Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-05-31

80 put Hin at bis ease remarked,
with smile:
"Ah; the story is known here as well
hs among us, it seems"
"Knownr' cried Sapt. IF you stay
here the deuce a man in all Ruritania
will doubt of it-or woman either"
/ began to feel uncomfortable. Had
I realized what very plainly written
pedigree carried about with me /
should have thought long before WIS.,
tied Ruritania. However, was In for
1t now.
At this moment a ringing voice
sounded from the wood behind us:
"Fritz. Fritz! Where are you, manT
Tarlenheim started and said hastily:
'Tts the king"
Old Sapt chuckled again.
Then young man jumped out from
behind the trunk of tree and stood
beside US. AS looked on him utter
ed an astonished cry, and he, 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 Ruritana might have been
Rudolf Rassendyll and l Rudolf the
king.
For an instant we stood motiOnless,
looking at one another. Then | barred
my head again and bowed respectfully.
The king found his voice and asked in
bewilderment
"Colonel- FrItz-who Is this gentle
man~
/ was about to answer when Colonel
Sapt stepped between the king and me
and began to talk to his majesty in
low growl. The king lowered over
Sapt, and as he listened his eyes now
and again sought mine. l 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 trife more pronounced and, as
fancied, his mouth lacking something
Of the firmness (or 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 twitci, his
nose came down (as mine does when
laugh, his eyes twinkled, and, behold,
he burst into the merriest fit Of ire
pressble laughter, which rang through
the woods and proclaimed him joval
soul.
"Well met, couslnr 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, FritzT
81 must pray pardon, sire, for my
presumption" said l. II trust it will
not forfeit your majesty's favor"
"By heaven, you'll always. enjoy the
kings countenance," he laughed,
whether / like it or not; and, sir,
shall very gladly add to it what serv-
ices l can. Where are you travelling
tor
"To Strelsau, slre-to the corona
ton"
The king looked at his friends. He
still smiled, though his expression
limited sumo uneasiness. But the hui
Gorous side of tie matter caught him
again.
"Fritz, Fritz he cried. "a thousand
crowns for a sight of brother Michaeps
face when he sees pair Of us!' and
the merry laugh rang out again.
Seriously" observed Fritz Won Tar
lenheim, II question Mr.. RassendylPs
wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now"
The king lit a cigarette.
"Well, Sapt" said he questionlngly.
"He mustn't co." growled the old fell
low.
"Come, colonel, you mean that I
should he in Mr.. RassendylPs debt
IT,
"Oh, aye, wrap 1t up In the right
way" said Sapt, hauling 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 1t.
For you shall dine with me tonight,
happen what will afterward. Come,
man, you don't meet new relative
every dayw
"We dine sparlngly tonight" said
Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
"Not we, with our new cousin for
guestw cried the king, and as Fritz
shrugged his shoulders he added, "Oh,
I'll remember our early start, Fritz"
$50 will Tomorrow morning." said
old Sapt, pulling at his pipe.
ooh, wise old Sapt" cried the king.
"Come, Mr.. Rassendyll. By the way,
what name did they give your
"Your majesty's," I answered. bow
ing.
"Well, that shows they weren't
ashamed of u.s." he laughed. "Come,
then, cousin Rudolf. I've got no house
of my own here, but my dear brother
Michael lends us place Of his, and
we'll make shift to entertain you
there" 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 cigarettes |