Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-01

In the city is not satisfactory. The
king is much criticised you know
he's told to be quite frank for taking
no steps about his marriage. From in
quiries among the encourage of the
Princess Flavia her royal highness is
believed TO he deeply offended by the
remissness Of his majesty. The com
mon people are coupling her name
with that of the Duke OF Strelsau,
and the duke gains much popularity
from the suggestion. | have caused
the announcement that the king gives
a ball tonight in honor Of the princess
TO be widely diffused. and the effect
Is good.
''That is news TO me-" said l.
''Oh. the preparations are all made"
laughed Fritz. 1--WE seen to that"
Sapt turned TO me and said in a
sharp. decisive voice:
"You must make love to her tonight
you know"
81 think il very likely shall if l see
her alone" said l. Hang II. Sapt, you
don't suppose l find it difficulty"
Fritz whistled bar or two; then he
said: You'll find IL only too easy.
Look here, hate telling you this. but
must. The Countess Helga told me
tached 10 the king. Since the corona
ton her feelings have undergone a
marked development It's quite true
that she is deeply wounded by the
kings apparent neglect"
Here's a kettle OF fish, groaned.
Tut, tutr' said Sapt IL suppose
you've made pretty speeches TO a girl
before now. That's all she wants"
Fritz, himself lover, understood bet
ter my distress He laid his hand on
my shoulder, but said nothing.
81 think. though" pursued that cold
blooded old sapt that you'd better
make your offer tonight"
GOOD heavensr'
"Or, at any rate go near to ii, and l
shall send a semiofficial TO the papers"
I'll do nothing OF the sort-no more
will YOU" said l. Il utterly refuse to
take part in making fool of the prin-
cess"
Sapt looked at me with his small
keen eyes A slow, cunning smile pass
ed over his face.
"All right. lad; all right" said he
1--WE mustn't press you too hard
Soothe her down a bit. II you can. you
know. Now for Michaelr'
ooh. hang Michael"' said l. He'll
do tomorrow. Here, Fritz, come for
stroll in the garden"
Sapt at once yielded. His rough
manner covered a wonderful tact and,
as came 10 recognize more and more,
a remarkable knowledge of human ma
ture. Why did he urge me so little
about the princess? Because he knew
that her beauty and my ardor would
carry me further than all his argu-
ments and that the less l thought
about the thing the more likely was
to do it. He must have seen the I'M
happiness he might bring on the prin-
cess, but that went for nothing with
him. Can | say confidently that he
was wrong; If the king were restor-
ed, the princess must turn to him.
either knowing or not knowing the
change. And if the king were not re-
stored to Us? Ii was Il subject that
we had never yet spoken of. But /
had an idea that i'm such case Sapt
meanl 10 seat me on the throne Of
Ruritana for the term Of my life. He
would have Get Satan himself there
sooner than that pupil of his. Black
Michael
The ball was a sumptuous affair
opened il 10y dancing n quadrille with
Flavia. lien | waltzed with her
Curious eyes and eager whispers at
tended Us. We went i'm TO supper. and
halfway through I. half mad hy then
for her glance had answered mine and
Ter quick breathing met my stammer-
cd sentences. rose in my place before
ali the brilliant crowd and. taking the
red rose thGt / wore. flung the ribbon
with its jeweled badge round her neck.
In q tumult of applause / SGT down.
l saw Sapt smiling over his wine and
Fritz fvowning. The rest Of the meal
passed I'm silence: neither Illvia nor
could speak Fritz touched ne on
the shoulder. and | rose. gave her my
arm and walked down the hall into "a
little room. where coffee WAS acrycl 81
rs. The eeltlemen and ladies' I'm at.
tendance withdrew. and we wore
alone.
The littln room had French windows
opening ON tie gardens. The night
was enc. cool and fragrant Flaria
sat down. s-l I stood opposite hor.
was STRUGGLING with myself. If alr
had not looked ut me- / believe hat
even then ! should have won my hr1t.
but suddenly involuntarily she gave
re one brief glance-a glance Of Gucs-
ton. l-rrledly turned aside a blush
that tie question had overcome spread
Iver her check. and she caught her
breath
Ah II yea had seen herl forgot
Tie king ORB Icnda. / forgot tie king
in Strclsau she was a princess aal I
on imp3..or. ID you think remem-
bcrcl That? / throw myself on my
kncc anl seized her hands Ca mlHc I
SAL r3,h.rr. WHY should ~ The SOFT
sounds OF the night set my wooing to "a
worGiass melody as pressed my KISSES
on her iias
she pushed me from her crying sud.
denly:
"Ah. is il true. or Is it only because
you mrstf'
"Its truew ! said I'm low. smothered
tones true that love you more than
life or truth or honorr'
She set no meaning to my words.
treating thcm as one of loves sweet
cxtlayaganccs. She came close o. me
and whispered:
"Oh 90 you were not the king. then
.nnll show ron how love Won.