Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-05-31

I accepted his offer without mo-
ments hesitation, and he went of to
telegraph to his sister, while packed
up and prepared to take the next train.
But still hankered after the forest
and the shooting lodge, and when my
little maid told me that / could, by
walking ten miles or so through the
forest. hit the railway at a roadside
station decided to send my luggage
direct to the address which Johann
had given. take my walk and follow to
Strelsau myself. Johann had gone Off
and was not aware Of the change in
nv plans, but as it's only effect was to
delay my arrival at his sisters for
few hours there was no reason FOR
troubling to inform him of it. Doubt
less the good lady would waste no
anxiety on my account.
took an early luncheon, and, having
hidden my kind entertainers farewell,
promising to return to them on my
way home, / set out to climb the hill
that led to the castle and thence to the
forest of Zenda. Half an hours leis-
urely walking brought me to the cas-
| tie. 1t had been q fortress in old days,
and the ancient keep was still in good
preservation and very imposing. Be
hind it stood another portion Of the
original castle, and behind that again,
and separated from it by q deep and
broad moat which ran all round the
| old buildings, was handsome modern
chateau, erected by the last king and
now forming the country residence Of
the Duke of Strelsau. The old and the
| new portions were connected by a
drawbridge, and this indirect mode Of
access formed the only passage be-
tween the old building and the outer
world, but leading to the modern
chateau there was broad and hand
some avenue. 1t was an ideal resi-
dence. When Black Michael desired
company he could dwell in his ch&eau;
if a fit Of misanthropy seized him he
had merely to cross the bridge and
draw it up after him Git ran on rOllers),
and nothing short Of a regiment and
train Of artillery could fetch him out.
went on my way, glad that poor
Black Michael, though he could not
have the throne or the princess, had
at least got as fine a residence as
any prince in Europe.
Soon entered the forest and walked
on for an hour or more In its cool, SOM
Der shade. The great trees enlaced
with one another over my head and
the sunshine stole through in patches
as bright as diamonds and hardly big
ger. was enchanted with the place
and, finding felled tree trunk, prop
ped my back against it and, stretching
my legs out, gave myself up to undis-
turbed contemplation Of the solemn
beauty of the woods and to the COM
fort of good cigar. And when the
cigar was finished and / had, sup
pose, inhaled as much beauty as l
could went off into the most delight
full sleep, regardless of my train to
Strelsau and of the fast waning after
noon. To remember train in such a
spot would have been rank sacrilege
Instead of that l fell to dreaming that
I was married to the Princess Flavia
and dwelt in the castle Of Zenda and
beguiled whole days with my love in
the glades Of the forest, which made q
very pleasant dream. In fact, was
Just impressing fervent kiss on the
charming lips of the princess when l
heard land the voice seemed at first
part of the dream some one exclaim
in rough, strident tones:
"Why, the devils in it! Shave him,
and he'd be the king!'
The idea seemed whimsical enough
for a dream. By the sacrifice Of my
heavy mustache and carefully pointed
imperial l was to be transformed into
a monarch! l was about to kiss the
princess again when l arrived very
reluctantly at the conclusion that l
was awake.
/ opened my eyes and found two men
regarding me with much curiosity.
Both wore shooting costumes and car
ried guns. One was rather short and
very stoutly built, with a big, bullet
shaped head, bristly gray mustache
and small pale blue eyes, trife blood
shot. The other was q slender young
fellow Of middle height, dark In COM
plexion and bearing himself with
grace and distinction. set the one
down as an old soldier, the other FOR
gentleman accustomed to move In
good society, but not unused to mill
tary life either. It turned out after
ward that my guess was good one.
The elder man approached me, beck
oning the younger to follow. He did
so, courteously raising his hat. rose
slowly to my feet.
"He's the height, too!' heard the
elder murmur as he surveyed my six
feet two inches of stature. Then, with
cavalier touch Of the cap, he ad-
dressed me:
HNIay ask your manner"
"As you have taken the first step in
the acquaintance, gentlemen" said /,
with smile, suppose you give me a
lead in the matter of names"
The young man stepped forward
with a pleasant smile.
''This," said he, "is Colonel Sapt, and
/ am called Fritz Won Tarlenheim. We
are both in the service Of the king OF
Ruritania."
1 bowed and, barring my head, an
swered:
81 am Rudolf Rassendyll. i am
traveller from England, and once for
year or two held commission from