Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-01

me-"
"Ahv' she cried. And could not but
kiss her.
you know who sent III" she asked.
II guess" said |. 1T is from a good
friend-and | fear, an unhappy wo-
man. You must be Ill Flavia. and IN
able TO go 10 Zenda. Make your ex-
cuses as cold and formal as you like"
$50 you feel strong enough TO anger
Michael?" she said, with proud smile.
I'm strong enough for anything
while you are safe" said /.
Soon tore myself away from her.
and then, without consulting Sapt. /
took my way to the house of Marshal
Strakencz | had seen something Of
the old general, and liked and trusted
him. Sapt was less enthusiastic. but
had learned by now that Sapt was best
pleased when he could do everything,
and jealousy played some part In his
views. AS things were now, l had
more work than sapt and Fritz could
manage. for they must come with me
TO Zenda. and wanted a man TO guard
what | loved most In all the world and
suffer me TO set about my task of re-
leasing the king with a quiet mind.
The marshal received me with most
loyal kindness. To some extent took
him into my confidence. | charged him
with the care OF the princess, looking
him full and significantly in the face
as | babe him let no one from her
cousin the duke approach her unless he
himself were there and dozen OF his
men with him.
you may be right. sire" said he,
shaking his gray head sadly. IL have
known better men than the duke do
worse things than that for love"
could quite appreciate the remark,
but said:
There's something beside love, mar
shall. Loves for the heart. Is there
nothing my brother might like for his
head?'
Il pray that you wrong him. SIRE
Marshal. I'm leaving Strelsau for a
few days. Every evening ! will send
courier to you. II for three days
none comes you will publish an order
which ! will give you depriving Duke
Michael OF the governorship of Strelsau
and appointing you in his place. You
will declare "A state of siege. Xhen you
will send word TO Michael that you
demand an audience of the king. You
follow meT
AYE sire
"In twenty-four hours. II he does
not produce the king"-I laid my hand
on his knee-"then the king is dead.
and you will proclaim the next heir.
You know who that isT'
"The Princess Flavia.''
And swear 10 me on your faith and
honor and by the fear of the living
God that you will stand by her to your
death and XII that reptile and seat her
where | sit now"
ION my faith and honor and by the
fear OF God | swear it, And may AL
mighty God preserve your majesty. for
/ think that you 20 on an errand Of
danger"
Il hope that no life more precious
than mine may be demanded" said l,
/ rising. Then j held out my hand TO
/ him.
Marshal" | said, lin days TO come
il may bel know not-that you will
hear strange things OF the man who
speaks TO you now. Let him be whit
be may and who he may, what say
you Of the manner in which he has
borne himself as king in Strelsau"
The old man, holding my hand, spoke
10 me, man 10 man.
% hx. Iula
berss," said he, and have seen you.
AMI happen what may, you have
borne yourself as a wise king and
brave man-aye. and you have proved
as courteous a gentleman and as gal
liant lover as any that have been of
/ the house. '.-.---r<sssz'--'aA'~-
he that my epitaph, said ]. when
the time comes that another sits Oh
the throne of Ruritania."
God send far day. and may not
see it, said he.
was much moved, and the marshal's
worn face twitched. sat down and
wrote MY order.
Il can hardly yet write" said |. MY
/ finger is stiff still"
1t was. IN fact, the first time that
had venturcd to write more than sig
nature, and in spite of the pains | had
taken to learn the kings hand | was
not yet perfect in il.
Indeed. sire" he said. lit differs Il
little from your ordinary handwriting
1t is unfortunate, for il may lead to
suspicion OF forgery"
Marshal" said |, with Il laugh
what usc are the guns Of Strelsau II
they can't assuagc little suspicioni'
lie smiled grimly and took the paper
Colonel Supt and Fritz Won Tarlen-
helm - with me-" continued.
You 20 to seek the duke he asked
in low tone.
Yes. the duke and some one else Of
whom I have need and who is at Zcn
ia. replied.
Il wish could 70 with YOU. h
cried. Juggling at his white mustGche
ia like to strike a blow for you anl
your crown"
Il leave you what is more than my
lie and more than my crown, said l.
because you are the man I trust more
than all others IN Ruritania."
Il viii deliver her to YOU safe and
sound" said he. land. failing that.
viii make her queen"
We parted. and | returned 10 the pal
ace and told Sapt and Fritz what had
done Sapt had a few faults % Cad
and Il few grumbles 20 utter This was
merely what l expected. for Sdpt liked
t to be consulted beforehand. not inform
/ ed afterward. Cn the whole he ap
/ proved of my plans. AMI his spirits