Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-03-20

four minutes Sapt mad arrayed nfmseIr
in his uniform. Josef called that the
horses were ready. We jumped on their
backs and started at rapid trot. The
game had begun. What would the is
sue OF IL be?
The cool morning air cleared my
head, and | was able to take In all
Sapt said TO me. He was wonderful
Fritz hardly spoke, riding like man
asleep, but Sapt, without another word
for the king began at once to instruct
me most mlnutely in the history of my
past life, of my family, OF my tastes,
pursuits, weaknesses, friends, compan-
ions and servants. He told me the Ell
quette OF the Ruritania court, promis-
Ing to be constantly at my elbow to
point out everybody whom ought to
know and give me hints with what de-
gree Of favor to greet them.
by the way" he said, you are q
Catholic, / supposer'
mot l." answered.
Lord, he's a hereticy' groaned Sapt,
and forthwith he fell to a rudimentary
lesson in the practices and observanceS
of the Romish faith.
Luckily" said he, you won't be
expected to know much, for the kings
VIGOROUSLY lax and careless about such
matters. But you must be as civil as
butter to the cardinal. We hope to
win him over because he and Michael
have a standing quarrel about their
precedence"
We were by'enow at the station.
Fritz had recovered nerve enough to
explain to the astonished station mas
ter thxt the king had changed his
plans. The train steamed up. We got
into a first class carriage, and Sapt,
leaning back ON the cushions, went on
with his lesson. looked at my
watch-the kings watch IL was, Of
course. 1t was just 8.
81 wonder il they've gone to look for
u.s." l said.
II hope they won't find the king"
said Fritz nervously. and this time it
was Sapt who shrugged his shoulders.
The train Travelled well, and at half
past o, looking out of the window, /
saw the towers and spires OF a great
city.
"Your capital, my liege." grinned old
Sapt, with a wave of his hand, and.
leaning forward, he laid his finger on
my pulse "A little too quick" said
he in his grumbling tone.
"Pm not made of stonev / exclaim-
ed.
you'll do" said he, with a nod.
"We must say Fritz here has caught
the ague. Drain your flask, Fritz, for
heavens sake, boy"
Fritz did as he was bid.
"We're an hour early" said Sapt.
majesty's arrival, for there'll be no one
here to meet us yet. And MEANWHILE
Meanwhile" said I, "the king'll be
hanged IL he doesn't have some break
fast"
Old Sapt chuckled and held out his
hand.
you're an Elphberg, every inch OF
you" said he. Then he paused and,
looking at us. said quietly, God send
we may be alive tonighty'
"Amenr said Fritz Won Tarlenheim.
The train stopped. Fritz and Sapt
leaped out, uncovered and held the
door for me. / choked down a lump
that rose in my throat, settled my he'll
met firmly on my head and I'm not
ashamed to say it) breathed a short
prayer to God. Then l stepped on the
platform of the station at Strelsau.
A moment later all was hustle and
confusion-men hurrying up, hats In
hand, and hurrying of again; men con-
Quoting me to the buffet; men mount
ing and riding in hot haste to the quar-
tiers Of the troops, to the cathedral, to
the residence Of Duke Michael. Even
as swallowed the last drop Of my cup
OF coffee the bells throughout all the
ITO be continued