Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-04-03

the glorious nair, her train held by TWO
pages. stepped from her place and
came to where l stood. And herald
cried
"Her royal hIghness the Princess
Flavia.'
She courtesied low and put her hand
under mine and raised my hand and
kissed It. And for an instant /
thought what | had best do. Then l
drew her To me and kissed her twice
on the cheek, and she blushed red, aud
why. then his eminence the cardinal
archbishop slipped In front Of Black
Michael and kissed my hand and pre-
sented me with letter from the pope.
the first and last which have ever re-
ceived from that exalted quarter
And then came the Duke of Strelsau.
His step trembled. swear. and he
looked to the right and To the left, as
man looks who thinks on flight. and
his face was patched with red and
white. and his hand shook so that ii
jumped under mine, and l felt his lips
dry and parched. And / glanced at
Sapt, who was smiling again into his
beard. and, resolutely doing my duty
In that station of lifesto which / had
been marvelously called. l took my
dear Michael by both hands and kissed
him on the cheek. l think we were
both glad when that was over.
But neither in the face OF the prin-
cess nor In that of any other did l see
the least doubt or questioning. Yet
had | and the king stood side by side
they could have told us in an instant,
or at least on n little consideration.
But neither they nor anyone else
dreamed or imagined that | could be
other than the king. So the likeness
served, and for an hour | stood there,
feeling as weary and blase as though
had been a king all my life, and ev-
erybody kissed my hand. and the am
! bassadors paid me their respects,
among them old Lord Topham, at
whose house in Grosvenor square l had
danced a score of times. Thank heav
en-. the old man was as blind as bat
and did not claim my acquaintance.
Then back we went through the
streets to the palace, and heard them
cheering Black Michael. but he, Fritz
told me. sat biting his nails like a man
/ In a reverie. and even his own friends
said that he should have made brav-
er show. / was in a carriage now, side
by side with the Princess Flavia, and
rough fellow cried out:
"And when's the weddingf" and as
he spoke another struck him in the
face, crying. Long live Duke Mlchael.'
and the princess colored-lt was an adj
mirable finland looked straight in
front of her.
Now / felt In a difficulty, because
had forgotten to ask Sapt the state of
my affections or how far matters had
gone between the princess and myself.
Frankly, leid l been the king the fur
Their they had gone the better should
have been pleased for l am not slow
blooded man, and l had not kissed
Princess F'lavla's cheek for nothing
These thoughts passed through my
head; but. not being sure of my ground
| said nothing. and in moment or two
the princess. recovering her equanim-
ity, turned TO me.
do you know, Rudolf" said she.
you look somehow different todayy
The fact was not surprising. but the
remark was disquieting.
you look" she went on, more
sober, more sedate. You're almost
careworn, and l declare you're thin
ner. Surely it's not possible that
you've begun 10 take anything seri-
ously?'
The princess seemed to hold OF the
king much the same opinion that Lady
Burlesdon held Of me.
/ braced myself up to the CONVERSE
ton.
Would that please your" I asked
softly.
"Oh, you know my views" said she,
turning her eyes away.
whatever pleases you / try to do
| said, and as / saw her smile and
blush thought that ! was playing the
kings hand very well for him. So l
continued, and what | said was per-
4 fectly tyue:
IL assure you. my dear cousin, that
nothing Ia my life has affected me
more than the reception I've been
greeted with today"
She smiled brightly. but In an In
slant grew grave again and whisper
ed:
Did you notice Michael?"
yes" said /. adding, lie wasn't
enjoying himself"
"Do be CAREFUL she went on. You
don't-indeed YOU don't-keep enough
watch on him. You know
II know said /, that he wants
what I've got"
''Tcs. Hush
Then. and | can't Justify 1t. for I
committed the king far beyond what
had a right 10 dol suppose she car
ricd me Of nv feet went on:
"And. perhaps. also something which
! haven't got yet. but hope to win
some day"
This was my answer-had I been the
king / should nave thought it encour-
aging: