Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-07
e O. prisoner
81; 81; 81 q Zenda'
Copyrighted, 1894 1925. by Holt d Company
&Sr&&&&* &33&S4s&

Il fancy SAID ne, "nar wnen JOSEF
tells them the king is gone they'i think
1t is because we smelt rat. For you
may swear Black Michael doesn't ex-
pect tossee him in Strelsau today"
put the kings helmet on my head.
Old Sapt handed me the kings sword,
looking at me long and carefully.
"Thank God, he shaved his beard!'
he exclaimed.
"Why did hep / asked.
Because Princess Flavia said he
grazed her cheek when he was gra-
ciously pleased to give her cousinly
kiss. Come, though, we must ride"
"Is oil safe here?"
"Nothings safe anywhere" said
Sapt, "but we can make it no safer"
Fritz now rejOined us jim the uniform
of a captain in the same regiment as
that to which my dress belonged. In
four minutes Sapt had arrayed himself
in his uniform. Josef called that the
horses were ready. We jumped on their
backs and started at rapid trot. The
game had begun What would the is
sue Of it be?
The cool morning air cleared my
head, and 1 was able to take In all
Sapt said to me. He was wonderful.
Fritz hardly spoke, riding like man
asleep, but Sapt, without another word
for the king, began at once to Instruct
me most infinitely in the history Of my
past life, Of my family, Of my tastes,
pursuits, weaknesses, friends, cOmpan-
ions and servants. He told me the eti-
quette of the Ruritania court, promis-
ing to be constantly at my elbow to
point out everybody whom | ought to
know and give me hints with what de-
gree of favor to greet them.
"By the way" he said, "you are a
Catholic, suppose"
"Not l." / answered.
Lord, he's hereticw groaned Sapt
and forthwith he fell to rudimentary
lesson in the practices and observance
of the Komish faith.
Luckily" said lie, "you won't be
expected to know much, for the kings
VIGOROUSLY lax and careless about such
matters. But you must be as civil as
butter to the cardinal. We hope to
win him over because he and Michael
have standing quarrel about their
precedence"
We were by now at the station.
Fritz had recovered nerve enough to
explain to the astonished station mas
ter that the king had changed his
plans. The train steamed up. We got
into q first class carriage, and Sapt,
leaning back ON the cushions, went on
with his lesson. l looked at my
watch-the kings watch 1t was, OF
course. 1t was just 8.
II wonder if they've gone to look for
u.s." l said.
81 hope they won't find the king"
said Fritz nervously, and this time 1t
was Sapt who shrugged his shoulders.
The train travelled well, and at half
past 8, looking out of the window, l
saw the towers and spires Of great
city.
.'Your capital, my liege," grinned old
SAINT with a wave of his hand, and,
leaning forward, he laid his finger on
nv pulse. "a little too quick" said
he in his grumblng tone.
"I'm not made of stonew exclaim-
ed.
you'll do" said he, with a nod.
1--WE must say Fritz here has caught
the ague. Drain your flask, Fritz, for
heavens sake, boy"
Fritz did as he was bid.
"We're an hour early" said Sapt.
"WeIl send word forward of your
majesty's arrival, for there'll be no one
here to meet us yet. And meanwhile
meanwhile" said 1, "the kingll be
hanged If he doesn't have some break
fast"
Old Sapt chuckled and held out his
hand.
: you're an Elphberg, every incn OF
you," said he. Then he paused ana,
looking at us, said quietly, "God SEND
we may be alive tonight"
"Amenv said Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
The train stopped. Fritz and Sapt
leaned out, uncovered and held the
door for me-. 1 choked down lump
that rose in my throat, settled my nell
met firmly on my head and Qm not
ashamed to say it, breathed a short
prayer to God. Then / stepped on the
platform of the station at Strelsau.
A moment later all was hustle and
confusion-men hurrying up, hats IN
hand, and hurrying off again; men con-
Quoting me to the buffet; men mount
ing and riding in hot haste to the quar-
tiers of the troops, to the cathedral, TO
the residence Of Duke Michael. Even
as swallowed the last drop OF my cup
of coffee the bells throughout all the
city broke out into joyful peal, and
the sound Of a military band and OF
men cheering smote upon my ear.
King Rudolf ". was in his good city
of Strelsau And they shouted outside:
"God save the king"
Old Sapt's mouth wrinkled into a
smile
God save 'em both!" he whispered.
Courage, lady' and felt his hand
press my knee.
A rnrr0r1 "