Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-11

 lead in the matter of names
 The youag man stepped forward with pleasant smile.
 "This," said he, "is Colonel Sapt, and 1 am called Fritz von Tarlenheim. We are both in the service of the king of Ruritania." | bowed and, barring my head, an- swered:
 q am Rudolf Rassendyll. I am a traveller from England, and once for a year or two held commission from her majesty the Queen.' l 'Then we are all brethren of the sword" answered Tarlenheim, holding out his hand. which took readily.
 ''Rassendyll, Rassendyll" muttered ! Colonel Sapt Then gleam of intelli- gence fitted across his face. By heaven," he cried, you're of the Burlesdons"'
 My brother is now Lord Burlesdon." :" said I.
 ''Thy head bewrayeth thee," he chuc, kled, pointing to my uncovered poll. "Why, Fritz, you know the story?"
 The young man glanced apologetic- ally at me- He felt delicacy which my sister-in-law would have admired. To put him at his ease I remarked, with smile:
 "Ah, the story is known here as well as among us, it seems"
 "Knownw cried Sapt. If you stay here the deuce a man in all Ruritania will doubt of it-or woman either"
 I began to feel uncomfortable. Had I realized what a very plainly written pedigree I carried about with me I should have thought long before I vis- ited Ruritania. However, I was in for it now.
 At this moment ringing voice sounded from the wood behind us:
 Fritz. Fritz. Where are you, man?'' Tarlenhem started and said hastily: Its the king!'
 Old Sapt chuckled again.
 Then a young man jumped out from behind the trunk of tree and stood beside us. AS I looked on him I utter ed an astonished cry. and he. seeing me, drew back in sudden wonder. Say ing the hair on my face and manner of conscious dignity which his position gave him, saving also that he lacked perhaps half an inch-nay. less than that. but still something-of my height, the king of Ruritania might have been Rudolf Rassendyll and I Rudolf the king.
 For an instant we stood motionless. looking at one another. Then I barred my head again and bowed respectfully. The king found bis voice and asked in bewilderment:
 "Colonel-Fritz-who is this gentle man?"
 1 was about to answer when Colonel Sapt stepped between the king and me | and began to talk to his majesty in a low growl. The king lowered over Sapt, and as he listened his eyes now and again sought mine. I looked at him long and carefully. The likeness was certainly astonishing. though I saw the points of difference also. The kings face was slightly more fleshy than mine, the oval of its contour the least trifle ore pronounced and, as I fancied, his mouth lacking something of the firmness tor obstinacy) which was to be gathered from my close shut. ting lips. But for all that and above . all minor distinctions the likeness rose striking, salient, wonderful.
 Sapt ceased speaking and the king still drowned. Then gradually the cor. ners of his mouth began to twitch. his nose came down Jas mine does when laughl. his eyes twinkled, and, behold he burst into the merriest fit of ire pressible laughter. which rang through the woods and proclaimed him jovial soul
 Well met. cousin. be cried. step. ping up to me. clapping me on the back and laughing still. You mus, forgive me if was taken aback. A man doesn't expect to see double al this time of day, eh, Fritzi'
 ''I must pray pardon. sire. for my presumption" said I. ''I trust it vii not forfeit your majesty's favor"
 By heaven. you'll always enjoy the kings countenance." he laughed whether I like 1t or not: and. sir. shall very gladly add to 1t what serv ices I can. Where are you travelling toY'
 "To strelsau. sire-to the corona ton"
 The king looked at his friends. H' still smiled. though his expression hlnSed some uneasiness. But the hu morous side of the matter caught hin again.
 Fritz. Fritz..' he cried. "A thousan' crowns for a sight of brother MichaeT' face when he sees a pair of us." am the merry laugh rang out again.
 Seriously observed Fritz von Tar lenheim. T question Mir. Rassendyll' wisdom in visiting Strelsau just now.
 The king 1t a cigarette.
 well. Sapty' said he questioningly.
 He mustn't 90" growled the old fel low.
 Come. colonel. you mean that should be in Mr. Rassen6sll's deb fir
 -Oh. aye wrap it Gp in tse rish way said Sapt. hauling great pip' out of his pocket
 Enough. sire" said I. "TH leav: Ru1tanIa today
 Now. by thunder. you shan't. and that's sans phrase. as Sapt likes it For rnu shall dime Wfth me fnnfxiIt