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


time to lose Sapt hurried me into the
kings room. and | dressed myself in
the uniform of a colonel of the guard.
finding time as | slipped on the kings
boots to ask Sapt what he had done
with the old woman.
"She swore she'd heard nothing"
said he. but to make sure | tied her
legs together and put a handkerchief
in her mouth and bound her hands and
locked her up in the coal cellar next
door to the king. Josef II look after
them both later on"
Then | burst out laughing, and even
old Sapt grimly smiled.
Il fancy" said he, that when Josef
tells them the king is gone they'll think
| it is because we Smelt rat. For You
| may swear Black Michael doesn't ex-
pect to see him in Strelsau today"
put the kings helmet on my head.
| Old Sapt handed me the kings sword,
looking at me long and carefully.
Thank God, he shaved his beard!'
he exclaimed.
why did he?" | asked.
| Because Princess FIavia said he
grazed her cheek when he was gra-
ciously pleased to give her cousinly
kiss. Come. though, we must ride
rs all safe here"
| "NothnG's safe anywhere said
Sapt. but we can make it no safer
Fritz now rejOined us in the uniform
of captain in the same regiment as
that 10 which my dress belonged. In
four minutes Sapt had arrayed himself
in his uniform. Josef called that the
horses were ready. We jumped on their
backs and started at a rapid trot. The
game had begun. What would the is
sue of it be?
The cool morning air cleared my
head. aHd | was able TO take in all
Sapr said to me. He was wonderful
Fritz hardly spoke. riding like a, man
asleep. but Sapt. without another word
for the king. began at once to instruct
me most infinitely in the history of my
past life. of my family. of my tastes.
pursuits. weaknesses. friends. compan-
ions and servants. He told me the Ell
quette Of the Ruritania court. prOmis-
ing To he constantly at my elbow to
point ont everybody whom | ought to
gree of favor TO greet them.
by the way" he said. you are a
Il Catholic. | SUPPOSE
Not L. | answered.
lord. he's heretic"' groaned Sapt,
and forthwith he fell to a rudimentary
lesson in the practices and observances
of the Romish faith.
Luckily" said he. You won't be
expected To know much. for the kings
VIGOROUSLY lax and careless about such
matters. But you must be as civil as
butter to the cardinal. We hope to
win him over because he and Michael
have n standing quarrel about their
precedence
= We were by now at the station
Fritz had recovered nerve enough to
explain to the astonished station mas
, ter that the king had changed his
plans. The train steamed up. We go
into a first class carriage, and Sapt
| leaning back on the cushions. went or
: with his lesson. looked at my
j watch-the kings watch It was, OF
= course 1t was just :.
1 Il wonder if they've gone to look fol
, us | said.
, Il hope they won't find the king
said Fritz nervously. and this time i
WAS Sapt who shrugged his shoulders
I The train Travelled well. and at half
, past o. looking out of the window,
saw the towers and spires of grea
city
Your capital. my liege." grinned ole
! Sapt. with u wave of his hand, and
| leaning forward. he laid his finger or
. ! my pulse. "a little too quick" sale
! he in his grumbing tone.
I'm not made of stone" I exclaim
! ed.
! You'll do" said he. with nod
we must say Fritz here has caugh
the aguc. Drain your flask, Fritz, fo
| heavens sake. boy
Fritz did as he was hid.
4 We're an hour early said Sapt
well send word forward of you
ma iesty's arrival. for there'll he no ont
i here 10 meet us yet. And meanwhUe"-
Meanwhile" said I. 1.-The king'll b,
hanged il he doesn't have some break
fast"
Old Sapt chucklcd and held out hi
: hand.
You're an Elphberg. every inch o
YOU" said he. Then he paused and
p looking at us. said quietly, God SEM
L we may he alive tonight
c Amen" said Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
The train stopped. Fritz and Sap
leaped out, uncovered and held til
:! door for me. l choked down a lum
that rose in my throat. settled my he
|. met firmly on my head and I'm no
II ashamed to say it, breathed a shor
II prayer to God. Then | stepped on tn
platform of the station at Strelsau.
A moment later all was hustle an
confusion-men hurrying up. hats
hand, and hurrying off again: men cor
Quoting me to the buffet: men mount
! ing and riding in hot haste TO the qual
tiers of the troops. to the cathedral. {
the residence of Duke Michael. Eve
nc SwnlIowad tho last dron nf my on