Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-03-06

here; from here he goes TO Strelsau to
be crowned on Wednesday morning"
l was interested to hear this and
made up my mind to walk next day in
the direction OF the lodge on the chance
of coming across the king. The old
lady ran on garrulously:
"Ah. and | wish he would stay at
his shooting-that and wine (and one
thing more) are all he loves, they say
and suffer our duke to be crowned on
Wednesday, That wish. and | don't
care who knows It,"
Hush. mother!' urged the daugh-
ters.
"Oh. there's many folks To think as
l do" cried the old woman stubbornly.
/ threw myself back In my deep arm
chair and laughed at her zeal.
"For my part" said the younger and
prettier OF the two daughters, a fair,
buxom, smiling wench. Il hate Black
Michael, A red Elphberg for me. moth
or. The king. they say, is as red as a
fox or ass
And she laughed mischieyously as
she east Il glance at me and tossed her
head at her sisters reproving face.
Many man has cursed this red
hair before now" muttered the old
lady. and remembered James. fifth
earl OF Burlesdon.
But never n woman cried the girl.
aye and women. when 1T was too
late" was the stern answer. reducing
the girl To- silence and bushes.
How comes the king here?" | asked.
to break an embarrassed silence. at
Is the dukes land here. you say"
THE duke invited him. sir, To rest
here till Wednesday. The duke is at
Streslau. preparing the kings reccp-
ton
"Then they're friends?"
"None better" said the old lady
But my rosy damsel tossed her head
again. She was not to be repressed for
long and she broke out again:
AYE. they love one another AS men
do who want the same place and the
same wife,
The old woman glowered. but the
last words pricked my curiosity, and
interposed before she could begin
scolding:
what. the same wife too. Hows
that. young LADY,"
"All the world knows that Black Mi
chaelwell. then, mother, the duke
would give his soul to marry his cou-
sin. the Princess Flavia, and that she
Is TO be the queen"
Upon my word" said /, IL begin to
be sorry for your duke. But IL man
will be younger son, why. he must
take what the elder leaves and be as
thankful TO God as he can" aud. think
ing OF myself, / shrugged my shoulders
and laughed. And then thought also OF
Antoinetts de Mauban and her journey
TO Strelsau.
les little dealing Black Michael has
with began the girl. Drawing her
mothers anger. but as she spoke
heavy step sounded OH the floor and "A
gruff voice asked in "A threatening tone:
"Who talks of Black MiclaeT In his
highness' own burgy'
The girl gave little shrek, half OF
fright-half. think. of amusement.
you'll not tell OF me. JOHANNA" she
said
See where your chatter leaus." said
the old lady.
The man who had spoken came for
ward.
1--WE have company, Johann" said
my hostess. and the fellow plucked Off
his cap. A moment later he saw me.
and TO my amazement he started back
step. as though he had seen some
thing wonderful.
what ails you, Johann" asked the
elder girl. This is n gentleman on his
travels. come to see the coronati ton
The man had recovered himself. but
he was staring at me with an intense.
searching. almost fierce glance.
Good evening to you" said I.
Good evening. sir" he muttered.
still scrutinizing me. and the merry
girl began to laugh as she called:
"See. Johann, II IL the color you lovei
He started to ZEE your hair. sir. It's