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

IAI da and had talked with Ru-
lSSSSc pert HentZau, of course all
lJ pretense OF illness was at an
end | marked the effect on the garri-
son of Zenda. They ceased 10 be seen
abroad. and any of my men who went
near the castle reported that the ut
most vigilance prevailed there. Touch
ed as ! was by Nine. de Mauban's APP
peal, / seemed as powerlcss 10 bcfriend
her as ! had proved 10 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 10 send any
excuse Tor his failure TO wait on the
king
Time ran on in inactivity when every
moment was pressing, for not only
was 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 Flava was with me. and
for this reason | suffered her TO stay.
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 Strclsau to make
an urgent representation 10 me. save
that ] should appoint n day for the
public solemnization OF my betrothal.
a ceremony which in Ruritania is wei
nigh as binding and great n thing ms
the marriage Itself. And this. with
Flavia sitting by me. l was forced TO
do setting date fortnight ahead
and appointing the cathedral i'm Strel-
eau 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
.hafed at it, mean Black Michael
and myself-and hut one who did not
Know OF it-that one the man whose
fame bore. the king of Eurl'ana.
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 NJ IN
~. though fearful FOR his lifc. again
found means 10 visit us. He had heen
waiting coz the duke when the udi lgs
came. Black NJ chacrs facc had - wn
blackcr siill and he had swo-u cav
agely. Nor was lie better pleased hen
Rupert took oath that meant 20 DO as
said and. turning to Nine. de Mau
ban, wished her JOY on rival gone.
Mlchaels hand stole toward bis sword.
said Johann. but not bit did Rupert
care. for he rallied the duke on hav-
ing made better king than had reign
ed for years past i'm Ruritania. And
said re. with n meaning bow To- his cx
asperatcd master. the devil sends
the princess a finer man than heaven
had marked ont for her. BY my soul. be
does Then Michael harshly babe bin
hold his tongue and leave them. but
Rupert must needs first kiss madamc's
hand. which he did as though he loved
her. while Michael glared at him.
This was the lighter side Of the fcl-
lows ncws. but more serious came be
hind. and IL was plain that II time
pressed at Tarlenhem il pressed none
the less fiercely at Zenda. For the king
was very sick. Johann had seen him,
and he was wasted and hardly able to
move. There could he no thought OF
taking another for him now" So alarm
ed were they that they had sent for a
physician from Strelsau. and the physi-
cian having been introduced into the
kings cell, had come forth pale and
trembling and urgently prayed the
duke TO let him 20 back and NEEDLE no
more in the affair But tho duke would
not. and held him there a prisoner. tell
ing him his life was safe IL the King
lived while The duke desired and died
when the duke dcsired-not otherwise.
And persuaded bv the physician. they