Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-04-17

)lkestaff. He's brought them and left
he Ruritanlans with the king. That's
because he wants 10 commit the Ruri-
.anlans as deep as he can"
"They were none of them among our
friends at the lodge. thenT asked.
IL wish they had BEEN" said Sapt
wistfuily. "They had been not SIX but
our by now"
had already developed one attribute
IF royalty--a feeling that / need not re-
veal all my mind or my secret designs
even to my intimate friends. I had
July resolved on my course OF action.
meant to make myself as popular as
could and at the same time to show
40 disfavor TO Michael. By these
means | hoped to aIlay the hostility OF
lis adherents and make II appear. If
an open conflict came about. that he
vas ungrateful and not oppressed.
Yet an open conflict was not what
hoped for.
The kings interest demanded secre-
". and while secrecy lasted l had
Inc game to play in Strelsau. Michael
Mould not grow stronger for delay.
] ordered my horse and. attended by
pritz Won Tarlenheim. rode In the
grand new avenue of the royal park.
returning all the salutes which / re-
.eived with punctillous politeness.
Then l rode through a few OF the
itreets, stopped and bought flowers of
1 pretty girl. paying her with a piece
" gold. anc then, having attracted the
ieslred amount OF attention (for ! had
trail of half a thousand people after
mel. rode to the residence OF the
Princess Flavia and asked II she would
eceive me. This step created much
interest and was met with shouts of
approval. The princess was very pop
liar. and the chancellor himself had
lot scrupled TO hint to me that the
more l pressed my suit and the more
apidly l brought 1t to prosperous
conclusion the stronger should I be IN
the affection of my subjects. The
chancellor, Of course, did not under
stand the difficulties which lay In the
way of following his loyal and excel
lent advice. However l thought
could do no harm by calling. and In
this view Fritz supported me with q
cordiality that surprised me until he
confessed that he also had his motive
for liking a visit to the princess house
which motive was no other than g
great desire to see the princess lady Ii
waiting and bosom friend. the Coun
tess Helga Won Strofzin.
Etiquette seconded Fritzs hopes
While | was ushered into the princess
room he remained with the countess II
the antechamber In spite of the PEG
pie and servants who were hangins
about l doubt not that they managet
tete-a-tete. but l had no leisure L
think Of them, for / was playing the
most delicate move In all my difficult
game. had to keep the princess de
voted to me-and yet Indifferent to me
I had to show affection for her-ant
not feel 1t. / had to make love for an
other, and that to a girl who, princes
or no princess, was the most beautiful
/ had ever seen. Well, I braced mysel
to the task, made no easier by tn,
charming embarrassment with which
1 was received. How l succeeded II
carrying out my programme will ap
pear hereafter.
you are gaining golden laurels." sh'
said. you are like the prince II
Shakespeare who was transformed b.
becoming king. But I'm forgetting yo'
are king, sire"
81 ask you to speak nothing but wha
your heart tells you and to call M
nothing but my name"
She looked at me for a moment
Then I'm glad and proud, Rudolf,
said she. "Why, as / told you. you
very face il changed"
l acknowledged the compliment. bu
/ disliked the topic, so l said:
"My brother Is back. hear. III,
made an excursion, didn't hep
Eyes. he Is here" she said. frowninI
a little.
"He can't stay long from Strelsau.
seems" observed, smiling. well, W
are all glad to see him. The nearer h
Is the better"
The princess glanced at me with
CLEAN Of amusement in her eyes.
why. cousin? Is IL that you cam
See better what he's doing? PEI
haps." said I. And why are yo
gladT
II didn't say | was glad" she al
swered.
Some people say so for you"
There are many insolent people.
she said. with delightful haughtiness
Possibly you mean that am oney'
"lour majesty could not be- sh
said, courtesying in feigned deferenc,
but adding mischievously after
pause. unless, that is
well, unless -whatf"
Unless you tell me that | mind
snap of my fingers where the Duke O
Strelsau is"
Really wished that | had been tn
king.
You don't care where Cousin NJ
chacl'-
"Ah. Cousin Michael. call him th
Duke of Strelsau."
} You call him Michael when 20
! A..