Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-05


az know. curse him."
Gentlemen. gentlemen" said I,
who are the Six"
Il think you'll make their acquaint-
ance soon" said Sapt. "They are six
gentlemen whom Michael maintains
in his household. They belong to him
body and soul. There are three Ruri-
tanians: then there's Frenchman.
Belgian and one of your countrymen."
They'd all cut throat if Michael
told them" said Fritz.
Perhaps they'll cut NINE" l sug-
gested.
Nothing more likely" agreed Sapt
Who are here. Fritz
DE Gautet. Bersonin and Detchard"
The foreigners, It's as plain as a
pikestaff. He's brought them and left
the Rmitanians with the king. That's
because he wants to commit the Ruri-
tanians as deep rs he can
'They We're none of them among our
friends at the lodge. them" l asked.
Il wish they had been" said Sapt
wistfully. They had been not six. but
four, by now
had already developed one attribute
of royalty-a feeling that | need not re-
veal all my mind or my secret designs
even to my intimate friends. | had
fully resolved on my course Of action.
| meant to make myself as popular as
l could and at the same time to show
no diSfavor to Michael. BY these
1
his adherents and make il appear, if
an open conflict came about. that he
was ungrateful and not oppressed.
Yet an open conflict was not what
| hoped for.
The kings interest demanded secre-
| cy. and while secrecy lasted | had Il
fine game to play in Strelsau. Michael
should not grow stronger for delay.
I ordered my horse and. attended by
Fritz Won Tarlcnheim. rode in the
grand new avenue of the royal park.
returning all the salutes which | re-
ceivcd with pmctilious politeness.
| Then | rode through Il few of the
streets, stopped and bought flowers of
pretty girl. paying her with Il piece
| of gold and then. having attracted the
| desired amount of attention flor | had
Il trail Of half 4 thousand people after
me-. I rode to the residence of the
| Princess FlIvia and asked if she would
| receive INC. Thi; step created much
| interest and was met with shouts OF
| approval. The princess was very pop
ular. and the chancellor himself had
not scruplad to hint to me that the
more l pressed my suit and the more
| rapidly | brought il to Il prosperous
| conclusion the stronger should | be il
the affection of my subjects. Thu
chancellor, of course. did not under
stand the difficulties which lay in til,
way of following his loyal and excel
lent advice. However. | thought
could do no harm by calling, and il
this view Fritz supported me with ;
cordialty that surprised me until h
confessed that he also had his motiv
for liking a visit to the princess house
which motive was 10 other than
great desire to see the princess lady Il
waiting and bosom friend, the Coun
tess Helga Won StrofZin.
Etiquette seconded Fritz'S hopes
While | was ushered into the princess
| room he remained with the countess i
the antechamber. In spite of the pee
pie and servants who were hangin
about | doubt not that they manage
a tete-a-tete, but | had no leisure
think of them, for | was playing til
most delicate move in all my Difficult
game. | had to keep the princess dt
voted to me-and yet Indifferent to me
| had to show affection for her-an
not feel it. l had to make love for al
other, and that to Il girl who, princes
or no princess. was the most beautifl
l had ever seen. Well, | braced mysel
to the task, made no easier by th
charming embarrassment with whic
| was received. How | succeeded
carrying out my programme will az
pear hereafter
You are gaining golden laurels." sh
said. You are like the prince
. Shakespeare who was transformed b
becoming king. But I'm forgetting 70
are king, sire
Il ask you to speak nothing but whG
your heart tells you and to call u
nothing but my name"
She looked at me for a moment.
"Then I'm glad and proud, Rudolf
said shea why, as L told you, you
very face is changed"
acknowledged the compliment, bt
l disliked the topic, SO said:
"My brother is back, l hear. Il
made an excursion, didn't he:"
yes, he is here" she said, frownin
little.
: ''He can't stay long from Strelsau,
i seems" l observed, smiling. We'll W
are all glad to see him. The nearer L
is the better
The princess glanced at me with
CLEAN of amusement in her eyes.
why, cousin? Is it that you cam
''See better what he's doing? Pc
;; haps,' said l. "And why are yo
:. glad?'
d Il didn't say 1 was glad" she al
!. swered.
: Some people say so for you"