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


MY dear Rose" | answered. laying
down my egg spoon. why in the world
should | do anything? My position is
a comfortable one | have an income
nearly sufficient for my wants (no
ones income Is ever quite sufficient.
you know. l enjoy an enviable social
position: am brother to Lord Burlcs-
don and brother-in-law to that most
charming lady. his countess. Behold. it
Is enough
you are nine and twenty" she OBJ
served, land you've done nothing
but
KNOCK about? 1t is true. our fami-
ly doesn't need To do things"
This remark of mine rather annoyed
Rose, for everybody knows-and there
fore there can be no harm in referring
to the that, pretty and accom-
plished as she herself is. her family is
hardly of the same standing as the
Rassendylls Besides her attractions.
she possessed IA large fortune. and my
brother Robert was wise enough not 10
mind about her ancestry. Ancestry is.
In fact, matter concerning which the
next observation of Roses has some
truth
GOOD families are generally worse
than any Others she said
Upon this l stroked my hair. l knew
quite well what she meant
I'm so glad Roberts is black" she
cried.
Dbl. h.. 81.
and works before breakfast, came in.
He glanced at his wife. Her cheek was
Slightly flushed; he patted it caress-
ingly.
What's the matter, my dear?' he
asked
''She objects to my doing nothing and
having red hair" said in an injured
tone.
"Oh, of course he can't help his hair
admitted Rose
1T generally crops out once in gen
Grafton" said MY brother so does the
nose. Rudolf has got them both"
IL wish they didn't crop out" said
Rose, still flushed
81 rather like them myself" said /.
and, rising, / bowed to the portrait OF
Countess Amelia.
My brothers wife uttered an ex-
clamation of Impotence
81 wish you'd take that picture
away. Robert" said She
'My dearl" he cried.
Good heavens" / added.
''Then II might be forgotten" she
continued.
Hardly. with Rudolf about" said
Robert, shaking his head.
"Why should it be forgotten?" I
asked.
Rudolf exclaimed my brothers
wife, blushirg very prettily.
l laughed and went on with my egg.
AT least i had shelved the question of
what. II anything. | ought to do And
by way Of closing the dlscusson-and
also, must admit, OF exasperating my
strict little slster-n-law trife more
i observed: --~S4----.
II rather like being an Elphberg my
self"
When I read a story. skip the ex-
plantations. yet the moment begin to
write one / find that must have an
explanation. For IL Is manifest that I
must explain why my sister-in-law was
vexed with my nose and hair and why
i ventured - call myself an Elphberg.
For, eminent as. | must protest. the
Rassendylls have been for many gen
erations. yet participation In their
blood, OF course. does not at first sight
Justify the boast OF connection with
the grander stock OF the Elphbergs or
a claim to be one OF that royal house.
For what relationship Is there between
Ruritanla and Burlesdon. between the
palace at Strelsau or the castle OF
Zenda and 300 Park lane, w?
Well, then-and / must premise that
4 am going perforce to rake up the
very scandal which my dear Lady
Burlesdon wishes forgotten - in the
year 1873 George H., sitting then on
the throne, peace reignlng for the mos
ment and the king and the Prince OF
Wales being not yet at loggerheads.
there came on a visit to the English
court certain prince who was after
ward known to history as Rudolf
Hi. Oh hUTlldDld. nt DillNt was ~
tall, handsome young fellow. marked
fmaybe married: II is not for me to say
by somewhat unusually long. sharp
and straight nose and n mass OF dark
red hair-in fact. the nose and the hair
which have stamped the Elphbergs
fine out OF mind. He stayed some
months i'm England. where he was
most courteously received; yet I'm the
end he left rather under cloud. for he
fought duel Qt was considered highly
well bred OF Kim to waive all question
OF his rank with nobleman well
known In the society OF the day not
only for his own merits. but as the
husband OF very beautiful wife. In
that duel Prince Rudolf received Sc
we're wound and, recovering therefrom,
was adroitly struggled of by the Ruri-
fanian ambassador, who had found
him a pretty handful. The nobleman
was not wounded In the duel; but, the