Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-08


was little danger In the excursion. The
evenings were long and light, and the
road this side of Zenda well frequent
ed So off we rode, with Il groom be-
hind us. | mufiied myself up in big
cloak
Fritz" said | as we entered the
town. there's an uncommonly pretty
girl at this inn
How do YOU know he asked.
Because I've been there" said /.
since he began.
"No. Before" said |.
''But they'll recognize your
"Well, of course they Will Now don't
argue, my good fellow, but listen 10
me. We're two gentlemen of the kings
household, and one of us has tooth
nche. The other will order Il private
room and dinner and. further. bottle
If the best wine for the sufferer. And
II he be as clever Il fellow as i take
him for. the pretty girl and no other
Mill wait On MS"
"What If she won't?' objected Fritz.
"My dear Fritz" said /. IF she won't
for YOU. she will for me-
We were at the inn. Nothing OF me
but my eyes was visible as | walked
in The Iandlady received ms. Two
minutes later my little friend tever. /
fear. on the lookout for such guests as
might prove amusing made her ap
pearance. Dinner and tie wine We're
ordered | sat down in the private
room. \ minute later Fritz came in.
shes coming" he said.
eff she were not. | should have TO
doubt the Countess Helga's taste
She came IN. ! gave her time TO set
ped. Fritz poured out a glass and gave
II TO me.
els the gentleman in great pain!' the
girl asked alphabetically.
The gentleman is no worse than
when he saw you last" said !, throw
ing away my cloak.
She started with little shrek. Then
she cried:
1T was the king, then, tcld mother
so the minute | saw his picture. Oh,
sir. forgive me-
Faith. you gave me nothing that
hurt much" said /.
But the things we said-'
IL forgive them for the thing you
did"
Il must go and tell mother
stop" said I, assuming graver air.
I'VE are not here for sport tonight.
Go and bring dinner. and not word
Of the king being here"
She came back in q few minutes.
looking grave. yet very curious.
well. how is Johann | asked, be
ginning my dinner.
"Oh, that fellow. slr-my lord king.
| mean"
"'Sir will do, please. How is hep
I'VE hardly see him now, sri'
And why hot?'
Il told him he came too often, sir"
laid she. tossing her head.
80 he sulks and stays away
Yes. sir"
But you could bring him backT' l
suggested. with a smile.
Perhaps | could" said she.
Il know your powers, you see.' said
/, and she blushed with pleasure.
It's not only that. sir. that keeps
him away. He's very busy at the cas-
tie now"
But there's no shooting on now"
mo. sir; hut he's I'm charge OF the
house.
Johann turned housemaid:"
The little girl was trimming over
with gossip.
well. there are no Others" said she
There's not woman thcre-not as a
servant. | mean. They do say-but
perhaps it's false. sir
lets have il for what it's WORTH
said |.
sIndeed. I'm ashamed TO tell you.
sir"
"On. see. I'm looking at the ceiling"
They do say there is n lady there.
sir but except for her there's not a
woman in the place. And Johann has
TO wait on the gentlemen
Poor Johann. He must be over
worked Yet I'm sure he could find
half an hour 20 come and see YOU"
1T would depend on the time. sir.
perhaps"
DO you love him. I asked
Not /. sir"
"And YOU wish to serve the kingf'
Yes. sir"
Then tell him TO meet YOU at the
second milestone out OF Ieuda tomor.
row evening at 10 O'Clock Say you'll
be there and viii walk home with
him"
do You mean him harm, sir:'
"Not If he VIII 60 as bid him. Bat
/ | think I've TOLD you enough. my pretty
maid Soc chat you Go as I bid YOU
And. mind. no one Is TO know that the
King has been here.
spoke little stcrnly. for there j.
seldom harm I'm infusing little fear
/ into a womans liking for you. and
softened the effect 10y giving her q
handsome present Then we dined
and. wrapping my cloak about my face
with Fritz leading the way. we went
downstairs To our horses again.
1t was but half past aud hardly yet
dark. The streets were full for such Il
quiet little place and I could see that
/ gossip was all agog. With the king on
one side and the duke on the other
Zenda felt itself the center of all Ruri
tania. We logged gently through tho
town. but set our horses to a sharper
pace when we reached the open coun
try.
you want to catch this fellow 10
hannf" asked Fritz.
AYE, and I fancy I've baited TN,
hook right. Our little Delilah will
bring our Samson. IL is not enough
Fritz, to have no women In a house
though brother Michael shows some
wisdom there. II you want safety
you must have none within fifty miles