Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-22

ek have gone on. with the re-
markable incidents which marked II.
without more public notice being di-
rected 20 IT, Duels were frequent
among all the upper classes. and pri-
vate quarrels between great men kept
the old habit of spreading 10 their
friends and dependents. Nevertheless.
after the ARRAY which | have just re-
lated such reports began TO circulate
that | felt il necessary TO he on my
guard.
The death OF the gentlemen involved
could not be hidden from their rcla
tives. issued stern order declaring
that duelng had attained unprecedcnt-
ed license dhe chancellor drew up the
document for me. and very well he did
~. and forbidding IL save in the
gravest cases. | sent a public and
stately apology 10 Michael, and he re-
turned "A defcrential and courteous re-
DIV 10 me. 10. our one point Of union
was-and IL underlay all our differ
ences and induced an unwilling har
mony between our actiohs-that We
could neither of us afford TO throw our
cards on the table. He, as well ms |.
was Il play actor" and. hating one
another. we combined TO dupe public
opinion Unfortunately. however, the
necessity for concealment involved the
necessity OF delay. The king might
die in his prison or even be spirited
off somewhere else. Ii could not be
helped For a little while | was com
PEELED to observe truce, and my only
consolation was that Flavia most
warmly approved Of my edict against
dueling, and when | expressed delight
at having won her favor prayed me. if
her favor were any motive 10 me. TO
prohibit the practice altogether.
wait ill! we are married. said |.
smiling.
Not the least peculiar result of the
truce and of the secrecy which dictated
II was that the town of Zenda became
in the daytime would not have trust
ed far 10 its protection by night-a sort
Of neutral zone. where both parties
could safely go. and /, riding down one
day with Flavia and Sapt. had an en-
counter with an acquaintance which
the same time embarrassing. AS ! rode
along | met a dignifed looking person
driving in a two horsed carriage. He
stopped his horses, got out and ap-
preached me. bowling low. | recognized
the head Of the Strelsau police.
"Your majesty's ordinance as TO du
cling is receiving our best attention
be assured me.
If the best attention involved his
presence in Zcnda, | resolved at once
to dispense with il.
us that what brings you TO Zenda
prefect;" | asked.
"Why, no, sire. / am here because |
desired TO oblige the British ambassa
DOR
What's the British ambassador do
ing dams cette galere?' said care
lessly.
"A young countryman of his. sire--a
man OF some POSITIONS missing. His
friends have not heard from him for
two months and there is reason to be
lieve that ne was last seen in Zenda. :"
Flavia was paying little attention. !
dared not look at Sapt.
What reason
"A friend of his in Paris. certain
M Featherly. has given us information
which makes IL possible that he came
here, and the officials OF the railway
recollect his name on some luggage"
what was his nameT'
"Rassendyll. sire" he answered. and
saw that the name meant nothing to
him. But. CHANGING at Flavia. he low
cred his voice as he went on: ut is
thought that he may have followed a
lady here. Has your majesty heard Of
certain Nine. de MaubsnI'
why yes" said l. my eye involun-
tarly travelling toward the castle.
"She arrived In Ruritania about the
same time as this Rassendyll."
| caught the projects glance. He
was regarding me with inquiry writ
large on his face.
'%Sapt." said I, Il must speak a word
10 the project. Will you ride on a few
PAGES with the prlncess:" And / add
ed to the project. Come. sir what do
you mean
the saddle.
eff he were in love with the ladyT'
be whispered Nothing has been
heard OF him for two months" And
this time IL was the eye Of the project
which Travelled toward the castle.
yes. the lady is there" said quiet
ly. But | don't suppose Mr. Rasscn-
dyll-is that tie name?-is"
The duke" be whispered docs not
like rivals. sire
You're right there" said I. with all
sincerity. But surely you hint at n
very grave charge"
lie spread his hands out in apology
l whispered in his ear:
This is grave matter Go back TO
Strelsau"-
But sire IL have Glow heref"
go back TO Strelsau." | repeated.
Tell the ambassador that you have a
clew. but that you must be left alone
for week or two. Meanwhile I'll
charge myself with looking into the
matter"
"The ambassador is very pressing,
sire"
"You must quiet him. Come. sir;
you see that If your suspicious are cor.
rect it Is an affair in which we must
move with caution. We can have no
scandal Mind you return tonight"
lie promised TO obey me. and rode
en 10 rej0in my companions. little
sasler Ia my mind. Inquiries after me
must be stopped at all hazards for a
week or two. and this clever official
had come surprisingly near the truth.
His impression might be useful some