Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-26

II know you have" said I. Half our ambassadors have led weary lives on my account. George Featherly told me so. But why should you have been anxious? I can take care of myself"
 "Oh, it wasn't that she cried scorn- fully, "but I wanted to tell you about Sir Jacob Borrodaile. You know he's got an embassy-at least he will have in a month-and he wrote to say he hoped you would go with him."
 Where's he going to:'
 He's going to succeed Lord Topham at Strelsau," said she. You couldn't have a nicer place, short of Paris"
 "Strelsau! H'm" said I. glancing at my brother.
 "Oh, that doesn't matter" exclaimed Rose impatiently. Now, you will go. won't you?"
 T don't know that care about it."
 "Oh, you're too exasperating!"
 "And I don't think I can go to Strel- sau. My dear Rose. would it be-suit able?'
 "Oh, nobody remembers that horrid old story now"
 Upon this took out of my pocket a portrait of the king of Ruritania. It had been taken a month or two before he ascended the throne, and he wore full beard. Nevertheless she could not miss my point when said, putting it into her hands:
 ''In case you've not seen or not nO- ticed a picture of Rudolf ". there he is. Don't you think they might recall the story if I appeared at the court of Ruritania?"
 My sister-in-law looked at the DOT trait and then at me.
 Good gracious" she said and flung the photograph down on the table.
 What do you say, Bob?" I asked.
 Burlesdon got up, went to corner of the room and searched in heap of newspapers. Presently he came back with a copy of the Illustrated London News. Opening the paper, he displayed a double page engraving of the corona ton of Rudolf V. at Strelsau. The pho tograph 4nd the picture he laid side by side. l sat at the table fronting them, and as looked grew absorbed. My eye travelled from my own portrait to Sapt, to Strakencz, to the rich robes of the cardinal, to Black MichaePs face, to the stately figure of the princess by his side Long looked and eagerly. was reused by my brothers hand on my shoulder. He was gazing down at me with puzzled expression.
 Its a remarkable likeness, you see," said I. T really think had better not go to Ruritania."
 Rose. though half convinced, would not abandon her position.
 Its just an excuse" she said pet tishly. You don't want to do nything Why, you might become an ambassa- dor.w
 T don't think want to be an am bassador," said I.
 Its more than you ever will be-" she retorted.
 That is very likely true, but it is not more than I have been. The idea of being an ambassador could scarcely dazzle me I had been a king.
 So pretty Rose left Us in dudgeon, and Burlesdon, lighting q cigarette, looked at me still with that curious gaze.
 That picture in the paper he said.
 Well, what of it? It shows that the king of Ruritania and your humble servant are as like as two peas" My brother shook his head.
 T suppose so.' he said. But should know you from the man in the photograph"
 And not from the picture in the paper:"
 T should know the photograph from the picture; the pictures very like the photograph, but
 "Well:"
 Its more like you" said my bro- ther.
 My brother Is a good man and true. 1 so that. for all that he is . married man and mighty fond of bin wife. he should know any secret of mine. But ] this secret was not mine. and I could not tell it to him.
 "T don't think it's so much Nike me as the photograph" said boldly. But. anyhow. Bob. I won't go tr Strelsau"
 "No. don't go to strelsau. Rudolf, 5 said be.
 And whether he suspects anything or has a glimmer of the truth I to not know. If he has, he keeps 1t to him. And we let Sir Jacob Borrodaile find another attache.
 Since all these events whose history I have set down happened have lived q very quiet life at a small house which I have taken in the country. The ordinary ambitions and aims of men in my position seem to me dull and unattractiye. have little fancy for the whirI of society and none for the jostle of politics. Lady Burlesdon utterly despairs of me. My neighbors think me an indolent. dreamy. unso. ciable fellow. Yet I am a young man and sometimes I have a fancy-the SUI perstitious would call it a present.. ment-that my part in life is not yei altogether played: that. somehow and some day. I shall mix again Tn great affairs. shall again spin policies in s busy brain. match ny wits against my enemies. brace my muscle to fight q good fight and strike stout blows. Such Is the tissue of my thoughts as. with ! --1n OF nd In hard | ranfIer fhrnurll