
hinted some uneasiness. But the. hui
| mOrouS side of the matter caught him
! again.
Fritz. Fritz he cried. "A thousand
| crowns for a sight of brother Michaers
| face when he sees Il pair of u.s." and
! the merry laugh rang out again.
seriously" observed Fritz Won Tar
! lenheim. ~ question Mr.. RassendylrS
! wisdom in visiting StrelSau just now
The king lit cigarette.
| well. Sapt?" said he questioningly.
He mustn't 60" growlcd the old fell
| low.
Come. colonel. you mean that |
should he in Mr.. RassendyIrs debt
| if
'Oh. aye. wrap it up in the right
way said Sapt. hauling a great pipe
out of his pocket.
Enough. sire said l. I'll leave
| Ruritania today"
Nov. 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
every day."
I'VE dine sparingly tonight" said
Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
Not we. with our new cousin for a
| guest cried the king. and as Fritz
shrugged his shoulders he added. "Oh
I'll remember our early start. Fritz"
so will Tomorrow morning." sale
old Sapt. pulling at his pipe.
"Oh. wise old Sapt," cried the king
Come. Mr. Rassendyll BY the way
what name did they give you?"
Your majesty's." l answered, bow
ing.
well. that shows they weren'
ashamed of u.s." he laughed. Come
then, cousin Rudolf. I've got no hous'
of my own here. but my dear brothe
Michael lends us place of his. anC
We'll make shift to entertain yo,
there" And he put his arm through
mine and, signing to the others to ac
company us. walked me off westerl!
through the forest.
We walked for more than half III
hour. and the king smoked cigarette
and chartered incessantly. He was full
Of interest in my family. laughed
heartily when I told him of the por
traits with Elphbcyg hair in cur gal
!, lcrics and yet more heartily when N
heard that M expedition to Rurtani;
| was secret one
You have to visit your disrcputabl
cousin on the sly. have yOu?" said he
. Suddenly emerging from the wood
we came on Il small and rude shootin;
lodge. II was n one story building.
sort of bungalow. built entirely o
wood. AS we approached it a little MAJ
in plain livery came out to meet US
The only other person saw about tn
place was n fat. elderly woman. whor
I afterward discovered to he the moth
or of Johann. the dukes keeper
, "Well. is dinner ready, josef" aske
the king.
The little servant informed us that
was. and we soon sat down to n plent
: full meal. The fare was plain enough
4 The king ate heartily. Fritz Won Tai
lenheim delicately. old Sapt voraciolI,
l ". / played good knife and fork, a