Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-14

armchair and flirting With the Coun. tess Helga. He leaped up as en- tered with deferential elasticity that lent point to his former nonchalance. I had no difficulty in understanding that the duke might not like young Fritz.
 I held out my hand. Michael took 1t, and embraced him. Then drew him with me into the inner room. Brother" said, If I had known you were here you should not have waited moment before asked the princess to permit me to bring you to her.''>
 He thanked me, but coldly. The man had many qualities, but he could not hide his feelings. A mere stranger could have seen that he hated me and hated worse to see me with Princess Flavia. Yet I am persuaded that he tried to conceal both feelings and, fur ther, that he tried to persuade me that he believed was verily the king. I did not know, of course, but unless the king were an impostor, at once cleverer and more audacious than I (and began to think something of my self in that role,, Michael could not be- lieve that. And if he didn't, how he must have loathed paying me defer ence and hearing my "Michaer and my 'Flavia."
 "Your hand is hurt, sire" he ob- served. with concern.
 "Yes; was playing a game with a mongrel dog q meant to stir him), and you know, brother, such have uncertain tempers."
 He smiled sourly, and his dark eyes rested on me for moment. But is there no danger from the ! bite?' cried Flavia anxiously. l "None from this" said I. If gave | him chance to bite deeper, it would be different, cousin" .But surely he has been destroyedw l said she.
 Not yet. We're waiting to see if his bite is harmful"
 And if it is?" asked Michael, with his sour smile.
 Hell be knocked on the head, broth CT" "Ysaid I.
 You won't play with him any more?' urged Flavia. l Perhaps I shall"
 "He might bite again."
 Doubtless he'll try" said I, smiling.
 Then, fearing Michael would say something which must appear to re- sent (for, though might show him my hate, must seem to be full of favor), l began to compliment him on the mag nificent condition of his regiment and of their loyal greeting to me on the day of my coronation. Thence passed to a rapturous description of the shoot ing lodge which he had lent me. But he rose suddenly to his feet. His tenn per was failing him, and as an excuse | he said farewell. However, as he reached the door he stopped. saying:
 'Three friends of mine are very anx- ious to have the honor of being pre- sented to you, sire. They are here in the antechamber." joined him directly, passing my arm through his. The look on his face was honey to me. We entered the ante chamber in fraternal fashion. Michael beckoned, and three men came for | ward.
 'These gentlemen" said Michael, with a stately courtesy which, to do him justice, he could assume with per feet grace and ease, "are the loyalest and most devoted of your majesty's servants and are my very faithful and attached friends"
 'On the last ground as much as the first,' said I, q am very pleased to see them."
 They came one by one and kissed my hand-De Gautet, tall, lean fellow, with hair standing straight up and waxed mustache; Bersonin, the Bel gian, a portly man of middle height with a bald head, though he was not far past thirty, and last, the English