Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-11

company us, walked me off. westerly through the forest.
 We walked for more than half an hour, and the king smoked cigarettes i and chattered necessarily. He was full of interest in my family, laughed heartily when told him of the DOT traits with Elphberg hair in our gal leries and yet more heartily when he heard that my expedition to Ruritania was secret one. a.s. You have to visit your disreputable cousin on the sly, have you?" said he. | Suddenly emerging from the wood, we came on small and rude shooting lodge. It was one story building. sort of bungalow, built entirely of wood. AS we approached it little man in a plain livery came out to meet us. i The only other person saw about the place was fat. elderly woman. whom I afterward discovered to be the moth- CT of Johann. the dukes keeper.
 "Well. is dinner ready, Josef?". asked the king.
 The little servant informed us that it was, and we soon sat down to plenti- fuI meal. The fare was plain enough. The king ate heartily, Fritz von Tar i lenheim delicately, old Sapt voracious- ly. played good knife and fork, as my custom is. The king noticed my performance with approval.
 We're all good trenchermen, we Elphbergs," said he. But what?- we're eating dry! Wine. Josef; wine, man! Are we beasts to eat without drinking? Are we cattle. Josef?" l At this reproof Josef hastened to i load the table with bottles. l Remember tomorrow!' said Fritz.
 Aye, tomorrow" said old Sapt.
 The king drained a bumper to his "Cousin Rudolf" as he was gracious or merry-enough to call me, and I drank it's fellow to the "Elphberg red" whereat he laughed loudly.
 Now, be the meat what it might. the wine we drank was beyond all price or praise, and we did it justice. Fritz ventured once to stay the kings hand.
 "What?" cried the king. Remember you start before do, Master Fritz l you must be more sparing by two hours than l."
 Fritz saw that I did not understand.
 '"The colonel and l." he explained, "leave here at 6. We ride down to Zenda and return with the guard of ! honor to fetch the king at 6. and then we all ride together to the station"
 Hang that same guard" growled Sapt.
 "Oh, it's very civil of my brother to ask the honor for his regiment said the king. Come. cousin, you need not start early. Another bottle, man"
 I had another bottle, or, rather. part of one. for the larger half travelled quickly down his majesty's throat. Fritz gave up his attempts at persua- sion. From persuading he fell to be- ing persuaded, and soon we were all of us as full of wine as we had any right to be. The king began talking of what he would do in the future, old Sapt of what he had done In the past, Fritz of some beautiful girl or other. and of the wonderful merits of, the Elphberg dynasty. We all talked at once and followed to the letter Sapts exhortation to let the morrow take l care of itself.
 1 At last the king set down his glass 1 and leaned back in his chair.
 "I have drunk enough" said he.
 "Far be it from me to contradict the king" said I.
 Indeed his remark was most abso- lutely true-so far as it went. While yet spoke Josef came and set before the king marvellous old wicker covered fiagon. It had lain so long In some darkened cellar that it seemed to blink in the candlelight.
 His highness the Duke of Strelsau bade me set this wine before the king when the king was weary of all other wines and pray the king to drink for the love that he bears his brother
 Well done. Black Michael!" said the king. "Out with the cork. Josef! Hang him, Did he think I'd finch from his bottley'
 The bottle was opened. and Josef fill- cd the kings glass. The king tasted 1t. Then, with solemnity born of the hour and his own condition, he looked round on us.
 "Gentlemen. my frieads-Rudolf. my cousin ctis scandalous story, Rudolf. on my honor.,-everything is yours to the half of Ruritania. But ask me not for single drop Of this divine bottle. which I will drink to the health of that-that sly knave. my brother. Black Michael
 And the king seized the bottle and turned it over his mouth and drained it and flung it from him and laid his head on his arms on the table.
 And we drank pleasant dreams to his majesty-and that is all remember of the evening. Perhaps it is enough CHAPTER ".
 E1TlHETHER I had slept 6 minute I" Or year knew not.
 arota with a ssarr and a