Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-11

he drew long breath and exclaimed:
 By love, we shall do ftp
 It was 6 o'clock now, and we had no 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.
 sShe swore she'd heard nothing" said he, "but to make sure tied her legs together and put 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.
 .I 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" y
 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 hep asked.
 "Because Princess Flavia said he grazed her cheek when he was gra- ciously pleased to give her a cousinly kiss. Come. though, we must ride"
 "Is all safe here?"
 '.Nothing's safe anywhere" said Sapt, but we can make 1t no safer."
 Fritz now rejoined us in the uniform of captain in the same regiment as that to 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 rapid trot. The game had begun. What would the is sue of it be7
 The cool morning air cleared my head, and l was able to take in all Sapt said to me- He was wonderful. Fritz hardly spoke, riding like man asleep, but Sapt, without another word for the king. began at once to instruct me most minutely in the history of my past life, of my family, of my tastes, pursuits, weaknesses, friends, compan- ions and servants. He told me the eti- quette of the Ruritanla court, promis- ing to be constantly at my elbow to point out everybody whom ought to know and give me hints with what de. gree of favor to greet them.
 By the way" he said, you are . Catholic. supposeT ..
 "Not l." answered.
 ''Lord, he's hereticv groaned Sapt, and forthwith he fell to 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 notoriously lax and careless about such butter to the cardinal. we nope tc win him over because he and Michael have a 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 got into a first class carriage, and Sapt, leaning back on the cushions, went on with his lesson. looked at my watch-thc kings watch 1t was, of course. It was just 8.
 ''I wonder if they've gone to look for us." I said.
 .T hope they won't find the king" said Fritz nervously. and this time it was Sapt who shrugged his shoulders.
 The train travelled well. and at half. past Q. looking out of the window, I saw the towers and spires of e great city.
 Your capital, my liege." grinned old Sapt. with a wave of his hand, and, leaning forward. he laid his finger on my pulse. "A little too quick" said he in his grumbling tone.
 "Tm not made of stone." I exclaim- ed.
 "You'l do" said he. with a nod. "we must say Fritz here has caught the ague. Drain your flask, Fritz, for heavens sake, boy"
 Fritz did as be was bid.
 Were an hour carly" said Sapt. "we'll send word forward of your majesty's arrival. for there'll be no one here to meet us yet And meanwhile'-
 "Meanwhile.- said I. 'the king'li be hanged if he doesn't have some break fast
 old sapt shuckled and held out his hand.
 You're an Elphbere. every inch of you" said he. Then he paused and. looking at us. said quietly. God send we may be alive tonight"
 Amen said Fritz von Tarlenheim-
 The train stopped. Fritz and sapt lesped out. uncovered and held the door for me. I choked down a lump that rose In my throat. settled my bel met firmly on my head and .n'm not ashamed to say iu breatbed a short prayer to Cod Then I stepped on the platform of the station at Strelsau-
 A moment later all was hustle and coufusion-nen hurryinz up. hats in hand. and hurryine of again: men con durtfnr me to the buffet: men mount. ing and rSdIng in hot haste to the quar' sers of the troop<. to tie cathedral to the residence of Duke Michael Even as swallowed the last drop of my cur of coree the bells throughout sII the city l,roke oat into joyful peal snd the sousd os . military band and oi -. sA~s<izs sSuote uDoz Ey ear