The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-03-19

Il
way, decorated my unworthy breast
also.
Marshal Strakencz,' whispered Sapt
and knew that was in the presence
of the most famous veteran of the Ru-
ritanian army.
Just behind the marshal stood a
short spare man in flowing robes OF
black and crimson.
"rhe chancellor of the Kingdom"
whispered Sapt.
The marshal greeted me In a few
loyal words and proceeded to deliver
an apology from the Duke Of Strelsau
The duke, It seemed, had been afflicted
with a sudden indisposition which
made 1t impossible for him to come to
the station, but he craved leave to
await his majesty at the cathedral. I
expressed my concern, accepted the
marshars excuses very suayely and
received the compliments OF a large
number Of distinguished personages.
No one betrayed the least suspicion.
and felt my nerve returning and the
agitated beating of my heart subsid.
Ing. But Fritz was still pale, and his
hand shook like leaf as he extended
1t to the marshal.
Presently we formed procession and
took our way to the door Of the station.
Here / mounted my horse, the marshal
holding my stirrup. The civil tiignita-
ries went of to their carriages, aud I
started to ride through the streets
with the marshal on my right and
Sapt, who, as my chief aid-de-camp,
was entitled to the place on my left. The
city Of Strelsau is partly old and partly
new. Spacious modern boulevards and
residential quarters surround and EN-.
brace the narrow. tortuous and pictur.
esque streets of the original town. In
the outer circles the upper classes live.
In the inner the shops are situated, and
behind their prosperous fronts lie hid.
den populous but wretched lanes and
alleys filed with a poverty stricken,
turbulent and Gin large measure) Grim.
inal class. These social and local divi.
sions correspondent, as / knew from
Sapts information. TO another division
more important TO me. The new town
was for the king. but to the old town
Michael Of Strelsau was a, hope, a
hero and a darling.
The scene was very brilliant as we
passed along the Grand boulevard and
on to the great square where the royal
palace stood. Here was in the midst
Of my devoted adherents. Every house
was hung with red and bedecked with
flags and notices. The streets were
lined with raised seats on each side.
and 1 passed along, bowling this W.
and that, under a shower Of cheers,
blessings and waving handkerchiefs.
The balconies were full Of gayly dress
ed ladies, who clapped their hands and
eurtsied and threw their brightest
glances at me. A torrent Of red roses
fell on me. One bloom lodged In my
horses name. and'I took 1t and stuck
1t in my coat The marshal smiled
grimly. I had stolen some glances at
bis face, but he was too impressive to
show me whether his sympathies were
with me or not. 4
"The red rose for the Elphbergs,
marshal" said / gayiy, and he nodded.
l have written ''gayly," and a strange
word Il must seem. But the truth Is
that I was drunk with excitement. At
that moment I belleyed-I almost be-
lieved-that I was In very truth the
king. and with look Of laughing tri-
umph l raised my eyes to the beauty
laden balconies, and then I started.
For, looking down on me, with her
handsome face and proud smile. was
the lady who had been my fellow
traveller. Antolnette de Mauban, and I
saw her also start, and her lips moved,
and she leaned forward and gazed at
me. And I. collecting myself. met her
eyes full and square, while again felt
my revolver. Suppose she had cried
aloud, That's not the king"
Well, we went by, and then the mar
shall, turning round In bis saddle,
waved his hand, and the cuirasslers
closed round Us, so that the crowd
could not come near me. We were
leaving my quarters and entering
Duke MIchaers, and this action Of the
marshars showed. me more clearly
than words what the state Of feeling
In the town must be. But II Fate
made me a king the least I could do
was 20 play the part handsomely.
"why this change In our order, mar
shalT' said I.
The marshal bit his white mustache.
at Is more prudent, SIRE" he muir.
INJURED.
drew rein.
"Let those in front ride on" said !.
"till they are fifty yards ahead. But
do you, marshal, and Colonel sapt and
my friends wait here till have ridden
fifty yards. And see that no one In
nearer 10 me. / will have my people
see that their king trusts them"
Sapt laid his hand on my arm.
shook him on. The marshal hesltated.
"Am not understoodT' said I. and,
biting his mustache again, be gave the
orders. I saw old sapt smiling into his
beard, but be shook his head at me. II
I had been killed In open day In the
streets Of strelsau Sapts position
would have been q difficult one.
Perhaps I ought 70 say that I was
dressed all In white, except my boots.