The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-12
CHAPTER XVI.


4S pretense of illness was ut an
end l marked the effect on the garri-
son Of Zenda. They ceased to be seen
abroad, and any of my rnen who went
near the castle report : that the ut.
most vigilance prevailed there. Touch.
ed as was by Nine. de Maubans ap.
peal, seemed as powerless to befriend
her as l had proved to help the king.
Michael babe me defiance, and, al
though he. too, had been seen outside
the walls, with more disregard for APP
pearances than he had hitherto shown,
he did not take the trouble to send any
excuse for his failure to wait on the
king.
Time ran on in inactivity when every
moment was pressing, for not only
was l faced with the new danger
which the stir about my own disap-
pearance brought on me. but great
murmurs had arisen in Strelsau at my
continued absence from the city. They
had been greater but for the knowl-
edge that Flavia was with me, and
/ L
though hated to have her where dan
ger was and though every day of our
| present sweet intercourse strained my
endurance almost to breaking. As a
final blow nothing would content my
advisers, StrakencZ and the chancellor,
who came out from Strelsau to make
IN urgent representation TO me, save
that I should appoint a day for the
public solemnization OF my betrOtns.,
a ceremony which in Ruritania Is Wet
nigh as binding and great q thing as
the marriage itself. And this. with
Flavia sitting by me, was forced to
do. setting a date fortnight ahead
and appointing the cathedral in Strel-
sau as the place. And this formal act.
being published far and wide. caused
great joy throughout the kingdom and
was the talk Of all tongues, so that
reckoned there were but two men who
ehafed at i'll mean Black Michael
and myself-and but one who did not
know of it-that one the man whose
name I bore. the king OF Ruritania.
In truth, | heard something Of the
way the news was received in the cas-
tie. for after an interval Of three days
the man Johann. greedy for more mon
ey, though fearful for his life. again
found means to visit US. He had been
; waiting on the duke when the tidings
came. Black MichaeIs face had grown
, blacker still. and he had sworn saw
agely. Nor was he better pleased when
Rupert took oath that I meant to do as
I said and. turning to Mime. de Mau'
ban. wished her joy on a rival gone
Michaers hand stole toward his sword
: said Johann. but not a bit did Rupert
care. for he rallied the duke on hay
-, ing made better king than had reign
: ed for years past in Ruritanla. And,
said he. with q meaning bow TO his ex
asperated master. "the devil sends
the princess a finer man than HEAVIER
a had marked out for her. By my soul. b.
does-' Then Michael harshly babe hin
hold his tongue and leave them. bu
a Rupert must needs first kiss madame
r hand. which he did as though he love'
o her. while Michael glared at him.
This was the lighter side Of the tel
u lows news. but more serious came be
hind. and 1t was plain that IL tim
pressed at Tarlenheim IL pressed non
A the less fiercely at Zenda. For the kin
was very sick. Johann had seen hin
N and he was wasted and hardly able
20 move. There could be no thought
taking another for him now" So alarm
70 ed were they that they had sent for
"A physician from strelsau. and the phys
clan. having been introduced into III
kings cell, had come forth pale an
= trembling and urgently prayed III
n duke 10 let him go back aud NEEDLE D
more In the affair. But the duke woul
not. and held him there prisoner, Tel
n ing him his life was safe II the kin
4 lived while the duke desired and die
Al when the duke desired not 0therwis
And. persuaded by the physician, the
N. had allowed Nine. de Mauban to Wis
n the king and give him such attendant
- as his state needed and as only wof
IN an can give. Yet his life hung In Il
n. balance, and I was set strong nj
IA whole and free. Wherefore great gloo
relgned at Zenda. and. save when tb'
"A uuarreled. to which they were vel
prone. they hardly spoke. But Il
i'm deeper the depression Of the re-
young Rupert went about Satan's wo
"a with a smile in his eye and a song
ia his lin. and laughed ut 10 burst" tsa
"a, J0hannD because the duke always \
~, Detehard to guard the king when Mn
a. de Mauban vas In the celI-which pi
caution was. indeed. not unwise In !
HE careful brother. Thus Johann told
tale aud seized his crowns. Yet he ]
,ad sought Us to allow him 60 stay with
In TarIenheiIn, and not venture
head again I'm the Hons den, but
~. had need Of him there. and, although
Tor refused to c0ustruin him, prevailed
,va him by increased rewards 10 60 Tn
, and 10 carry ttdings 20 Nine. de Nj
,ve ban that / was working for her a
Ia, that. II she could, she should speak O
Lc word Of comfort 20 the king. for. wi
Ia. suspense IL bad for the sick, yet
ats spair Is worse still. aud 1t might
that the king lay dying Of mere hg
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