West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-03-14
De Prisoner
OfZenda
BY ANTHONY HOPE
copyrighted, 1921, is9s. by HcSrv Holt &
Company
HOPE
CONTINUED from 6rst page.

1 began 20 feel uncomfortable. Had
1 realized what a very plainly written
pedigree l carried about with me !
should have thought long before l Wis
tied R%urltaui0. However, | was I'm for
II now.
At this moment n ringing voice
sounded from the wood behind us:
Fritz. Fritz! Where are you. manY'
Tnrlenhelm started and said hastily:
ats the king!'
Old Sapt chuckled again.
Then n young nan jumped out from
behind the trunk OF n tree aud stood
beside us. As | looked on him | utter
ed an astonlshed cry, aud 10. seeing
me, drew back in sudden wonder. Saw
Ing the hair on my face and a manner
OF conscious dignity which his position
gave him. saving also that he lacked
perhaps half an inch-nay. less than
that, but still something-of my height.
the king OF Rurltan,n might have been
Rudolf Rassendyll and | Rudolf the
king.
For an Instant we stood motionless.
looking at n another. Then barred
my head again and bowed respectfully.
The king found his voice and asked 1 IN
bewilderment:
"Colonel-Fritz-who is this gentle
manf"
L was about to answer when Colonel
Sapt stepped between the king and me
II began TO talk TO his majesty I'm n
low growl. The king lowered over
Sapt, and as he listened his eyes now
and again sought mine. / looked ut
him long II carefully. The Likeness
was certainly astonishing. though /
saw the points of difference also. The
kings face was slightly more neshy
than mine, the oval OF It's contour the
least trihe 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
Lers OF his mouth began TO twitch. his
nose came down las mine does when I
laugh, his eyes twlnkled, and. behold.
he burst into the merriest fit OF ire
pressible laughter, which rang trough
the woods and proclaimed him n jovial
soul.
We'll met, cousin he cried. step
ping up to me, clapping me on the
back and laughing still. you must
forgive me II | was taken aback. A
mar doesn't expect to see double at
this time of day, Ell. Frltz?'
Il must pray pardon, sire. for my
presumption said 1. Il trust IL will
not forfeit your majesty's favor"
by heaven. you'll always enjoy the
kings co~untenance," he laughed.
whether ! like 1t or not: and. sir. I
shall very gladly add to it what sery-
Ices l can. Where are you travelling
tor
ITO strelsau, sire-to the corona
ton"
The king looked at HIS friends. He
still smiled, though his expression
limited some un-easlness. But the hu-
morous side Of the matter caught him
again.
Fritz, Frltz~ he cried. "a thousand
crowns for n sight OF brother Michaers
face when he sees n pair OF u.s." and
the merry laugh rang out again.
Seriously observed Fritz Won Tar
lenheim, Il question Mr.. RassendylTs
wisdom in visiting Strelsau Just now"
The king lit a cigarette.
Wei, SaptT said he q~uestioningly.
He mustn't GO growled the old fel-
low.
Come, colonel, you mean that 1
should be in Mr.. Rassendylrs debt
if'-
ooh, aye, wrap IL up in the right
way said Sapt, hauling a great pipe
out Of his pocket.
Enough. SIRE said 1. I'll leave
Ruritania today"
Now. by thunder, you shan't. and
that's sans phrase. as Sapt likes IL
For you shall dine with me tonight
happen what viii afterward. Come.
man. you don't meet a new relative
every day"
We dine sporingly tonight" said
Fritz o T%arlenheim.
"Not we. with our new cousin for n
guestrT cried the king. and as Fritz
shrugged his shoulders he added. "Oh.
III remember u early start. Fritz"
80 will Tomorrow morning" said
old Sapt pulling az his pipe.
"Oh, wise old Sapt," cried the king.
"Comc. h:r. Rlssendyll. BY the way.
what name did they give youY'
Your majcsty's.' 7 answered. bow
Ing.
"Well. that shows they weren't
ashamed Of MS " I. f4rofrF ug.-.