Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-18
CHATTER XIV.

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f6ST-SSI know Of the foregoing talk.
49, FOR. according 10 the Official
reports, 1 had suffered a grievous and
dangerous hurt from an accidental
spear thrust received IN the course OF
my sport 1 caused the bulletins to be
or a very serious character aud created
great public excitement. whereby three
things occurred-frst I gravely Offend
ed the medical faculty OF Strelsau by
refusing TO summon 60 my bedside any
or them save a young man. friend OF
Fritz's, whom we could trust: second
ly, I received word from Marshal Stra-
kencz that my orders seemed TO have
TO more weight than hts aud that the
Princess Flavia was leaving for Tar
kenheim under his unwilling escort
news whereat 7 strove not be glad
and proud. and. thirdly. my brother.
the Duke OF Strelsau. although TOO
well informed 20 believe the account
or the origin OF my sickness. was vet
persuaded by the reports and by nv
seeming inactivity that I was IN truth
Incapable OF action and that my life
was IN some danger. This 7 learned
from the man Johann, whom I was
compelled 10 trust and send back 10
Zenda. where. by the way. Rupert
Hentzau had him soundly dogged FOR
daring 20 smirch the morals OF Zenda
by staying ont an night This. from
Rupert, Johann deeply resented. and
the dukes approval OF IL did more 70
bind the keeper 10 my side than ali
my promises.
On Flavia's arrival I cannot dwell
Her JOY az finding me up and well i'm
stead OF on my back and lighting with
death makes a picture that even now
dances before my eyes tn they grow
100 dim 90 see 30. and her rcproaches
that I hoC not trusted even her must
excuse the means took 90 quiet them.
In truth. 90 have her with me once
more was like a taste OF heaven 70 a
damned soul. the sweeter for the inev-
table doom that was 20 folIRv. and
rejoiced in being able 90 waste two
whole days with her. And when had
wasted two days the Duke OF Strelsau
arranged n hunting party
The stroke was near now. Tor Sapt
and I after anxious consultations had
q
resolution being cilnched by Johann's
news that the king grew peaked, pale
and III and that his health was break
ing down under his rigorous confne-
ment. Now. a man. be he king or no
king may as well die swiftly and as
becomes q gentleman. from bullet or
thrust. as rot his life out IN "A cellar
That thought made prompt action adj
viSable In the interests OF the king.
From my own point OF view it grew
more and more necessary. for Stra-
kencz urged on me the need OF
speedy marriage. and my own inclina-
lions seconded him with such terrible
inslstence that feared for my resolu-
ton. DO not believe that I should
have done the deed I dreamed Of. but
I might have come 20 flight and my
flight would have ruined the cause.
IL Is perhaps as strange thing as
has ever been In the history OF a coun-
Try that the kings brother and the
kings personator IA n time OF profound
outward peace near a placid. undis-
turbed country town. under scmblance
OF amity. should wage a desperate war
FOR the person and life of the King.
Yet such was tie struggle that BEGAN
now between Zcnda and Tarienheim
When ] look back on the time / seem
20 myself 10 have been half mad. Sapt
has told me that / suffered TO interior
ence and listened TO TO remonstrances.
and II ever a king OF Euritania ruled
like a despot ] was In those days the
q
Ing that made life sweet TO me. aud
took my life in my hand and carried
it carelessly, as a man bangles an old
glove. At first they strove 10 guard
me, 20 keep me safe. 70 persuade me
not TO expose myself, but when they
saw how / was set there grew Up
nmong them, whether they knew the
truth or not, a feeling that fate ruled
the issue aud that I must be left TO
play my game with Michael my own
way.
Late next night I rose from table,
where Flavia had sat by me. and con-
Quoted her 10 the door Of her apart
ments. There / kissed her hand and
bade her sleep sound and wake to hap
by days. Then 1 changed my clothes
and went out Sapt and Fritz were
waiting for me with three men and the
horses. over his saddle Sapt carried
a long coil OF rope. and both were
heavily armed. had with me q
short stout cudgel and a long knife.
Making circuit we avoided the town
and in an hour found ourselves slowly
mounting the hill that led to the cas-
tie Of Zenda. The night was dark and
very stormy, gusts OF wind and spits
OF rain caught US as we breasted the
incline, and the great trees moaned
and sighed. When we came 10 a thick
clump about a quarter OF a mile from
the castle we babe our three friends
Ride there with the horses. Sapt had
a whistle and they could reioin us in
a few moments II danger came, but up
till now we had met no one. I hoped
that Michael was still OF his guard,
believing me 10 be safe in bed. How
ever that might be. we gained the top
OF the hill without accident and found
oproalvpS ON the adUa Of fta mat