The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-04

shadow. Wit and understanding seem ed to be Schlemihrs in abundance now, and when he spoke he was listened to attsntively.
 He was at a loss to know how he had 50 suddenly acquired the art of commanding and giving the tone to the conversation. being ignorant of the fact that when rich man speaks people applaud and attend, no matter what he says. His vanity was excited. for it is In that quality of our race that the anchor takes the firmest hold. and he paid industrious court to Fan ny, the excitement of making con- quest appealing to his head but not at all affecting his heart.
 One beautiful evening he had. cc- cording to custom. assembled large company in his garden. He was walk ing arm in arm with Fanny at a dis tance from the other guests, while he poured into her ears the usual phrases. So intent was he on his lovemaking that he stepped Intentionally out from among the trees. Just at that moment the moon broke through cloud. and Fanny perceived that there was only one shadow before her.
 She started back In horror. and. turning a look of terrible inquiry at Peter sank fainting to the ground. l. That night. taking with him only one servant, clever. cunning knave called Rascal, who had rendered him self very serviceable by his adroitn ess. the unfortunate man without a shadow travelled by relays of post horses ninety miles without stopping. leaving Bendel behind to pay his bills and set tie up his affairs In a town he would never dare to enter again. The faith ful Bendel joined him next day and the journey was continued until from tiers and mountains had placed bar rier and distance between Peter Schlemihl and the unlucky town where he had lost his shadow.
 Peters lavish manner of spending money and the seclusion in which he kept himself caused much specula lion concerning his identity among the people. and 1t was not surprising that when he arrived at small and little- frequented watering place in remote region he was greeted as royalty travelling incognito and met at the en- trance of the town by the officials and a band of young women. who strewed flowers before his carriage while one surprisingly lovely girl blushingly knelt before him and presented a floral crown upon a cushion.
 Peter longed to throw himself at the feet of the fair creature. but, fearful of betraying his imperfection, only buried himself deeper in the recesses of his carriage. while Bendel. steppin g forward. replied in behalf of his mas ter. On sending Rascal out to make inquiries, Peter learned that the good King of Prussia was supposed to De travelling somewhere in that region under the name of some count and 1t had been taken for granted that SchlemihI was the King
 Even when, later. the people learn ed that the rumor about the King was without foundation, they persisted in thinking Peter was some great man tncognito. and as Count Peter paid him great deference. The beautiful girl who had so excited his admiration on his arrival at the watering place prov ed to be Minna. daughter of the ranger of the forest With the ranger and his estimable wife. Peter cultivated a close intimacy by which they were inn mensely hattered, and as he stayed on and on at the place it became evident not only that he was in love with Minna. but that he was beloved by ner in return.
 Bv increasing the precautions which he had taken before and because of the