Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-25
By... ANTHONY HOPE

This ingenious arrangement of my long headed old friend 2rospered in every way save where it encountered a force that often defeats the most cunning schemes. I mean nothing else than the pleasure of woman, for, let her cousin and sovereign send what command he chose tor Colonel Sapt chose for him), and let Marshal Stra- kencz insist as he would, the Princess Flavia was in no gay minded to rest at Tarlenheim while her lover lay wound ed at Zenda, and when the marshal, with small suit, rode forth from Tar lenheim on the way to Zenda the prin- cess carriage followed immediately be- hind, and in this order they passed through the town, where the report was already rife that the king, going the night before to remonstrate with his brother in all friendliness for that he held one of the kings friends in confinement in the castle, had been most traitorously set upon, that there had been desperate conflict, that the duke was slain. with several of his gentlemen, and that the king. wounded as he was. had seized and held the cas- tie of Zenda. All of which talk made, as may be supposed, mighty excite ment, and the wires were set in mo- tion, and the tidings came to St-elsau only just after orders had been sent thither to parade the troops ard over awe the dissatisfied quarters of the town with display of force
 Thus the Princess Flavia came to Zenda. And as she drove up the hill, with the marshal riding by the wheel and still imploring her to return in obedience to the kings orders, Fritz von Tarlenheim, with the prisoner of Zenda, came to the edge of the forest. l had revived from my swoon and walked. resting OF Fritz's arm, and, looking out from the cover of the trees, l saw the princess. Suddenly under standing from glance at my compan- ions face that we must not meet her. I sank on my knees behind clump of bushes. But there was one whom we had forgotten, but who followed us and was not disposed to let slip the chance of earning smile and maybe crown or two. and while we lay hidden the little farm girl came by us and ran to the princess, courtesying and cry ing:
 Madame. the king is herein the bushes. May guide you to him, madame:"
 Nonsense, child' said old Stra- kencz. "The king lies wounded in the castle.'
 ''Yes, sir, he's wounded. I know, but he's there. with Count Fritz, and not at the castle" she persisted.
 ''ls he in two places. or are there two kings?" asked Flavia. bewildered. And how should he be here?"
 He pursued gentleman. madame. and they fought till Count Fritz came. and the other gentleman took my fa- ther's horse from me and rode away. But the king is here with Count Fritz. Why, madame, is there another man in I,uritania like the king:"
 No. my child" said Flavia softly q was told 1t afterward). and she smiled and gave the girl money. Il will go and see this gentleman" and she rose to alight from the carriage.
 But at this moment Sapt came riding from the castle and, seeing the prin- cess, made the best of a bad job and cried to her that the king was well tended and in no danger
 Tn the castle" she asked.
 Where else. madame:" said he. lowing.
 But this girl says he is yonder- with Count Fritz"
 Sapt turned his eyes on the child with an incredulous smile.
 Every fine gentleman is king to such." said he.
 'Why. he's as like the king as one pea to another. madamer' cried the | girl. little shaken. but still obstinate. i uKvkYIUX 7V1